Sergio Azuaga: Man of the World 2024
Sergio Azuaga
Steps into His Jojo Bragais Shoes
Man of the World 2024
28 August 2025
Sergio Azuaga, the Venezuelan with the dazzling smile, is the reigning Man of the World
Founded in 2017 in the Philippines, Man of the World is a reputable international male beauty pageant “that brings forth advocacy and an emphasis to the importance of education and career development.”
It was created by Prime Events Productions Philippines (PEPPs) Foundation Inc., a Philippine-based multinational conglomerate which also organizes the annual Misters of Filipinas competition. It also specializes in multimedia content production and talent management through its entertainment company PEPPs TV, LLC.
As the current titleholder, the impossibly handsome Sergio has enjoyed massive visibility in the national fashion scene. He has modeled for designer Michael Leyva and the lifestyle label Bench.
Sergio, 20, is set to relinquish his title on May 31 at the Skydome, SM City North Edsa.
In a commercial shoot for the international footwear brand, Jojo Bragais Shoes, Philstar and other publications went behind the scenes for a special interview with the Venezuelan with the matinee-idol good looks.
On his Pageant Journey
Do you have plans of joining another pageant?
“No, no, no, no. Well, as I can tell you, Man of the World is one of the biggest, for me, the biggest male pageants. And it's an honor to be one of the winners of Man of the World.
“And to have an international title is, you know, it's crazy, crazy stuff. And I think that it's time for me to move and spend my time trying to do another different thing, right? Like, not to be stuck in the same stuff that I did last year. I also want to show the people that I can do many more things.
“Man of the World is a great experience. I fell in love with the pageant. But yeah, that's it. I won last year. It is an international title that I'm really, really happy to have it. But I think that that's the end, unfortunately, of my pageant career. But yeah, the people are going to see really good things in the future. I promise.”
What are your duties and responsibilities as Man of the World?
“Well, first of all, it's keep the values with you, right? And not only in the camera, it's just also when you're in the street. I mean, how can I translate this in my mind from Spanish to English, okay? But for me, the most important thing is that not only you have to say it on camera, you have to prove it, right, in the world.
“For me, I'm a person that I might be having a hard time talking, but when it comes to being with the people, I love to enjoy and share my time. You know, you have seen it on the internet, right? Like, I like to enjoy and share with the people. Charity is love, like Man of the World loves to do charity.
“And I really enjoy it. You have a really, really good time, right? You get to know the people. The Man of the World organization has some really good persons.
“But yes, I think that, keep the values is the most important.”
Sergio Azuaga, the reigning Man of the World 2024, is wearing Jojo Bragais Man Elevator Shoes and Reversibelt.
Sergio Azuaga, the reigning Man of the World 2024, is wearing the Jojo Bragais Man “Dmitri Mandiator,” which comes in six shades—Classic Black, Jey Black, Midnight Blue, Clay Brown, Off White and Army Green. At P2,500.
Reflecting on His Reign
For the first shoot, Sergio was wearing the Jojo Bragais Man Elevator Shoes and Reversibelt. He finds the products amazing.
“The idea of three inches more in, for example, these shoes, it makes you walk with a higher confidence, that's for sure,” says Sergio.
In a quick Q&A, Sergio reflects on his reign and his plans after his pageant journey:
How important are footwear and shoes for a pageant contestant?
“I mean, actually it's a big percentage of all the stuff that you can be wearing. Imagine that you'll be walking in the wrong way in the pageant, foot naked, that won't be cool, right? Yeah, it's very important.”
You're going to pass your title on May 31. If you're going to look back on your entire reign, what can you say about being Man of the World 2024?
“Well, not only for Man of the World, it's because I have the opportunity to put together a lot of people with a common sense of being nice, you know, support each other and be happy. I'm really happy that I have that opportunity in my life. Yes, and I'm going to keep doing that.”
Are you already planning what you're going to do after you pass your title?
