THE Philippines’ Erik Lennart Visser, a 24-year-old licensed pilot from Cebu, was crowned as Mr. Universe Tourism 2023 at the 4th edition of the Philippine-based pageant that was held last Sunday at Bali Nusa Dua Theater in Bali, Indonesia.
Visser, a 6-foot-3 heartthrob who is based in Cebu, was crowned by Mr. Universe Tourism 2019 Surasak Muangkeaw from Thailand. Visser also won Best in Formal Wear for his suit with Filipiniana touches created by Cary Santiago.
Named as first runner-up was Vietnam’s Huỳnh Víµ Hoí ng SÆ¡n while Spain’s Francisco Jose Merida Moyano came in third.
Born in the Netherlands to Leendert Visser and Gina Alonde Visser, the 6-foot-3 hunk was raised in Dumaguete City where he graduated with a degree in Psychology at Silliman University.
Representing Cebu, Erik won as Ginoong Pilipinas in 2019 that earned him a ticket to vie for Mr. Universe Tourism in 2020. His pageant campaign, however, was stalled by the pandemic and finally resumed after three years in Bali.
Erik is also a licensed pilot who hopes to fly commercial planes in the future. He is also into table tennis and swimming.
During the Q&A segment, Visser was asked what he can do to improve tourism in the Philippines.
He replied: “While staying here in Bali, I learned so many things. After being home for so long in my beautiful country, the Philippines, I learned that there are ways to promote tourism more than what we have to offer. For example in Bali, it is hosting Mr. Universe Tourism 2023 together with the tourism officials of Indonesia. That’s something that we can bring to the Philippines.
“We have to understand that the help of foreigners, tourists, can help promote the Philippines in so many ways. It can help the economy, it can help the people, and it can help the country as a whole. One thing that I would help [for] the tourism in my country is to follow the footsteps of successful tourist destinations such as the beautiful island of the gods, the island of a thousand temples — Bali.”
Erik was wildly cheered by the audience, including his mom and brother Alex, a semi-professional basketball player in Cebu.
Also in attendance were Indonesian personalities, including Senator Arya Wedakarna and Mr Universe Tourism 2018 Brata Kartasasmita.
Hosted by former Miss Philippines Youth and Miss Universe Philippines Marinduque Simone Nadine Bornilla, the coronation show was produced by Borgen Entertainment Ventures spearheaded by partners Jumel Bornilla and Manix Genabe.
