MANILA, Philippines - Everybody loves a good, real-life fairy tale. That’s why when news broke that Britain’s Prince Andrew was “cavorting” with a Spanish-Filipino beauty aboard a yacht two years ago, the Philippine public went into a frenzy, thinking one of us was finally inching closer to royalty. But the damsel spoke the truth and the story was reduced to what it actually is — a paparazzi-inspired fairy tale.
The Filipino public’s candidate for duchess is 27-year-old model-turned-businesswoman, and former digital directress of Versace, Alexandra “Alex” Escat. A graduate of advertising and public relations of King Juan Carlos I University in Madrid, she speaks five languages and travels the world in style. Indeed, there’s more to this raven-haired, 5’10” beauty than what meets the eye.
“That was crazy. Andrew and I are good friends. I was never his girlfriend. And, I want to be known for my achievements, not for being supposedly someone’s girlfriend,” first clarifies this striking woman. Alex explains that she was just traveling with friends and that the Prince just happened to be in the same place. As expected, the media matched this with that, until they came up with a story that sold like pancakes.
In time, the public started to withdraw its gaze from Alex. As the glare of the limelight began to dim, she went back to her normal life. This means jet-setting across the world, studying fashion and exploring as much art and culture each place she visits has to offer. “It’s my self-enrichment process. In a way, I guess that’s what keeps me going.”
Still, being all over the world all the time can make even this confident beauty question her destiny. “For a time, I used to think like I’m a feather in the wind, just floating around,” she says.
That was until — guess who — the very same Prince who unwittingly put her on the spotlight gave her a friendly push. Prince Andrew shared this nugget of wisdom to Alex: “He told me, ‘I’ve known you for one or two days and you seem like a woman with a good head on your shoulders. I don’t think you’re a feather in the wind. You’re a kite looking for its wind.”
A few years after that line was articulated, that proverbial wind has brought Alex to new heights. She is currently busy with the final stage of setting up her first company in Hong Kong. Not one to speak prematurely though, Alex plays coy when asked about the nature or the name of her brainchild. But no amount of secretiveness could hide the excitement in her eyes. She is also pondering on doing some art, silently waiting for an inspiring story she wants to tell through her paintings.
When asked if she would ever consider settling down in one place, Alex says, “I hope so, eventually, when I have my own family. But right now, life is just taking me to a lot of places.”
Yes, Alex Escat may not have found her happily-ever-after yet but she is still happily writing the story that is her life. And she doesn’t need a Prince for that.
Photography by RITA MARIE ABIOG • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU, JR. • Styling by MIKKA VELASQUEZ • Makeup by RIA AQUINO • Hairstyling by AVRIL SEGUIN • Yellow drape tube dress by TYLER; nude asymmetrical dress by RALPH LAUREN • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at the DIAMOND HOTEL PHILIPPINES • Special thanks
to the management
and staff of Diamond Hotel Philippines