Home is where the heart is
Sometimes it takes the insights of non-Filipinos to remind us how beautiful our country truly is. For fashion models Mariana Henud, Julia Sniekowski, Janet Emmrich, Hideo Muraoka and Akihiro Sato, the Philippines is not simply a place to work — it is in fact home.
“As fashion models, it is not uncommon for us to go from country to country, spend six months in a place and then move on,” explains Brazilian-born Mariana. “You tend to be quite jaded after a while. This changed when I went to the Philippines. The people are so friendly, open and loving. They invite you into their hearts and I appreciate this so much. That is why I want to help give back to this wonderful place.”
Polish-Japanese Julia concurs. “I have worked in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and several other countries and it is here that I feel a sense of home. The people are incredibly warm. They genuinely care about others. I think this is what makes this country unique, that Pinoy-sense of caring.”
Brazilian model Hideo shares, “People here are happy, even when confronted with many difficulties, they still maintain a happy disposition. I appreciate the fact that Filipinos have strong family ties and treat friends like relatives. I do not consider the Philippines as a place I happen to be in. To me, the Philippines is my home — an exotic place filled with natural beauty and endless possibilities.”
Akihiro Sato may be the most famous of all the foreign models in the group. “There are so many things to love about this country. Some of the best beaches in the world are found here. People are friendly and they open their homes to you. Yes, poverty is a prevalent problem but I think people are happier here than in many countries that are more progressive. I hope to be able to stay here for as long as I can. I consider the Philippines home.”
Hideo adds, “When Mariana and Julia came up with this idea to give back to the Philippines, I said yes right away. All our other model friends did the same. We care about this country and we feel that this is a good way to show that we are part of it.”
The “giving-back” that Hideo refers to is a fashion show/vegan dinner event entitled “Red Runway.” The Red Runway fashion show will be composed of models from the international community and will be held on Sept. 29 in Seventh High at The Fort. “We will have an open bar and will serve vegan cuisine. We were fortunate to have Folded and Hung to provide the clothes and accessories for the fashion show and Belo Medical group came in as a major sponsor for the entire event. The proceeds of this show will go to a nutritional feeding program for malnourished children in Muntinlupa City, facilitated by the Philippine Red Cross Muntinlupa Branch and Kabisig ng Kalahi,” Mariana informs.
It is not uncommon to hear Filipinos complain about the state of the country. Bickering and lamentation have practically become a national pasttime. It is precisely because of this that positive perspectives from non-Filipinos become much-needed reminders that there is still a lot to be proud of in our country.
(For inquiries on Red Runway, please call Clifford Gabatin at 0917-8387672.)
Photography by JOJO GLORIA •
Art direction by JOANNE ZAPANTA-ANDRADA
