MANILA, Philippines - She was out of the Philippines for eight years to fulfill her dreams — attending school and working in New York, traveling across Asia for modeling stints and pursuing graduate studies in Paris and Singapore. And now, Jenny Rockett is ready to explore her own country, herself and more.
“I’m looking forward to reconnect with my roots and my culture, spending more time with my family, and traveling around the Philippines,” she reveals.
Before returning to the Philippines, Jenny earned a Journalism degree from New York University, and two master’s degrees in Public Policy from the Sciences Po University in Paris and the National University in Singapore.
Armed with her scholastic credentials, she was able to work with the best in the media industry in New York, including journalist and television personality Anderson Cooper at CNN. At 21, her dream of working as a photojournalist at the United Nations, also in New York, materialized. “It was a very interesting job — covering events and press conferences and photographing incredible personalities from all walks of life!” she excitedly recalls.
But with Jenny’s dainty mestiza features (her father James is Australian while her mother Diana is Ilongga), it was inevitable that she was to be lured into the modeling world. She started at the age of 13 and her stints as a model allowed her to see the world more. Before going into graduate school, this 5’7” looker was based in Hong Kong, enabling her to travel across Asia through her modeling. She speaks French, English and Filipino.
“Modeling is an integral part of me. I grew up doing modeling so I feel there’s a personal connection with it. It has given me so many opportunities in life and I’m very grateful for that. But at the same time, I have other intellectual interests. I’d like to multitask these different hats because it keeps me on my toes and keeps me excited about life… I also believe it’s good to have a balance of doing something you’re passionate about and doing something that allows you to explore different aspects of your personality,” relates Jenny, who takes pride in her full-time job at Asia Society, a leading multisectoral educational organization that promotes mutual understanding and partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the US.
As program officer for Asia Society, she helps put together events and programs that give her the opportunity to unleash her passion and apply everything she has learned from the school of life.
“I started my office job last year. I help put together activities in the areas of arts and culture, policy, business and leadership,” she says.
“We just finished an international conference on sustainable cities at the Mind Museum. It was a very challenging project; it also had a very relevant and meaningful topic (‘Climate Resiliency and Livability,’ which was so applicable to last year’s typhoon Yolanda). I’m now working on an Asian Film Festival and other ASEAN matters; it’s a mixed bag of different topics that we cover,” details Jenny.
She adds, “When I go home at the end of the day, I am incredibly fulfilled with the work I’ve done. It’s a nice and satisfying feeling to know that you have done something meaningful.”
With all of her noteworthy credentials and endeavors, she is certainly a distinctive breed. The confident and intelligent Jenny Rockett has the best of both worlds; nay, the best of many worlds, being the multifaceted individual and dynamic young lady that she really is.
Photography by SHAIRA LUNA of At East | Jed Root • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Styling by MIKKA VELASQUEZ • Makeup by SARI CAMPOS • Hairstyling by RHOY CERVANTES • Blush slip dress by XERNAN ORTICIO available at MYTH, Greenbelt 5; blush haltered top and sequined skirt both from PABLO CABAHUG for MYTH available at MYTH, Greenbelt 5 • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at SOLAIRE RESORT & CASINO’s EXECUTIVE LOUNGE