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After joining several competitions on television, Mann Ed Demalata is now living his best life as an influencer and pilot. Despite rejections in life, he managed to continue his dreams.

“Marami akong sinalihan noong teenager ako. When I was studying, I was also modeling, doing fashion shows, and small time TVCs. Those were the days. I still remember those memories dahil 'yun ang nagbibigay sa akin ng inspirasyon to do better,” Mann Ed said.

One of the most remarkable moments in his career was when he joined StarStruck Batch 2 in 2004. The second installment of the reality-based artista search has produced actors such as LJ reyes, Megan Young, Mike Tan, and Kevin Santos.

“Grabe, ganoon pala ang feeling na mag-audition sa isang malaking TV competition. All contestants were different. I remember wearing my 'pangmalakasang' clothes kasi, siyempre, I wanted na mapansin. But experiences naman doing TV shows were fun and s'yempre nakatulong sa akin. Hanggang sa na-realize ko, it wasn't for me talaga,” he shared.

After joining StarStruck, he appeared in GMA shows such as Magpakailanman and Kakaba-kaboo. Unfortunately, his showbiz stint did not last long.

However, Mann Ed said his showbiz experience has opened made him discover who he truly was and decided to become a pilot.

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A post shared by Mann Ed Demalata (@pilotoncall)

Mann Ed completed his flying hours at Masters Flying School and Alpha Aviation and became one of the youngest captains in the airline industry in 2016.

Check out these StarStruck graduates who chose to live aways from showbiz:

Although he did not become a full-time celebrity, Mann Ed was able to gain huge followers on social media, which he now uses to promote flight crew members and how it is like for them being on air. With his almost 230,000 followers on Instagram, he knows how to use it well and he knows how to be a responsible influencer.

“I post a lot of stories and photos on Instagram, featuring and showcasing my flying experiences as a pilot. Then last year, so honored, maraming sikat na Instagram accounts na nag-feature sa akin because of my content--which is pilot stuff nga.

“I guess people are interested din na malaman, ano ba talaga ang buhay naming mga piloto, na nasa himpapawid. I know, that time, kaya ako nag-post nang ganun, para i-share ang journey ng isang pilot. Our job is not an easy job. Some of flying crew members lost their jobs dahil sa pandemic, dahil walang flights.”

This started his journey as an influencer-pilot who uses his platform to share pilot stories and show them the world in his own lens.

The 31-year-old influencer-pilot added, “I always think before I post. Hindi lang dapat ang masasarap na pagkain o mamahaling suot. It's really your message. I also use my platform to encourage youths, our young generation, to vote.”

“Considered kami as next generation of young pilots na hindi super strict. Nakasanayan kasi na strict ang pilots. If I were to describe myself as a pilot, I would say chill lang and super bait ako na piloto. Masaya lang sa flight. Kasi, mahirap na ginagawa namin sa flight and serious, e, so I really do my best to lighten up the mood palagi ng flight crew ko without sacrificing of course 'yung safety ng flight.”

As a pilot-influencer, Mann Ed always reminds aspiring pilots to work hard to achieve their dream.

He said, “Siyempre, I share my flying journey on Instagram kasi I have followers na mga student pilot and future pilots who always say na I inspire them. I told them to continue doing what they love to do. Be a good citizen first and everything will follow na. Matutupad din nila ang pangarap nilang maging piloto sa kabila ng pandemya. And to all flight crew members who lost their jobs ngayong pandemic, don't lose hope, pray, and keep fighting.”

Meanwhile, here are some celebrities who are licensed pilots: