Rhian, Victor named Model Star awardees in Korea

SEOUL, Korea — Rhian Ramos continues to achieve greater heights in her career.

On top of her top-rating performance in the just-concluded Stairway To Heaven on GMA 7, she recently got an international citation as a model-actress from the prestigious Asia Model Festival Awards in this snowy city. Rhian and her co-GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) talent Victor Aliwalas were recipients of Model Star Award in elaborate ceremonies held at the Olympic Hall of the Olympic Park.

Rhian is proud of this achievement. “It will be a homecoming of sorts for Jodi (her character in Stairway to Heaven),” she said during the send off of the Philippine delegation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Jan. 14. As Jodi, Rhian captured not just the hearts of Filipino televiewers, but those of Korean fans living in the Philippines.

During the 2010 Asia Model Festival Awards, Korea’s most popular actors, singers and models (some of whom are known in the Philippines) have also been cited by the award-giving body. It was a star-studded night of performances and personalities that thrilled not just the Korean audience but representatives of participating countries like the Philippines, China, Japan, Singapore, Mongolia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, India and Indonesia.

Rhian and Victor were awestruck while participating in the award ceremonies. “We really can’t believe that we were part of this event. It is so overwhelming. Imagine we were seated beside Korean superstars like 2PM and 4 Minute. And at the other table, there were the handsome Boys Over Flowers and other Koreanovela heartthrobs Yoo Sun and Ji Sung. We were really thrilled,” the two chorused when we asked them how they were right after the acceptance of their respective awards. Victor said, “I asked Rhian to pinch me kasi baka nanaginip lang kami,” he said.

Both winners were dressed in fabulous outfits by our local designer Francis Libiran. Their manager, Ida Ramos-Henares looked elegant, too, in her black gown (also by Libiran) when she awarded the Korea Kid Model recipient Kim Seong Kyeong. Also part of the Philippine delegation were Lou Gopez, head of GMAAC Talent Development arm, and Michael Uycoco, Rhian’s handler.

It was evident that through the efforts of Henares, the Philippines is being regarded highly in this competition and by the organizing parties behind it. The Philippines was always at the forefront of every activity, and every member of the Philippine delegation received VIP treatment from the gracious hosts.

Rhian and Victor and the other winners have been chosen from several nominations submitted to the body months before. Festival organizers Toh Shin Woo, chairman of the Korea Model Center International and Eui-Sig Yang, chairman of the Korea Model Association (two of the largest model associations and talent management outfits in Korea) said, “The winners were chosen after a strict but fair judgments from the experts according to the model’s activities in image advertisements.”

This is Asia Model Festival Awards’ third year and it has been growing steadily in terms of membership and reach. Two major TV networks in Korea lend its support to this outstanding international endeavor. Henares said, “We’re really proud to be part of this event every year. GMA Network is well-known to the Koreans and they are really happy to enjoy our support.”

The 2010 Asia Model Festival also bestowed awards on Korea’s most popular star, most popular singer, supermodel, among many others which left the Korean audience shrieking and screaming for their idols.

Two years ago, Iza Calzado got the same citation, along with professional Filipino model Robbie Mananquil and Freddie Aguilar, whose international hit song Anak had been translated into the Korean language and is very popular in this country. Henares said, “We are looking forward to the event again next year and we hope that the Philippines and our artists will keep on contributing greatly to their vision of rich cultural exchange via this festival.”

It will be recalled that it is through the efforts of Henares that the country has received international recognitions in several competitions abroad (WCOPA, Asian Supermodel, etc.). “I believe that the Filipinos are world-class in terms of talents and capabilities. Participating in international endeavors like this does not only broaden our artists’ horizon, it also develops them into more well-rounded individuals as they experience other cultures and meet different people. This experience is very enriching and it is my dream to make it accessible to every artist of GMA. I am very happy that GMA network is very supportive of all our activities,” she said.

There were at least 26 awardees coming from 13 participating Asian countries to this international event. Rhian and Victor certainly created a good impression on them. Their acceptance speeches were among those highly-applauded during the ceremonies as they spoke a bit of Korean to the delight of the crowd, and perfect English which made us all proud. Truly, the Filipino talents were a cut above the rest. Both Rhian and Victor looked astounding in their formal wear.

On the same note, Rhian was handpicked by Korea’s prime photographer Andy Kim for a pictorial to boost her catalogue. Rhian is already a favorite in Korea, as it is and we will not be surprised if one day, news of a major collaboration between Rhian and a major outfit in Korea for say, a TV show will take place. She was after all a well-loved character in one of Korea’s most successful soap operas.

Henares said it is definitely part of her plans to strike up a collaboration between Korea and the Philippines through the GMAAC. “We are praying for this wonderful vision to see light in the near future,” she said.

The host organizations behind the Asia Model Festival Awards are the Korea Model Association and the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange. The event was produced by the Korea Model Association and Model Center International Co., with the partnership of broadcasting company SBS Plus and was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea National Tourism Organization, Korea Content Agency, International Broadcasting Exchange Foundation, among many others.