MANILA, Philippines - Model Chrystalle Omaga’s beauty transcends culture and time. In her soul is an unshakable resolve that allows her to traverse the runway of her life.
Born and raised in the winter city of Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada, the 5’8” stunner grew up embracing diversity with her Filipino father Edward Omaga, a systems manager at a manufacturing company, and Ukranian mother, Sandra, a retired psychiatric nurse. Her parents’ mix of cultures allowed Chrystalle to cultivate a sense of self.
“It’s nice to have two different cultures at home. Without those, I think I would have been isolated from the world of my dreams. I would not be who I am today without the diversity in my life,” shares 20-year-old Chrystalle.
Chrystalle says, “My parents are both supportive of what I do. My mom reminds me that nothing is set in stone and that there is always a way around everything. She wants me to experience life and pursue my dreams. My dad tells me that finishing school is still important even if I veered away from the course a bit. I believe him and finishing school is my end goal wherever I go in life, however everything works. I am saving what I earn now from modeling for my studies. So, basically, my dad’s the reality and my mom’s the dream. It’s great to have that balance.”
While living in Manitoba as a sprightly young lady who was into sports and musical theater, Chrystalle had the opportunity to join Miss Teenage Manitoba 2014. Ever the go-getter, she took a chance at the pageant, bagged the title and was able to represent the province at the Miss Teenage Canada 2014 where she placed first runner-up. She also represented Canada in the Face of Beauty International pageant in Taiwan and was a finalist at the Miss Universe-Canada pageant in 2016.
This svelte beauty reveals that winning first runner-up at the Miss Teenage Canada pageant opened doors for her to discover the world of modeling. This would soon allow her to step on the global stage of fashion.
After the pageant, she was included in the cast that would walk the runway at the Couture Fashion Week New York, a series of couture and luxury fashion shows. Since then, she has graced magazine covers, fashion editorials, TV commercials and ad campaigns. With her commanding presence, Chrystalle also clocked miles on the runways of New York, Thailand and the Philippines. She is currently based in Bangkok for a string of modeling gigs.
“Modeling has helped me grow up. It has helped me discover who I am and what I want to do in life besides schooling. I get to meet and work with different personalities around the world. In modeling, every day is a learning experience,” notes Chrystalle, who is represented by Elite Manila in the Philippines.
Always with the heart for others, Chrystalle is passionate about humanitarian work and her advocacies on poverty and education. For her 18th birthday, instead of having a grand debut, she volunteered for Me to We Foundation and spent three weeks in Enelerai, Kenya to help build an all-boys school. With this invaluable experience, among other humanitarian endeavors she has participated in, Chrystalle became introspective and she constantly puts her life in check.
Her love for life fuels her to pursue her dreams — may it be acing her personal trainer certification exam, finishing the Ironman or taking up Medicine and completing her undergraduate degree in the Philippines and Canada. It is the same love that moves her to continue being the ray of sunshine to the people close to her heart.
“Figuring out who I am and knowing that I am capable of doing everything I set my mind to are some of the things to be proud of. If there are things that I have failed at, I still push through with them. Not everything is set in stone, as my mother says, so there’s another way to get what you want, where you want. If you can’t do it one way, you have to try another way.”
There’s a whole world ahead of Chrystalle and she’s ready to traverse the runway of her life with long, steady strides.
Photography by Mau Aguasin • Creative direction by Luis Espiritu Jr. • Styling by Bang Martinez and Tara Subaldo • Makeup by Ria Aquino for MAC Cosmetics • Hairstyling by Kierlo Velasco • Estepona wrap maxi dress by Seek the Uniq and printed dress by Azucar • Jewelry by Jul B. Dizon • Shot on location at Lady Scott Jones HOME (The Metroclub, Estrella Street, Rockwell, Makati City. Tel. Nos. 0917-7274699 and 624-8619. Visit www.ladyscottjones.com.) • Special thanks to Elite Manila