Mr. World bet

MANILA, Philippines - Andrew Wolff hopes to continue the winning streak.

Fresh from clinching the seventh slot at 2013 World Ruby Cup with his team Philippine Volcanoes, the Fil-British athlete, model and actor is off to Kent, England as the country’s official bet to this year’s Mr. World Pageant to be held on Nov. 24. While it’s a different kind of competition for Andrew, it doesn’t mean it’s any less competitive.

According to Cory Quirino, whose CQ Global Quest, Inc. is the licensee of Mr. World Philippines (as well as Ms. World Philippines), there was no longer a Philippine pageant because there was no time to mount one as the license was given to her three weeks ago.

The 26-year-old, 6’2”-tall Andrew was selected among a field of 20 entries sent in by talent and modeling agencies.

Apart from the looks and the smarts, Cory said that Andrew’s athletic background was another deciding factor in his selection.

“The reason for this move is that Mr. World is a brain and brawn pageant, and we wish to make a strong showing in sports and endurance challenge of the competition,” explained Cory.

“When I saw the army assault (which was introduced this year), I said, ‘We have to send someone very athletic because apart from the sports, there’s army assault workshop.’”

And with the Philippine Volcanoes’ historic feat at Singapore last Nov. 3, which secured the country for the first time a qualifying spot at the World Rugby Cup in Moscow next year, Cory said that the private judging panel and the sponsors thought it would make a good back story.

“So I think he really stands a good chance of bringing home the crown,” Quirino said.

Andrew left for the competition last Friday, Nov. 9.

Meanwhile, his manager Arnold Vegafria said it was difficult to convince Andrew to join, but the reluctant candidate finally said yes when told of the competition’s athletic activities.

For Andrew, his interests make him a well-rounded candidate to represent the country. Apart from rugby, he is also a budding entrepreneur, who started his own events organizing company, specializing in sports-related endeavors. Apparently, he also has an artistic side — he’s a level-six violin player, having studied the instrument for 10 years at the Royal Associated Board of Music in England, where he grew up.

Andrew came to the Philippines roughly a decade ago, immediately exploring modeling and showbiz. His last movie was last year’s Praybeyt Benjamin. 

His father is a British professor who has chosen to retire in Cebu, while his mom, who is still based in the UK, hailed from Pinamalayan, Mindoro.    

Andrew also had his share of controversies in the past, which in other interviews, he said, prompted him to withdraw from the showbiz scene for a time. “In my defense, I was young and inexperienced in life. At my age now, I believe I’m wiser,” he said during the press launch. 

The Mr. World Pageant was established in 1990 as a search for the “most desirable man in the world.” The competition is for men ages 17 to 27 and is run by the Miss World Organization, the same organizer of the Miss World Pageant.

Headed by Julia Morley as chairman, the international event is held every two years and attracts over 70 participating countries.  The last Mr. World Pageant was held in 2010 at Incheon, South Korea, which was won by Kamal Ibrahim of Ireland.

No Filipino bet has made it even to the semi-finals. Will Andrew, who has said he’s going to bring to the pageant Pinoy pride, respect and discipline, be it?

“I think I can represent and do the best I can for the Philippines,” he said.