Filipina ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ finalist honored

MANILA, Philippines — At 18 years old and at five feet and six inches tall, Maureen Wroblewitz might be among the youngest and the shortest among the top four finalists of “Asia’s Next Top Model” (AsNTM) Cycle 5.

But, by winning best photo of the week on episode 11, the Filipina-German Maureen has a strong chance of winning the competition at episode 12, especially with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach there by her side as special guest.

Whether or not Maureen makes it as the first Filipina to win AsNTM, she has already been declared a “winner” in her field as she has been recently chosen as one of 10 young Filipina “Makers” by international cosmetics label Maybelline New York.

The company, said Maybelline Philippines Marketing Director Cary Co, tapped 10 successful young Filipinas from different fields to create vlogs (video blogs) that aim to inspire other women to make their own success stories happen.

She clarified that these girls are not all bloggers or social media stars. Besides Maureen, they include:

• Photographer Sara Black
• Celebrity stylist Kimi Yap
• Fashion designer Rosenthal Tee
• Calligrapher Alexis Ventura
• Athlete Denisse Lazaro
• Education advocate Arizza Nocum
• Blogger Lissa Kahayon
• Fitness guru Ida Paras
• Filmmaker Janina Manipol

10 young Filipina Makers by Maybelline New York

In today’s social media-driven society, success, according to Co, is no longer measured by titles, social status, or how many assets or how much money you have in the bank, but by how much influence you have to people around you. That, she said, has been among the traits they looked for in coming up with a list of 10 Filipina Makers.

“Their (the Makers’) main role is to show everyone that everyone can make it happen. You don’t have to be a celebrity to be able to make it happen. In our own way we can make it,” Co opined.

The campaign coincides with the arrival of the brand’s new foundation, Fit Me, which, according to Co, offers a wide array of shades that fit Filipina’s skin tones and textures, as well as the Philippine weather, to give skin a natural matte finish.

She said that while the brand’s headquarters have made YouTube vlogger and makeup artist Manny Mua its first male endorser for its mascara line, there are no plans yet to get a male Filipino endorser for the makeup brand.

Co noted that actress Liza Soberano will continue to be with the brand until next year. Though she uses exclusively all of the brand’s products, there is no talk yet if Liza will also use the brand for her makeup as Darna.

That, said Co, is something to watch out for, just like the upcoming finale of “Asia’s Next Top Model,” where a Filipina could possibly become the winner.