VP/Spotlight: Brave Enough to Be Real: Lloyd Garcia’s Pageant Journey

Pageants are an integral part of the Filipino identity, celebrated not just as competitions, but as shared cultural events that bring communities together. Over the years, it has evolved from being an appreciation of beauty and poise into powerful platforms for advocacy and meaningful causes. With calm confidence and a quiet spark in his eyes, Lloyd Garcia takes on this challenge with a deep purpose in his heart.

This 26-year-old is not just vying for a title, he’s standing for something deeper. As one of the official candidates of Mister International Philippines 2025, representing Manila. Lloyd is stepping onto the national stage not just as a model, but as an advocate determined to spark conversation, and echo the voices often left unheard.

A Journey That Started From Within

Before the spotlight, Lloyd’s biggest battle was internal. For more than a decade, he struggled silently with mental health issues. And these same issues he carried long before ever walking into an audition room were the same reasons why he’s pushing forward.

“I was honestly fearful and scared since this is my first time joining a national pageant. I had so many doubts about whether I was good enough or if I truly belonged here. But at the same time there was this quiet excitement in me like maybe this is the beginning of something meaningful.”

Moreover, he felt afraid to open up and share his struggles at first. The fear lingered that others might use his vulnerability against him. After all, mental health remains a topic that’s not always fully embraced in Filipino culture.

But Lloyd’s decision to join wasn’t about fame or validation. It was about finally stepping forward after years of retreating into silence. The pageant journey became less about competition, and more about representation for himself, and for anyone who has ever struggled in the dark.

Mental Health as a Mission

While most pageant contestants talk about platforms, Lloyd talks about purpose.

“My main advocacy is mental health awareness. I’ve been battling it silently and I know how it feels to question your worth, to hide your pain, and to feel unseen. That’s why this advocacy is so personal to me because I want to be that image of hope for others who are struggling. I want to show that our battles don’t make us less, they make us distinct. And if I can use this platform to remind even one person that they are not alone, then this journey is already worth it.”

Lloyd doesn’t shy away from the heaviness of the topic. In fact, it’s the very thing he’s willing to carry in front of a national audience. One of his most defining moments came during a particularly low point. There was a time he thought his life was over. But little moments of hope found their way to him: conversations, acts of kindness, and quiet reminders that he wasn’t invisible; these were the things that saved him.

Now, he’s turning that survival into purpose. Through MIPH, Lloyd plans to share real stories, connect with youth, and create safe spaces where mental health isn’t taboo, but talked about with empathy and understanding.

Balancing Life, Work, and Healing

Lloyd’s daily life is far from slow-paced. He works as a company manager at night, hosts a travel show, and recently signed with an artist management company. Add in training, events, and advocacy work, and it’s a full plate.

“To be honest, it’s really hard [balancing]. As someone who battles mental illness, the weight feels heavier than it would for most. I’ve learned not to pressure myself to be perfect. I take it one day at a time, one task at a time, and focus on progress, not perfection. That’s how I keep going.”

His approach to pageant preparation isn’t about competing with others, but staying grounded in his own growth. He’s learned to say no when needed, to rest, and to surround himself with people who remind him to breathe.

“I remind myself why I started this journey and stay committed to my own growth. I take things one step at a time, listen to my body and mind, and surround myself with people who uplift me. At the end of the day, I just try to do what feels right for me.”

Redefining Strength and Beauty

In a world where male pageantry can sometimes focus too much on physical appeal, Lloyd offers a refreshing take: that strength can be soft, beauty can be real, and being vulnerable is powerful.

He realized that so many people believe they need to be flawless in order to belong. But over time, he learned that the ones who make the biggest impact are those who have the courage to be honest about their stories.

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He hopes his presence in the competition helps shift that narrative. For Lloyd, winning isn’t just about the crown—it’s about the message that comes with it.

More Than a Crown

When asked what kind of legacy he’d want to leave if he wins, Lloyd doesn’t hesitate:

“I want to leave a legacy that reminds people it’s okay to show up with scars, with struggles, and still rise. I want to be remembered as someone who stood not just for the crown, but for those silently fighting their battles. That you don’t need to be perfect to inspire. You just need to be real, be brave, and be willing to use your story to light the way for others.”

To him, titles fade, but impact remains. And whether or not he takes home the national crown, Lloyd Garcia is already winning in the ways that matter most.

This journey of Lloyd Garcia is more than a glow-up or a moment in the limelight. It’s a quiet revolution. It’s about showing up as your full self, even when that self feels scared, or unsure. And it’s about choosing courage, even in the face of fear.

Through his advocacy, he reminds people that no one needs to be perfect to inspire people, one just needs to be real. And in a world full of curated perfection, Lloyd Garcia’s honesty might just be the boldest thing of all.

Publisher | Richie de Quina (@richiedequina) & Gwynn Crisostomo
Editor-in-Chief | John Luke Chica (@annoyedluke)
Senior Editor | Lei Sedero (@arthreo)
PR & Advertising Manager | Josh Austria (@imjoshaustria)
Digital Manager | Allen Esteban (@iamallenesteban)
Words by Lei Sedero (@arthreo)