That one great modeling moment
August 12, 2001 | 12:00am
If you think being a model is all glamour and big bucks, think again. Models go through a lot and eat very little in order to look great. Then there are the long hours of makeup sessions, hair-styling and fashion shoots. And let's not forget the fashion show which entails endless fittings and rehearsals, then more makeup sessions and hair-styling. Nobody cares if they're tired or cranky, they have to look fabulous.
Being a model has its perks, too. They get to travel, wear designer clothes, hob-nob with celebs and more.
Here, the country's top models share their most unforgettable experience.
Abbygale Arenas-De Leon: I modeled for seven years and had the best time of my life. I was able to travel half-way around the world and lived in two of the world’s fashion capitals – New York and Hong Kong.
My most unforgettable experience? I have two. The Pierre Cardin show in Manila in 1994, the first international designer show here and my first ever grand go-see. Pierre Cardin himself chose the models – and yes, I wore his wedding gown at the finale. It was heaven walking down the ramp with Piere Cardin himself. The next day, I went to Singapore and started my traveling years. This experience doubled my self-confidence, maybe even tripled it.
My second unforgettable experience was my Dubai assignment in 1996 with a Filipino photographer. I am now married to that photographer! Need I say more? We have a baby now. Our marriage has given me wings to do whatever I want to do. I quit modeling when I was still in demand, and chose to start a new career in training. It wasn’t easy but my husband encouraged me and told me I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
Bessie Badilla: I had already retired from modeling when my family moved to Singapore in 1988. I was 29 years old and had two active daughters. I was getting used to the lifestyle of a corporate wife. In short, I was bored and overweight!
My Filipino friend, Babes Conde, insisted I model again. She introduced me to Singapore’s top fashion photographer, Pat Chan, who instantly saw the flaws, the extra weight and my boredom. She was kind enough not to mention it – at least not yet. She knew I had a lot of modeling experience looking through my portfolio. "Impressive, " was all she said as she flipped through my book, "very impressive." Then she dropped the bomb, "so what happened to you?"
Pat and I made a deal. I was to lose 20 pounds, re-style my hair and makeup, change my wardrobe and outlook in life. She said I could be a wife and mother who looked like a million bucks! It took me almost a year to do it – but I did it! What did Pat get from the deal? She made me a cover girl. Now, that’s unforgettable!
The magazine Her World, carried the story of how I ended up on the cover at the age of 30! It was sold out in a week, and the publishing company was happy to do a second printing. After my first cover, I worked a lot in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong doing print ads, commercials and various magazine covers. I did a lot of fashion pictorials; I even flew to exotic places to do fashion shoots.
Some of the most unforgettable location shoots I did were for Armani in the Maldives, Christian Dior in Nepal and Valentino in India. I worked hard to look good, and I felt great. Every now and then, I write to Pat Chan and thank her for making that almost impossible deal with me.
To this day, I continue to make myself look and feel good. It’s not easy. I do two hours of ballet every day and Pilates three times a week. It is tough, but every drop of perspiration is worth it. Imagine being asked to model for a New York-based catalog at the age of 42? I did not have to go through an agency to get that job either. I simply looked good while on vacation with my family in the Cayman Islands! Another unforgettable modeling moment indeed!
Joyce Oreña-Stalder: Every model’s dream is to work in Paris. That dream came true when Inno Sotto had a show there in June 1995. It was the first time ever that all his models were required to have specific measurements based on international standards. Paris was unforgettable. The energy was unbelievable backstage. We all wanted to do our best to show them that we Filipinos have what it takes. It ended with a standing ovation that seemed never-ending.
Tina Maristela-Ocampo: For many years, Manila has been the center of my work as a fashion model. I've always considered fashion as the only industry I would ever be involved in. I have fond memories working with the Philippines’ best designers, directors, photographers and big fashion houses of the ’80s. Shoemart will always be dear to me.
I’ve had my share of horrifying moments, too –thanks to those gaps at the Westin Philippine Plaza’s parquet ramp – my heel got stuck and I remained where I was until the lights went out. I will never forget my first fashion show abroad – in the palace of a Malaysian king made possible by my mentor Ben Farrales. Nor will I forget my very last fashion travel to Egypt where I rode a camel wearing a heavily beaded gown.
