The winner of the Best National Costume Award at the Mister International 2024 is Justine Ong from the Philippines. Photo credit: Facebook/Mister Pilipinas Worldwide
After Chelsea Manalo won the Best National Costume Award at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico, the Philippines won the same special award at the just concluded 16th Mister International pageant in Thailand.
Justine Carl Ong won the Best National Costume Award at the 2024 International Men’s National Costume Competition, which concluded in Bangkok on Saturday evening, December 14.
The Filipino contestant showed off a golden Philippine Eagle costume designed by Bhong Celario. “It’s a tribute to our national bird, a powerful symbol that calls on us to protect and cherish this rare living treasure. It’s also a heartfelt tribute to Justin’s hometown of Tacloban, Leyte, home to this majestic and iconic creature,” the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide organization posted on social media.
In the national preliminary round, the Taclobanon host and model showed off his golden costume, complete with fanned wings and an intricate headdress depicting an endangered bird. The winner was determined by online voting.
Ong also topped the online popularity vote and made it to the top 6. He failed to make it to the 15 semi-finals in the final competition show held at Island Hall Fashion Island in Bangkok, but was announced as the final member of the top 6 before the question and answer session.
At the end of the awards ceremony, software engineer Samuel Nwajagu won Nigeria’s first international men’s title. He inherited the title from Thai actor and model Kim Goodburn.
The selection committee included three Filipino celebrities – shoemaker Jojo Bragais, public relations practitioner and magazine publisher Josh Yugen and actress Arci Muñoz.
Police officer Neil Perez is the only Filipino contestant to win the Mr. International title. In 2015, he won the ninth edition of the global men’s competition held in Seoul, South Korea.