Getting famous the CloseUp way

Their smiles brightened up many a Filipino‘s day and became their ticket to fame. They had that confidence that makes them stand out in a crowd, and the charm and charisma that marks one as a future star. Richard Gomez, Luis Manzano, Heart Evangelista, and even Sen. Loren Legarda — these and many other famous names have all been associated with a well-loved brand that has kept the country smiling for several decades.

Known as classic portrayals of romance, CloseUp ads have also opened up opportunities of a lifetime for the brand’s endorsers, many of whom have gone on to become successful models, actors, or public servants. Here, five CloseUp models share what it’s like to have a taste of fame, the CloseUp way.

Mariel Rodriguez first dazzled us two years ago, as the pretty young face in the CloseUp Eucalyptus ad with Luis Manzano. Only 18 at the time, this La Salle student had never really considered going into showbiz, but CloseUp paved her way to fame. "The ad suddenly made people notice me," she says. "Things just started happening from there!" Last year, MTV Asia signed her on to do a show in Singapore for six months. She has also done hosting stints in several hit local shows. Right now, Mariel’s career continues to blossom.

Robin da Roza has done five commercials for CloseUp. The first of these ads was also his first big break, leading to an exciting career in the movies and TV.

Although his good looks and charming personality made him a natural for the limelight, Robin made education his priority. "I asked them to state in my contract that I couldn’t join showbiz until I had finished college," he reveals. "I didn’t want to be distracted from my studies."

Notice that angelic-looking, yet kick-ass girl in CloseUp’s "taekwondo" ad? She’s Julie Lee, a soft-spoken, pretty young lady who is also an avid taekwondo enthusiast in real life. "I got interested to do the VTR because the concept involved martial arts, which is something I’m really into," she shares. A high school senior at the time, Julie found herself getting into showbiz soon after the ad was aired. She made her debut in a youth-oriented TV series, and is now building up her showbiz career while looking forward to college.

William DeVaughn stood out in that romantic Lovapalooza ad with couples kissing on a train. Arriving in Manila six months ago, he happened to meet someone who suggested that he‘d make a good commercial model. It was his first time to do a VTR and work on a TV commercial, and William simply loved the experience.

"This is all new to me, but it‘s great! I’m enjoying it a lot," he affirms. Previously based in Germany and the US, he similarly relishes his stay in the Philippines: "This is my first taste of paradise. I got to see beautiful places like Bohol and Palawan, and it was all because of CloseUp!"

Dennis Trillo is very much in the limelight right now. A graduate of Ateneo de Manila, Dennis started doing commercials in grade school. This modeling experience became his ticket to appearing in a CloseUp ad. He moved on to acting and has now become one of the country’s most promising young stars. Last year, he won a Best Supporting Actor award for his first film performance in Aishite Imasu, and he continues to hone his talent as one of the lead actors in a top primetime drama series.

How being a CloseUp endorser has changed my life: "I felt proud to be the endorser of a popular brand like CloseUp. of course, being in commercials opened up a lot of opportunities to me — and especially now, people recognize me whenever I go to the mall or anywhere in public."

Must-have qualities for the next CloseUp model:"Being a CloseUp endorser isn’t so much about good looks. For me, it‘s really about the smile: there must be that special kind of glow in the person’s smile."