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Kirk Bondad becomes the first Mister International Filipino winner since policeman Neil Perez in 2014
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-German model Kirk Bondad captured the Mister International 2025 title during the global pageant’s coronation night on Thursday, September 25, at the MCC Hall at The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan in Thailand.
Bondad bested 40 aspiring candidates, winning against first runner-up Saadedine Hneineh of Lebanon and second runner-up Seung-ho Choi of South Korea.
The last Mister International Filipino winner was policeman Neil Perez in 2014.
Bondad landed on the Top 5 for the Best National Costume award, donning a golden ensemble called Perlas Celestia, with a crown and scepter to match. The costume takes inspiration from the Philippines’ representation as the Pearl of the Orient Seas.
Perlas Celestia was designed by Patrick Isorena, a Filipino fashion designer who has long been designing for pageant contestants. He won the Pageant Costume Designer of the Year award in the 2024 Philippine Pageantry Excellence Awards.
Bondad’s thought-provoking answer during the Q&A segment helped the judges and audience vote for him during the finals.
“Why is critical thinking important for the survival of democracy in an era of fake news and misinformation?” Mister International president and judge Pradit Pradinunt asked Bondad.
Bondad was given only 60 seconds to answer.
“I think that topic is a timely matter, because social media is acting as a double-edged sword that can divide… but it can also unite. And one thing, especially now, that is very prevalent, that you can see everywhere, is that fake news is spreading; and I think critical thinking gives us the ability to see what truly matters,” he said.
“Because at the end of the day, every step counts. And if we can work together, as humanity, we can progress in this world, and we can move forward with peace and progress.”
Bondad isn’t new to the pageant scene, as he previously represented the country and finished in the Top 20 during the Mister World 2024 pageant held in Vietnam. He also won the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide 2025 pageant, representing Baguio.
Mister International is an international male beauty pageant held annually since its first edition in 2006. The pageant and its organization were created by the late Singaporean founder Alan Sim.
After Sim’s passing in 2022, current president Pradit Pradinunt has been leading the headquarters in Thailand. – Juliana Chloe Gonzales/Rappler.com
Juliana Chloe Gonzales is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication Arts at the De La Salle University.
