Mr. Philippines 2007 winners (From Left): 2nd Runner Up - Carsten Ertel of Germany; Mr. Philippines-International Man - Nino Sazo of Canada; Mr. Philippines-International - Ian Leonel Porlayagan of Nueva Ecija; Mr. Philippines-ExpoWorld - Michael Raymond Lim of Manila; 1st Runner Up - Michael Koegel of Germany.

The first ever Mr. Philippines was staged last night, July 8, 2007, at Palacio de Maynila in Roxas Blvd. At stake were three titles: Mr. Philippines-International, Mr. Philipines-ExpoWorld and Mr. Philippines-International Man. The winners will represent the country in the following prestigious pageants for men: Mister International 2007 will be held in Mexico City, Mexico in October; Mister ExpoWorld International will be held in Guatemala sometime in November and The International Man pageant will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia in December.
At the onset, fourteen men vied for the chance to represent the country in international pageants; and they were: Michael Raymond Lim (Manila) - formerly a member of the Men of Provoq; Carsten Ertel (Germany); Jose Bernardo Roa (Cagayan de Oro); Ian Leonel Porlayagan (Nueva Ecija) - finalist at Mr. Philippines - World 2007, Joaquin Casado (Cebu); Dennis Barrion (Cavite) - of Ginoong Filipinas 2007; Genesis Cabrillas (Baguio) - of Ginoong Filipinas 2007; Rico Lazaro (Cavite); Robert Pare (General Santos); Nino Sazon (Canada) - of the defunct group 604; Louie Stefan Zambarrano (Manila); Gilbert Malabanan (Caloocan); Michael Koegel (Germany); Christian de la Cruz (Ilocos Norte).

This brood of gorgeous individuals was trimmed down to seven: Michael Raymond Lim, Carsten Ertel, Jose Bernardo Roa, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, Joaquin Casado, Nino Sazon and Michael Koegel. Among these seven were chosen the winners and their runners up: 2nd Runner Up - Carsten Ertel; 1st Runner Up - Michael Koegel; Mr. Philippines-International Man - Nino Sazo; Mr. Philippines-International - Ian Leonel Porlayagan and Mr. Philippines-ExpoWorld - Michael Raymond Lim.

The special awards that night were handed out to the following: Mister Photogenic-Ian Leonel Porlayagan; Best in Swimwear and Best in Casual Wear -Michael Koegel; Best in Talent- Carsten Ertel and Nino Sazo; Mister Personality-Jose Bernardo Roa; Best in Formal Wear-Christian de la Cruz.

Ace photographer Wesley Villarica spent a day taking their photographs at his Parallax Studio in Makati. Beauty queen, model and comebacking actress Bing Pimentel gave the candidates personality enhancement workshops. Frederick Peralta provided the official swimwear. The candidates were featured in a special fashion show modeling the creations of Raoul Ramirez, choreographed by Catalino Figueroa. The event was hosted by the lovely Angel Aquino and was produced by Robert Delgado's L'Atelier Talent School.

Michael Koegel

Carsten Erthel