Face of Allure: Chloe Dauden
MANILA, Philippines - Last year, Chloe Dauden wrote three things in her planner:
“1. I will lose weight.”
“2. I will have a project.”
“3. I will be a beauty queen.”
She claimed her plans. She dreamt big. She dreamt limitless. This year, all those three things came true.
These are astonishing words from a Deal or No Deal 26K girl who turned Ms. World Philippines second princess (runner-up) last September. Chloe, whose name generated a strong recall among those who were regular viewers of the game show hosted by Kris Aquino, is thankful for the blessings that have come her way.
Looking at this 5’8” Filipina beauty with Spanish and Irish blood, one would not guess that she also experienced a hard life firsthand. Martha Chloe McCulley, granddaughter of silver screen actress Marlene Dauden, reveals that her father left them when she was four. She claims she has not heard from him since. Her grandfather stood as their benefactor but died a few years ago. With the passing of her lolo came the realization of her mother’s (also named Marlene) best teaching to her: that when one wants to have something, one has to work for it.
The twist of fate drove Chloe to persevere as a working student. Her part-time job at ABS-CBN didn’t prevent her from being a consistent Dean’s Lister at the Asia Pacific College. She took up BS Commerce and majored in Marketing and Advertising since it was the closest course to Communication Arts, her first choice. In 2010, she graduated with high academic distinction.
After her graduation, all she wanted was to search for a marketing job and join the corporate world. It was her mother and grandmother who insisted on her joining the Bb. Pilipinas 2011. She lost in the pageant but her experience steered her brave heart to join Ms. World Philippines. Chloe reveals that a day before the coronation night, she earnestly prayed that God grant her just any award. Generous heavens, she also bagged the Ms. SMDC and Ms. Kapuso World awards.
She received a two-year contract with GMA; thus, we regularly see her on Party Pilipinas. This never-gonna-give-up girl says that despite a tough schedule and lack of sleep, “every day just gets more exciting.” She continues, though, that she really misses bonding with her family, especially with her mom and younger brother. “At home, I can just be myself — kenkoy and all.” Chloe didn’t grow up with a biological father but never considered her family broken or incomplete.
“No matter how hard life is, it can be better,” a cheery aura rises as she speaks. “Always do your best kasi babalik din naman ‘yung effort mo.” She shares that she looks up to Oprah who endured a miserable past but has become a well-known icon of goodwill. Chloe desires to do the same. When asked about how she sees herself in five to 10 years, she wittingly says, “I want to be like my lola, a successful actress, and a very good marketing director at the same time.”
Photography by MAU AGUASIN • Styling by REG RODRIGUEZ • Makeup by RIA AQUINO • Hairstyling by AVRIL SEGUIN • Clothes by TANGO • Accessories by ESTRELLAS MANILA
