Dad will surely approve: Come to Danny
Girls, get ready to drool.
At least, that’s what mallgoers were probably doing, when fresh-off-the-(dream)boat, Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga set foot in the Philippines and walked straight into the Shangri-La mall right after a model casting.
On his second day, he shot for Supreme.
After Akihiro Sato and Hideo Muraoka comes Daniel Matsunaga — the Brapanese bandwagon continues to titillate audiences constantly looking for cross-continental meat, ready to pounce on a billboard near you.
But there’s more to this Asian male supermodel than meets the eye, even if the eyes are happy enough to take in the sights, ehem. He has been modeling for the past five years around the Asian region. Name it, he’s been there, and his portfolio proves it. And what makes this seemingly average model story different is his barely legal status — he’s only turning 21 this November.
Aside from his pouting abilities, he is also a professional football player in Brazil and Hong Kong. In fact, he plays for the Hong Kong national football team, and likes to keep it moving with sports like baseball, tennis, swimming, to name a few. “I love all sports,” he says, while the new action hero jumped in front of Ramon Mangila’s lens at his Pix Republic Studios.
The great thing about working with true professionals is that they get it. And Daniel truly does. During our shoot, he nailed each layout on the first take. No photos junked, every shot made to count, and no time wasted.
When Daniel was modeling in Bangkok, he met Filipino model Luke Jickain and the two became fast friends. Even from other people he worked with, Daniel only heard great things about Manila. And seeing how agencies from over here have been endlessly ringing him to come to the Philippines ever since he stepped onto the Asian modelling circuit, it’s no surprise he took up them up on the invitation. The auction ended with the gavel pointing in the direction of Mercator Models, with Jonas Gaffud as curator. Of course, the fashion and showbiz scene have Jonas to thank for Akihiro, Hideo, and even sole Survivor JC Tiuseco, among many other prized masterpieces.
And when he finally made it to our shores, Daniel fell in love with the place. We gotta say we aren’t surprised.
“He’s very good with his money,” says Jonas of his new ward. “He invests and keeps tabs on the Hong Kong stock market. He’s even been able to put up a house in Brazil with his sister Joanne through their modeling money — how good is that?” he exclaims, sounding like a dad beating the drum of accomplishments about his bemedalled athlete and over-achiever of a son. ”And to top it all, he’s so humble.”
“I love the Philippines!” Daniel shares with Supreme exactly one week after his first Supreme shoot. “I would like to stay here and really experience the culture. More than booking jobs, what I enjoy most is meeting the people. I think I’m going to stay long,” says Daniel, who feels he’s matured quite early because of his headstart in the modeling arena.
If his sqeaky clean behavior is any judge, then he’s definitely correct on that point. Daddies, your little girl will be in good hands, because Daniel is not into partying, he doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink or do drugs. His only vice? Cheesy horror movies.
“I’d like to do something different in the Philippines. I haven’t seen a volcano yet, so I’m planning to go to Taal and Pinatubo. I’ve always been intrigued by Sagada. I want to see the tarsiers in Bohol and navigate through the underground river in Palawan,” relates Daniel the explorer.
Ladies, any volunteers?
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(Follow me at Twitter — iamtimyap)
