JAPAN - Koki Sakata. He seems to be channeling his 2016 counterpart, Masaya Yamagishi, though he didn't seem to have the derring-do to commit to a loincloth for his national costume presention. He's been receiving positive buzz, even if he missed out on the fashion/runway event for some odd reason (did he fall sick that day?).
LAOS - Donesavanh Xaimong. He's attractive, but he doesn't exude the charisma of a major international pageant contestant but rather like a contestant in a lowbrow pageant for bike messengers and delivery boys like what "Kuya" Kim Atienza is conducting in his news/talk show Dapat Alam Mo [You Should Know This] or for other blue-collar folk in various noontime variety shows in our shores. Hence, that is why for me he's the weakest link in this year's batch.
LEBANON - Seif Al'walid Harb. It's nice to see this male pageant powerhouse back, especially with the dire situation this country has been enduring in recent years. Many are buzzing that he's the favorite to win it all, especially with his stunning good looks and beefy buffed bod. But I have reservations about how relatively subdued he is when he walks onstage in contrast to his peers delivering high energy, and when he talks about his advocacy, he talks about it in generic terms that it almost sounded pageant-patty. But it seems he has an ace up his sleeve as he seems to have a flirtatious rapport with this pageant's COO, Pawee Ventura. Guess who this guy named as his favorite Miss Universe winner or contestant when polled by Pawee? I'm sure it's cheeky and irreverent, but still...
MALAYSIA - Arvind Gorasia. He's another candidate of Indian descent competing who is not representing a country in South Asia. He's actually at a high level lookswise, but it seems he's relatively subdued and hence not receiving as heavy buzz as other contenders out there. I'll consider him an underrated gem.
MEXICO - Brian Eduardo Caballos. At first glance you would think he fits the CLH mold, but he has some facial scruff peeking out so he doesn't quite qualify for that label. Though pre-arrival there are fans who thought he can make a serious play for the Final Five, it seems he's more likely to finish at the Top 10 at best.
MYANMAR - Austin Myat. At least he's an improvement over his predecessor, though he's not as charismatic as other contenders out tere.
NEPAL - Prajwol Tamrakar. He's buffed and attractive, but he doesn't generate as much charisma as his peers.
NIGERIA - Martin Osagie Omoregbee. Yes, he's reasonably polished, but we have seen more charismatic representatives from his country before.
NORTH CYPRUS - Suleyman Mulahassan. He's buffed and handsome, and many believe he's a lock in the Top 20, and be a possible sleeper surprise for the Top 10. It's interesting to note that he has a fellow competitor who is Greek Cypriot (CZECH REPUBLIC to be precise), and coincidentally they both won a special raffle prize of THB 10,000 (about USD 280)--considering this country was formed because of ethnic tensions between the Greeks and Turks that culminated in Turkey invading the northern part of the island in 1974, it could potentially be a sore topic to put these two guys together, but it seemed there is no incident and these guys are fine being onstage together.
PERU - Joel Farach. This guy is one who ticks all the boxes with handsomeness, buffness, charisma, and strong communication skills. Just like CUBA and MEXICO, his subtle stubble disqualified him from fitting the CLH mold. There are are even some who are hyping that he's the one to take it all, but I have a feeling there are three or four other guys he has to contend with to clinch his country's first win in this pageant.
PHILIPPINES - Jefferson Bunney. He actually got the right to compete here because of Empire PH's Mister Pilipinas Worldwide pageant.and with Manuel Deldio legally holding the rights to the name "Mister International Philippines", he had to be awarded the title "Mister International Ambassador Philippines" to circumvent Deldio's rights. With his British heritage, he has that classic handsomeness that is well regarded, and he has strong communication skills. However, there is another guy who also has a similar heritage, and that guy is getting all the spotlight. So even if Filipino pageant fans may believe he has an inside track to the Top 10, I think he is likely to finish short of that and just advance to the Top 20.
COMING UP: PUERTO RICO to VIETNAM plus the "FEARFUL" FORECAST
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