By Joy Fang

HOT, strapping young men arm-wrestling with each other, or walking half-naked down a runway, clad only in jeans.
That was the delectable sight that greeted the crowd last weekend at Bugis Junction, where the finals of Singapore Calendar Guys 2009 were held.

A total of 12 beefcakes, who will be featured in the 2011 edition of the calendar, vied for the highly-coveted first prize - to appear on the cover of the calendar.

And, after a gruelling battle during the two-day contest, a winning hunk was chosen: Edison Chen look-alike Jason Chee.

The lifeguard and swimming instructor impressed the judges with his 'perfect body', though the dude rarely cracked a smile as he strutted onstage.

"I don't really like to smile. I think I look better with a small smile rather than a big grin," explained the 22-year-old.

Still, this reporter caught the cool-as-a-cucumber guy smiling uninhibitedly once - when he noticed a girl eagerly running around the stage taking photos.

Newly crowned Miss Singapore World 2009 Pilar Arlando (yes, she who took the crown after Ris Low stepped down), who was one of nine judges on Sunday, said Mr Chee 'has the whole package and an exotic look that is different from the other guys.

Her favourite, however, was first runner-up Tan Wei Han, 24, as she was bowled over by the guy's smile and 'how charming he looks', she said.

The title of second runner-up went to Mr Raymond Sim, 18, a Temasek Polytechnic student.

All three guys share cash and prizes amounting to $20,000 in value, while Mr Chee will be featured on the cover of the calendar, which will be released in October next year.

Mr Chee, who also nabbed the title of Mr Physique, said he was shocked at his win as he felt the others had better bodies.

"I joined the competition because I was curious to see where I stood among Singaporean guys, so I guess it's a confirmation for me," he said jokingly.

But why did he catch the attention of the judges? He believes it was his level of confidence that sealed the deal.

Indeed, judge Eric Goh, managing director of hair salon Mystique, said the way Mr Chee carried himself 'gave me the feeling that he was strong' and determined.

Mr Tan, though, showed his boy-next-door charm when asked what he got out of the competition.

"I made a lot of friends here. Everybody is a winner by virtue of the fact that they were on stage," he said humbly.

And Singapore guys can take heart - Miss Arlando was impressed by the quality of the guys in the contest.

"They have the looks, the physique and the personality to match. We have good guys in Singapore," she said.

Hear, hear.

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