Monday

Philippines is Mr. Gay Congeniality

6 Comments October 30, 2006 – 2:16 pm | Share and Save | Permalink |  Print This Post |

Robby Tarroza, who landed in the papers last year for a major skirmish with Rudy Fernandez and Alma Moreno, ironically won for the Philippines the Mr. Congeniality title in the recently concluded Mr. Gay International in California, USA. Mr. Gay Israel won the crown with Mr. Gay USA and Mr. Gay Netherlands as runners up.

Here’s the official PR from the organizers:

(In the Photo: Mr. Gay Israel)

PALM SPRING, CA (Oct. 28, 2006) – For the second year in a row the desert community of Palm Springs hosted the international Mr. Gay Competition, where Mr. Gay Israel was selected to take over title of International Mr. Gay.

The event, hosted by Bruce Vilanch, doubled in size this year to include a Friday night American competition of 19 cities, that crowned Sacramento’s Grant Ermis, Mr. USA, moving him into the Saturday night International event that included representatives from: Australia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, Vatican City, and Mexico.

USA Mr. Gay was the first runner up and Mr. Gay Netherlands landed in the second runner up slot. On the International night, the title for Mr. Congeniality, voted on by his fellow contestants, was awarded to Mr. Gay Philippines.

“Competitions such as these have been popular in Europe for years and we’re thrilled to now have a U.S. based component looking for the ‘boy next door’ to represent the broader gay community,” said Producer Don Spradlin. “The winner will serve as a spokesman to raise the visibility of gay men, humanize gays in the media, create a positive role model and confront homophobia in today’s culture.”

Unlike last’s year’s cliffhanger where a second round of judging was needed to break a tie, the judges this year were united in their decision.