“Yes, of course. I've been working a lot on that and yeah, I got some plans already. I got some plans already. For sure, everybody's gonna see. Well, I can only tell you for at this moment, I'm learning Tagalog and my plans are, you know, of course, preparing a future here in the Philippines.
“I'm very happy to be here and for sure keep improving my career of modeling and give what the people, what they want to see, right? Give the people what they want to see, that is a little bit more of Sergio, do more content, do more stuff, so I can connect more with the people. I know that they are going to be very, very happy.”
What are some of the Filipino words you have learned?
Well, I think that in this interview, I cannot say all, right? But yeah, I can say some, like for example, ‘masarap,’ something really cool. ‘Magandang umaga,’ that is really nice here in the Philippines. The people here are very smiling, that's what I like. And of course, ‘Mahal kita,’ I think that was one of the words that I learned when I got here and in my last speech, I said it, and it makes a difference in my story.”
Are you extending your stay in the Philippines?
“Of course, the Philippines is my house now. Of course, I'm extending. Yes.”
So, how about pursuing a career in show business in the Philippines?
“Well, my first step is to learn Tagalog. I've been very lucky that even though I don't know Tagalog, I've been invited to some of the programs here and the only thing that I need is to finish my Tagalog lessons and I'm sure you're going to see more of me.”
How about going back to Venezuela after?
“Well, I really want to visit my country but now the time has changed and I got some good opportunities here and I'm being very happy here. So, as of the moment, I love my country, I love my people, but now I'm making my own way here.”
What are some of the favorite places you've in the Philippines?
“Oh, look, I love the Philippines and even though I haven't gone to the real touristic places that you mentioned, for example, Boracay, you say, right? Wait, let's repeat that again, please. I haven't go to the real touristic places and like for example, Boracay, Siargao, El Nido, Palawan.
“Actually, El Nido, Palawan was the first beach that I saw when I was in Spain scrolling in my phone on TikTok and then I saw El Nido and I fell in love, but I haven't go. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to go there. Also, the rainy season is coming, right? So, yes, but I've been in, look, I can tell you Batangas, I can tell you Puerto Galera, Pampanga, I've been in Tarlac.
“I've been in so many sites, but it's beautiful. It's beautiful. There's so many places like, for example, Puerto Galera. It's beautiful, I mean, it's an island, beautiful beaches, it's amazing. I cannot even imagine when I go to Boracay, El Nido, Siargao, something like that. I really want to live there.”
On his shoe endorsement and Man of the World successor
“I was born in Venezuela, but at the age of 10 years I moved to Spain. I was kind of raised there. I love Spain, it's a beautiful country.
“And I've been living there since 2014, when I was like 10 years old. And then I moved here. That's good to know.
You also mentioned Jojo Bragais. How does it feel that he invited you to do this campaign for him?
First of all, I feel great. That's the first word that I can say. It's a real famous brand, professional, good thing. So, I'm really grateful. I'm happy to be working here. I mean, you know, it's music, good people, you know.
If you can choose who will be the next Man of the World, what kind of a man do you want to pass your title to?
“Well, I cannot tell you one candidate, right? I'm nobody to judge nobody, being honest with you. But if I can tell you the characteristics that I want to have the next Man of the World, it will be for sure connect with the people.
“I think that's one of the things that I try to do during my pageant was connect with the people, not try to look more human, right? Try to, you know, not be so, oh, you're in the pageant, so perfect, you know.
“No, no, no, just connect with the people, be yourself. And yeah, try to make a good way for everybody.”
Sergio Azuaga, the reigning Man of the World 2024, is wearing Jojo Bragais Baybayin Sneakers in Sampaguita shade, in collaboration with Watawat Clothing. The design comes in 13 different color shades inspired by major Philippine cities and national symbols. At P3,300 with two free shoelaces in black and white. Visit the Jojo Bragais Shoes Flagship Store.
