RJ De Vera took to Facebook Thursday night to reveal that he is resigning from being Man Hot Star International 2023.

The revelation was made a few hours after Mister Grand Philippines posted on social media that Mark Joseph “MJ” Macalintal will be the country’s representative to the Man Hot Star International 2024.

According to RJ’s post, the main reason he was resigning was because he had not yet received his prize as the winner of the competition. He had also not been paid yet for working for the brand for 20 days after his coronation.

via FB/RJ Devera

“My Man Hot Star winning moment in Thailand is one of the happiest chapters in my life. I embraced the Man Hot Star Organization and even stayed in Thailand for Twenty (20) days working for the brand but until this day, I did not Receive Compensation and Prizes as the Winner,” RJ wrote.

He also pointed out that he worked hard not only to make the country proud but also to make a living and be able to help his loved ones financially.

“Today, I have made a very tough decision to resign from the title of Man Hot Star International 2023. Even without my international title, I will continue to inspire the world as one of your Misters of Filipinas kings,” he further wrote in the Facebook post.

RJ earned the right to compete in Man Hot Star International when he won the title of Man Hot Star Philippines in Misters of Filipinas (MOF) 2023.

The national franchise of the international male pageant was still with MOF that time.

This year, however, the franchise is with Mister Grand Philippines. I just wonder why they didn’t crown a Man Hot Star Philippines during the coronation last week.

MJ Macalintal was originally crowned Mister Grand Philippines Heritage. It was only a few hours ago that the announcement of him being the Man Hot Star Philippines was made.

But then, I also wonder why RJ waited for almost a year before resigning. He was crowned November 25th last year.

But now that he has resigned, is he planning on joining another pageant? Or is that the reason behind the resignation?

Anyway, he’s not the first international male pageant winner from the Philippines to resign. Ion Perez also resigned from being Mister Universe Tourism in 2018.

Meanwhile, Man Hot Star International also took to Facebook Thursday night to post an announcement. It seemed they have dethroned RJ from his title as the 2023 winner.

One of the reasons was that the organization found out about RJ’s having children, when one of the requirements for being a contestant was being single (not married and no child).

The organization also cited a number of contract violations RJ made.

Did RJ make the resignation because he learned that he was being dethroned? Or is it the other way around?