Mr Gay World 2011 Review, Part 5 - Top 10

At all other major international pageants, the practice is for judges to have already picked the semifinalists based on regulated pre-pageant heats, such as, but not limited to - fuck, I sound like a useless legal conforme - panel interview, National Costume, Swimwear and Formal Wear. Sometimes - as in the case of Miss Earth and Mr Gay Hong Kong - the chaperons and production team may be given a collective vote because they've seen the candidates up close and personal, in every setting imaginable. No point being fake; you'll be exposed.

Mr Gay World went the whole nine yards. Reasonable, given that there were only 23 delegates. It was satisfying to get to know the delegates better, and there was definitely plenty of time. However there were way too many show "fillers" that could have been eliminated to create a better-paced show.

It didn't help that my eardrums got blasted by Eladio Pamaran's rendition of "Magsimula Ka," which was horrifyingly absent of vocal control or rhythmic precision. Singers grow on bayabas trees in the Philippines, sampu-sampera. Each one is hungrier than the next. If Pamaran can't do a perfect job every single time, there's millions more who can - and who will. Holla!

The Top 10 was a mostly satisfying mix. I wished that there were a more realistic representation of male beauty in all its glorious forms, especially since 10 is almost half of the total number of delegates. Gay boys are not just beefcakes. But anyhow - it's a competition. In the end, 10 is still just 10, not 12. Some early favourites will inadvertently fail to make it. But who's scared of failure? If you don't play, you don't win. That's life. That's all.

Now, smile and wave for "World Peace!"

Of the delegates who didn't make it, the following deserve to be on my Hyperactive Honor Roll™, starting with:

Macau  - Jonathan Chong
He gambled and he certainly didn't lose. He gets extra pink points just for being the first ever Mr Gay Macau. He didn't miss the cut because his performance was middling or poor; in fact, he did really well. I suspect he missed the cut by very little. Keep persevering, Jonathan. We're rooting for you. Here's to the start of many more fabulous things to come in Macau's gay community!

Canada -  Rob Goddard
I thought Canada was a shoo-in for Top 5, but apparently I know nothing. I only know how to knock back a shot of vodka, and to recognize a supreme specimen of homo sapiens when I see one. He struck me as an intelligent and well spoken young man. I can't explain his exclusion, except perhaps his tender age of 21 - a baby in male terms, when Sean Connery, who is 100 years old, is still a stud -  may have raised reservations about his readiness.

Hong Kong - Heihei Yau

How can you not love Heihei? He's adorable, energetic, cooperative and uncomplicated. Heihei was the life of every single MGW event. Plus, Heihei was the only candidate whom the audience cheered for by first name. That's a giant impression. Obviously, I'm a proud momma. I'm so happy that we were able to present a good image of Hong Kong to the gay world for the second year in a row. There's More Than One Way To Be A Man!®

And now, the Top 10. Drumrolls!

Philippines - Mark Ernest Biala
Kudos to Mark for getting prepared for MGW at such short notice. Being the host delegate entails a mountain of pressure, chief among which is helping boost delegate morale despite a very real possibility that you might not be given a "hometown pass" into the semifinals. Mark did his best and earned his spot. He shined the most in the National Costume round. Well played, Philippines!

Mexico - Juan Manuel Lopez
He was my earliest crown favourite. Great presence, settled, intelligent, confident. Plus he's a surgeon. I was just wondering why he chose to use an intrepreter at the Grand Finale, when he very easily conversed with the hosts at Club Polari, and with the media during the presentation. Plus, the sleek-and-shiny-with-pomade 'do didn't flatter him.

Netherlands - Mischa Germeraad
Ah, another of my crushes, along with the super-sexy Martin from Czech Republic. If there were a "Face of the World" special award, I would have given it to Mischa. He has the sort of racially ambiguous features that make stars like Glee's Darren Criss (Blaine) so enigmatic.

Ireland - Barry Gouldsbury
Barry is the type of guy you'd want to spend an entire summer with. He's cool, he's fun, he's friendly, and he's got tons of personality. He almost looks like a menacing frat boy, but once he smiles and raises a sassy eyebrow, you know you're really in for a good time.

Curacao - Rupert Arrindell
Rupert rocked National Costume, Swimwear and Q&A. This boy had serious stage presence. Out of all the delegates, he was arguably the only one who matched the energy and chutzpah of 20 drag chorus girls. So what went wrong? Nothing. Scores are a matter of average. Again, I suspect that he missed the cut buy very little. Rupert was an absolute joy to watch onstage.
 

4th RU, New Zealand - Aaron Comis

At the Press Conference, Aaron described himself as "a hottie, for an oldie." He was by no means being cocky or conceited. He was just poking fun at the fact that we've become ridiculously ageist when we choose to note a guy's age before we acknowledge him as a person. Aaron is articulate, ridiculously ripped, and hauntingly gorgeous. When God created man, he created Aaron Comis.

3rd RU, Australia - Leigh Charles

Ah, the golden boy of Mr. Gay World 2011 - sheer anatomic perfection. Leigh coasted through the first rounds of competition with top marks. With the Swimwear and Formal Wear sashes around his spectacularly sculpted frame, there was little doubt in my mind that the Aussie would win decisively. He was edged out in the final Q&A round, when he responded rather timidly. He's fated for stardom any which way, perhaps just through a different path.

2nd RU, Spain - Israel Acevedo

The Philippines is still obviously infatuated with her old colonial master. Israel performed consistently and must have been in the Top 5 in all rounds. His dark matador costume was one of my favourites. If Cabaret's Emcee were a torero, he would be Israel Acevedo. He had the most original answer to the final question: "If you could meet any world leader, who would it be and why?" He answered that he has no need to meet any other leader apart from the brave men who shared the stage with him with a common goal of becoming an ambassador for the gay community worldwide. Brava!

1st RU, USA - Michael Holtz

The glamour spot in every beauty pageant is the 1st Runner Up - that's a fact. Seldom does the early front runner end up with the title. That's what happened to Australia; that's what happened to USA. Michael has a charmingly boyish mien perched on a stupendous frame. Go and look up "alpha male" - Michael's photo will be smiling back at you. He choked with his final answer, which broke my heart. He should have stopped speaking after 30 seconds, but he floundered and he gasped as he reached for a lifeline of political correctness. I could only look down in regret because I felt his frustration. In today's world, it's not easy being an American. It's not easy being a homosexual American. It's not easy being a homosexual American on a world stage. Michael should be proud that he finished as well as he did. I have no doubt that he will continue to do wonderful things for the gay community back home.

Mr Gay World 2011, South Africa - Francois Nel

Francois had always been one of the strongest players in the game, although the crowd had clearer favourites in Australia, USA and Spain. Myself, I like come-from-behind victories. I'm gay; I just like to come from behind, anyway. LOL. In all seriousness, pageants are a marathon, not a sprint. Slow and steady wins the race. Francois pulled ahead and muscled through the final hurdle when it mattered the most. He had the steadiest voice. He was calm, cool and collected. And he knew how to create a message in concise and effective language. He's exactly the type that Mr Gay World needs - a perfect package of brains, beauty and brawn.

Brava, South Africa! Waka waka eh eh!

JoBurg 2012, here we come!


Coming Up:
THE HYPERACTIVE™ VERDICT