Mister National Universe is happening in just a few weeks, and one of the Filipino representatives set to compete in the Thailand-based pageant is Jose Carlos Paras, who will proudly represent the beautiful island of Boracay.
Jose is no stranger to the international pageant stage. In 2022, he represented the Philippines at Mister Friendship International, also held in Thailand. Now, four years later, he returns to the international spotlight after being tapped to replace a supposed candidate for this year's Mister National Universe competition.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Jose for a brief interview following an event in Intramuros, Manila. When asked about his initial reaction after being offered the title, Jose candidly admitted that he initially felt he was only the second choice. Instead of dwelling on that, however, he chose to embrace the opportunity with optimism. Describing himself as a go-getter, he shared that he believes in making the most of every opportunity that comes his way.
As he prepares for his second international pageant, Jose said that one of the things he looks forward to most is meeting new people from around the world. More than the competition itself, he sees international pageantry as a platform for building genuine friendships and brotherhood among candidates. For him, that has always been one of the most meaningful aspects of representing the Philippines abroad.
Asked if he already considers himself a pageant veteran, Jose humbly answered that he does not. He believes there is still so much for him to learn in the industry, and every experience has helped him grow both as a competitor and as a person. Reflecting on the two years since his first international pageant, he shared that he now returns to the stage more mature, more professional, and with a stronger sense of self. He believes those experiences have helped shape him into a better representative for the Philippines.
The 22-year-old model and content creator is set to compete in Hua Hin, Thailand, beginning July 22, alongside fellow Filipino Paulo Dela Cruz, who will represent the Philippines in the pageant.
No Filipino has yet to capture the coveted Mister National Universe title. The country's highest achievements in the competition came through Michael Ver Comaling, who was named MNU-Earth in 2023, and RJ Dinolan, who earned the same distinction in 2025.
With greater maturity, valuable international experience, and a mindset that transforms setbacks into opportunities, Jose Carlos Paras now has the chance to make history. As he takes on the global stage once again, will he be the first Filipino to be crowned Mister National Universe?
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