Phoemela Baranda has been lucky, indeed.
"As a model, (the agents) are always after my face," begins Phoemela, an Interdisciplinary Studies graduate of DLSU-St. Benilde College. "People recognize me as the face of this and that. Now, the public knows me as Phoemela. That makes me happy and fulfilled as a person."
Indeed, Phoemela is no longer just a sight to behold, but a lady who has successful crossed over to the challenging fields of TV hosting and endorsements.
Before she was caught by the proverbial showbiz bug and the klieg lights, the then 14-year-old Phoemela loved to unwind in the mall to check on what’s in. In one of her mall outings, a talent scout, enthralled by Phoemela’s morena beauty, spotted her and asked her to do modeling projects for him. Blessed with Asian looks, and a towering height at that, Phoemela confidently agreed to do some modeling. Since then, she’s been off and running.
Phoemela did print and TV ads, fashion shows and editorials. She has graced innumerable glamour magazines and glossies for which she has done covers and pictorials.
Phoemela joined last year’s Extra Challenge’s search for the replacement of Miriam Quiambao, the show’s original host. Phoemela remembers that she learned about the contest through her agency.
Contrary to what she expected to be a simple go-see, the contest entailed a series of challenges, and whoever beat the others would be the show’s new co-host with Paolo Bediones.
"I really went through physical challenges like rappelling, mountain climbing," Phoemela recalls. "I did hosting in an unusual situation – reporting in front of men engaged in a brawl."
With the show’s characteristically excruciating challenges, Phoemela thought of quitting in the middle of her participation. But she decided to stick it out, win or lose, and to charge the outcome of the contest to experience. "It won’t ruin my whole life, anyway," she thought.
Phoemela braved the odds and emerged the winner in a close fight over competitors like comedienne Ethel Booba (the People’s Choice), host-beauty queen Josephine Canonizado and another beauty queen, Joanne Peñalosa.
"I think I got of everything," Phoemela says of her winning. "I was always at the middle of the race. (More importantly) I finished all the challenges."
Winning the Extra Challenge search has opened many more doors for Phoemela. One of these is being the signature model of Manels, a complete shoe and accessory brand known for its style, comfort and durability.
"For shoes, I go for comfort," says Phoemela. "I’m very trendy but I don’t sacrifice comfort over style."
"With my schedule, it’s hard to wear uncomfortable shoes," says Phoemela. "They won’t last me half day. I need comfortable shoes because I’m an active, stylish person. I go around. I hop from one commitment to another."
"What’s my favorite style? I like open-toed shoes. They are easy to match with my outfits. I also go for sandals and avoid wearing high heels. Wearing Manels shoes helps me easily go through my tapings, pictorials and other weekly activities."
With thrice-weekly tapings, plus daily voice-over work for her show, Phoemela still finds time to return to her first love, modeling. If there’s no photo or video shoot, she bonds with her model friends. This keeps her feet fully grounded.
If Phoemela has become successful, it is perhaps due to her belief that "I don’t let (the glitter of) showbiz into my head."
Though she plans to explore other fields, Phoemela prefers to concentrate on hosting and to eventually become the best in her league. To do this, Phoemela looks for ways to hone her skills.
"For hosting, I practise and get points from my theater friends," says Phoemela. "Since our show is reality-based, they teach me to react naturally in certain situations and to ‘poeticize’ my answers. I have to learn how to handle situations, to talk and to be spontaneous."
Given such a successful career transition, Phoemela wishes for one thing. "To be in my best as a host."