A neophyte male model who entered his first pageant just this June will now represent the Philippines in an international competition slated next year in Laos.
In an announcement posted on its social media page dated 25 July 2022,Mister International Philippines formally announced that Andre John Cue is Mister Teen International Philippines 2022-23.
Cagayan de Oro has a proud heritage of Kagay-anon beauties who have won titles for the Philippines and their city. Among them, Ms. Intercontinental 2021 Cindy Obeñita, Ms. Teen Philippines 2019 Nikki de Moura, Ms. Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Ms. Teen Philippines 2007 Maxine Monasterio-Mejia, Ms. Teen Philippines 2004 Stephanie Sol, Bb. Pilipinas International 1989 Lia Andanar Yu, and Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1982 Ma. Isabel Lopez, among others.
Andre finished fourth runner-up at the MIPH 2022 contest last June, but he will be the first ever male Kagay-anon contestant to represent the Philippines in an international pageant.
(photo courtesy of Irene Dayo (itsirenedayo.com)
“I think it’s about time men are also given the same opportunity to be onstage and compete,” said Ms. Teen PH 2007 Maxine Monasterio Mejia. “It makes us proud that another Kagay-anon will be representing the Philippines in an international stage. It just goes to show that Cagayan de Oro has a lot more to offer, from Kagay-anon women making their mark in national and international competitions, now it’s the turn of Kagay-anon men also.”
Andre was tagged as one of the early favorites among the 33 aspirants, and was the youngest candidate at 19, winning the following Pageant Awards: Darling of the Press, top 15 in the “Modern National Costume” contest, and was also chosen as one of the 5 models for the collaboration of world global fashion icons Michael Cinco Couture and Jojo Bragain Shoes, and one of the Faces of David Salon and DermaWorld.
“I think it’s about time that male pageants are given equal prominence just like beauty pageants for women,” said Mary Gean T. Cesar, former Ms. Cagayan de Oro pageant organizer from 2013-2018 who’s now based in New York City. “After all, both platforms are geared towards character building, personality development, and have proven to be socially entertaining. Men in pageants are becoming highly relevant, especially when their purpose is driven by social issues and personal enhancement.”
Andre is the third of four sons of businessman Oliver John and former commercial model and entrepreneur Mags Cue of MAGS Fashion Apparel. His siblings are Patrick, Paolo and younger brother Anton. He is a Senior High School graduate of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.
With this remarkable showing in his first ever pageant, Andre flashed the fashion genes of his mom Mags well, who was cited as one of Best Dressed Women of the Philippines in 2013 by the Philippine Cancer Society, whom PCS Honorary Chair Imelda Cojuanco describes as “accomplished in their chosen passion yet remain humble; driven yet compassionate.”
Her MAGS fashion apparel brand is now carried in 23 branches nationwide and she also has her own food business MESA Restaurant at Ayala Centrio Mall. She is also active in civic society as a past president of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban, president-elect of Soroptomist International Greenhills, former chair for Mutya ng Pilipinas, and current chairperson of Miss Cagayan de Oro, Inc.
“I recently found out about the Mr. Teen International Pageant through my friend Mags Cue,” said Lia Andanar Yu, Ms. Bb. Pilipinas International 1989. “It’s exciting that her son Andre will represent Cagayan de Oro and the Philippines in that pageant in Laos next year.”
(Picture courtesy of The Courier, Ballarat)
“Male pageants are relatively new, and it will be interesting to see how this evolves and makes its way in the hearts of Filipino pageant aficionados. One thing I am certain of, having represented Cagayan de Oro and the Philippines in the Ms. International pageant in my younger years, that Andre will be making many new friends and countless fantastic memories to last a lifetime. I wish him the very best!”
Ms. Andanar Yu won the Ms. Friendship title during the 29th Miss International Pageant 1989 held in Kanazawa City, Japan.
Andre will attempt to give the Philippines its first back-to-back wins in the Mister Teen International pageant as the reigning titlists are both from the Philippines- Vaughan Justice of Tacloban City and Carissa Neuel Finn Pono of Ormoc City.
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