Coming of Age: Isabelle Diaz-Daza as Sophia Loren
She is authentic through and through. There is nothing deliberate or even slightly pretentious in her manner. Isabelle Diaz-Daza is, first and foremost, a beauty in her own respect. Sure, one will not deny that the fact that her mom is Gloria Diaz, former Miss Universe crown holder (the first one from our country, too), compels one to take a second look. But that aside, there is a genuine charm and glow about Belle (as she prefers to be called) that makes her a sweetheart in just about every photo shoot that she is a part of.
“I thought I was never going to get into modeling. When I graduated from high school, I got an offer from Ben Chan to be the new face of Human. It was just so exciting for me and I couldn’t say no,” recounts a giddy Belle who, today, is no stranger to the world of beauty and fashion. After her first foray into the cutthroat world of modeling, things naturally fell into place for this statuesque beauty. Offers to do other endorsements, countless photo shoots for magazines and other ad campaigns became all but part of a day’s work for Belle. Currently, she is an ambassador for iconic beauty product Olay, the face of a beauty hub and a healthy canned food. These projects are things that keep her busy on top of her schoolwork, which, she declares to be a top priority as of the moment. “I’m sorry I’m in the middle of a class right now. Can I give you a call in an hour?” she says apologetically during a phone call made to arrange this interview. All is forgiven, of course. After all, school is very serious business.
“You have to know your priorities. I have to put school ahead of modeling or work. I would set my schedule for work during weekends or after class,” explains Belle. At present, she is taking up Early Education at the De La Salle University, but surprisingly enough she is showing great interest in the advertising field. Belle clarifies, “Maybe something like working behind the scenes of advertising.” Or maybe a bit of both, we think.
During this shoot, the team is thinking, “She makes a perfect Sophia Loren.” Yes, the most famous Italian actress who, from her humble beginnings in
Comparing someone so young to an icon whose allure remains legendary may, at some point or the other, intimidate any young gun. Belle, on the other hand, chooses not to take this too seriously, opting not to comment on how she has just been likened to the world’s most loved — if not revered — leading lady. If anything, she is constantly sharp witted and insightful much in the same way that Loren has been known to be. Loren was often quoted: “Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti.” It is exactly this quality about them — that of humor and intellect — that makes such beauties even more admirable. Belle, however, has no particular food group to credit for her apparent good looks. She simply says, “Mom always tells me to sleep early and she advices that I avoid salty food before a shoot because it makes my face look swollen.”
Those words of wisdom are simple yet truly of great value to Belle. When asked who her icon of beauty is, she proudly declares, “My mom.” At this point, it is almost impossible for those present not to gush. Belle elaborates, “An icon of beauty is someone who has beautiful, radiant skin. A person can put as much makeup as she wants but the true test of beauty is when you look good without the makeup.” In an age when cosmetics are just about as essential as air, women who can go out in public without even a dash of blush on their faces are hard to come by. Consider Belle a shining exception. “Sometimes if makeup is needed, I put on a bit to look groomed. But otherwise, on regular days like for school, I don’t wear makeup at all. I just moisturize with Olay.”
Realizing that being a model requires that she looks good every minute of the day, Belle still insists that maintenance is key to ageless beauty. “One is never too young or too old to start,” she advises and continues, “I try to maintain my skin with Olay. I use it at night before I sleep and when I wake up in the morning as a moisturizer. Also, having oxygenation of the skin helps.”
Belle prefers to keep her beauty regimen very simple. Nothing comes close to the true glow, and vibrance of youth. It is priceless, irreplaceable and indeed precious. To be ageless, as many already know, is today’s utopia.
Belle, in her all glorious youth, speaks beyond her years as she ends, “Ageless beauty comes with being happy and content.”
