Pinay beauties on a roll

For those following the beauty pageant scene, the Philippines has just been acclaimed as the epicenter of the world’s best. The recent news, for people who may not be in the know, is that our very own Filipina beauties have brought home the crown of most of the major beauty pageants in the world in what could be likened to a New Year fireworks’ display of charm and talent — Miss World Megan Young, Miss Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul, Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez and Miss International Bea Santiago. In a year that could be dubbed as “annus horribilis” due to the series of natural disasters that impacted the lives of many of our countrymen, these wins in the international arena were like a balm that soothed an aching nation.

A similar theme of outstanding charm and talent (of the Filipina) is carried on by TV5’s exciting line-up of new programs for 2014, which includes the reality program Asia’s Next Top Model (AsNTM) Cycle 2 which the Kapatid network will air starting this Thursday, Jan. 16. The show features aspiring models from the entire Asia-Pacific region who will get a shot at an international modeling career by competing in several challenges that will test their beauty and brains. AsNTM has concluded a highly-successful first season and the program promises more to its fans as well as to those who will only start tuning it for the show’s second cycle.

This time, there will be 16 contestants from 12 different countries vying for the top slot and two of them are Filipinas: Jodilly Ignacio Pendre and Katarina Sonja Rodriguez. This is the first time that two Filipinas were able to make it to the contest, a feat that makes one proud to be Pinoy. Jodilly considers herself the more “experienced” model between the two, having started her modeling career some four years ago. “I was thrust into modeling out of my desire to finish schooling since my father died after I graduated from highschool and finances were tight.” Jodilly used her 5’9” asset to get some gigs in modeling and decided to pursue it as a career when she realized how much she enjoyed doing it. Katarina, on the other hand, has always dreamt of becoming a model. This 5’5” De La Salle co-ed thanks her “best friend who encouraged me to join the contest by gifting me with a six-inch stilettos which I used for the audition.”

Being together in a competition did not make the two forget about their shared roots. Although there will only be one winner, Jodilly and Katarina decided at the start of the competition that they will be supportive of each other. “I feel relieved that Jodi is with me in this show because, clearly, we have nothing but love and support for each other,” says Katarina. Being in the business longer, Jodilly discloses that “I never treated her (Kat) as my competitor. In fact, I taught her some tricks of the trade and we’ve become good friends.”

Driven by the difficulties she encountered after the death of her father, 20-year-old Jodilly believes that her experiences and stints in modeling are her advantages in the reality program. “I’ve been through the toughest phase in my life and my positive outlook has definitely carried me through and I am more confident to face what’s ahead.”

For Katarina, being a novice in the business and this initial foray into the limelight has left her unfazed and she feels that this will serve her better as she will be able “to create and execute her own style without the influence of others.” For someone who is into sports, modeling is definitely a new territory for her but this does not daunt Katarina who, at 21, believes that “challenges bring with it excitement and test my potential which I welcome.”

Asia’s Next Top Model is a must-watch for fashionistas out there not just because of country’s two beauties who made it to the competition but also because there is a Filipina mentor-judge — Joey Mead-King, who is also a sought-after model and former VJ — included in the prestigious roster of personalities. Joey, as she is known in the country’s lifestyle and entertainment scene, would be sharing her insights and professional tips which add to the many reasons why the show is worth-watching.

AsNTM will have for its location shoot the breathtaking and picturesque places of Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sarawak and Malacca, among others. With our two Filipina contenders in the show, will one of them land the top modeling plum? Join them in their journey starting this Jan. 16 on TV5.