Brenna Gamboa: It feels good to be back home

MANILA, Philippines - Through the years, the iconic Barbie doll has captured the hearts of many young girls who often dream to look exactly like her when they grow up. Count 21-year-old Brenna Cassandra Gamboa in that long list.

“I collected Barbie dolls as a kid,” says Brenna. “And not just the ordinary ones. I have the collectible sets.” Although there’s a never-ending debate on the popular doll sending the wrong message of the ideal beauty, this was never the case for Brenna. The doll, she says, had a positive influence on her. She admits she wanted to grow up like her because she also liked being made up and looking fabulous.

Svelte and statuesque at 5-ft.-9-in., Brenna possesses stunning features because of her Chinese, Spanish and Filipino lineage. When she got to the Philippines in 2010, it was not long before she embarked on a modeling career. “My modeling career began with the help of Catwalk Philippines Unlimited Models in our school,” says the Nursing junior at Olivarez College Tagaytay. “Then I joined my school’s beauty pageant and won in both Tagaytay and Parañaque campuses.” During her vacations in Manila as early as age 13, she would also be asked to join modeling gigs. “When I was younger, I started off with ramp modeling. It then grew into something I enjoyed.”

Brenna spent her childhood in a lake house in California. She fondly recalls how she would go swimming and fishing almost every weekend. “I had a very happy childhood. My mom let me join everything that could enhance my skills. She believed I could achieve anything as long as I set my heart to it,” she shares.

In 2010, her mom made her choose between returning with her to the Philippines or living independently in the States. “I chose to come back home and live with her. I have the rest of my life to be independent but time with my family is irreplaceable,” she muses. Brenna constantly acknowledges the important role of her mother in her life. In fact, she took up Nursing and plans to continue to medical school because of her mom’s influence. “Mothers really do know best,” she says. “They’ve been there, done that. So I listen to her and make an effort to follow her.”

Aside from modeling, Brenna has also grown a liking for beauty contests. Her latest achievement is being crowned Bb. Unibersidad. She is now preparing to compete in Korea for the World Miss University pageant. “I drink lots of water. I also try to live a healthy lifestyle. And I just enjoy life. After all, laughter is the best medicine. It is also a great abs workout.”

Brenna furthers, “Ever since I started in the beauty pageant world, Ever Bilena has always been my makeup of choice. And I never go out without using them!” She says she appreciates the hard work and efforts that the people behind the makeup brand put in order to make every woman as beautiful as possible with a price affordable to them. “Ever Bilena also conducts makeup workshops with students to help them with their images. That’s how they started me to use the products. I personally like the two-way cake face powder and the lipgloss. I even have the lip glosses in every shade!”

With all her achievements, Brenna makes sure that her feet are still firmly planted on the ground. “I learned that it pays to stay humble. Only empty cans make noise,” she concludes.

Photography by John Darilag • Black gown by Sidney Eculla • Accessories by Onin Mas and Mark Salecina