Mister Philippines Nathaniel Tiu of Cebu won the prestigious Mister Earth International 2024 pageant held in Santa Marta, Colombia. The 29-year-old mining engineer and college professor emerged victorious in the competition, besting contenders from around the world.
Tiu was the only Asian candidate to advance to the Top 4, competing against three Latino contestants. He ultimately clinched the crown during the coronation night on August 18 (Philippine time), bringing pride to the Philippines on the global stage.
Tiu wowed the judges and viewers with his confidence, charm, and eloquence as he championed the conservation of the environment during the competition.
“I would like you guys to appreciate our beautiful planet, our home, Earth. It is not just a place we live, it’s an ecosystem that is filled with life, beauty, and diversity. From the mountains to the seas, from the forests to the desert, Earth provides us everything we need in order for us to survive and thrive,” he shared during the speech round.
“However, our planet faces a lot of challenges, climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity, threatening the balance of nature. We may be the cause of these problems, but we are also the solutions,” the Cebuano educator added.
The Filipino pageant candidate and United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 15 (Life on Land) advocate also aced the national costume competition with his garb inspired by the “semi-aquatic ecosystem protector” Berberoka garb and created by the world-renowned designer Patrick Isorena.
During the final question-and-answer portion, Tiu sealed his victory by remembering the advice he received from his late mother.
“The greatest advice I received from my mother was to always have faith, and having faith means loving and respecting all of God’s creations, including the environment. I am a man of faith, and a man of faith is a man of God, and a man of God is a man of the Earth,” he stated.
Here are the winners of the 2024 Mister Earth International pageant:
- Mister Earth International – Nathaniel Tiu, Philippines
- Mister Water – Diego Gonzalez, Costa Rica
- Mister Air – Ivan Andres Morejon Carrera, Ecuador
- Mister Fire – Kidanny Flores Guzmán, Puerto Rico
In a brief interview after the competition, Tiu expressed gratefulness to the pageant organization and his fellow competitors.
“My heart is full of gratitude, especially to the Mister Earth International Organization headed by Sandy [Leon] and to all my brothers who competed with me this year. I’m just grateful. My heart is full of happiness and gratefulness,” he shared.
The newly crowned pageant king also took to Instagram to dedicate his triumph to his late mother and to those who helped him on this journey.
“My mama in heaven this is for you [Face Holding Back Tears and Wing Emojis]. This achievement is not just mine; it belongs to all those who believe and supported me since the beginning,” Tiu wrote.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Mister Earth organization for this opportunity and for their commitment to advocating for environmental awareness and sustainability. Your efforts inspire so many around the world,” he continued.
“Thank you for your trust and support. Let us work hand in hand to protect our beautiful planet and ensure a brighter future for generations to come,” the newly crowned Mister Earth International concluded.
Tiu has now joined the list of Filipino pageant winners who brought honor and glory to the Philippines.
In June 2024, licensed mechanical engineer and event host Jupheter Franco of General Santos City won the Mister Continental World 2024 title in Thailand.
Digital creator Ryan Kristopher Sacopon from Batangas bagged the Mister Culture International 2024 crown in Indonesia.
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