Kirk Bondad Showcases Grounded and Compassionate Masculinity

What will Kirk Bondad do differently this time?

All eyes are now on Kirk Bondad, one of our VMEN from the Philippines and a seasoned pageant competitor, as he represents the Philippines again on the international stage this Thursday, September 25.

The preparations have been stringent, with Kirk drawing from his fitness background to approach his next global stint with the discipline and drive of a professional athlete.

In his previous feature for VMAN Southeast Asia, Kirk reiterated how for him, pageants go beyond mere displays of ego and vanity. “It’s up to you to set the standard on how you want to represent yourself, your brand, or advocacy. If you want to just represent beauty, that’s fine. But I have other plans, so please follow me around to see that,” he said.

While he remained tight-lipped about his future plans at the time, he recently embodied a fraction of his vision in this recent editorial, where Kirk—widely known as a firecracker and the life of the party—showcased a more nuanced and contemplative side to him.

As he competes for the crown, Kirk affirms that he is keeping newfound dreams in mind: building a farm and establishing an orphanage, among other charitable work.

It reflects a more grounded and compassionate take on what modern masculinity means today—one that draws strength from vulnerability, emotional depth, and unapologetic expression. It’s something that Kirk is keen on advocating as he proceeds with pageantry and maturing further into a role model for Southeast Asian men.