The Philippines’ bet, John Bench Ortiz, placed first runner-up at the recently concluded Mr. Gay World 2024 pageant in the United Kingdom.
The Filipino actor bested other delegates from around the world during the daytime coronation on August 26, held at The Alnwick Garden in Alnwick, Northumberland, England.
Ortiz wowed the judges with his performance, charm, and wit as he shed light on the increasing HIV cases in the country during the competition.
During the Top 5 Final Question segment, he was asked, “Do you believe that HIV in the gay community in your country and globally is an increasing or decreasing problem, and why?”
He answered, “In my country, we do have different programs for HIV awareness, and from my experience, the problem is still increasing.
That’s why I am working with different organizations in my country such as Love Yourself. We’re opening different mental and sexual health clinics that can actually reach other provinces that don’t have access to HIV awareness and campaigns.
That’s why I am here competing to be the next Mr. Gay World because I want to take part in different organizations around the world to help us, the Philippines. Because I believe we can work this together, everyone can help each other, everyone can achieve the right sexual health that we deserve. Thank you,” Ortiz responded.
Here is the final result of the Mister Gay World 2024 pageant:
- Winner – Paul Carruthers, Great Britain
- First Runner-up – Bench Ortiz, Philippines
- Second Runner-up – Possit Changkawaneh, Thailand
- Third Runner-up – Karabo Morake, Germany
- Fourth Runner-up – Damien Kutryb, Poland
Aside from the first runner-up finish, Ortiz also won special awards such as Best in Social Media Presence and Best in National Costume with his Axel Que-designed creation inspired by the Maranaos’ gigantic Lion-Dragon mythical creature Arimoanga.
Philippines’ Victories at Mr. Gay World
With his successful stint at the Mr. Gay World pageant, Ortiz has now joined the list of Filipinos from the LGBTQIA community who brought honor to the Philippines by winning in the international competition.
In 2017, business owner John Raspado won Mr. Gay World in Spain, the first Filipino to win the title.
John Jeffrey Carlos replicated Raspado’s feat two years later by winning Mr. Gay World 2019 in South Africa.
Amid the pandemic in October 2021, Kodie Macayan secured a back-to-back victory for the Philippines and won Mr. Gay World 2020 during the virtual final competition.
In December of that same year, Joel Rey Carcason, who initially won first runner-up in the 2021 virtual edition, was announced Mr. Gay World 2021 marking a three-peat win for the Philippines after the initial winner, Louw Breytenbach from South Africa, resigned.
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