1, What is your story and your becoming of a model?
I started modelling since I was two-three years old in the comfort of our home. I enjoyed entertaining my family and friends using whatever I can pull-out from my closet and then putting them together! My brother Nikko was my very first “fashion model director” and my parents are my very first audience! When I was five years old, I ventured to try pageantry. I was the very first and youngest Little Miss Filipinas-Canada 2015. From there, I started walking more on the stage in the community for mini-fashion shows, and joining more pageants at a young age.
From joining different pageant systems, I get used to it and I feel more confident walking on the stage. And through pageant competitions, I was given opportunities to go to national and international competitions, like to walk and compete in runway fashion shows like, the Canadian Models and Talent Convention (CMTC) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Calgary International Fashion Week, and to the CPLAN Kids Supermodel World in Suzhou, China. It was also a privilege to train with the COMAY Supermodel Training Camp while in China. I am also about to walk with Toronto Kids Fashion Week (TKFW) this year, but due to pandemic, it did not happen. I am looking forward for 2021! I am also excited what my agency; Patti Falconer Agency will bring me to further my passion in fashion and modelling!
2, What awards have you won in the past, present or will in the future?
Here are some of my achievements that I can share with everyone. Aside from these, I also do volunteerism and community services that enhances me and the youth in the music, arts and fashion. In the future, I hope (when it is safe to do and the pandemic is over), we can continue our Eco Friendly Kids Fashion Show on April 2021! I am also hoping to get in the musical theatre show, ANNIE with storybook theatre this year!
Awards and Nominations:
– 2020 Diana Award Recipient
– 2020 IdealMe Enrichment Foundation nominee
– 2019 Great Kids Award nominee
– 2019 Volunteer Award Pasko sa Pilipinas
Local ; National; International
– 2020 Miss Regal World 1st Runner Up (vitual London, UK)
– 2020 Rae- Raes Closet Virtual Fashion Show (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
– 2020 Toronto Kids Fashion Week Runway Model , (postponed for 2021)
– 2020 CANKIDS Magazine Featured Model
– 2020 Rae’s Closet Web Model & Brand Ambassador
– 2020 Wild Child Magazine Brand Ambassador
– 2020 Marohh Jewelries Brand Ambassador
– 2019 YYC Glow Fest Make Fashion Edu Kid Model (Runway) Calgary, AB Canada
– 2019 CPLAN International Kids Supermodel (Silver Award) Suzhou, China
– 2019 CPLAN International Kids Supermodel Talent
(Gold Award) Suzhou, China
– 2019 Canadian Model and Talent Convention CMTC (Runway)
Grand winner (age category) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
– 2019 Canadian Model and Talent Convention (Singing)
Grand winner (age category) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
– 2019 Canadian Model and Talent Convention (TV Commercial)
1st Runner Up (age category) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
– 2018 National Canadian Royal Girl (with Multiple Major Awards)
– 2018 1stRunner -Up Mini-Miss International Kids of the Year (Thailand)
– 2018 1st Runner-Up Mini Miss Asia Pacific Princess (Thailand)
– 2017-2018 Calgary International Fashion & Arts Week Runway Kids model Canada
– 2017 Junior Little Miss Perfectly (with Multiple Awards) Canada
– 2017 Junior Little Miss Calgary Canada
– 2015 Little Miss Filipinas-Canada Grand Winner (with Multiple Awards)
3, At your age, what advice can u give to young aspiring individuals (especially the youth of our generation), in the fashion industry, concerning body image and mental health?
What advice I can give to young aspiring individuals especially to youth of our generation in the fashion industry concerning body image and mental health, is to get yourself 100 percent ready- mentally, emotionally, physically and psychologically.
My advice for youth concerning body image – PLEASE LOVE YOURSELF FIRST and be HEALTHY! Do not compare yourself to others because you are unique and special! Always give yourself respect and work with fashion designers/ professionals who give you respect back.
Nowadays, the fashion industry is becoming more accommodating and more diverse! So, don’t be discouraged if you are not five feet and nine inches tall…. (I myself is petite, but I stand tall because I know, I have something special to give for others to see!) Just be yourself!
My advice for youth of our generation about mental health is for them to become strong and brave enough to say “NO!” when it is inapproprapriate. Don’t be scared! Do not allow anyone to bully you. Also, join seminars and workshops, watch, read more good and healthy readings to boost your knowledge. I believe that knowledge is power. The knowledgeable you are, the better.
One more thing, prepare yourself for rejections. Learn how to “Accept, to shrug it off…do train more, pull yourself and don’t give up! There might be something bigger prepared for you. Don’t give up!”
4, What is your favourite designer?
I don’t really have a specific favourite designer…. because I find them all unique and stylish in their own creative and innovative ways. Each designer has its own talent to showcase. But, there is one thing, I like watching Manila, Luzon from the Drag Race!
