The Caballero Universal 2022 is stretching now to its last leg (and is underway at Club Teatro Luisela Diaz in
Caracas, Capital District, Venezuela). and so far the men participating did not disappoint.
The show started with a musical number and the men responded by showing their terpsichorean skills. Not bad at
all. Then everybody introduced themselves in Spanish. I was more interested in Philippines Andre Cue and how he
will fare being placed side by side with Latin counterparts (he being boyish and only 5'9" and the rest more mature
candidates and six-footers at that)
Height is might in the modeling industry. He is 5′ 9″ alright much taller than other Filipinos, but most of the time
modeling agencies are looking for models taller than 5’9″ for unknown reasons.
More musical numbers were incorporated in an almost 3-hour show, so typical of Venezuelan pageants. Even Miss
and Mr. Venezuela is guilty of this as the org makes sure they invite who's who in the Latin music scene (they made
us feel we are watching ASAP and the swimwear and the Q and A are merely intermission numbers.)
Early special award winners were:
1. Mejor Sonrisa - Fabio Gomez -Dominican Republic - Best Smile
2. Caballero Interactivo - Pablo Estrada - Spain - Interactive Gentleman
3. Mejor Cuerpo - Andre Cue - Philippines - Best Physique or Best Body
4. Mejor Amigo -Juan Matthew - Haiti - Most Friendly
Andre Cue in the swimwear competition was like the little boy in the midst of giants. He looked diminutive and
unusually small. He was the youngest as the host explained he was only 18. He looked surprised when a presenter
kiss him, and she expected a kiss in return.
In the formal wear competition, Andre's smile lit the stage, and his chiseled jawline (not to mention his dimples
were magnified tenfold as the camera zoomed in on his face. A square face is typically seen as very masculine due
to its dominating features, such as a striking, angled jawline. Alas, his height became his Achilles heel. His formal
wear was made by Ryan Chris Baylen.
More special awards:
1. Caballero Pasarela - Carlos Palacio - Nicaragua - Best in Catwalk
2. Caballero Presa - Kendall Switzenberg -USA
3. Caballero Fotogenico -Roger Molina - Cuba - Most Photogenic
4. Caballero Elegancia - Kramikkumar Yadav -India Most Elegant
The announcement of the ten finalists followed and they were:
1. Puerto Rico
2. Spain
3. Cuba
4. Mexico
5. Dominican Republic
6. Panama
7. Philippines
8. Nicaragua
9. India
10. USA
In the announcement of the ten finalists, Andre tried to speak Spanish to my surprised ... which is a good
try.
The announcement of the six finalists followed:
1. India
2. Puerto Rico
3. Cuba
4. Spain
5. USA
6. Nicaragua
And the winners are;
Fourth Runner-Up - Roger Molina Cuba
Third Runner-Up - Angel Rosado- Puerto Rico
Second Runner-Up -Kramikkumar Yadav - India -
First Runner-Up - Pablo Estrada 0 Spain
Virrey Caballero Universal 2022- Carlos Palacio - Nicaragua
Caballero Universal 2022- USA = Kendall Switzenberg
Emmanuel Manu Franco Mr. International 2022 from the Dominican Republic was one of the judges.
Caballero Universal 2021 Christian Narango Gomez of Spain and Virrey Luis Bermudez of Venezuela crowned
the winners. They looked like Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur ... so tall and so towering.
Mister International Philippines should take the cue from there. One has to be tall to be competitive ...
not to belittle the Top Ten finish of Andre Cue. Had he been taller ... with his good looks and good physique
... we can always dream ... can't we?