Something about Mr. Universal
Ambassador sets it uniquely apart from other known mister pageants in the world
today that follow the basic national costume, fashion, swimwear, formal wear
and interview format. To some extent this pageant follows the same format but
with a wee bit more than the usual, and a unique quality and flavor of its own.
This brand-new pageant just
concluded its first edition in Surabaya, Indonesia November 3-13, 2015. And if
you had followed the proceedings, you may have had noticed some discernible
differences in its thrusts and mix of activities from other established
pageants. Over and above the openly stated objectives and visible conduct of
the pageant, something far more insightful and well known of Indonesia in
character and perspective, governs this pageant.
Mr. Universal Ambassador is an
international male pageant established this year in Indonesia. It is
spearheaded by Edin Muhammad, President of IMP Organization. This same
organization holds the national franchise and selects the country’s delegates
to the international events of Mister Worldwide, Mister Global, Mister Model
International, Mister United Continents, Mister Asian International and Mister
Teen International.
It is a search for an
impressive and intelligent young man who can be an inspiring role model and
spokesperson for the youth - in affairs having to do with healthy lifestyle,
education and creative life skills. Participants are tested and filtered
through events such as press and media sessions; sports challenge; paper
presentation; speech challenge; talent, fashion and poolside shows; diversity,
auction, and gala nights.
Many of these challenges remind
you of the challenge events in Mister World with notable exceptions of the
paper and speech expositions which add a scholarly or academic dimension to
this pageant. When it comes to the usual swimwear portion of pageants, here is
where things turn most unusual for this pageant. This segment takes on an
inimitable Indonesian touch with all the male candidates parading topless but
wearing knee length sarong, a traditional Javanese garment wrapped and tied
around the waist, often for the beach.
The reason for this is more
than mere indigenous fashion, which brings us back to our earlier proposition
why this pageant is unlike the rest we are familiar with. It is the ideology
behind this pageant, the principles akin to moral and ethical standards rooted
on culture and religion that pervades and directs the conduct of this pageant. This
is so characteristic of Islamic culture where religion is viewed as a way of
life, not another discrete or disparate realm to deal with.
Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim
country and for an Indonesian founded and organized male pageant, it is
expected to conform to tightly-held local customs, beliefs, and rules. One such
religious instruction is for Muslim women to cover their bodies and guard their
modesty while Muslim males may display their upper bodies as long as the
portion from the navel to the knees is covered. It is important to be aware of
this Islamic dress code to understand why many Muslims are ill at ease to
reveal their bodies and hesitant to participate in pageants that require
wearing swimsuits.
In the official competition guidelines
of Mr. Universal Ambassador, contestants are given the option to choose whether
to wear swimwear or beach wear (sarong) during the preliminary competition but the
top 15 quarter finalists should all be in beach wear during the finals. In
cases, however where the host country is not Indonesia or other Muslim
countries, the beach wear competition can be changed to swimwear competition.
Because of such observance, consideration
and sensitivity to Islamic tenets, Mr. Universal Ambassador has opened a door
for conservative, traditionally pageant-averse Islamic countries to slowly inch
their way to participate in, and play a role through, a pageant. Hence, we are
fortunate to witness, rarely if ever seen, representatives like Mr. Pakistan
and Mr. Oman grace the inaugural edition of this pageant. Previously Mr. Palestine
was reported to participate but didn’t turn up. Let’s hope for newer and wider participation
in the years to come.