Filipino representative Louis Jocson-Zabala is set to fly to Thailand on April 9, 2026 (Thursday) to compete in the third edition of Mr. Bear International, a global pageant that celebrates the “bear” community.
The competition will be held on April 13 (Monday), from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Asiatique The Riverfront as part of the Bangkok Songkran Bear Week festivities.
Mr. Bear International is an international pageant that highlights a subculture of men often described as bigger-bodied, hairy or not, and masculine-presenting, while remaining inclusive of diverse identities. The pageant is owned by Thai entrepreneur and hotelier Vachira Somlim, also known as Khun Bhoy, and is headquartered in Silom, Bangkok.
Originally launched as Mr. Bear Asia in 2018, the pageant continues to expand its global reach. Notably, its first titleholder was a Filipino—makeup artist and hairstylist Donald Lapez from Aklan, who won the crown in 2024 at Holiday Inn Silom in Bangkok.
Ahead of his departure, Jocson-Zabala shared insights about his journey, advocacy, and the community he represents in an exclusive Q&A with LionhearTV.
“Beyond the title, I’m just a person who’s constantly trying to improve, be a good son, an honest friend, and an individual who’s just trying to make their way into the world,” he said.
“I’m a project manager by profession, so by nature, I am geared towards structure and solving problems (I love Sudoku!). But apart from that, I’m a big geek. Books, Comics, Gaming, Kpop, you name it.”
For Jocson-Zabala, representing the Philippines is rooted in community and shared identity.
“Representing the country means carrying something bigger than myself. It’s about the community that helped me out and shaped me. For the people that made me feel seen even when I was still trying to figure out who I am,” he shared.
He added that his goal is to reflect the diversity of the Filipino bear community on the global stage.
“For me, it’s about showing that there is no single way to be a bear, and no single way to belong. The bear community in the Philippines is diverse, warm, and resilient, and I want to bring that to the international stage,” he said.
Jocson-Zabala emphasized that his biggest source of strength throughout the competition has been the collective support of the people around him.
“It’s really a combination of my family, my friends, and my community. I don’t think I’d be here without that collective support system. There’s no single source; it’s all of them,” he said.
He shared that this support goes beyond emotional encouragement, extending to hands-on involvement in his preparations.
“They’ve been here with me every step of the way. From conceptualizing my costumes, helping me out with shoots, to advising and consulting, even to simple encouragement when I feel like I’m breaking down,” he said.
“They ground me and keep me focused on what truly matters,” he added.
Calls attention to internal pressures, mental health in LGBTQ+ community
Beyond the pageant, Jocson-Zabala is also using his platform to highlight key issues within the LGBTQ+ community—particularly the pressure to conform and the need for stronger mental health support.
“One of the issues that really needs attention is the pressure to fit into standards even within the rainbow community itself,” he explained.
“We talk a lot about acceptance externally but there are still expectations internally. Like how one should look, act, or present themselves. That can create its own form of exclusion,” he added.
He also pointed out that many individuals continue to struggle with identity and belonging without adequate support systems.
“Another important area is mental health. A lot of individuals both inside and outside the community are still navigating. They’re trying to figure out their identity, they want to be accepted, they want to belong, and they deal with all of these without enough support systems,” he said.
“These experiences can be very isolating and we need to create more spaces where people feel safe to talk about what they are going through,” he added.
As he prepares to compete on the international stage, Jocson-Zabala hopes his journey will not only represent the Philippines but also inspire others to embrace authenticity and find belonging in their own communities.
“Belonging isn’t immediate. It’s something you build over time. And that’s what I’m trying to do as I move forward,” he said.
