Switzerland's Pedro Mendes wins Mister International 2015 pageant

MANILA, Philippines – Pedro Mendes of Switzerland has won the title of Mister International 2015. Mister International 2014, the Philippines’ own Neil Perez, awarded the new winner at the pageant’s finals night Monday, November 30.

After the pageant, Pedro said through a translator that his win hasn’t sunk in yet. “He really, really thanks his fans and his followers because without you, he wouldn’t be there right now, so thank you, thank you very much, and he really appreciates it,” said Pedro’s translator after Pedro gave his message to his supporters.

Here are the runners-up, rounding out the top 5:

1st runner-up: Mister Brazil, Anderson Tomazini
2nd runner-up: Mister Korea, Sang-Jin Lee
3rd Runner-up: Mister Panama, Julian Torres
4th Runner-up: Mister Czech Republic, Jakub Kraus

The Philippines’ representative Reniel Villareal won Best in National Costume, but finished in the top 10.

Reniel was sad about not getting into the Top 5, but was still thankful. He spoke to Rappler backstage at the pageant about his plans for the future, now that the competition is over. After resting for a few weeks, Reniel said, that it’s back to work for him. “Back to work na para doon sa organization, tapos kung may mga project na darating o opportunities, siguro tratrabahuin ko yun. Kasi para din naman sa akin at para sa pamilya ko ‘yon, para sa organization.“

(Back to work na doon sa organization, and if there are any projects or opportunities, I guess I’ll work on that. Because that’s for me and for my family too, for the organization.)

Reniel also thanked his supporters and those who helped him get to where he is now: “Sa lahat po ng mga sumuporta sa’kin, para sa mga Reingers, sa lahat ng mga taong hindi nagsasawang magbigay ng pagdadasal at pagmamahal sa akin… siyempre lalo na yung family ko laging nandiyan para sa akin, thank you so much kasi hindi niyo ako pinabayaan lagi kayong nagdadasal para sa akin. Thank you, thank you, I love you.”

(To all of those who supported me, for the Reingers, for all the people who didn’t tire of giving prayers and love to me… of course my family, who are always there for me, thank you so much because you’re always with me, you always pray for me. Thank you, thank you, I love you.)

Following the fashion show, evening wear, swimwear, and national costume shows, the top 5 went through their question-and-answer round.

Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Mister Switzerland was asked by Francis Libiran: “If you were a world leader, what would you do to make a difference in the world?”

“[If] You cannot be the best…it means you have to try to be the best. [I would like] to show you what I can do,” he said.

Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Here are the rest of the answers in this important round:

Vice Ganda asked Mister Panama, “What do you think of the legalization of same sex marriage?”

Answer (via interpreter): “You need to respect everyone no matter what you think, [you may] have many opinions about it, but in his own opinion, everyone can do for…[make] their own decisions.”

Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Mister Czech Republic was asked by Jose Paredes, “How will you promote a healthy lifestyle in the best possible way?”

Answer: By own [self], I would promote myself as a good example of what you can achieve…it’s about the mind.

Anna Chua asked Mister Brazil, “If you were given the chance to live your life all over again, what would you want to change and why?”

He said he would spend more time making precious memories with his family. “I’ve tried so hard to be here, and I forgot sometimes to be with them,” he said.

Mister Korea was asked by Thu Wu, “What do you think is the essence of winning this pageant?”

“The essence of winning this pageant – we have to be good examples to the people, who look to us to be an inspiration to them, to guide them to be role models for the world,” he answered with the help of an interpreter.

Pedro wins the 10th edition of Mister International 2015.

Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler