Myrza Sison: Model Journalist

MANILA, Philippines- Myrza Sison is the most down-to-earth model I have ever met. Many years ago, when we traveled together to cover an event in Bali, and she was introduced as a former model and the editor of what was then the newly acquired franchise of Cosmopolitan magazine, she was asked why she quit modeling.

Myrza said with dry humor, “Well, models have an expiry date.” 

I said, “Like sardines?”

She laughed and said, “But with a shorter shelf life.”

In an industry where girls as young as 13 are turned into models, Myrza was a late bloomer — she started at 21 after quitting her first job as a computer programmer at SGV & Co.

Her progression from modeling to journalism came so naturally. She even won a Palanca Award for her short story “Sink or Swim” in 2006. She’s always said that she’s a true-blue nerd, belonging to the family that owns Book Sale, so she grew up in a house whose garage was always filled with books. In an interview I did with her a few years back, she said that she felt like it was Christmas every time the stocks of books arrived in the country. Today, as editorial director of Summit Media, Myrza oversees with Jo-ann Maglipon the general editorial activity and processes for its 22 magazines.

 “When I started working as fashion editor for Preview when it was launched in 1995, I was still juggling modeling with styling and writing weekly fashion stories for the Philippine STAR. By 1997, the year we launched Cosmopolitan, I had quit modeling completely.” 

Being the editor of Cosmo “was the best job any twenty-to-thirtysomething singleton could ever have.”

Myrza — tall, beautiful, poised, smart and with this hearty laughter — embodied the Cosmo woman: fearless and fun, successful, overachieving, and enjoying her single life to the fullest. Everybody knew that Myrza was never into the concept of marriage; in fact, she has made so many jokes about it.

So when she met restaurateur Andrej Wisniewski, not a lot of people predicted that this relationship would eventually culminate in wedding rites atop a hill on an olive-and-grape farm in 2009 in Tuscany, Italy.

“The very first time I saw Andrej, he was behind the counter looking all perturbed about their POS (point of sale) system. He looked very dignified and take-charge. After we were introduced and started talking, I felt instantly at ease with him and was impressed by his intelligence, humor and kindness. It’s corny to admit it, but I did get that ‘This is The One’ feeling when I first met him.”

Animal appeal: As editor of Cosmopolitan Philippines, Myrza Sison came out with over a hundred issues. “The premiere issue in May 1997 was groundbreaking at the time for the way it broke taboos about previously hush-hush matters on female sexuality. My farewell issue in June 2005 will always stand out in my mind and heart.” Dress by Sinequanone, earrings by Melissa Clemente, belt by Topshop, and cuff by Rajo Laurel.

As for Andrej, the first time he met Myrza, he thought, “Vavavoom!” And soon after, “This girl is smart, interesting and funny.”

 “The One” and Myrza now live in her old apartment across Greenbelt while they are looking for a more permanent home. At home, his clothes occupy one of her eight closets — and none of her shoe racks. Myrza says at first she gave him half a closet space, then she felt guilty and gave him a full closet. And his shoes? We guess, “Under the bed?” Andrej laughs and says yes.

Ah, but that is just a small sacrifice a husband must make for being married to a fun, fearless, fashionable wife.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: What was your most embarrassing moment during your modeling days?

MYRZA SISON-WISNIEWSKI: During my first-ever fashion show (at the SM City food court!) the huge cardboard tag of the dress I was modeling was apparently hanging from the edge of one of the sleeves for all the world to see — including my modeling idol Bea Recto, who happened to be in the audience! It all seems so silly now, but when I was just starting out and she told me about it later, I was mortified. Shame, shame!

Other embarrassing modeling moments include quick moneymaking “racket” schemes: an ad in Hong Kong for a flat iron where I looked like I had been electrocuted, a Mrs. Claus commercial for Gaisano Cebu that I expected no one to ever see, but alas, it was not the case; and a high-paying shoot I was told was for the “Korean Tourism Board” that turned out to be a series of karaoke videos!

What were the most memorable moments and outfits?

Most memorable moments include, in the early 1990s, being chosen as the face of Saga, a mall in Singapore that showcased the best of ASEAN fashion (including Inno Sotto) and seeing huge banners of my face hanging from the side of the building, being chosen as the face of Singapore Girl perfume and being sent to London to promote it. 

