Manhunt winner makes beeline to hug mum

One does not expect public displays of affection at a pageant for male hunks.

So it was a surprising but touching scene when 36-year-old Stanley Nam, who won the title of Senior Manhunt Singapore 2016 on Saturday (Aug 27), bounded off the stage and teared up as he hugged his mother.

His mother, Madam Ng Ah Lin, 66, a single mum and retiree, is wheelchair-bound as she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.

"My mum is very, very happy for me," Mr Nam, a marketing director, told The New Paper at the finals held at One Farrer Hotel & Spa.

"She is the beacon of light in my life.

"My father left us when I was four and my mum worked really hard as a canteen supervisor to raise me and my brother."

Mr Stanley Nam gave his mum a hug after winning the Senior Manhunt 2016 title. TNP PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Mr Nam, who is 1.72m tall and weighs 72kg, said he is proud of his mother, crediting her with teaching him the right values, such as integrity, kindness and responsibility.

"I'm not worried about being called a mama's boy for showing my affection for my mum.

"When she suffered a stroke last year, it was a wake-up call for me to treasure her and express my love for her whenever I can," he said.

The Manhunt pageant is Mr Nam's platform to raise awareness for the charities he volunteers at, such as animal shelter Voices For Animals, soup kitchen Willing Hearts and children's charity Club Rainbow.

Mr Nam, who is single, was a clear front runner for the title of Senior Manhunt, as he also scooped up five subsidiary awards, including Mr Internet Popularity (Senior) and Mr Wellness Suite.

His fans in the audience cheered loudly, toted signs with his name on them and blew whistles whenever he appeared on stage.

UNIQUE

Mr Lucas Lim, 25, who took home the crown for the Manhunt Junior category, wowed the crowd with his popping dance moves.

The personal trainer and dance instructor, who is 1.89m tall - making him this year's tallest contestant - and weighs 92kg, met his girlfriend, 25-year-old marketing officer Zhang Shi Qi, through a dance battle.

Mr Lucas Lim took home the Junior Manhunt 2016 crown. TNP PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

"At first, I started dancing just to pick up girls and impress others in clubs," Mr Lim said.

"But when I ventured deeper into dance, it helped me explore my creative side and build my confidence."

Mr Lim took up dancing over five years ago, and has performed at events including last year's Star Awards and the Singapore Night Festival.

Other highlights of the night included appearances by Manhunt 2011 finalist and Beam artist Shane Pow as well as celebrity judges Hossan Leong and Michelle Chong.

The local actress-host took the opportunity to promote her upcoming film Lulu The Movie, which she directs and stars in. It is slated for release on Nov 24.

For the Q&A segment, Chong cheekily asked the finalists to choose among her personas from popular Channel 5 TV skit comedy series The Noose - Chinese KTV hostess Lulu, Filipino maid Leticia and sarong party girl Barbarella.

Laughter ensued when finalist Glenn Sim said he would pick Lulu as his future wife and take her to a hawker centre on their first date, as he is "a simple guy who does not need to eat in fancy places".

Judge Muhammad Fuad, who won the junior category last year, said the winners were chosen for their confidence and character, and not just physique.

"Lucas has own unique style and personality. And Stanley has a good heart - you can tell he really loves his mum," he said.

 

MANHUNT SINGAPORE 2016 (JUNIOR)

Winner: Lucas Lim ($17,000 worth of prizes)

First Runner-Up: Joshua Cho ($15,000 worth of prizes)

Second Runner-Up: Augustine Jadyn Ng (above centre, $900 worth of prizes)

 

MANHUNT SINGAPORE 2016 (SENIOR)

Winner: Stanley Nam ($17,000 worth of prizes)

First Runner-Up: Zacky Mohammed Hosnen (above, $15,000 worth of prizes)

Second Runner-Up: Caleb Wong ($900 worth of prizes)