Kenneth Marcelino clinches 1st Runner-up at Mister Cosmopolitan 2025 in Bangkok

From Laguna to Bangkok, Kenneth Marcelino proves that today’s Filipino gentleman is multihyphenate, magnetic, and a global figure of pride

By JP Ilagan and Danielle Dayao

MANILA—The Philippines celebrates another milestone in the international pageantry as Kenneth Marcelino, Mister Pilipinas Cosmopolitan 2025, secured the 1st Runner-up title at the prestigious Mister Cosmopolitan 2025 competition held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sept. 7.

With natural charisma and an artistic edge, Marcelino commanded the Bangkok stage, steadily rising through the week-long competition as one of its undeniable frontrunners.

From Laguna to the World Stage
At just 24, Marcelino represents a new kind of male Filipino gentleman: a multihyphenate talent whose story reflects the aspirations of today’s Filipino youth. He works as a professional model, finds creative expression as a freelance makeup artist, and grounds himself with the discipline he honed as a volleyball athlete. Beyond the stage, he dreams of becoming a flight attendant, proof that his ambition is rooted not only in personal triumph but in a desire to explore, serve, and connect with the world.

Representing his hometown, Laguna, and showcasing what it is to be “Tall, Dark, and Handsome,” Marcelino became a fan favorite in the hearts of Filipinos who closely followed his journey.

#KENsmopolitan
Ensuring his etched name in the pageant history as the 3rd Mister Cosmopolitan Philippines, Marcelino delivered a dashing performance that punctuated major victories that include the coveted Best in National Costume Award and Mister Cosmopolitan Photogenic 2025.

Photo by Brian Mamawan

Designed by Patrick Isorena, the show-stopping national costume paid homage to the hit Philippine fantasy series “Encantadia.” In the spotlight, he invoked the grandeur of the Sanggre, diwatas of royal blood, showcasing a cultural vision of fashion and myth—a look of powerful celebration of heritage.

Marcelino also cemented his impact as one of the most magnetic delegates, as he was also named Mister Cosmopolitan Photogenic 2025—a testament to his irresistible presence on both camera and the stage.

A Gentleman with a Noble Heart 
For Marcelino, Mister Cosmopolitan was more than a competition; it was a platform that reflects the essence of pageantry. His near-win underscored his role as a modern gentleman, cultural storyteller, and beacon of representation.

Photo by Brian Mamawan

“To influence and to hold others, that if you want to achieve something, we can achieve it with our pure hearts and discover all the talents that we have, and let it shine. And for me, that is the Mister Cosmopolitan, a gentleman with a noble heart.” said Marcelino. 

Although the official crown went to Shawn Lin of Taiwan, Marcelino proved that he is a cosmopolitan in vision and a Filipino at heart. A winner in his own right, he proudly becomes the second king from Mister Pilipinas 2025 to showcase a Filipino’s brilliance on the international stage.