Valerie de los Santos: Fit for fashion

Modeling is something I really love. It’s what I see myself doing for another two years," says Valerie de los Santos, 25, commercial and ramp model.

"But I would also like to be able to do shows for designers even when I am no longer active in the modeling scene."

Valerie is a familiar face in ads, both on TV, in print and in billboards. She was the image model of F&H, Addict Mobile, Secret deodorant, Sunsilk shampoo and Close Up Lovapalooza, among others.

For as long as Val can remember she has always loved dressing up and always wanted to be a model. So much so that she started modeling when she was in first-year college at De La Salle University. But her parents preferred that she concentrate on her studies. And the obedient daughter in Val took over. She finished BS Commerce in three years and one term at La Salle. And, when that was done, she went full-time into her real love – modeling.

Val has been a professional model for five years now and is the treasurer of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP). She is one of those people who have been blessed with a metabolism that allows her to eat anything that she sets her hunger pangs on. "My friends say that because of the way I eat, I’m like a karpintero. I love to eat rice. I love desserts and if there is lechon I will eat that, too," laughs Val. "But lately, because I have become more concerned about my health, I have cut out soft drinks from my diet. I go for tea, juice or even just water."

And modeling has been good to Val, too. She explains that the modeling season peaks twice a year – from February to June and September to December. During these months, modeling is Val’s full-time job.

"My work week can really vary. If it is peak season, we have work every day, from 10 a.m. to midnight," she says. "And if you are hardworking and you know how to save, you can make a lot of money." And that’s just for ramp modeling. Val also does VTRs for TV and billboard ads whenever she has the time because commercials can pay up to six figures.

Yet not one to rest on her achievements, Val recently took a trip to New York, where she took a course at NYU in styling for editorials. Val hopes to do that when she is done with ramp modeling. "I have been asked by some magazines here if I want to do guest styling for them. I am excited about that," says Val. "Fashion is something I love and anything connected with it interests me."

And marriage? "It is a matter of pacing myself and being happy with what I have achieved first," quips Val. " I still aspire to achieve more for myself and thereafter settle down." At this point in Val’s life, she has set no deadlines for herself, because she says she does not want to panic if deadline time comes.

"But I can’t say that I ever want to completely stop modeling. Even if I have a family and even if I am in a different career, I would like to be able to still model on the side," says Val. "I really love this work. I love fashion."

When did you start working out?

Two years ago. I used to be part of the volleyball team in high school at San Beda Alabang. I also made it to the basketball team because of my height (5’10"), but I am not a natural athlete. I was in the varsity team and played center. Although I learned how to play basketball, I did not love the game. I enjoyed playing volleyball more.

Today, I don’t play any sport. I just work out in the gym. I do cardio exercises on the treadmill. Working out at the gym is good enough for me.

What other exercises do you do?

Recently, I started doing yoga with some friends. My boyfriend and I wanted to try yoga because besides working out, we wanted to be able to try a more flexibility-based exercise. We hope to start taking classes soon.

How do you keep yourself fit?

I work out three to four times a week, if there is not much work. And since I started yoga, I do that about once or twice a week.

What kind of workout routine do you follow?

I do a split routine. This means I work out certain parts of my body on certain days. I also make sure that I do cardio for about 15 minutes every day. I have a two-day program. On day one, I do cardio for 15 minutes and then I work out my back, shoulders and triceps. On day two, I do cardio for 15 minutes and I work out my legs, chest, and biceps. I also make sure that I do abdominal workouts four times a week.

Have you always been into fitness?

No. But, when I was in grade school, I would join the track and field games. And there was PE. I used to take taekwondo classes, swimming classes, and gymnastics, the classes my parents enrolled me in. They were part of my life, but I was not an athlete. I was just an active person.

Is there a special kind of workout that you do for modeling?

Maybe if I am going to do a swimsuit shoot or show, I watch what I eat, I lessen my rice and sweets intake. I do more abdominal exercises. I don’t really have any other special workout for other modeling stints. I just follow my regular routine. I vary my workout only if I have to show more of my body for the shoot or modeling.

Is it better for female models to have more muscle tone?

