It’s a little known fact outside the fashion world, but there are three Filipina supermodels in the stable of Ford Models, making it big not just in fashion editorials but also on runway shows.
First up, Charo Ronquillo, who smashed the glass door wide open for other Filipinas when she placed 2nd runner-up at the Ford Models Supermodel of the World competition in 2006. Then, a few years later (2009), Charlene “Chat” Almarvez followed suit and won the 1st runner-up award.
Early this year, Danica Magpantay became the first Filipina to win the highly-coveted and elusive title over candidates from 50 other countries.
Ford Models Supermodel of the World is the largest and most prestigious international modeling competition. Aspiring models from more than 40 countries join the annual competition. The contest, which was established by Eileen Ford in 1980, aims to discover new models for the international fashion industry.
The three towering Filipinas have never worked together, until this month, when Levi’s got them to be a part of an invite-only preview in New York City presenting the Fall 2011 Collection to fashion insiders. Guests included editors, stylists and fashion influencers from magazines and websites such as GQ, InStyle, Vogue, Elle, Style.com, Details, T: The New York Times Style Magazine and People StyleWatch.
Danica Magpantay
“It has been a very exciting ride. I’m getting to know New York more. I’m learning to be more and more independent by the day. There’s always something new that happens every day,” exclaimed the statuesque Danica when we cornered her during the event.
The University of the Philippines Diliman fine arts freshman bested all the candidates at the Supermodel of the World this year and won the top plum, alongside $250,000 in contracts with the Ford Modelling Agency.
Danica says she intends to invest her prize winnings into a business because she believes that modeling is not something that she can do on a long-term basis. If and when she returns to school, Danica says she plans to pursue a career in the arts.
Less than a week after her win, she was thrust into the fashion industry further as New York’s Fall 2011 Fashion Week was about to start. For a relatively new model, it was as if her world was on fast forward.
“Nakaka-overwhelm minsan, lalo na sa mga fashion shows. Less than a year ago, all I wanted was to try modeling tapos, biglang nandito na ako ngayon. I’m very, very thankful (It’s overwhelming especially the fashion shows. Less than a year ago, all I wanted was to try modeling then now, I’m here. I’m very very thankful),” the 5’9” teen model says.
Asked what the biggest lesson she learned from the supermodel competition, Danica says, “Everybody seems to think that for someone to be a model, he or she should be perfect, dapat wala kang flaw. That is wrong. I used to think that way, too. You just need to be happy with yourself. I joined the competition in Manila knowing that I had flaws, that I was far from perfect, but I was happy.”
The happiness she felt inside radiated and before she knew it, she already won the top prize in the Philippines. The competition in New York last January proved further that the management of Ford Models was looking for the type of beauty that the Filipina had, as she bested the ladies from Lithuania and Poland in the final three.
Fellow Filipinos have also approached her and told her how proud they are of her achievements, something that she still cannot believe.
“At age 18, I never thought that I’d make my country proud,” she says, remembering a few times when she was stopped in the subway because some kababayans recognized her. “I was just a typical teenager until everything happened.”
Many believe that it is in the genes, and that Danica’s win was destiny.
Her mother, former model and now make-up artist Lala Flores Magpantay won Supermodel of the World Philippines title in 1990, exactly two decades ago. She competed in the international competition in New York and won Best Smile.
“I talk to my family, specially my mom, everyday because I miss them. Salamat sa Skype (Thanks to Skype),” Danica says laughing.
Among the three, it was Danica who’s the luckiest. Not only did she win the top spot, but she already had two Filipinas before her. Charo and Chat welcomed her with open arms, one more thing that Danica is thankful for.
“I cannot imagine what Charo had to go through before, lalo na nung mag-isa lang siya. She gives us a lot of advice and tips now and I really appreciate that,” Danica says.
Charo Ronquillo
For Charo, it’s all about the sisterhood that they have now.
“I’m just happy that they are here now. The industry is big enough for all of us, and more. Maganda kasi tatlo na kami dito ngayon. Nakikilala ang mga Filipina, how we work, kung gaano kami ka-professional (The good thing is, there are three of us now. Filipinos are recognized for our work and for our professionalism),” she says.
As the most veteran among the three, Charo admits that she had a really hard time before, particularly during the times she was saddled with problems and had no one to talk to.
Through sheer hard work, she was able to adjust and as soon as she did, work poured in.
“Sobrang nabago ang buhay ko. Mas nag-mature ako dito, may mga plano na ako ngayon (My life changed so much. I matured. I have goals now),” she says.
