Face of Allure: Pauline Camille Prieto
MANILA, Philippines - This beautiful, 5-ft.-9-in. swan is not ashamed to reveal that she was bullied in grade school. “My childhood was hard. I was constantly bullied in grade school and always had trouble making friends because of it,” 18-year-old Pauline Camille Penson Prieto shares. But with the love and support of her family, Pauline looks back at that stage of her life with a maturity that is not expected in a teener like her. “I still don’t understand why I was bullied. But that experience did teach me how to be tough and go through any obstacle that gets in my way.”
That was only a part of her childhood. The greater part of it was filled with good memories she shares with her two sisters. As a kid, Pauline enjoyed role playing and would prance around in Power Ranger costumes on their front lawn. She also loved making fortresses with her sister under their dining table. “I always wanted to be an astronomer or a veterinarian when I was younger,” gushes the half-Spanish, half-Filipino Pauline. “The thought of stars telling stories never failed to intrigue me. I also liked being around animals.” Pauline even convinced her dad to make her a member of Haribon just so she could save a Philippine eagle. 
Her parents, Butch and Meca Prieto, are her staunchest supporters. They are also her greatest teachers. From her dad, Pauline learned the value of trust. “My dad said that trust is something you can destroy in a second and it takes forever to earn it back.” Her mom has always reminded her to be comfortable with herself and love herself more than anything. Pauline admits that as a daughter, she may be a little rough around the edges at times. “I love my parents with all my heart!” she exclaims.
Standing at 5-ft.-9-in., Pauline became part of a Collezione fashion show in Rockwell when the show’s stylist (and now Presidential stylist) Liz Uy discovered her. Since then, she has graced a few fashion editorials and had her first real runway show abroad. Just recently, the statuesque Pauline represented the Philippines in the Elite Model Look competition held in Shanghai, China. “The contest was a lot of fun, not to mention I’ve had a feel of international modeling. I’m really sure that this is what I want,” she says. “I love everything about modeling. The hours may be odd but I’ve grown to love it.”
Despite the language barrier, she still made a lot of friends from the 71 models who also joined the prestigious competition. The svelte Pauline also revealed that she even ate bacon for breakfast and steak for dinner while in the competition, something that surprised the viewers of Headstart with Karen Davila on ANC when she guested on the show recently.
A few years from now, Pauline still sees herself modeling. But the pretty lass knows that modeling is not the be-all, end-all of her life. So she still wants to study Interior Design and fulfill her dream of traveling around the world.
