Newly crowned Man of the World Philippines Raed Al-Zghayer. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
Raed Al-Zghayer got another chance to represent the Philippines on the international stage when he earned his second national title at the 2024 Misters of Filipinas competition.
He bested 28 other aspirants for the top prize, the Man of the World Philippines title, at the staging of the 11th edition of the national male search at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Thursday night, Oct. 10.
The Jordanian-Filipino flight attendant, who represented the province of Cebu in Thursday’s national pageant, had previously competed in the 2022 Mister Supranational contest where he advanced to the Top 20.
Al-Zghayer received tons of criticism for his weight from netizens when he screened for the Misters of Filipinas pageant. But on coronation day, he flaunted a lean physique, using his experience with cyberbullying to demonstrate his resilience, which fueled his motivation to prove his doubters wrong.
He now carries the responsibility of posting the Philippines’ first victory in the Manila-based Man of the World pageant. The competition will hold its seventh edition next year. This year’s delegate, Kenneth Cabungcal, finished second in the contest.
Four more Misters of Filipinas kings were proclaimed at the culmination of Thursday night’s coronation show. Denver Argana from Muntinlupa City received the Misters of Filipinas-Fitness Supermodel World title from 2024 Mister Fitness Supermodel World first runner-up Godfrey Nikolai Murillo.
Alei del Rosario from the first district of Las Piñas City inherited the Misters of Filipinas-Celebrity International title from 2024 Mister Celebrity International semifinalist Derrick Allen Lauchengco, while Gian Antonio Guidicelli from Cebu City received the Misters of Filipinas-Top Model of Universe title from fellow Cebuano Brent Dallman, who was third runner-up in the 2024 Top Model of Universe contest in Turkiye earlier this month.
Teen king Miko Santos from Pampanga received the Misters of Filipinas-Teenager Universe title from reigning Mister Teenager Universe Lloyd Figueras, the Filipino king who won in the international contest’s first edition held in Indonesia earlier this year.
Another 2023 Misters of Filipinas king scored a global victory for the Philippines, RJ De Vera who posted a second consecutive win for the country in the Man Hot Star International contest in Thailand last year.
With the 2023 winners collecting two international titles, and earning three runner-up spots, the 2024 Misters of Filipinas kings certainly have their work cut out for them.
The annual Misters of Filipinas pageant, organized by Prime Event Productions Philippines Foundation, has been touted as the “Home of the Champions” for producing international winners and runners-up.
Before De Vera and Figueras, the national male search has already produced 2014 Mister International Neil Perez, 2016 Man of the Year Karan Singhdole, 2018 Mister Tourism Universe Ion Perez, 2018 Mister Model Universe Carlo Pasion, 2019 Mister Tourism and Culture Universe Yves Campos, 2022 Runway Model Universe winner Junichi Yabushita, and 2022 Man Hot Star International winner Jovy Bequillo.