STAR Dream Girl: Larah Monterola

She may not share the same passion on archaeology with her Amazonian heroine namesake, but 21-year-old Larah Danielle Monterola’s knack for travel is as intense as Lara Croft’s. The only difference: death is her greatest fear and tomb raiding is next to impossible on her list. She’ll instead indulge in shopping, shopping and more shopping in her favorite Asian cities, Bangkok and Hong Kong. "I like sight-seeing and learning about the interesting history, culture and lifestyle of the places I visit," she says. On local shores, she’s a beach bum. Boracay, Bohol and Batangas are her top picks. "We have so much to be proud of (in terms of tourism). Although I think we need more development on sustainable ecotourism," adds Larah. Once school is over, European cities are next on her must-see places.

A Political Economy senior at the University of Asia and the Pacific, Larah is the unica hija of electrical engineer Danilo and businesswoman Lydia (nee Yauder) Monterola. Standing 5’6" and with a 34-24-35 figure, the Chinese mestiza placed first runner-up in a bikini grand prix last year. Larah was also the face behind TV commercials and print ads for major fastfood chains, a giant telecom company and several beauty products here and in Vietnam.

Looking back, it seems she was really destined to be in the intriguing industry of the bright lights. Tell-tale signs? When she was four, her aunt applied makeup on her. Thrilled and excited about her makeover, the young Larah hurriedly ran home and tripped. "I cried out loud. My mom tried to wipe it off but I stopped her and told her ‘No, my makeup will be ruined’."

"If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will," quips Larah, who adds, "I believe that we all have a purpose in life." She also admits to being too emotional. "I cry a lot. I even cry over cartoon shows. In movies and TV series, I get easily stuck with stories that are very touching and those that could really happen in real life." This, she furthers, also happens when she reads books.

In her leisure time, Larah strolls the mall in skinny jeans, a simple top and pointed shoes. Her sinful indulgences are Japanese and Chinese dishes.

"I don’t have any," Larah quickly replied when asked on her New Year’s resolution. "I don’t believe in it. If people want to change, it could happen at any moment. It should come from within." –Jerni May H. Camposano