It’s time to bring you another one of our charming Mr. Costa Rica Finalists: Mr. LesPaul Inanez. Les has been a former Costa Rica Influential and accomplished model in Second Life. I know you will enjoy learning more about this finalist. Please meet….LesPaul Ibanez!

How and why did you end up adding a Second Life to your RL?

It was 3 years ago. At the time I had I work mate, good friend of mine, that started exploring SL. We had a common background on role-playing and computer games, so I guess he was dying to tell me what he was doing. So, after he spent a couple of months on SL he talked with me about it and convinced me to go, mostly to talk and share experiences about it. I was reluctant in the first place, but SL has that addictive charm so I keep it going. It wasn’t a good experience though. I viewed it mostly as game and struggled to get a hold of it, so I stopped playing. 9 months ago I decided to come back, but with a totally renovated approach to SL, and now everything is going fine.

What made you choose Costa Rica Sims as your home?

When I first learned about CRS, I wasn’t looking for a place to live. I was happy living on my Linden Home, but I was a little tired of the short supply of prims available on that land. So I found me reading an old magazine article about CRS that got me interested and went there to visit. I quickly felt in love for the place. I loved how the place look, the diversity of residents and the people who lived there. I also loved the facilities, how much you can do without leaving the sims, and the amount of activities that are regularly held. All of that make of CRS a great place to live and I was thrilled when I bought my first lot.

What do you think sets Costa Rica Sims apart from all the other places one could choose to live in SL?

The answer is pretty simple: It’s People. Starting with the people who live at CRS, I’ve met some of the most wonderful persons I’ve ever met (both RL and SL) at CRS. I’ve fallen in love in CRS, I’ve made some awesome friends at the sims, I’ve have the chance to work with some of the most accomplished professionals here.

Next I have to mention the people who are and have been part of CRS Executive Team. They have all made their contributions to make of CRS such a wonderful place to live and (in my case) to work.

Why did you choose to enter the Mr. Costa Rica pageant?

I’m still not sure about why. When I first learned about the pageant and met current Mr. Costa Rica Todd Anton, I was like “I want to be the next one”. But with time, I’ve met some of the men sharing this experience with me, and I’m sure anybody would be a deserving winner. So now I guess the better explanation I can give about the why I am doing it, it’s because I think it will be lots of fun and a wonderful experience.

Maybe I should give a more pageant-like answer like “I’d love to represent the people of Costa Rica on such and such way” but hey, that wouldn’t be me. If I have the chance, it would be great and a huge honor but it’d also be a huge responsibility to represent such a cultural-diverse and incredibly amazing group of people.

 What are some of your favorite things to do in Costa Rica Sims?

Whenever I found some time to myself, I love to take those automated tours that take you to different places on the sims. It’s really entertaining and I’ve get to know some wonderful and well-constructed places. When I’m not doing that, I like to take my speed boat or my yacht and sail around. I like to park around and see what the inhabitants have made with their houses and their lands. I have to say some of them have a really good taste, and I’m constantly amazed by the quality of their places.

That said, I think my favorite thing to do in CRS, is to work for CRSP. I love those shows. Even the practices are great. There you can find amazing people. I really love that.

What would you tell someone thinking about making their home in Costa Rica Sims?

I’d tell “stop thinking about it”. To me, there’s no better place to live, because of the activities and places and facilities and (of course) the people who lives here. I know for some people money can be an issue. It’s not particularly cheap to live in CRS, but if you can afford it, I don’t think there’s a better place to be.

What is the best thing about yourself you have to offer the Cost Rica community?

Wow… that’s the kind of questions that always got me thinking…. “Really… what do I have to offer?”… LOL. I think of myself as a funny, unassuming and easy going guy. I’m constantly saying to myself (and I strongly believe) that SL is a place where you’re supposed to have fun. For drama and problems and sadness… well RL have plenty of that. So I try to make people around me happy. I think that’s the only thing I have to offer to the community… I’d like to pain a smile on the faces of all people living in CR.

One thing you bring from RL to SL that you think is important?

Professionalism. I’m an Engineer RL and I have a Master degree on Computer Science, and through my 11-year career there’s only one thing I love to be proud of: I consider myself a professional, meaning I’d do everything in my power to get the job done and to make my employer fulfill their goals and objectives. I act the same way in SL. That’s why I’m constantly offering my help at shows even if that means (as I say, always half-joking) that I have to mop the runway after the show.

Anything from SL you have learned that has been beneficial to your RL?

/me blushes.

I blush because I was thinking… do I make up a politically correct answer or do I say the truth. I guess I’ll go with the truth…

What I’ve learn here… is how to be attractive to woman. Someone told me once “you’ve always have the talk, now you have the looks”. Well… that’s what SL does… since you can look the way you’ve always dreamed of, what it matters is your brain… and the way you are. So I’ve used my experiences here to be more confident about myself, which in turn makes me more attractive to women and so on…  I’ve found a virtuous circle.

But please don’t get me wrong… It’s not like I’m flirting with every woman around. It’s just that now I really believe I can amuse the person I’m interested in.

Thanks to LesPaul for a candid look into his SL and RL, we love getting to know our Mr. Costa Rica Finalists! Until next time…Syd <3