Fil-Am American Idol 2020 finalist Francisco Martin will be a special guest performer at the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Coronation happening on April 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena. He will serenade this year’s beauties vying for the coveted MUPh crown with his original composition “Stay.”
The 21-year-old pre-law student at College of San Mateo, who gave judge Luke Bryan goose-bumps on his Maggie Rogers “Alaska audition,” made shockwaves during his stint at the 18th Season of the pandemic-delayed reality show, remotely filmed from the contestants’ homes.
Martin, a San Francisco resident who moved to Los Angeles, California, started singing and playing drums and guitar at the age of nine through the encouragement of his parents Jon Martin and Fatima. Martin is also a member of a band known as The Aura.
“I’m honored and excited to perform on the coronation night, and so happy to see the Philippines for the first time. I will be here until May and going to travel to Boracay,” enthused Martin, whose parents hail from Nueva Vizcaya.
Barely getting started with his musical career, Martin is ready to grow as an artist having released his first single “Swollen,” which he self-wrote under 19 Recordings. His debut EP Beautiful Ramblings of a Restless Mind is an emotional six-track collection which laid bare the emotional rollercoaster he had been through.
Martin admitted having struggled with anxiety and depression, especially at the height of the pandemic. He had posted on Instagram a heartfelt message for anybody who needed to hear it.
“My life is not all sunshine and rainbows. I’ve been going through a lot of emotional turmoil these last few months and have been struggling with anxiety and depression. I want to let you guys know that you aren’t alone,” he went on to say that he turned to “healthy ways” to cope and “become a better person.”
Man of the World 2019 Jin Kyu Kim crowned
South Korean model Kim Jin Kyu was officially crowned Man of the World 2019 in a simple ceremony held at Okada Manila on Sunday. The 29-year-old Jin Kyu was awarded the title vacated by dethroned Daniel Georgiev of Bulgaria being the first runner up in the 2019 Man of the World pageant.
The crowning of Jin Kyu was organized by Carlo Morris Galang, president of Prime Events Productions Philippines Inc. (PEPPS); and Ray Casa Group of Companies, headed by Jennelyn Delos Santos Floresca, MOTW executive director; and Jinky Lontoc, MOTW project director. Gracing the event were MOTW USA Brandex Cruz, MOTW Iran Ali Gharibzadeh and MOTW Philippines Nadim Elzein.
Jin Kyu, who is an aspiring actor and has been cast in an upcoming Netflix series, said he is proud to claim the crown he thought was rightfully his and is happy to be back in the country to help promote the 4th Man of the World pageant. Jin Kyu is set to visit Sagada, Banaue, and Baguio and will be back for the finals on June 18.
Man of the World 2022 is being endorsed by the Department of Tourism and is partnering with the local government of Mt. Province and Baguio City where the pageant will be held with some 40 delegates.
The 4th edition of MOTW is anchored on the theme “restoration of tourism and preservation of cultural heritage” which was affected by the impact of the pandemic. Its aim is global transformation through togetherness and collaboration for all the delegates.
