Top of the game
MANILA, Philippines - Models are a dime a dozen in our country. Anybody with a set of processed photos can now call themselves a model. But what differentiates a real model from everybody else? Being signed up by one of these top agencies for one. Here we list the current cream of the crop, from established names to the next big things — these guys show everybody what a real model looks like.
W Talents: The Standard
Agency head: Pia Campos (GM) and Chere Gioskos (managing partner)
Their roster is a serious who’s who in the industry. Models who have worked abroad and have made themselves into celebrities and personalities. Models who have shown a buttload of talent beyond their pretty faces. The seniors, the legends, the fast-rising are all on their list. W Talents is an expert at the formula of creating an identity — packaging, selling and establishing by maximizing each talent’s own character. Representing the best.
How many years has your agency been running?
Wonderkids Modeling Agency started in early 2005. W Talent Management, which is the adult and celebrity division of Wonderkids, was registered in November 2005.
What were the struggles you went through when you first opened your agency?
In the beginning, we just wanted to handle kid models because you do not really have to exert so much effort in building them up. After a while, we realized that kids can only earn and do so much and there are so many kids who attend VTRs. Thus, we had to add older models to our roster.
What do you look for specifically in a model to sign them up in your agency?
Our talent roster caters to a niche market so we look for models who can eventually become personalities in their own fields or those who can also work in other countries. We mainly represent hosts, athletes, designers, and entrepreneurs. And some of our more established talents have done and are continuously doing projects in other countries for modeling and hosting.
What are your views on the modeling industry in the Philippines?
The industry now is very diverse — it now caters to many different types of talents. Before, modeling was limited to those who walked down the runways and they would be the same models you saw in commercials and print ads. But now, the modeling industry is divided into many divisions. There are runway/fashion models, commercial models, character talents, and personality and celebrity endorsers. A lot of models now also use modeling to crossover to show business.
What are the struggles an agency has to go through in the Philippine market?
As is with most businesses, we have also been affected by the economic crisis. A lot of clients have cut down on their advertising budgets, thus the talent fees have gone down. And because there are also so many models now, it is difficult to find work for everyone. But it is an industry that continues to give opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds so it is still good.
Reco Models: The Rising Kings
Tylor Perry shows off an Oxygen blazer and tee, Joey Samson kilt, Dr. Martens brogues. Carlo Sawit models Viktor bomber jacket and jeans, Bench tank and Dr. Martens boots. Benjamin Tang rocks a Bench tank and Viktor Jeans. Mauro Lumba is in a Viktor moto vest, Bench tank, Oxygen shorts and Dr. Martens brogues. James Spainhour preens in an Oxygen vest, Bench tank and Caterpillar boots. Luis Paolo rocks out in an Oxygen mesh tee and sweater, Viktor jeans and Prada brogues. Agency head: John Brillantes (owner)
Reco Models has always had a steady stream of local and fly-in models. They have built a strong reputation supplying our industry with professional talents especially in the commercial and editorial sectors of our industry. Their current crop is slowly establishing names beyond just being models and will surely lead the agency to a new playing field.
How many years has your agency been running?
Ten years now.
What were the struggles you went through when you first opened your agency?
When I was starting out, I was a bit uncertain and apprehensive. Even if I had a background in advertising, I never handled a modeling agency before. I know it is related to my college degree and that it is a lucrative career but I still had to go through challenges such as establishing my credibility, getting good and quality models, getting the right staff, and handling multiple talents.
What do you look for specifically in a model to sign them up in your agency?
Aside from the very obvious X factor (once you see the aura of the person, you’ll know right away if she or he has “It”), I also look for personality and character. We want more than just a pretty face, we want to provide clients with models that can be brand ambassadors, someone who can represent what the brand stands for.
What are your views on the modeling industry in the Philippines?
It’s very much a reflection of our culture. Our culture is part Spanish, part American, part Asian and somehow it shows how much we embrace variety. We like to mix it up with different looks/nationalities. There is no certain look, no “template” that is generic and can be applied across all campaigns. Each model and brand campaign is unique and always stands out from each other.
What are the struggles an agency has to go through in the Philippine market?
These are not really struggles; rather I treat them as challenges to stay in the game: signing models without the competition pirating them; meeting the demands of clients regarding looks, personalities, characters; talents leaving modeling for showbiz.
