
Mister Philippines Kenneth Marcelino has made the nation proud—especially the Filipino pageant community—by raising the country’s flag in Thailand after winning 1st Runner-up at Mister Cosmopolitan 2025.
With his strong showing in both the preliminary and final competitions, the 24-year-old model and make-up artist from Laguna shone on stage and ultimately secured the runner-up title during the coronation night held on September 7 in Bangkok.
During the Top 5 Question-and-Answer Portion, the proud LGBT member highlighted his story and talent to help and influence others.
“Gentleman with a noble heart… it means, for me, he is kind and has a pure heart. I am a talented person—I am a model, a makeup artist, an athlete, and I am a dreamer. I want to use this story of mine to influence and help others, that if you want to achieve something, we can achieve it with our full hearts, discover all the talents that we have, and let them shine. For me, that is the Mister Cosmopolitan: a gentleman with a noble heart,” Marcelino shared.
Aside from his remarkable finish—the Philippines’ highest placement since the pageant’s inception in 2023—Marcelino also won the Mister Photogenic and Best in National Costume awards.
Prior to the finals, he wowed the judges with his ensemble inspired by Adamus, the male sang’gre or diwata of royal blood from the Filipino fantasy drama series Encantadia, designed by Patrick Isorena.
Here is the final result of the Mister Cosmopolitan 2025 pageant held in Thailand:
- Mister Cosmopolitan – Shawn Lin Yu Hsian, Taiwan
- First Runner-up – Kenneth Marcelino, Philippines
- Second Runner-up – Sandile Gama, South Africa
- Third Runner-up – Dinh Sy Tu, Vietnam
- Fourth Runner-up – Eddy Joblon, France
Marcelino is the newest addition to the list of Filipino pageant contenders who brought honors to the Philippines by winning first runner-up in their respective international pageant competitions.
In December 2024, culinary graduate Mark Joseph “MJ” Macalintal of Caloocan City won first runner-up at the Man Hot Star International pageant in Thailand.
Actress Isabelle De Los Santos from Makati City competed against 44 delegates in Turkiye in October that same year for the Miss Aura International crown and was hailed as first runner-up.
In August 2024, actor John Bench Ortiz, a native of Pangasinan, placed first runner-up at the Mr. Gay World pageant held in Northumberland, England.
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