Modele Philippines hunt yields potential mannequins
By JAY PATAO
Photos by JOSELITO CALEON
CAPPING its 29th year, Professional Models of the Philippines
(PMAP), the country’s most esteemed models’ guild, held three casting
calls for its model hunt that aims to discover the next game changers in
the professional modelling industry.
The search is PMAP’s first
project after the new set of officers lead by its president Raphael
Kiefer were inducted last year.
The third casting call held
recently at F1 Hotel in Taguig City yielded interesting and intriguing
aspirants including 12-year-old, 5’8 ½” tall Kira Eowyn Manansala who
does oil painting and ultimately ambitions to be a Miss Universe.
Aside from Kiefer, former PMAP president Angel Agustin, actress-model
Marina Benipayo, beauty queen-model Patti Betita and top fashion
designer Renee Salud, among others, conducted the auditions with select
members of media joining in the interviews.
Reigning Miss
Universe Philippines and PMAP member Maxine Medina, who is excited about
competing for the 65th Miss Universe Pageant on January 30, 2017, also
attended the casting call to support the search.
“An unknown or
inexperienced model needs all the honing, polishing and nurturing on
the rudiments of modeling that he or she can get to make it big in the
modeling industry,” Agustin said.
The competition will have
four preliminary challenges. Each challenge is to be preceded by a
master class to be conducted by a fashion luminary such as model,
photographer, stylist, director, etc. These challenges are Catwalk
Challenge, the Model Look Challenge, the Face Challenge, and the Body
Challenge.
Industry.
The search originally planned to
select 10 pairs of finalists but with the rich harvest of potential
models who could influence the future of modelling in the country, Salud
said the final roster might be increased to 15 pairs. Females must be
at least 5’8” tall with a maximum waistline of 24 inches while males
must be at least 5’11” tall.
The final casting calls will be held
at Marco Polo Davao (for the Davao/Mindanao screening), July 31; and
Marco Polo Cebu (Cebu/Visayas screening), August 7.
The final casting call will be held on August 13.
The first Modele Philippines winning pair will receive a high level
of exposure in the modeling world, the opportunity to work with the
industry’s best, a one-year endorsement contract with Zen Institute, a
fashion spread in a top fashion magazine, free trip to Thailand and cash
prizes.
Modele Philippines is presented by The Zen
Institute, in partnership with Marco Polo Ortigas, DVO and Cebu, F1
Hotel Manila, Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila, Hotel Sofitel Philippine
Plaza Manila, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Experience Travel and
Living magazine, Retro 105.9 DCG-FM, Jetsetter Asia and Village Connect
and Sonshine Media.