Most memorable outfits include a flowing white Steve de Leon gown I was lucky enough to be given solo exposure for during his last major gala show; a sheer white stretch lace catsuit and eight-inch platform pumps by Vivienne Westwood; ensembles by the likes of Lacroix, Chanel, Ferré, Comme des Garcons, Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Hérvé Légér when I modeled in Singapore in the early ’90s.

A woman for all Sisons: Myrza looks pensive at M. Café, wearing a wrap dress by Vittorio Barba, earrings from a street vendor in New York, and giant beetle ring available at House of Laurel.

Who were your contemporaries? How do you compare your batch of models to today’s?

Tweetie de Leon, Bea Recto, Apples Aberin, Malou Gonzalez and Trixie Chua started modeling a few years before I did, but since we were more or less the same height we were always grouped together in shows, so I became very good friends with them, a bond which has lasted to this day. I actually came in around the time Patty Betita, Marina Benipayo and Gem Padilla started, in 1989.

I often hear older people get nostalgic and say that the models of today aren’t as memorable or don’t stand out as much as the models of my time did. I don’t think this is the case at all. You have to understand that the kind of models that exist in an era only follow the demands of fashion at that time. The early ‘90s was the time of the Glamazon, when the model-personality (think the likes of the Holy Trinity: Christy, Naomi, Linda) was the norm, following fashion’s more outlandish trends of the time. And so even here models developed distinct modeling styles and personas. The new millennium’s fashions called for a more anonymous brand of fresh-faced, more-girl-than-woman-looking models whose personalities didn’t compete with the clothes. 

I admire the models of today for knowing what they want out of their careers early on. They’re also much braver and more adventurous and it seems that most of them will do what it takes to succeed—as well as go wherever modeling takes them without any fear or qualms, compared to the models of my time. Modeling has really become a dream career for most young girls, and they have all the resources at their fingertips, which they really know how to take advantage of.

Now that you know what you know, what would you have done differently in those days? 

I probably would have dared more after trying my luck in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, KL and Jakarta to try it out in New York, Paris or Milan despite being too short (5’7”) for those markets. Perhaps if I had started modeling younger, who knows? But I have no regrets and am pleased with the way everything turned out in the end. I’m glad I had already finished college and had experienced having a real job in the real world in order to appreciate and work hard for the sort of unique experiences that modeling gave me. I would have saved more money and perhaps invested my earnings more wisely. We were earning a lot but spending a lot too — on clothes and shoes instead of on real estate and other investments! So listen up, young models: Fashion is fleeting, but a nest egg is forever.

Café society: Myrza Sison first met her husband, restaurateur Andrej Wisniewski at M. Café in Greenbelt 4. “After we were introduced and started talking, I felt instantly at ease with him and was impressed by his intelligence, humor and kindness. It’s corny to admit it, but I did get that “This is The One” feeling when I first met him.”

You were like the poster girl for single, happy, successful women. Was it hard to adjust to married life with Andrej?

Happiness is always a choice, whatever your relationship status. Aside from some minor differences in our body clocks, it hasn’t been hard to adjust at all. I think that as long as you never lose sight of yourself and who you are and continuously develop your talents and grow as an individual, adding another (like-minded) person to the equation can only enhance your life’s journey.

How did he propose?

It was a no-frills, straightforward but totally meaningful proposal. He had been carrying the ring around for two weeks just waiting for the right moment. Friends gave him all sorts of over-the-top suggestions for venues, like a cave, or a yacht! But in the end he decided that all that drama wasn’t our style. One night I suggested we eat out for a change (it was a hectic week and we hadn’t had a date in a while). We were walking along Greenbelt 5 and I was wondering why he was very picky about every restaurant we passed. Then we passed by M Café so I suggested we eat there, but he still refused. We walked further to the PLDT building and he finally agreed to eat in Sala, where the scene of the crime was to take place. He just casually said after dessert, “I have a gift for you,” and brought out a box. I thought it was a joke, expecting the box to be empty or contain a gag gift. I kept saying, “No….” out of disbelief but when I opened the box, saw the beautiful ring that was spot-on “me” and when he popped the question I said, “OK!” What I should have said was “Yes!” 

What’s your biggest realization about marriage?

It turns out marriage isn’t as bad as I always thought it would be — it’s great, actually, with the right person, of course. It’s a good way to achieve common life goals with the person you share them with.

Describe the state of your closet.

Like my mind and desk, always in disarray but a creative treasure trove of organized clutter (laughs). I always strive to neaten and compartmentalize all three, but I fail more often than I succeed, though, but that’s okay. Someday, somehow…

What’s your most prized piece of clothing, bag and pair of shoes?