Then there was this one day in 1987 – I got a knock on my door from Carrie Models Singapore that made the ultimate dream come true. I got my first international photo shoot and it's still my most memorable because it was unique and professional. I was pampered from head to foot, styled to the max and I modeled an original Yves Saint Laurent for the very first time. I’ve never looked and felt that way again.
Menchu Menchaca-Soriano: At the Hyatt Hong Kong I was the only Filipino model in a German designer’s gala show held on a big ship for the hotel’s yearly German festival. Gary Flores was the director. The ship was cruising and the seas were rough. It was very hard for us models to walk in high heels. For me this was one of my most unforgettable experiences in modeling.
Suyene Chi: My most memorable experience in modeling was my trip to Cairo, Egypt, because it enabled me to see the wonders of the ancient world.
Tetta Ortiz-Matera: I was working as a fit model for Junko Koshino in Tokyo and was doing the Tokyo Collection for about three years until 1991 when she had the opportunity to open a boutique in New York. To launch her boutique, she put together a gala dinner/fashion show at the Metropolitan Museum of New York. She had asked me if I wanted to go to New York to help out with the project and model as well. I said yes, and there I was working with models like Roshumba, Veronica Webb and Christy McMenamy. I was nervous on the day of the show and during rehearsals. But when the show started and my turn on stage came, I felt a surge of energy that carried me throughout the show. Some Filipino friends came to watch and we got together after and we just couldn't stop talking about the show. The most unusual thing was, the following week, my mother sent a copy of a Filipino newspaper with a photo taken by the Associated Press of the Junko Koshino show. Guess which model was featured in the paper? Me! I was taken by surprise. It couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to a most exciting experience!
Joan Bitagcol: Instead of my one great moment in modeling, which I have yet to define, I will tell you about my one not-so-great disaster. I’ll never forget this thing I wore for Fashion Watch’s first go-see back in 1996. It was a knee-length, Sabrina-neckline, moss green dress designed by a friend. The funny thing was I matched it with shiny gold maryjanes with my hair down, wavy and really long. Everyone was secretly laughing at me when I entered the room. Realizing how bad I looked, I was so embarrassed, I couldn’t move. To this day, we would laugh at this experience. It became a joke for me.
Being a model has its perks, too. They get to travel, wear designer clothes, hob-nob with celebs and more.
Here, the country's top models share their most unforgettable experience.
Abbygale Arenas-De Leon: I modeled for seven years and had the best time of my life. I was able to travel half-way around the world and lived in two of the world’s fashion capitals – New York and Hong Kong.
My most unforgettable experience? I have two. The Pierre Cardin show in Manila in 1994, the first international designer show here and my first ever grand go-see. Pierre Cardin himself chose the models – and yes, I wore his wedding gown at the finale. It was heaven walking down the ramp with Piere Cardin himself. The next day, I went to Singapore and started my traveling years. This experience doubled my self-confidence, maybe even tripled it.
My second unforgettable experience was my Dubai assignment in 1996 with a Filipino photographer. I am now married to that photographer! Need I say more? We have a baby now. Our marriage has given me wings to do whatever I want to do. I quit modeling when I was still in demand, and chose to start a new career in training. It wasn’t easy but my husband encouraged me and told me I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
Bessie Badilla: I had already retired from modeling when my family moved to Singapore in 1988. I was 29 years old and had two active daughters. I was getting used to the lifestyle of a corporate wife. In short, I was bored and overweight!
My Filipino friend, Babes Conde, insisted I model again. She introduced me to Singapore’s top fashion photographer, Pat Chan, who instantly saw the flaws, the extra weight and my boredom. She was kind enough not to mention it – at least not yet. She knew I had a lot of modeling experience looking through my portfolio. "Impressive, " was all she said as she flipped through my book, "very impressive." Then she dropped the bomb, "so what happened to you?"
Pat and I made a deal. I was to lose 20 pounds, re-style my hair and makeup, change my wardrobe and outlook in life. She said I could be a wife and mother who looked like a million bucks! It took me almost a year to do it – but I did it! What did Pat get from the deal? She made me a cover girl. Now, that’s unforgettable!
