An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has achieved a remarkable feat on the international stage. Al-Mani Jumdain Hamsinain, a dedicated theatre nurse and a passionate pageant enthusiast, was awarded the 1st runner-up title at the Mr. Universe 2024 competition. The event took place in Lucknow, India, with the final night held on August 25, 2024.
Al-Mani, who has been working as a theatre nurse in Riyadh for six years, shared his excitement and pride in representing the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia.
“Representing filcom was a huge opportunity, and it feels like performing on a large stage, making one community proud and doing my passion out of it,” Al-Mani said in an interview with The Global Filipino Magazine. “I’m just proud to be a Filipino.”
His journey into pageantry began with a friend’s encouragement.
“I got involved in pageantry through a close friend who is a photographer and involved in the modeling industry, including pageantry. He encouraged me to try joining, and from then on, I started liking it and enjoyed performing under the spotlight and communicating my inner self to the crowd,” he shared.
Al-Mani’s success at Mr. Universe 2024 is just the latest in a string of achievements in his pageant career. He has previously won titles such as Mr. Philippines Visayas KSA 2021, Mr. Overseas Philippines Tourism 2022, and Mr. Universe KSA 2023.
Reflecting on these accomplishments, he said, “Joining multiple pageants in KSA has been an enriching experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally.”
The preparation for Mr. Universe 2024 was rigorous, requiring a significant amount of time and effort. “
I had various training sessions, including Q&A, ramp, public speaking, and a strict diet. I had to restrict myself from social life and balance my life between work and preparing for an international pageant by managing my time effectively,” Al-Mani explained.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. Al-Mani candidly shared his struggles with self-confidence regarding his physique.
“I think the biggest challenge was my physique. I wasn’t that confident because I didn’t have abs yet and still had baby fats that were really visible,” he admitted. “But fortunately, I was able to trim some fats by visiting derma clinics and working hard in the gym, doing cardio, and so on.”
When his name was announced as the 1st runner-up, Al-Mani experienced a whirlwind of emotions.
“Placing 1st runner-up was such an honor, and I had mixed emotions during the announcement. I was just smiling and waving my filcom flag, even though my goal was the grand title,” he recalled.
“But I was happy because the competition was really tough with other gentlemen, who were all equally talented and witty. I just prayed to God that His will be done… if it’s my time, it’s my time, and it’s always the divine timing that counts.”
Looking ahead, Al-Mani plans to focus on his professional growth while continuing his involvement in the pageant community.
“I want to keep participating in my pageant organization while focusing on my career,” he said, demonstrating his commitment to both his profession and his passion.