Yes, even a little. It helps in the way the model carries herself. A thin and lanky model might wear a dress well, but a model who has some muscle tone has the advantage of standing well. I really believe good muscle tone helps a model’s posture. There are still a lot of thin and lanky models out there, but more models have become health-conscious and because of this, they work out. I guess it is also because there are a lot more models now and the competition is much stiffer, naturally a model has to take care of her body and working out helps one achieve this.

Do you believe in crash diets?

I don’t think they work because you are depriving yourself of nutrition. And from what I have heard about crash diets, after you are done with the diet, you are bound to binge on what you deprived yourself of.

Have you ever gone on a crash diet?

No, never. I believe in diets but nothing extreme. I think that a person should just watch what he eats. Eat healthy. I know people who deprive themselves of desserts and it makes them cranky. I don’t think you should deprive yourself of sweets.

What kind of diet do you follow?

Maybe because my boyfriend is health-conscious – we work out at the same time and we eat at the same time so what we do is eat balanced meals and work out regularly. I really love to eat and so does my boyfriend.

I have been told that I eat like a guy. I can eat as much as my boyfriend. I think, though, that I eat more sweets than he does.

Which part of your body are you most proud of?

I like my back best because I think it is well-defined. Since I started working out, the muscle definition on my back has improved. It is the part of my body that I feel does not need any more improvement.

Which part of your body do you like least?

My feet because they are too big. My feet are 9 1/2 and it’s so hard to find shoes for me since most stores have shoes only until size 9. This is why I don’t have too many closed-toe shoes. I always wear sandals. And I have long toes that look almost like fingers. I find them ugly.

What do you look for in a guy?

Someone I can connect with. Someone who is understanding, loving, romantic. Someone who is honest and trustworthy, too. My guy has to respect me. He does not have to be a model and neither does he have to work out. But it would be a bonus if he did.

What would you never eat?

Dinuguan. I hate anything bloody. I would never eat the chick of the balut.

I don’t like steak that is rare. I don’t eat sashimi. I guess it is because when I was young, I saw dinuguan that was not yet cooked and I saw all the blood. From that time on, I never ate it. I don’t like anything that tastes fishy, either.

What is the most unhealthy thing that you have ever done?

Eat a lot and then lie down.

Do you believe in cosmetic surgery?

No. We should be happy with what we have. I used to feel I was too flat-chested, but after I started working out, I felt that my body improved so I have learned to appreciate what I have. A person can’t have everything.

And besides it’s scary, the thought that you are going to get cut and get sewn back together is scary for me. I won’t ever try it.

Who is the sexiest guy for you?

My boyfriend. And I would have to say Brad Pitt. A sexy guy exudes an air of mystery. There is something about him that intrigues me. So, aside from a sexy body he must have the attitude to match it.

Who is the sexiest woman?

Angelina Jolie. She is sexy because she has an air of mystery. There is something so intriguing about her. And, yes, all Filipinas are sexy.

Is there an ideal body type that you aspire to have?

I would like my abs to be more firm.

What do you do when you are not ramp modeling?

I do VTRs for commercials. I used to make accessories and sell them to my friends. I buy and sell stuff but nothing big.

Do you have pets?

She’s a Shih-Tzu and her name is Chloe. She is my baby. She will be four.

What would you never wear?

Leather pants. I would feel like a hooker if I wore leather pants. I just don’t like them. I would wear them if I had to for a show. But I would never use them if I had a choice.

Are you always conscious about being a model?

I used to wear high-heeled shoes a lot, wear a lot of makeup and dress up a lot. But I have learned that I can still look like a model and dress like one yet not be too exaggerated about it. Although I still think about what I am going to wear when I wake up in the morning and sometimes I still take long to decide what to wear.

How do you choose what to endorse?

I would never do any liquor ads, no underwear ads. I don’t smoke so no cigarette ads, either.

As a model, I have to take care of my image because there are clients who might not get me because of a brand that I might have previously endorsed.

How much longer do you see yourself as a model?

I can’t really say. There are some senior models who have been modeling for 10 years already.

What do you plan to do after modeling?

I want to start my own business. I have been thinking about the food business. I would have wanted to enter the clothes business, but it is really hard to penetrate the market. I am inclined more to food, fast food siguro. I would like to try the dessert business because I love sweets.