STAR DREAM GIRL: Clarissa Monfort

"I don’t live by a motto," says 16-year-old Ma. Clarissa Victoria Monfort. "I believe that things don’t always go your way."

Clarissa belongs to a religious family that considers attending Mass every Sunday their bonding moment. Hence, she considers the teachings of the Church one of the guiding principles in her life.

She is an incoming senior in an exclusive school in Pasig. As early as now, Clarissa knows she would love to deal with numbers and so would likely pursue Accounting in college. The unusual liking for mathematics, according to her, was inspired by her parents – businessman Toots and banker Gina (neé Lalaquit).

Clarissa is a self-confessed homebody who enjoys watching cartoons on TV, surfing the Net, satisfying her gastronomic pleasures through Chinese or Japanese food or reading her recent favorite The Eleventh Commandment by Jeffrey Archer. "I love this reading because it’s a little bit of everything – action, comedy and romance."

She seldom goes out and if she does, Clarissa is with pals she truly trusts. "For honesty is one of the foundations of friendship," says this petite charmer, adding that first impressions don’t last. "Most people say I’m a snob when they first meet me. But later on, they’ll get to know me better and say otherwise."

Neither does she believe in love at first sight. This, however, does not apply to her fascination with the historic districts of the City of Lights. "We have relatives there. When I’m in Paris, I can’t help but be awed by the wonderful architecture." Back here, she considers her first-class stay in Pearl Farm in Davao one of her best trips so far.

Clarissa, who’s middle name might be Simplicity, admits she’s no gym buff but "eats the right kinds of food." Her trim and fit figure can also be attributed to her morning walks with her mom around the village. "I also don’t forget to wash my face and put on moisturizer before I go to bed," adds Clarissa.

To Clarissa, a STAR Dream Girl is someone who knows what she wants in life. – Jerni May Camposano