Venezuela male beauty pageant lets contestants dream

A beauty pageant competition in Venezuela on Saturday offered the young men who were competing a chance to temporarily escape the harsh realities experienced by many in the country.

Nineteen men took part in the Mr. Handsome Venezuela International pageant in Caracas, showing off their dancing and other skills.

The pageant this year was attended by some media and special guests after last year's edition was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Rafael Sanchez, the representative of the state of Lara, was announced as the winner.

Another participant, Renzo Guaramato, spoke of his love for modelling.

"It's not easy to do what you like, it's part of the sacrifice, but when you can, when you want to, you do your best," Guaramato said.

He recalled the time he had to travel on a garbage truck since he lacked the money to pay for public transportation and had even gone hungry at times.

"But that didn't stop me from being here. You know that the effort and dedication and love for modeling is more than the challenges I had in the journey," he said.

Alirio Martinez, the President of Mr. Handsome Venezuela, said the participation and training the young men receive has catapulted some into the world of entertainment.

"This is like a trampoline. Mr. Handsome is like a trampoline for the young men of Mr. Handsome Venezuela, the participants. It is a school, it is a university where they learn to develop in the artistic environment," Martinez said.