Baron Andrews and Ion Perez win in their respective international pageant

The Philippines intensifies its advantage in international beauty pageant in both sexes.

This after, the country’s representative Baron Adrews, won Mr. Star Model Universe 2018 in Lima, Peru while Mexico and Peru were runners-up respectively.

The 24-year-old model expressed his happiness over his victory, citing “all the effort I put into the contest” on his Facebook account.

“The discipline, the favorite food that I tried hard to ignore, lahat ito, sa pahintulot ng Diyos Ama, nakamit ko na maging kauna-unahang Mr. Star Model Universe 2018,” he said. 

“Kahit po mahaba ang binyahe namin, dalawang araw kami bumiyahe papuntang Peru, tapos ang paga-adjust ng tulog at body clock at pag-adapt sa klima rito sa Peru. Ako ay minalat at inubo isang araw bago ang paligsahan. Nawala po ang boses ko. Pero ginabayan po tayo ng Diyos Ama kaya naka-recover tayo agad upang ipagpatuloy ang laban. Sa awa po ng Diyos, nakamit natin ang tagumpay para sa bansa natin,” he added.

This isn’t the first time Andrews joined an international male pageant. He previously represented the Philippines during the Mr. Real Universe 2015 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Andrews graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education Major in Social Studies. He currently works as a teacher at San Rafael Technological and Vocational High School in Navotas.

Meanwhile, 27-year old Ion Perez of Concepcion, Tarlac snatched Mr. Universe 2018 during the pageant’s finale at Tanghalang Pasigueño in Pasig City recently.

In an interview, Perez shared the simple life in the province and how he helped his mother in their small business.

"Tinutulungan ko po si nanay na gumawa ng kakanin kasi po nagtitinda po. Siya gumawa, ako po 'yung nagpa-pack sa mga kalamay na tinitinda niya," said Perez.

Never in Ion’s ambition to join male pageants but it’s been three years since he was convinced to try his luck. He also revealed that he stopped from studying due to financial reasons and he took the pageant’s opportunity to help his family.

"Sobrang mahiyain po talaga ako. Siguro dala din ng isa akong probinsyano. 'Di ba po kapag sinabing probinsyano, mahiyain," added Perez.

He admitted he draw inspiration from his mother and siblings adding “sobrang naramdaman ko po ang suporta na binigay sa akin ng pamilya ko simula pagkabata ko. 'Di ko sila nakita nagsuot ng pormal kaya sobrang saya po para sa akin na nakita sila," he shared.

Perez cannot contain his emotions looking back at how he started and the good future he is ready to bank on.

"Sobrang saya po na ang isang bata na dati nila sinasabihan na pangit, mabaho, maitim, eto na po ako ngayon," Perez said while in tears.

Perez is set to return to school while he will save in a bank the cash prize he won from Mr. Universe Tourism.

Story by: Eric Arevalo & Atorni Ton

Photos by: Noli Berioso of OPMB Worldwide and Joy Arguil