MANILA, Philippines – A woman’s beauty speaks beyond physical boundaries. Her beauty radiates even more when she creates ripples of positivity that can serve as inspiration for others.
Twenty-five-year-old Chanel Olive Thomas exudes a positive energy that allows her to take a journey through a life full of promise and never-ending possibilities.
In 2014, while in the Philippines for a holiday, Chanel found herself calling her mom to say that was staying in the country for good. This random decision became an opportunity for her to experience a whole new world from what she was used to in her hometown in Cairns, Australia. After several months, modeling opportunities were offered to Chanel. She landed on the covers of different magazines and campaigns. She is now under Mercator modeling agency.
More than a year after she made the big move in the Philippines, Chanel felt the need to challenge herself more and join Ms. Philippines Earth 2015. “For me, this pageant is life-changing because it really pushed me to develop and challenge myself more,” this 5’9” stunner, who bagged the Ms. Philippines Earth-Air title, shares.
“The Ms. Philippines Earth experience was so positive for me. I had so much fun. The pageant gave me the freedom to be myself and most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to travel around the country, meet different kinds of people, empower them and send them the important messages about what our environment needs now,” explains Chanel, whose environmental advocacy is to reduce pollution within the country and the world.
Fun-loving and very animated, Chanel embraces the joy that people around her bring and gives back by being a positive ball of energy to other people. “I want to make people smile and laugh every day. I’m really passionate about making people feel happy because seeing them happy makes me feel I have a purpose,” says Chanel, who plans to get into hosting and comedy.
“I love to talk and make people smile. I just want to embrace my inner joy and inner humor, develop it and master it and share it to the world. On hosting, I want to be someone who can imprint a positive message to the viewers like Toni Gonzaga, Iza Calzado and Joey Mead. I like women who are strong, independent and are career-driven, who, at the same time, give back to the community. That’s the kind of person I want to be,” explains Chanel. She is quick to point out that polishing her Tagalog is a priority for her to be able to reach her dream of being a TV host and a comedian.
One of the things that helps Chanel polish her Tagalog is taking public transportation. Her sense of adventure comes out when she commutes. “Filipinos are so friendly. I’ve never been scared taking the public transportation here; I’ve always enjoyed it and I love it when I see people’s faces when I start talking to them,” she laughs. One time, during the pageant season, she rode a jeepney in her high heels with a suitcase. She sat beside a lady who was carrying a box of brand new shoes. Traffic was very slow and the breeze was strong. Suddenly, the box was carried out by the wind out of the vehicle. Without thinking twice, Chanel ran out of the jeepney, recovered the box and ran back up the vehicle and handed the box to the lady. “The lady was so shocked with what I did! I love surprising people that way.” Though Chanel takes public transportation, she is aware that one needs to be smart in order to “survive” commuting in Manila.
The daughter of Raymond Thomas, a draftsman for the Australian government and Mayumi Thomas, who works in retail, Chanel goes by every day with the lessons she learned from her family. “It’s important for me to have a close relationship with my family even though they are all in Australia. I have a creative and inspiring family that supports me in what I do. Living away from them taught me that living for others is so much more rewarding in the long term especially in the Philippines where there’s so much to give back, so many people to help and inspire and remind them of their worth,” she explains.
These lessons from her family are further strengthened by her faith. “Being away from my family, I found Christianity as a big help to constantly remind me of who I am as a person, what I’m living for. I find it so important to include God into every aspect of my life because He is my life.”
It was Chanel’s dream to use her title as Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2015 to also empower girls and women to follow their dreams.
“I know it sounds cliché but I always believe that beauty is what’s inside you. Because one day, your looks will have to go and what’s going to be left is the person inside you. If you’re not happy with that self, you just have to sit down and rethink the way you’re living life or the way you treat people around you. Because what’s important is you have people in your life who love you for who you are,” Chanel concludes.
Ever Bilena Makeup Cake
By joining Ms. Philippines Earth, Chanel learned how to put on makeup. First, she tried this makeup foundation that provides full coverage and packed with essential ingredients. This is also suitable for women with oily skin as it helps absorb excess oil. It also helps prepare the skin for application of additional makeup.
Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Mauvey
This well-loved lipstick is made to give the lips that velvety finish. It has ingredients that keep the lips moisturized. Try the Mauvey shade, a neutral pink tone, for that sophisticated look like Chanel’s.
Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Earth
Chanel adds vibrant color to her cheeks with the Ever Bilena Cheek Blush. This product can also be used to highlight those cheekbones and jaw line with a beautiful contour using the Earth shade.
Ever Bilena Matic Brow Liner in Earth
Chanel loves her full, thick eyebrows. She further enhances them with the Ever Bilena Matic Brow Liner, a long-wearing brow liner that allows one to accurately fill in and shape the eyebrows. This Earth shade gives that natural touch of brown for a more youthful look.
Ever Bilena Superlash Mascara
This mascara is designed to provide a strong hold for the lashes. It also conditions and makes lashes longer and thicker.
Photography by Rita Marie • Styling by Edrelyn Santos • Makeup by Martin Orosa of Ever Bilena • Hairstyling by Elma Oraye • Gown by Paulette Leigh (pauletteleigh.com, 0915-3851170); robe coat and necklace both by Sfera, SM Makati