The Man of the World organization collaborated with LoveYourself as part of the candidates’ journey throughout the competition. Embodying their true essence, “masculinity with responsibility,” all candidates from around the globe walked with their heads held high, representing their countries on the very stage where they were tested.
As part of their responsibilities as Man of the World candidates, and in teaming up with LoveYourself, they all had time to participate in campaign photoshoots and video content for LoveYourself focusing on advocacy in pageantry, as well as other content championing mental health.
During the preliminary competition of Man of the World, several awards were given to the candidates, including Best in Swimwear/Beachwear and the Media Choice Award given to Oliver Eugen Kretz (Philippines), Best in National Costume to José Mario Rodríguez (Costa Rica), Mr. Photogenic to Fidel Arellano (Chile), Best Fashion and Formal Wear to Abel Díaz (Ecuador), and Mr. Congeniality to Denny Hormann (Indonesia) and Camilo Leal Suárez (Colombia).
Coronation Night
The coronation ceremony was held at Palacio de Maynila on June 6th, 2026, bringing an intense, week-long competition to an unforgettable close. Dr. Vinn Pagtakhan was one of the selection committee members during the finals.
Several awards were given that same night, including the LoveYourself Ambassadorship given to Oliver Eugen Kretz and the Luxecare Ambassadorship given to Ivan Gutierrez of Spain.
As the tension peaked on stage, the final results revealed an impressive and diverse global line-up. The runners-up circle was officially announced, featuring 4th Runner-Up Afiq Naufal (Malaysia), 3rd Runner-Up Luis Arturo Jauregui (Mexico), 2nd Runner-Up Fidel Arellano (Chile), and 1st Runner-Up Abel Adrian Díaz (Ecuador).
Standing alone at center stage to claim the ultimate title was Oliver Eugen Kretz of the Philippines, besting 27 other global aspirants to secure his country’s very first Man of the World crown and succeed outgoing titleholder Juul Missiaen of Spain.
The 25-year-old candidate delivered a commanding performance all night, following up his strong preliminary run where he had already secured awards. He dominated the critical “Intelligence Round,” showcasing the depth behind the pageant’s core mantra. In the written phase, when asked what book title he would give to his pageant experience, Kretz reflectively chose “Journey to Growth and Purpose.” He then sealed his victory during the “Statement to the World” segment, speaking passionately about his personal childhood hardships and advocating for children affected by crises:
Humanity must be rooted in peace and integrity. Our future should never be shaped by greed, but by compassion and responsibility. I hope one day no child will be homeless or broken like me, because every child will finally have a future they can call their own.
Oliver Eugen Kretz, Man of the World 2026
On Pageantry and Masculinity with Responsibility
The pageant does not only showcase the physical attributes of the candidates but also fulfills the duties of a true man of the world. It is about advocacy, compassion, impactful calls to action, and a global responsibility to ensure that issues affecting every community are seen and heard.
As these delegates return to their respective corners of the globe, they carry home more than just medals, sashes, and fond memories. They return equipped with a shared vision and a renewed commitment to create waves of change, illustrating that “masculinity with responsibility” is not merely a transient pageant tagline, but a lifetime baseline for the modern global gentleman.