Oh Yes! Definitely! It is quite an experience! I love it so much! I love the bling and the sparkles on beautiful gowns and outfits! I love dressing-up, putting make-up on, hairstyling and wearing my heels! I just love everything about it! I am super happy, excited and I feel amazing being glammed to the max! I feel so proud! I feel like a superstar when I walk on the stage and the runway!
6, What is your biggest dream?
My biggest dream, is to be able to walk in the runways of New York, Paris, Milan, Dubai, London, Moscow and of Asia like in Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, China, India to name a few! I also dream to walk a designer clothing to showcase their talent, innovative, artistic and creative fashion designs of famous designers!
One of my biggest dreams also is to use fashion and new trend designs to promote love, respect, and kindness, love for self- body image and natural beauty. I also dream to be a known teacher and a kid clothing fashion designer one day, and to be able to travel around the world with my family and friends with the same interests.
I also dream to have my own kids’ fashion and arts foundation one day, where I can empower kids to be confident and develop their own self-esteem – most especially the less fortunate ones and those who cannot afford but who are gifted with talents in music, arts and fashion -in the local, national or international range.
7, Which career path do you think you’ll choose when you grow older?
Hmmm… I always wanted to be a teacher. I want to be an Arts/ Fashion and Music Teacher because I want to share my experiences and knowledge in music, in fashion and arts. I also want to be a kid fashion designer one day. I want the kids to explore, and enhance their self-confidence through fashion and showcasing their own “little divas” within themselves. I want them to feel beautiful and happy! So, basically a Teacher and a Fashion designer on the side, I think. It maybe too early to tell but this is what my heart has been telling me. You never know. It might change in the future!
8, How have you come this far in your career? And what hardship have you had to face?
I believe I have come this far because I am patient, committed, coachable, kind, I love what I’m doing, and I trust the people I work with. I trust Patti Falconer Agency who gives me the proper training in modelling, and I am committed to learn more. I am patient with their system, and in how Patti will be molding me to become a more professional fashion model now and in the future The hardships I face sometimes is being judged and misunderstood by others. Sometimes, I am being rejected by peers and friends. And sometimes it happens also in modelling. But I am not discouraged because I am here to learn, to have fun and to make new friends!
There are times that I also have to be sensitive with Mom and Dad’s budget… Walking in a runway can be pricey too! I learned to be creative on how to save and fund my passion in Arts, Music and Fashion to help them out.
9, Would you like to further your career even more and how do you plan to do that?
Yes, I’d like to further my career even more. I am with Patti Falconer Agency right now and I believe and trust them to bring me to wonderful modelling opportunities, now and in the future. I want to walk and model a fashion designers’ collection somehow one day-maybe in New York, London, Dubai or Milan Fashion weeks.
I plan to do it by being able to be surrounded by positive and with like interest, experienced and professional people like the Patti Falconer Agency team. I will continue to train and be taught with new techniques. I am open to new learning and experiences here and abroad!
10, Do you believe your career choice will not only affect you in a positive way but others?
I do believe that my career choice will not only affect me in a positive way but others, too! I believe because I became an influencer and an inspiration to others especially the younger ones. Some young kids follow my steps and they even surpass me (which I am very proud about!) I believe that others have a chance to shine and to be known, too! I believe that with my simple story, others can learn- that there’s a lot of opportunities and possibilities for each one of us in the fashion industry.
I also believe that sharing your experiences to others gives them a chance to explore, to experience and to use their innovative, creative imagination, to make a plan and to put it into action. In this way, I helped them soar high! It makes me feel proud!
11, Who is your inspirational role model in and outside of the fashion industry?
My biggest role model is Princess Diana. She has done lots for her humanitarian work and it inspires me as a youth to do more for others I do believe that ÈThe young people has the power to change the world!
In the fashion industry, I would say Catriona Gray. Not only that she is a model, a singer and Miss Universe 2019, but also a model with a good heart for the youth, who also preserves her own culture. I also like Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi who empowers girls to own natural beauty. She is a very inspiring beauty queen Miss Universe and a fashion model!
12, Who would you like to thank the most for always being there for you in and outside of your career?
My family! My brother Nikko who is always there for me when things go rough and who inspires me to do more with my talents. My mom who showed me that hard work pays off. She inspires me. She always makes ways to make the impossible possible. She also showed me how to be compassionate, to be kind and to be sensitive to the need of others. My dad who taught me to be patient, understanding and loving in any challenging situation, and he also taught me how to be calm. My Auntie Wila and Godmother Cheryl who are always the pillars of good support! My Auntie Bernadeth who showed me to be courageous and to persevere more despite of pain. Aylene Evangelista one of the founders of SCI, who helped me to start with the runway modelling, and Ms. Christina Huang who encourages me to go more for international competitions to further my modelling experiences. CMTC who opens my heart in the entertainment industry. To Lisa, Ben and Sadie of Patti Falconer Agency, who opens more doors of possible opportunities for me in the modelling industry. Above all, to our Almighty who gave me the talent and the blessing of very supportive family and friends who surrounds me with their love and support.
