Behind the scenes with Australian supermodel Jessica Gomes

CEBU, Philippines - I’s not everyday that a supermodel comes to town, but it finally happened this week when Australian supermodel Jessica Gomes visited Cebu to shoot a fitness video for distribution in Japan and Korea.

Providing the primary backdrop for the shoot was the Greek-Mediterranean-inspired setting of Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa in Mactan. The FREEMAN got a behind-the-scenes peek at the first day of the three-day production last October 20.

The Sydney-born Gomes has become a famous face in Australia’s modeling scene after gracing such glossies as Vogue Australia, Glamour and Teen Vogue.

But it was her inclusion in Victoria’s Secret Catalog that ultimately compelled her to move to New York, with IMG—the model agency that has had handled the likes of Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, et al—setting the course of her career.

She has since made a splash in the US doing campaigns for big-name brands like Gap, DKNY, Levi’s, Motorola, among others. But she’s best known for her work in the swimsuit editions of Sports Illustrated for 2008 and 2009. Gomes also recently signed up with Estee Lauder as the face of the Unforgivable Woman fragrance of hip-hop mogul Diddy.

Owing to her exotic mixed-breed features (she’s of Portugese-Singaporean lineage), she’s also sought-after in Korea, accumulating music videos, commercials, print ads and magazine covers. Acting offers in Korea’s powerhouse entertainment industry have lined up as well for the 24-year-old model. One of her latest TV commercials paired her with Lee Min Ho of “Boys Over Flowers” fame.