Newly minted Mister International 2025 Kirk Bondad is back in the homeland to a hero’s welcome. The gorgeous Filipino-German supermodel, businessman and wellness director won the Philippines’ second Mister International title after ‘Gwapulis’ Neil Perez’s triumph in 2014.
‘It’s like a fever dream so far. Non-stop. I’ve been mobbed in Thailand, which was to me very surprising. I was about to go to the gym and then somebody recognized me and I, you know, I’m in my mode. I’m going to the gym for the first time [after winning in Bangkok] and then suddenly people are doing pictures and they congratulate me and I wasn’t expecting that to be honest,’ Kirk, 28, exulted at his victory presscon at Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City in Pasay, on September 29.
‘And honestly, the feeling that I’m getting from being Mister International right now, it’s like when you walk in the park and suddenly a fresh breeze hits you and it goes like, I’m still catching up to the feeling. I have nothing but love in my heart,’ a grateful Kirk smiled.
Kirk’s victory follows an exceptional streak by the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide kings this year. Kenneth Cabangcal placed fifth at Mister Supranational in Poland on June 28, while Kenneth Marcelino finished first runner-up at Mister Cosmopolitan in Thailand on September 7.
The two Kenneths, Mister Pilipinas-Manhunt International 2025 Raven Lansangan, Mister Pilipinas-Man of the Year Michael Angelo Toledo and Mister Pilipinas-Eco International 2025: Kitt Cortez ecstatically welcomed Kirk at the pressscon. Also making a surprise appearance was our first Mister International, Neil Perez.
Jether Palomo is currently in Bangkok aiming for a back-to-back victory for the Philippines at Mister Global.
‘You are loved even before the pageant. Your moment of victory, you’ve inspired a lot of Filipino men who are joining beauty pageants, especially me. And I’m sure that I’m speaking on behalf of our reigning kings as well. Look at their smiles right now,’ said Kitt, who hosted the presscon.
‘I’m glad that you’re here, guys. Thank you so much,’ Kirk beamed.
‘How crazy is that?’ asked Kitt.
‘It’s surreal,’ replied Kirk.
Kitt countered: ‘What does this victory mean to you, Kirk, personally?’
A still-overwhelmed Kirk, who bested 41 contenders, answered:
‘Well, it’s interesting since when I won Mister Pilipinas Worldwide and I got the title of becoming Mister Philippines International, it is something that you know will happen, you know, just day X, you prep, you train, day by day, and then suddenly it happens and you realize all the pressure that I didn’t feel before.
‘To be honest, I didn’t feel the pressure until I actually got the crown because I sat down alone in my hotel room after everything was done and I was munching on snacks already. But in that moment, I realized I worked so hard for this and honestly, it feels hard to describe the feeling because it’s overwhelming. I haven’t got time for myself to catch up, to be honest.
‘So, it feels like a sand clock, right? Like all the sand of my emotions is buckled up and just a tiny bit of sand is being metabolized, meaning my emotions, and day by day, I just realize how much attention I need to put in.’