Beautiful Marina
I remember watching Marina Benipayo strike a pose on the catwalk. She was one of five models, sporting China-doll hairpieces and donned in sleek black. There was something about her that made her stand out. Was it the way she stood? Her expression? How Marina languidly held her red, tassled fan? And then the music was pumped up and it was time to sashay down the ramp. Marina lazily snapped the fan shut with a flicker of her wrist and glided to the front of the stage without averting her gaze. Classic. Brilliant. A totally captivating sight.
Fast forward two months, Marina is sitting in my terrace, her eyes excitedly staring at the Chocolate Revel Bars laid out on the table. We are supposed to have a photo shoot in a few minutes but she reaches out for one pastry and plops it with glee into her mouth. Mmmmm….. before we have even shot a single frame, Marina has downed three bars. “I have a sweet tooth!” she exclaims. Gosh. You think so?
Marina Benipayo is an individual of incredible energy and good humor. She also is a lady who, as a single parent and sole provider for her children, has gone through a lot. In between servings of pastry, I had a one-on-one session with this fascinating woman to find out her thoughts about how she manages her career, family and life. “The nice thing about not having a 9-to-5 job is that you can choose to have many ‘careers.’ My focus right now is conducting employee seminars touching on image enhancement, customer service, behavior management, people/soft skills, self-motivation and empowerment. I still do fashion shows once in a while upon request of some designers. I also teach Basic Fashion Styling at SoFA (School of Fashion and the Arts),” says Marina.
Marina has two loving and very understanding teenagers. Mark is 15 and already six-ft.-tall. As with other boys his age, he loves spending time with his PSP, his way of relaxing. Marina says he is very diligent and serious when it comes to studying. He is also good in essay writing. Being the “man of the house,” he has developed a sense of responsibility and an open-minded outlook in life.
Joshua is 13 years old and a varsity soccer player. His mother says he likes looking at pretty girls, “which means maybe I should be keeping an eye on him more.” He likes to make people around him happy and never thinks twice about sharing what he has. “Together, my sons’ personalities remind me of ‘Bert and Ernie’ on Sesame Street!”
Marina Benipayo. Photo by JOANNE ZAPANTA-ANDRADAWhen I ask them what their favorite subject in school is, Mark starts staring at the wall, thinking hard… I guess he got tired of just thinking and replies, “P.E.” Then Joshua proudly says his favorite is Math because it’s the only subject in which he never failed. “I’m so very proud to be their mother,” she says lovingly. Marina says they have no helpers in their house so on top of being a mom she is also the domestic helper, the plumber, the fix-it person all rolled into one. “I work very hard to provide for them. However, in as much as we do so much for our kids’ lives, we should always remember to take care of our selves — body, mind and spirit.”
When asked about what she considers to be the greatest challenge she has ever faced, the veteran model laughs. “Are you asking about this year alone? It’s really a very long one! I have to skip this one, sorry. Of course my greatest challenge is still ongoing. It is having to solely provide for my kids, while showing, teaching and guiding them into becoming responsible adults. I’ve had other issues to overcome such as numerous personal sacrifices, finance and health concerns. But at this point, they seem more manageable than the ultimate legacy I am aiming to leave my kids.”
Indeed, Marina has learned much through the years. She has learned that she has the greatest source of strength in the world — her children.
“I believe that we are the only ones who can determine our own strength. So it is important to make choices. If I am happy, growing and improving as a person, it is because I choose to do so. There is no such thing as a life without pain and sorrow. Even those who seem to have a perfect life have had their share of heartaches and difficulties. I think of myself as a positive and funny person. I hope to be able to inspire others through these qualities. As I get older I realize more and more that there are things that happen beyond your control. Accept that change. This also goes for whatever is taken from us against our will. Let nothing, and I mean NOTHING, break your spirit. This needs conviction from you, and the will to overcome. Because once your spirit breaks, you alone had made that decision. You know right from wrong. What do you choose?”
It is impossible to interview Marina without touching on her ability to stay slim and fit. Her secrets: aerobics classes at least three times a week; boxing and badminton; eating vegetables over almost any type of viand. She and her kids are used to not consuming sodas, chips and canned food in the house. “But of course, there’s always our reward or ‘cheat day’, usually on weekends, where we could eat whatever we wish.”
As a parting question, I asked Marina about what she wishes the most. “I have two wishes. For me to be able to provide for my kids until they graduate from college. My second immediate plan is to be able to teach ramp modeling, so that I will have the chance to share to the younger models not only what I have learned, but also the discipline and mindset I acquired.”
