MANILA, Philippines - Being a professional model could be glamorous and prestigious. But for supermodels Apples Aberin and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, modeling is a combination of passion, art, and hard work.
After more than a decade as runway figures, Apples and Rissa are still in the limelight, not as ramp models anymore but as hands-on mothers, brand ambassadors, and power women in their chosen fields.
Rissa, 35, was president of Professional Models Association of the Philippines in the early 2000s and previously did stints for Philippine Ballet Theater. Today, she’s a full-time loving mom to teenage son Enzo, 17, and two young girls Celestia, two; and Audra, six months.
Aside from being co-owner of cosmetics line Happy Skin, Rissa shared her current dedication to Pilates, which started when she felt a pain in her lower back due to two consecutive pregnancies.
As a former magazine editor and owner of a specialty Italian boutique, Apples, on the other hand, seems destined to be in fashion. Apples is also one of the judges in the upcoming season of Project Runway Philippines, a reality television series that spearheads a search for the next big Filipino fashion designer.
In her early 40s, and mother to 23-year-old Samantha and 14-year-old Martin, Apples can still sport a long sleek gown with an extremely high slit that flaunts her toned legs or a cropped top that shows her slim waist. How does she maintain a sexy figure?
“Playing badminton helps my body and heart get exercised. I don’t diet, but I keep things in moderation and I stay away from junk food,” she shared.
With the many hats they wear, Rissa and Apples mutually shared their wonderful experience in using a product that helps them prevent stress and pain on the legs, which was from their good friend, model and designer Tweetie de Leon.
“Antistax Cooling Gel has an instant soothing relief. It feels like a spa for the legs. I think it’s one of the things every woman should have. After a long day, we always think of pampering our face with beauty products, but our legs and feet need care, too. So, I think this is a great product that can give attention to the legs,” Rissa noted.