21-yr.-old former martial artist from Benguet is Mr. Cordillera 2025

Benguet, Philippines - From belt to crown, a former martial artist from Buguias, Benguet, becomes Mr. Cordillera 2025.  

After preparations and practice on how to better perform on stage, Jereed Lou Waclin Tido won the prestigious title during the event’s coronation night held at the Baguio City Convention Center on July 15, 2025.  

From mastering martial arts to mastering the runway  

At age 14, Jareed started as a martial artist and has been competing since, both in Taekwondo and Muay Thai.  

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Jareed shared that after his final bout in 2023, he changed his career to modeling and pageants, starting at 17, which paved the way for his debut in pageantry at 18.  

“I’ve been a martial artist since I was 14 years old and have been competing in both Taekwondo and Muay Thai, but since I started pageantry and modeling, my time was divided, and I didn’t train consistently… My last competitive match was in 2023—I was then influenced to join modeling when I was 17, and I joined my first pageant when I was 18,” he recounted.  

Jareed notable achievements in pageantry  

The warrior-turned-model, since joining pageants, has had notable achievements. These include being crowned Mr. Man Hot Star Philippines - Cordillera 2024, Mr. Buguias 2024, and Mr. Benguet 2024, among others.  

Driven by a new purpose, the 21-year-old then joined the comeback of Mr. and Ms. Cordillera 2025, believing the stage offers a powerful voice to inspire, connect, and empower communities beyond his own.  

Despite low expectations and a last-minute entry, he credited faith and grit for his win. 

“Honestly, I did not expect to be crowned—not totally. It was the last minute before I submitted my application to be an official candidate for the pageant. It was just hours before the deadline—in the end, I know that God provides. With a slim to no budget and a few hours of training, but with faith and purpose, it was already enough to win the Crown,” he shared.  

On his plans and advocacies as a representative of Cordillera  

Jareed, for now, said he is focused on achieving ‘holistic development through fitness and sport, mental health, and other causes,’ welcoming collaboration with private groups and local governments. 

He believes that as a proud representative of the Cordillera region, Cordillerans, locals, and youth alike should proudly use their roles to promote and preserve their culture. 

To his fellow Cordilleran youth, Jareed advised that they reflect on how far they have come instead of comparing themselves to others, describing it as a way to fuel improvement and success. 

 “Don’t focus on comparing yourself with other people; instead, focus on comparing your old self to who you are today. That will give you a realization to improve and have a better future self,” he concluded.