Charo travels back and forth to Manila to attend Philippine Fashion Week and the Supermodel of the World Philippines competition.
Asked about the Filipinas’ edge over other models, Charo was quick to reply. “Iba ang beauty nating mga Pilipino and we have beautiful skin (Filipino beauty is different and we have beautiful skin),” she says.
Walking on the streets of Manhattan , Charo admits that people have mistaken her for a native Hawaiian, Eurasian or Brazilian.
“I always correct them. I am full Filipino, and I’m proud of that,” she adds.
Since her win, Charo has graced the catwalks of New York Fashion Week modeling for top labels and designers including Lacoste, Lela Rose, Nanette Lapore, Zero Maria Cornejo, Tory Burch, Antonio Berardi, Kenneth Cole, Mac Cosmetics Barbie Collection, Zaldy by Gwen Stefani, BCBG, Sisley and Benetton.
Chat Almarvez
“Dati, pinapanood ko lang ang Fashion Week sa TV. Ngayon, kasama na ako doon. You can say that I am living my dream (Before, I used to just watch Fashion Week on TV. But now, I can say that I am living my dream)” says Chat, who was discovered by fashion director Cata Figueroa during a Flores de Mayo parade in her hometown of Sta. Cruz, Laguna. She represented the Philippines in the Supermodel of the World 2009 competition held in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
At first, she found it hard adjusting to New York life because it was quite fast-paced. Eventually, she was able to adjust. Now, moving from one casting to another, traveling from uptown to downtown, is just a cinch.
“I was able to adapt din, kasi mahirap kung hindi, maiiwan ka (I was able to adapt. I had to),” she adds.
Chat was also a college freshman at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde taking up Business Administration when modeling beckoned.
Chat also belied the impression that everything in the fashion world is glamorous, specially since the public only sees the final product—the ad on the magazine, the commercial on TV or the fashion show on the runway.
“Ay naku hindi po (No, that is not the case),” she says, “Maraming hirap din ang pinagdadaanan namin. Minsan, pag Fashion Week, halos 15 castings kami sa isang araw at madalas, sa iba-ibang lugar yan. Takbo ka ng takbo all over the city, tapos pagkatapos ng araw puro paltos na ang paa. (We also went through a lot. During Fashion Week, we get 15 castings in a day and most of the time, it’s in different places. We run around all over the city. At the end of the day, our feet is suffering).”
The supermodels are united in response to our question on how their Filipino upbringing helped them reach their stature now.
“Masipag tayo, and mahaba ang pasensiya [We are hard-working, and very patient],” Charo remarks.
“Matiyaga, laging on time, magalang [Patient, always on time, respectful],” adds Chat.
Levi’s Event
“We were all surprised when we found out that we all made it to this Levi’s show, specially since the three of us have never worked together before,” says Charo.
The fashion bonanza, set in an artist gallery down in Manhattan ’s trendy SoHo neighborhood, consisted of a series of vignettes, which set the stage for the lifestyle of the Levi’s guy and girl. Charo, Danica and Chat portrayed their parts well in these vignettes, interacting with the visitors once in a while.
“I’m actually very happy to know that out of the 20 or so models here tonight, tatlo kaming Pilipina. (There are three of us Filipinos here) I’m very thankful that Ford Models is taking really good care of us,” Danica says.
Guests watched a crew of models having a blast in the house party scene, wearing jeans such as the Elephant Bell, Demi Curve Cargo Skinny, 511 Cut-off Shorts among other new Fall styles. Additional settings featured guys and girls relaxing in an outdoor-park themed vignette in the latest and greatest from Fall. One scene even featured a couple partying into the wee hours of the morning, still rocking it in their Levi’s.
“Brands are going global, and Levi’s jeans are sold across the globe so it is just right to see a cross-section of our buyers represented here,” explains Levi’s public relations manager Melissa Ladines.
One of the evening’s highlights (aside from the jeans of course!) was definitely the fashion critiques offered by masked/wigged improve duo, The Bumbys. Guests were invited to stand in front of Gil & Jill Bumbys typewriter clad desk to receive “A Fair and Honest Appraisal of [Their] Appearance,” which more often then not consisted of hilarious comparisons and ridiculous compliments to their attire and overall demeanor.
For us and the handful of Filipinos in the audience, it was the fact that Filipina supermodels were part of the event that made it more meaningful.
Indeed, in the fashion world today (thanks and kudos to Ford Models), three Filipina supermodels are slowly but surely creating their own marks in the industry. Here’s looking forward to more!
(www.asianjournal.com)
(NYNJ April 8-14, 2011 LifeEastyle pg.2)
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