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| Janjep Carlos (center) with 2nd runner-up Oliver Pusztan of Hungary (left) and 1st runner-up Francisco Alvarado of Spain (right) |
MANILA - John Jeffrey "Janjep" Carlos became the second Filipino and Asian to win the Mr. Gay World crown after winning this year's pageant in South Africa.
Carlos, who hails from Cavite, bested 21 other candidates in the final round of the pageant in Cape Town, South Africa on May 4 (May 5 in Manila).
He joins fellow Filipino John Fernandez Raspado took the crown in 2017.
Carlos succeeded Mr. Gay World 2018 Jordan Bruno, an Australian national, for the crown.
Spain's Francisco Alvarado was crowned 1st runner up, followed by Hungary's Oliver Pusztan (2nd runner up), Thailand's Cjayudhom Samibat (3rd runner up) and Belgium's Nick Van Vooren (4th runner up)
In his introduction video posted on the Mr Gay World 2019 Youtube channel, Carlos said mental health awareness was one of his main advocacies, particularly the fight against depression.
"Depression is real, and it has caused the tragic loss of lives. Depression is a real illness that can be treated if properly diagnosed," he said.
"With love and understanding of people undergoing depression, this illness can be transformed into wellness."
Source: ABS-CBN, 5/5/2019