The magazine Her World, carried the story of how I ended up on the cover at the age of 30! It was sold out in a week, and the publishing company was happy to do a second printing. After my first cover, I worked a lot in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong doing print ads, commercials and various magazine covers. I did a lot of fashion pictorials; I even flew to exotic places to do fashion shoots.
Some of the most unforgettable location shoots I did were for Armani in the Maldives, Christian Dior in Nepal and Valentino in India. I worked hard to look good, and I felt great. Every now and then, I write to Pat Chan and thank her for making that almost impossible deal with me.
To this day, I continue to make myself look and feel good. It’s not easy. I do two hours of ballet every day and Pilates three times a week. It is tough, but every drop of perspiration is worth it. Imagine being asked to model for a New York-based catalog at the age of 42? I did not have to go through an agency to get that job either. I simply looked good while on vacation with my family in the Cayman Islands! Another unforgettable modeling moment indeed!
Joyce Oreña-Stalder: Every model’s dream is to work in Paris. That dream came true when Inno Sotto had a show there in June 1995. It was the first time ever that all his models were required to have specific measurements based on international standards. Paris was unforgettable. The energy was unbelievable backstage. We all wanted to do our best to show them that we Filipinos have what it takes. It ended with a standing ovation that seemed never-ending.
Tina Maristela-Ocampo: For many years, Manila has been the center of my work as a fashion model. I've always considered fashion as the only industry I would ever be involved in. I have fond memories working with the Philippines’ best designers, directors, photographers and big fashion houses of the ’80s. Shoemart will always be dear to me.
I’ve had my share of horrifying moments, too –thanks to those gaps at the Westin Philippine Plaza’s parquet ramp – my heel got stuck and I remained where I was until the lights went out. I will never forget my first fashion show abroad – in the palace of a Malaysian king made possible by my mentor Ben Farrales. Nor will I forget my very last fashion travel to Egypt where I rode a camel wearing a heavily beaded gown.
Then there was this one day in 1987 – I got a knock on my door from Carrie Models Singapore that made the ultimate dream come true. I got my first international photo shoot and it's still my most memorable because it was unique and professional. I was pampered from head to foot, styled to the max and I modeled an original Yves Saint Laurent for the very first time. I’ve never looked and felt that way again.
Menchu Menchaca-Soriano: At the Hyatt Hong Kong I was the only Filipino model in a German designer’s gala show held on a big ship for the hotel’s yearly German festival. Gary Flores was the director. The ship was cruising and the seas were rough. It was very hard for us models to walk in high heels. For me this was one of my most unforgettable experiences in modeling.
Suyene Chi: My most memorable experience in modeling was my trip to Cairo, Egypt, because it enabled me to see the wonders of the ancient world.
Tetta Ortiz-Matera: I was working as a fit model for Junko Koshino in Tokyo and was doing the Tokyo Collection for about three years until 1991 when she had the opportunity to open a boutique in New York. To launch her boutique, she put together a gala dinner/fashion show at the Metropolitan Museum of New York. She had asked me if I wanted to go to New York to help out with the project and model as well. I said yes, and there I was working with models like Roshumba, Veronica Webb and Christy McMenamy. I was nervous on the day of the show and during rehearsals. But when the show started and my turn on stage came, I felt a surge of energy that carried me throughout the show. Some Filipino friends came to watch and we got together after and we just couldn't stop talking about the show. The most unusual thing was, the following week, my mother sent a copy of a Filipino newspaper with a photo taken by the Associated Press of the Junko Koshino show. Guess which model was featured in the paper? Me! I was taken by surprise. It couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to a most exciting experience!
Joan Bitagcol: Instead of my one great moment in modeling, which I have yet to define, I will tell you about my one not-so-great disaster. I’ll never forget this thing I wore for Fashion Watch’s first go-see back in 1996. It was a knee-length, Sabrina-neckline, moss green dress designed by a friend. The funny thing was I matched it with shiny gold maryjanes with my hair down, wavy and really long. Everyone was secretly laughing at me when I entered the room. Realizing how bad I looked, I was so embarrassed, I couldn’t move. To this day, we would laugh at this experience. It became a joke for me.
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