Senior Manhunt winner is a 'mama's boy'
Manhunt Singapore 2016 senior and junior winners surprise crowd with their moves
One does not expect public displays of affection at a pageant for 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, bounded off the stage and teared up as he hugged his mother.
His mother, Madam Ng Ah Lin, 66, 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."
Senior Manhunt winner Mr Stanley Nam embraced his mother, who is wheelchair-bound, after his win. 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, carriedsigns with his name on them and blew whistles whenever he appeared on stage.
UNIQUE
Mr Lucas Lim, 25, who took home the crown in the Manhunt Junior category, wowed the crowd with his dance moves.
Manhunt 2016 winner Mr Lucas Lim (centre). TPP PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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.
"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."
Manhunt 2016 winner Mr Lucas Lim showed off his street dance moves. TNP PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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 local actor 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.
He cried tears of joy when placed second
Mr Zacky Mohammed Hosnen, the first runner-up of this year's Senior Manhunt, was shocked by the results on Saturday.
"I'm almost speechless," the 39-year-old bachelor told The New Paper.
"I'm not a model, I'm an athlete. When the other guys in the competition told me I could win something, I did not believe them. I was crying when they announced my name."
A desktop artist at Singapore Press Holdings, Mr Zacky impressed the judges with his answer to the question, "Why do you want to win Senior Manhunt?"
"Honestly, winning is not important - it is the journey that matters to me," he replied.
"I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, and I worked hard to get where I am."
At his frank response, the audience and his fellow contestants burst into applause.
Mr Zacky told TNP: "Before I entered national service, my father suffered a stroke and I had to work to help my mum make ends meet. There were times I had no food, and it was stressful.
"Later, I also watched my father pass away in front of my eyes."
Mr Zacky was overcome with emotion as he described himself as a "bad son" who became suicidal. He also turned to alcohol and overeating.
The chiselled hunk, who is 1.76m tall, weighs 83kg - but he used to tip the scales at 110kg.
LOSING WEIGHT
He first tried to lose weight in his 20s, but hit a rut and lost motivation.
A friend helped him turn his life around two years ago, training him to help him fulfil his dream of competing in fitness contests.
A self-confessed ice cream fiend, Mr Zacky said he will celebrate his win with a tub of Ben & Jerry's.
He advised others with painful pasts to move on, as he has.
"Put your anger behind you," he said.
"Take each day as it comes and focus on the future. If I can achieve my dreams, so can you."
List of winners
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 ($900 worth of prizes)
MANHUNT SINGAPORE 2016 (SENIOR)
Winner: Stanley Nam ($17,000 worth of prizes)
First Runner-Up: Zacky Mohammed Hosnen ($15,000 worth of prizes)
Second Runner-Up: Caleb Wong ($900 worth of prizes)
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