Ivan arrived in Puerto Rico yesterday afternoon and was met at the airport by CB's Puerto Rican
affiliate Héctor Joaquín. Ivan will be in the Enchanted Isle for ten days, doing photo shoots and an editorial for SEARS,
appearing on TV shows, giving interviews to the press, and participating in Puerto Rico High Fashion Week (Sept. 25 - 27)
as the exclusive model for designer Luis Antonio.
I had ordered 5,000 double-sided glossy postcards with Ivan's image on both sides. As soon as they
arrived Saturday morning, I packed a box with about 1,000 cards and sent it to Puerto Rico via Fedex. Hopefully, the box
should get there by Wednesday, the day before the fashion activities. Ivan will be passing out the cards from SEARS's
"Fierce Booth" to promote himself as Mister USA. I made sure there's enough space on the back side for Ivan to sign his
autograph in case some fan requests it. As for the remaining 4,000 cards left, well, Ivan will be taking some with him to
the Los Angeles Fashion Week next month, to Taiwan for the Mister International 2008 pageant in November, and to
anywhere else where he would need exposure.
I asked Héctor about his first impression of Ivan and he said that Ivan is "very nice,
friendly, and looks like a movie star!" When I told this to Ivan, he jokingly remarked, "Haha, I am, baby!" Well, he does
look like a movie star, especially when he flashes his million-dollar smile!
Héctor assured me that it would be a very busy week for Ivan. This is the first time
for Ivan to visit Puerto Rico, and he is very excited to absorb as much as Puerto Rican culture as possible and also
to make new friends! I think he has already made a lot of Puerto Rican friends; the majority of the members of
his Mister USA Club in Facebook are Puerto Ricans!
Ivan shows off his incredible physique which goes very well with that beautiful sash! LOL!
Finally, read Ivan's interview with Missosology.org!
Update on Calisto Harvalias, Mister USA 2008 second runner-up: Calisto is the new face of denim
for Universal Gear representing Atlanta (where Calisto lives). Congratulations, Calisto! And have a great time in London!
Posted on 09.22.2008
