Filipino pageant contestant, 21, lauded for body positivity after swimwear round goes viral

A Filipino man has gone viral for his appearance as a contestant of a male pageant called Mister Pampanga.

21-year-old Richard Jermaine "RJ" Perkins is a first-time male pageant contender representing Angeles City in the Philippines.

During the swimwear round of the pageant, Perkins' appearance became a talking point as he walked confidently on stage.

Users online praised him for "breaking barriers and stereotypes", and for being a good example of body positivity.

A new journey

In a Facebook post by Kapampangan Male Pageantry at the beginning of 2026, Perkins shared that he had been in a boy group training program before entering pageantry.

He was also doing acting on the side.

And while it was his first time in a pageant, Perkins said one of the main things he wanted to do was embark on a new journey.

When asked what he was most excited to experience in the competition, he said the swimwear round.

Top photos via Elite Male Pageantry PH/Facebook & Mister Pampanga/Facebook