Mercator: The High Rollers
Hideo Muraoka wears a Joey Samson blazer, checkered polo and black skinnies by Viktor. Geron Lontoc is in a Folded & Hung blazer and shirt, Joey Samson patchwork trousers, Topman loafers and SM bowtie. Fabio Ide is in checkered detachable-sleeve top by Joey Samson, button-down shirt from Folded & Hung, piano bowtie by Carlos Concepcion, Topman belt and jeans, and Red Wing boots. Mikael Daez sports a Joey Samson blazer, Zara V-neck, Viktor jeans, Dr. Martens brogues. Ervic Vijandre is garbed in a Joey Samson jumpsuit, Dr. Martens brogues and bowtie by Carlos Concepcion. Akihiro Sato rocks it in a Joey Samson pinstripe vest, Viktor button-down and Prada brogues. Gerard Sison works a Folded & Hung blazer, vest and necktie, Zara button-down, Joey Samson trousers and Gstar Raw sneakers. Agency head: Jonas Gaffud (owner)
Mercator Mmodels is synonymous with beauty queens and runway supermodels. In their short time in the industry, they have risen quickly and have established themselves by developing talents who have won prestigious titles, and international portfolios. They are gaining even more momentum as of late by penetrating the showbiz industry with more of their talents and booking high-paid endorsements. Responsible also for the supply of Brazilians gracing our local entertainment channels, Mercator is changing how agencies play the game.
How many years has your agency been running?
We have been formally organized for seven years.
What were the struggles you went through when you first opened your agency?
The organization of this agency was basically built around sheer passion and enthusiasm. We were already in the field way before we set up the company. The struggles were more related to basic procedures in a business. Of course, none of us had formal training in administration so people were multitasking and fulfilling multiple responsibilities. It was stressful but we eventually got the hang of it once we figured out an efficient working system.
What do you look for specifically in a model to sign them up in your agency?
There are many pretty faces but only a few make you take a second, third, fourth look... it’s the proverbial X factor.
What are your views on the modeling industry in the Philippines?
It’s promising and growing and we are optimistic that it can be professionalized even more.
What are the struggles an agency has to go through in the Philippine market?
We have to work on professionalizing the industry even more so we can set up healthier business practices for the mutual benefit of talent and agencies.
Elite Model Management: The New Kids On The Block
Agency head: Eughie Teng (managing director) and Shao Trinidad (director of sales and marketing)
Mark McMahon sports a Joey Samson short-sleeved barong, Bench tee, ProudRace shorts and Bass shoes. Alvin Aguilar wears a cutout blazer by Carlos Concepcion, Bench tank, Zara shorts and Red wing boots. Joe Goodall is in a tribal button-down by Carlos Concepcion and Oxygen shorts. Terrence Lloyd is attired in a Zara short-sleeve button-down, Oxygen jeans and Prada brogues. One of the oldest agencies internationally has only recently invaded our local shores. Elite has a solid reputation around the globe and, with their arrival in the Philippines, has made sure everybody knows they are here to stay. Lining up a very strong roster of models that are of diverse races is one of the things clients are loving about Elite. They are next on the plate, kids.
How many years has your agency been running?
Elite Manila rolled out its carpet just last March 2010. But our mother agency, Elite Model Management, has been in the industry for 39 years, since 1972. We’re pretty new here in the Philippines.
What were the struggles you went through when you first opened your agency?
Like most start-up companies, it was tough in the beginning considering there was already quite a strong handful of modeling agencies in Manila when we entered the scene. It also took us quite some time to enter the commercial casting area but our networking has greatly helped us find the right talents we needed and projects for these talents.
What do you look for specifically in a model to sign them up in your agency?
For local talents, we look for fresh ones as much as possible. Aside from physical attributes, we consider the background of the model which includes a good, clean lifestyle, a proper attitude towards work and his or her willingness to pursue this career.
For international models, we follow the standards of Elite France but we make sure they can be efficiently and effectively sold in the Philippine market. We try to fly in international models with unique beauty and seasoned skills in modeling.
What are your views on the modeling industry in the Philippines?
Manila has a strong, healthy modeling competition. Each agency has its own unique sets of models and most of the models and agents are friends with everyone. In terms of publicity, editors/stylists of different publications greatly help in promoting models and they’ve showcased fabulous editorials of our talents. Project wise, there has been a fair share of opportunities for local and international models from our agency. On the other hand, there are still many things we can still improve on in terms of work schedules.
