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Mister International 2014 Neil Perez.

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759302856691557548089_18081666847940883_8113114121949755446_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mister International 2025 Kirk Bondad and Mister International 2014 Neil Perez. <em>Mister Pilipinas Worldwide/ Facebook</em></span></span></span>MANILA -- More than a decade after making history as the country’s first Mister International, Neil Perez said he can finally retire from the role after Kirk Bondad clinched the 2025 title over the weekend in Thailand.</div><p>Perez, who won Mister International in 2014, was present during the victory press conference of Bondad on Monday night.</p><p>&quot;I would like to thank you for winning the title because I can now retire for being Mister International because it was 11 years ago, one decade,&quot; Perez said.</p><p>&quot;I am so happy, not only the Philippines but the other country that you represent, Germany, right? You&#x27;re not just representing the Philippines but Germany. I know the other country is proud of you also,&quot; he added.</p><p>As a former Mister International king, Perez also gave his unsolicited advice to Bondad.</p><p>&quot;Kirk, take good care of your title when you are in another country because you are not only representing Mister International but the Philippines. You will [be] in different countries, you will (experience) different cultures, (meet) different people. Show them how good Filipinos are, how hospitable, everything,&quot; Perez said.</p><p>&quot;Be an inspiration to others especially to handsome men who are hoping to be like you. &#x27;Yun lang. Sobrang proud ako... Masayang-masaya ko. Sana there&#x27;s another Filipino who will win the title,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/29/kirk-bondad-on-mister-international-win-i-hope-i-made-the-philippines-proud-1636" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kirk Bondad on Mister International win: &#x27;I hope I made the Philippines proud&#x27;</a></div><p>In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News, Bondad expressed his happiness to win the title for the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;This is not just about me, this is greater. This is about a whole nation,&quot; Bondad said. &quot;I know, we Filipinos, we love putting the Philippine pride and the flag raising it on an international stage,&quot; he added.</p><p>Bondad earlier called Mister International as his &quot;last dance&quot; -- in 2024, he competed in Mr. World in Vietnam, where he placed in the Top 20.</p><p>As he relishes his pageant win, he reminded his fellow Filipinos to keep working hard and not give up on their dreams.</p><p>&quot;Here&#x27;s to the journey, the people who built it with me, and to every Filipino who dares to dream,&quot; he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/10/1/kirk-bondad-back-in-ph-after-winning-mister-international-2025-title-0941" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kirk Bondad back in PH after winning Mister International 2025 title</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nn-xudq4CE8?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9nm0bv5zVs0?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>More than a decade after making history as the country’s first Mister International, Neil Perez said he can finally retire from the role after Kirk Bondad clinched the 2025 title over the weekend in Thailand.</p>

More than a decade after making history as the country’s first Mister International, Neil Perez said he can finally retire from the role after Kirk Bondad clinched the 2025 title over the weekend in Thailand.

Mister International 2014 Neil Perez thanks Kirk Bondad: 'I can finally retire'

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Mister International 2014 Neil Perez thanks Kirk Bondad: 'I can finally retire'

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published October 01, 2025 03:19 PM PHT

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