Organized chaos: For our pictorial, Myrza brought over to M. Café her fire-truck-red steel filing cabinet containing her accessories including necklaces, cuffs, and rings. The odder-looking the ring, the better for Myrza.

 Although I feel a little pang of pain when I lose or misplace a favorite item of clothing or accessory, since I don’t really break the bank for fashion, I can’t say I’m attached to any one thing. But if what you mean is what I would save in case there’s a fire, I guess it would be my wedding gown by Michi Calica and my engagement and wedding rings, since they’re symbols of the most memorable day of my life (so far!). (Laughs) I never thought I’d see the day when I would say such a thing!

But I do prize all my Rafe bags. Each one is a precious gift from one of my dearest, longtime friends, Rafe Totengco, that reminds me of certain stages in my life. I try to do each Rafe bag justice by striving to not look like a schlump when I step out wearing it! I also treasure jewelry designer Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez’s pieces.

My running shoes go everywhere I go, so I guess they’re more important than any other pair of shoes.

What’s your fashion philosophy?

Minimum effort for maximum impact. Fashion should be fun and useful, but shouldn’t take over your life (unless fashion is your life) or bank account. For me, if the price of a fashion piece can start a small business, it’s too much!

What do you wear to work?

Since I’m always in a rush, easy, simple, grab-and-go pieces I can assemble and accessorize in a snap. Mostly jeans and tops, and lately, dresses.

How long does it take you to get dressed?

Models are trained to get dressed in two minutes, so if that’s all the time I have, no problem! Seriously, anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on what I’m getting dressed for and how much time I actually have.

Who are your top 5 designers? (Laughs) Sneaky question. Can I just name the ones I like to wear and who are also friends I’ve known for a long time? In alphabetical order: Vittorio Barba, Michi Calica, Rhett Eala, Rajo Laurel, Randy Ortiz. 

Modeling years: Myrza Sison in Marie Claire Singapore. “I’m glad I had already finished college and had experienced having a real job in the real world in order to appreciate and work hard for the sort of unique experiences that modeling gave me. We were earning a lot but spending a lot too — on clothes and shoes instead of on real estate and other investments! So listen up, young models: Fashion is fleeting, but a nest egg is forever.”

What’s it like now with Spot.ph and Femalenetwork.com? Which do you like editing better, print or online?

It’s been great. I took over Spot.ph in May 2009 (launched in May 2008) and Femalenetwork.com (launched in 1999) in March 2010 not knowing a thing about digital publishing and just learned everything along the way. It’s been great so far, with both sites now exceeding targets and being part of more and more readers’ daily must-read lists. I’m really loving the pace of digital publishing right now — everything happens so fast, but everything also needs to be written about even faster, so the work never ends. I miss the leisurely days of print, when you could rest in peace at home and not have to worry about work until the next morning. 

In newspapers and magazines, errors, whether factual or grammatical, are sometimes blown out of proportion. Do you find that the online audience is more forgiving of websites?

Perhaps, but the online audience also has an instant (or instantaneous!) venue for airing their strongest and most scathing opinions about errors and whatever else they don’t agree with, the way readers of print publications do not. But I must say that there’s no excuse for errors, whether grammatical or factual. It’s a fact of life that humans are prone to error and some things will slip through but we have to strive for the highest standards of journalism. We do the best we can given limitations of time and manpower. Even if these days it seems that not everyone thinks it’s that important, I constantly and tirelessly try to help elevate the standards of digital publishing.

What books are you reading now? The Paris Review Book for Planes, Trains, Elevators, and Waiting Rooms (which I’ve been reading on planes and in airports), Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (as soon as I find the time), and I just finished reading Astigirl by Tweet Sering.

Who cooks at home?

I make simple, healthy vegetarian stuff, while Andrej cooks more elaborate meals. But more often than not, we end up just moseying over to M Café, Mr. Jones or MoMo for dinner!

What’s the best thing about being married to a restaurateur? And the worst?

The best thing: Eating very well and often. The worst thing: Eating too well and too often! I’ve learned to accept the things I cannot change (that good food will always be a part of our lives), the things I can (just work out all the damn time to burn off the calories) and the wisdom to keep a daily caloric deficit and not an excess!

What does Andrej say is the best thing about being married to an editor? The worst?

Straight from the horse’s mouth: The best thing — “Her appreciation of fine grammar.” The worst thing — “Kulit! So makulit!”