Filipino businessman Janjep Carlos wins Mr Gay World 2019
Newly crowned Mr Gay World, Janjep Carlos acknowledges the applause during the Mr Gay World contest in Cape Town on May 4, 2019. (Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty)
The Philippines’ Janjep Carlos has been crowned Mr Gay World 2019.
Carlos, described as a 41-year-old businessman in Filipino media, was announced the winner of the pageant at a ceremony held in Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday (May 4).
The second Filipino to win the title after John Fernandez Raspado in 2017, Carlos took the crown from Jordan Bruno, the Australian chef who won Mr Gay World last year.
“Depression is real and has caused a tragic loss of lives.”
— Janjep Carlos
Like Bruno, Carlos too championed mental health awareness as his chosen cause, mentioning his work for the charity Mental Health PH in his introductory video.
In the video, Carlos credited his passion for travel for broadening his horizons and making him aware of various global issues.
“This brings me to my advocacy [for] mental health awareness,” he said, “Depression is real and has caused a tragic loss of lives.”
The organisation congratulated its ambassador on his victory in a tweet: “Congratulations, Janjep Carlos, for winning Mr. Gay World 2019! #MentalHealthPH is so proud of you! Thank you for bringing this advocacy to the WORLD!”
Janjep Carlos grooms himself before the start of Mr Gay World contest. (Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty)
Spain’s Francisco Alvarado was crowned 1st runner up, followed by Hungary’s Oliver Pusztan, Thailand’s Cjayudhom Samibat and Belgium’s Nick Van Vooren.
Carlos’ coronation concludes the week-long event, which was held in South Africa for the second time in its 11-year history.
Mr Gay World 2019 held in South Africa following Chinese clampdown
The 2019 edition of the pageant was meant to take place in Hong Kong, but organisers were notified in August they could not hold the event in line with Chinese authorities’ clampdown on LGBT+ events and campaigns. Cape Town was chosen instead.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the pageant contenders in a message posted to social media on April 30.
“On behalf of all South Africans, I wish to extend a warm welcome to delegates who have arrived in South Africa for the 2019 Mr Gay World event. South Africa is pleased to host Mr Gay World delegates during #FreedomMonth,” he wrote.
Ramaphosa added: “As we celebrate the freedoms afforded to all people in South Africa and affirm the democratic values of human dignity, equality & freedom enshrined in our Constitution, I wish Mr Gay World delegates well and I hope you enjoy your visit to the most beautiful places in the world.”
