McIntosh to showcase 'Bago at Mr Caribbean

Kinnesha George-Harry

Andel McIntosh, 40, believes his participation in a male pageant makes him a role model to young men in society, He also hopes it dispels the perception that pageantry is confined to women only.

McIntosh, a certified bartender/mixologist, hails from the village of Glamorgan and will represent Tobago at Mr Caribbean 2019, scheduled for June 1 at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex.

Speaking during the launch of the event recently, chairman Marie Antoinette Mora said the competition is open to men between the ages of 18 and 45, giving them an opportunity to express their natural charm and talent.

The Mr Caribbean competition, according to Mora, was created because it was felt there were not enough opportunities for men to display their talent, in comparison to the plethora of platforms available to women.

Speaking with Newsday on Wednesday, McIntosh said he was elated for the opportunity “to represent my beautiful island of Tobago as an ambassador and a role model to young men in society.”

He said, “I am driven and motivated by anything that puts Tobago’s culture on the map. That is something that is innate and the Mr Caribbean competition gives me that opportunity. It requires hard work, dedication and determination, because you’re no longer representing yourself but a group of people, an island, furthermore a country."

Displaying a bubbly spirit, McIntosh is no stranger to pageantry.

“In 2012, I entered the Mr Emancipation pageant where I was first runner-up and won awards for Best Talent and Best Speech. I have many years of experience in the cultural and hospitality arenas, and these two factors make me an ideal candidate for this pageant. Additionally, I have been involved in many cultural activities for over 15 years and have been performing with several top groups in Tobago, including the Pembroke Folk and Cultural Performers.”

Asked whether he could be crowned Mr Caribbean, McIntosh said: “At the end of the day, someone has to be the winner and I’m going to be putting everything into this competition so as to best represent my island of Tobago.”

McIntosh, who enjoys 'line' fishing as well as any and every outdoor activity, said he is currently in preparatory mode as the competition draws near.“I have been promoting this show in the malls, streets and everywhere and the force of the positive energy that I’ve been receiving motivates me a lot. I just want to encourage everyone to come out and support your boy, Andel McIntosh, and my fellow contestants on June 1. I am going to represent."

McIntosh said his motivation is inspired by Mr Caribbean's chairman and founder.

“She is a go-getter and a motivator… I could never have imagined participating in a Mr Caribbean competition, and the fact that it is being held here at home is just beyond ordinary,” he chuckled as he repeated the new Tobago tourism catch-phrase, "Beyond Ordinary.".McIntosh will compete among contestants from eight other Caribbean islands: Timoy Titus of Antigua and Barbuda, Kefa Wesley Smith of Guyana, Kofi Gilkes of Barbados, Deshawn Augustin of St Lucia, Yohance Smith of the British Virgin Islands, Marvin Halden of Suriname, Johnathan Samuel of Trinidad and Jorvan Kerwin JnoBaptiste of Dominica. The contestants will also have the chance to experience Tobago first-hand during an island tour on May 21.

“I am looking forward to welcoming them to my beautiful island. It’s clean, green, safe and serene and I can't wait for them to experience our rich culture.

“My message to them would be, come to my island and feel at home for we are hospitable, warm and friendly people. Come to Tobago. There are at least 101 reasons to visit my island. It’s beyond ordinary,” he said.The contestants will be competing in six categories: magnificent wear, costume, talent, swimwear, formal wear and interview segments.