Mustafa Galal Elezali is so passionate about his advocacy that it’s imperative he achieves
Egyptian Mustafa Galal Elezali, who is the first-ever winner of Man of the World, isn’t just about chiselled pecs, abs and triceps though he has those, surely. In clinching the tilt held in the Philippines early this year, his mind was set on promoting an advocacy; that is, to “support education and tourism in the whole world.” “That’s why I’m here,” he told Bulletin Entertainment. “It’s always been my passion.” The activities he gladly does include attending charity programs and visiting schools to encourage the youth to reach for their dreams. Indeed, never underestimate the power of presence and purpose. “It’s so I could prove to the people who trusted me, who gave me the crown, that I’m here for you guys, that I’m doing what you want me to do,” Mustafa said. “I’m not after the fame – my fame is coming from the people who love me. “Mr. President (Rodrigo) Duterte is fighting drugs in the Philippines so I’m focusing on this – not to smoke, not to drink, only (for) those (of) legal age. Not to use drugs at all. That’s (part of) my advocacy.” Mustafa likes to just do it. As example, he resigned from his well-paying, full time job in Dubai to pursue his dreams via the contest. “In my life, if no risk, no fun,” he said. “I like what I’m doing. I believe that if you believe and love your work, you’ll be successful in it.” Does he miss the daily grind? “I’m not just the kind of office boy to set from 8 to 5 to earn money,” he admitted. “I like to be moving more than seating so I found myself in the modeling and the acting field.” The 26-year-old gave more details about his backstory. “It started from UAE,” he began. “I’m accountant, I started in Dubai. Since 2014 I was there. I work up there for three years. I started modeling in Dubai so I won some modeling pageant. “From there they started to talk to me about Man of the World. How about to represent Mr. Man of the World Egypt in the Philippines? It was so interesting and my friends kept pushing me ‘Why cannot just go and represent your country and makes your country proud. You’re good. You won on a modeling pageant, so you can do it.’
“So I resigned and I came here four months before the pageant so I can prepare myself to study and learn Tagalog (words),” he said, adding with a wink, “Konti lang.”
A graduate of Commerce majoring in Finance from the prestigious Alexandria University, this guy loves to read. He was revved to see the Philippines, knowing that Filipinos open their arms to people of different nationalities.
“I was so excited to see the Philippines,” he said. “I start to read a lot. I started to do modeling here and I started to get some self-confidence when I walk on stage. I started to do some fashion show with some celebrities like Daniel Matsunaga and he’s really a good friend of mine.”
Note that Mustafa is a talent of the same agency that manages Daniel and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
Even before landing on these shores, Mustafa already had lots of Filipino friends and acquaintances.
“I got so many Filipino workmates. They keep talking about the Philippines, the islands. They even show me pictures. That’s why apart from the modeling pageant or Man of the World, I was so interested to visit the Philippines,” he related.
Among the tourist spots in the Philippines that Mustafa has visited are Cebu, Bohol and Tacloban.
“In Cebu, Kawasan Falls is my favorite,” he said. And I love Bohol so much – and I went to Tacloban! Most of the Filipinos don’t know it’s called Kalanggaman Island. I like it so much.”
He dutifully posts about his experiences in the Philippines. If you check out his social media accounts, he already has got tons of Pinoy friends and followers.
“I like the Filipino heart because they’re always cheerful, always smiling, and so kind. And I like adventures and I like the tourist spot here in the Philippines,” he said.