Fatima Rabago • Light & Love
MANILA, Philippines - Her ability to pose is just one facet of her life. When Fatima Rabago isn’t in front of the camera, she is a makeup artist. Outside the industry, she is a homemaker and mother to her young family (partner Hideo Muraoka and daughter Daniela). There’s also the Agua Brazil Swimwear line. Long legs may make for long strides, but when Fatima reaches her destination, she has something more — vision.
She first considered modeling at the age 16 when a scout from an agency approached her after her older sister, Isabel, submitted Fatima’s picture (without her knowledge!) in a contest. Spanish superstar Nacho Cano was looking for a muse for his next music video. Subsequent exposures kept coming in and the rest, as they say, is history — or rather, her story.
Fatima’s appeal is a mix of a fiery vixen and a goofy girl. In a procession of expressionless specters in castings and runway shows, Fatima’s personality makes her the darling of the fashion culturati.
“I never thought I was ‘beautiful.’ I remember asking my mother when I was six years old, ‘Mom, am I beautiful?’ I’ve always been skinny. I had body issues growing up,” Fatima recalls. “In school they called me ‘Two Backs’ because I’m so flat chested. But my mom taught me to be proud of myself. And respect everybody, every kind of body,” she continues.
She’s grown up a lot from that insecure girl. She resists the urge to starve herself or gain weight to please others. Instead of transforming her body, she focuses on transforming her life and hopefully, the rest of the world. When she became pregnant, she transcended limitations and booked jobs over her coat-hanger frame counterparts. She learned the rules of the notoriously cutthroat fashion world and she was ready to break them.
“I’ve always been a positive person. My life is not finished because I have a daughter. Wherever I go, I’m going to bring her with me. I can do both! I always tell myself I have power. Not just in modeling — in anything. I’m never going to stop,” she says, her confidence shining through.
“I can tell you, the time I felt the most beautiful was after having Daniela. My life is full, whole as a woman. I found my confidence when I became a mother. I see myself as powerful.”
Now, she has hit the big time, especially with her business. “I want Agua to be the biggest swimwear brand in Asia. I think it’s time for the Filipina and the Asian woman to be confident and comfortable with their bodies at the beach. It’s time to bring that side of fashion here,” she shares disarmingly.
Fatima’s blonde hair hangs loosely and kisses her golden shoulders. With the heat, her face is slightly flushed, nevertheless exquisite. And by reinforcing the confidence of other women, I come to a conclusion that with all her effervescence and positivity, Fatima’s beauty rivals the sun.
Photography by MAU AGUASIN • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Styling by BANG MARTINEZ • Makeup by RIA AQUINO for MAC Cosmetics • Hairstyling by AVRIL SEGUIN • Fuchsia dress and natural dress both by VANIA ROMOFF • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at SOLAIRE RESORT & CASINO’s CHAIRMAN’S VILLA
