Mr. Gay World Philippines
by Roldan Castro
The Philippines’ bet for Mr. Gay World this year, which will be held in Malta on April 19-23, Christian Laxamana, is already the ninth since the contest started in 2009 could be our first winner. Aside ftom being good-looking, Christian is an educator, having a college degree in Bachelor of Secondary Eduction Major in Music and the Arts.
According to Mar.Gay World Philippines National Director Wilbert Tolentino, Christian is a perfect representative and could be a probable winner. “ Since I don’t have time to hold a national pageant, I handpicked Christian because he is the latest winner of Mr. F. He is also a runner up in the last Mr. Pogay of It’s Showtime.
“Aside from this, I am sure Christian can contribute to the welfare of the LGBT community. He could also very well speak oof the group and this could contribute to his winnability.
Wilbert Tolentino, by the way, is the first winner o Mr.Gay World Philippines, and is now appointed as the new National Director of this prestigious pageant. “This year, I was given the contract of Mr. Gay World Philippines, since the previousorganizer did not renew..
“It was only in January that I was appointed so I don’have enough time to hold a national contest. So I chose Christian, because he can perfectly represent the Philippines.”
Wilbert accepted the task of being Mr. Gay World Philippines National Director so that he can contribute to awareness of the public of the LGBT community”You see, people here in the Philippines, and the rest of the world should know that we exist, fuethermore, if we can create awareness ,we could earn the the respect of the non-LGBT population.”
According to Wilbert, there is a need for fluent and eloquent speakers on the HIV menace, another reason he’s bent on really holding on to his new post.
“The issue of HIV growing number of victims should be given attention, this is alarming. At least in my own little way, I could use Mr. Gay World to help minimize this menace.”
Being the first winner of Mr. Gay World Philippines, Wilbert is immersed in into several gay cultures so that he met several new friends.
“I am continuing to help AIDS victims And I hope to discover young people who could continue on the efforts of dreaming projects for the welfare of the gay people.”
After the Malta competition, Wilbert plans to put on another national Mr. Gay World Philippines pageant in July this year and the winner will represent the country in the international competition. “ I think this is important to allow us to train the winner and get him ready to face the contestants of other counties.
“And for this, I am employing Kagandahang Flores to train the representatives in the different aspects of the competition.
“Christian, since January this year, has been training with them and at this time he should be ready to compete.”
When asked of what he hopes to gain on this complicated job, Wilbert said that there is no financial gain in this.
”Only to comsume my passion in helping out and continue the noble objectives of Mr. Gay World, “Wilbert ends the intereview
By the way, Mr. Eric Butter is the resdent of Mr. Gay World and the Chief Executive Officer ay sina Dieter Sapper at .Emanuel Wiehl. Mr. Igor Scheurkogel is the Asia Director of Mr. Gay World and Executive Director of Mr. Gay World Taiwan
TAGALOG PRESS RELEASE
May pasabog ang 1st Mr. Gay World Philippines 2009 / businessman na si Wilbert Tolentino dahil siya ang bagong National Director ng prestihiyosong pageant na ito. Ipapadala niya sa Malta ang representative ng Pilipinas na si Christian Laxamana na gaganapin sa April 19 -23, 2016. Naging first runner up ng “ Pogay” sa It’s Showtime si Christian.
Bakit si Wilbert na ngayon ang organizer ng Mr. Gay World Philippines?
“This year po ay ibinigay sa akin ‘yung contract as a national director ng Mr. Gay World kasi hindi na po nag-renew ‘yung previous na organizer. January lang na-award sa akin kaya wala na akong enough time para mag-National pageant. So, in-appoint ko ‘yung 14th Annual Search ko ng Mr. F na nagpi-present ng gay community … kinuha ko si Christian Laxamana dahil siya ang latest na nanalo,”pakli ni Wilbert.
“I think capable naman siya kasi as an educator, marami siyang maitutulong dito sa gay community lalo na sa LGBT community.”
Ano ang objective niya kaya tinanggap niya ang pagiging National Director?
“Para makapag-contribute ako in my own little way sa gay community na at least nagi-exist tayo. At saka may participation tayo kasi ang Mr. Gay World ay naghahanap ng speaker sa HIV awareness lalo na sa panahon ngayon. Dumarami ‘yung mga HIV victims ngayon ,” sambit pa niya.
Bukod dito marami raw siyang na-adopt na gay culture dahil sa pagiging aktibo sa Mr. Gay World. Marami siyang nakilalang mga bagong kaibigan. Bilang first Ambassador ng Mr. Gay World, itinuloy na rin niya ang pagtulong lalo na sa mga AIDS victims na more than 100 cases na. Gusto niya ay may sumunod din sa yapak niya at ipagpatuloy ang mga nasimulan niya since 2009 gaya ng mga charity projects niya.
Sinabi rin ni Wilbert na pagkatapos niyang ipadala sa Malta si Christian ay plano niyang magkaroon ng National Pageant ng Mr. Gay World Philippines sa July para panlaban niya next year. Kailangan daw ito para magkaroon ng one year na training ang magiging kinatawan ng Pilipinas.
Sa palagay ba niya ready na si Christian na lumaban sa Malta?
“ Reding-ready kasi since January na makuha ko ‘yung contract sa Mr. Gay World, pinag-train ko na siya sa KF (Kagandahang Flores ni Rodgil),” sey pa ni Wilbert.
Hindi kaya kumuha lang si Wilbert ng sakit ng ulo sa pagkuha ng Mr. Gay World?
“Actually, itong Mr. Gay World Organization ,eh, wala ka namang kikitain. Ang sa akin ay puso. Kailangan ay meron din tayong passion para maituloy ang magandang adhikain nito,” pagwawakas ni Wilbert.
Samantala, para sa additional info ng Mr. Gay World ang President ay si Eric Butter at Chief Executive Officer ay sina Dieter Sapper at Emanuel Wiehl .Si Igor Scheurkogel ang Asia Director ng Mr. Gay World at Executive Director ng Mr. Gay World Taiwan.
CHRISTIAN LAXAMANA ‘S ARTICLE
Laking tuwa ni Christian Laxamana dahil siya ang representative ng Pilipinas para lumaban sa Mr. Gay World na gaganapin sa Malta ngayong April 19 to 23, 2016. Feeling blessed at lucky raw siya dahil matagal na niyang pangarap na sumali sa nasabing pageant. Pero hiniling ng parents niya na mag-focus siya that time ng kanyang pag-aaral kaya hindi niya na-pursue ang dream niya. Nagtapos siya ng Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Music, Arts , Physical Education and Health.
Malakas ang laban ni Christian na makuha ang title dahil sa kanyang pisikal na anyo at talino. Bukod dito, may advocacy rin siya na i-encourage ang netizens na magpa-AIDS test bilang kinatawan ng LGBT sa Pilipinas.
Alam ng family niya na gay siya at very supportive daw ang Mother niya nu’ng grand finals ng “Pogay”. Nandoon daw ang nanay niya at isa ‘yun sa hinugutan niya ng lakas ng loob.
Feeling ni Christian ay handang-handa na siya sa laban at hindi naman daw siya kinakabahan. Ang preparasyon niya ay nag-train siya sa Kagandahang Flores kung paano maglakad, magsalita, sumagot ng tanong at araw-araw na work out.
Pang-walo si Christian na kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa Mr. Gay World. Wala pang nakakakuha ng titulo kaya umaasa ang National Director na si Wilbert Tolentino na mananalo ito.
Tinanong din si Christian kung ano ang opinion niya sa kontrobersyal na issue kay Manny Pacquiao at sa LGBT.
Sana raw ay lalong lumawak ang perspective ni Pacman sa LGBT issues bago raw magsalita ng mabibigat na salita.
Iboboto ba niya si Manny bilang Senador?
“No,” mabilis niyang sagot.
Buong ningning ding sinabi ni Christian na si Piolo Pascual ang kanyang ultimate crush sa showbiz.
“Nakita ko kasi siya ng personal at parang lalaking-lalaki ang dating. I really like po men na tanned, and he has a strong personality
“Malay mo soulmate ko pala siya,” pagbibiro niya sabay tawa.
“Second, Alden Richards because of his dimples po.
“Third, Jericho Rosales. His positive attitude in achieving his dreams po.Iyon pong life niya kasi, from pagiging tinderong isda and he strove harder po just to achieve his goal.
“Fourth, Richard Gutierrez, very Adonis! Tatayo lang siya… I would just use these words not just to, wala akong words to describe but these words perfectly suit him, lalaking-lalaki!
“And James Reid, of course.Bata po,” sambit niya.
Kung mabibigyan ng chance si Christian ay papasok din siya sa showbiz pagkatapos ng competition niya sa Mr. Gay World. Sumayaw, kumanta at pag-arte ang kanyang talent.
