SM was my modeling 'mothership'

It was one casual afternoon in the early 1980s when a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go with him to check out something over at the then Aviary beside Makati Museum. Of course, it is now better known as Greenbelt Makati.

While there I chanced upon a fashion photo shoot for the FDG (Fashion Designer’s Group). As a mere bystander, I was amused at how these tall, pretty, svelte ladies were doing what they did best: posing for the cameras. I was awed! 

 At one moment, a designer’s model was either late or didn’t show up. It was at this point that Caloy Badidoy took notice of me and asked if I wanted to pitch in. I was nervous, but then they assured me that all I needed to do was to sit and do what the photographer asked. The designer turned out to be Fredo Cayco.

After the shoot, Caloy Badidoy asked for my contact number and said that he would recommend me to Shoe Mart for possible modeling jobs.

He was true to his word. Within just a couple of days, I got the call from Shoe Mart. They asked to see me, a request to which I readily complied. At that same moment I was asked to change into outfits by Bong Gacho. Mind you, not just one outfit. It seemed like they had the whole collection lined up for me to fit into. Jeans of all brands, from Young Image to Grant, Rusty Lopez stretch jeans, Lois, Texwood, Jag, Boogie, Kerr, you name it. SM was doing a fashion campaign called “The Sensational Slide.” I had to wear something like six different wigs and pose from side to side to create the look they wanted. It took the whole day to finish the shoot.

What was strange, though, was that I never felt exhaustion nor did I even ask about how I was going to get paid. I was just excited that I was doing a fashion shoot for SM! Imagine what a lucky young lady I had become. I would be featured in the leading newspapers for everyone to see and admire. 

It was the next morning when I felt all the aches and pains surfacing in my back and hips. I didn’t think modeling would be so taxing. I recall Bong Gacho teasing me, “So, you want to be a model? Sige... gusto mong mag model ha.” I was so raw, with no modeling experience whatsoever — zero! But honestly, I loved it.

Then the SM assignments just kept coming.

 What else could a model ask for? Modeling for the likes of SM designers, people who are now legends like Caloy Badidoy, Cesar Gaupo, Jeanne Goulbourn, Lulu Tan Gan, Mike dela Rosa, Tonichi Nocom, Efren Ocampo — to name a few. To top it all off, having modeled for an ad that won an international award.

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank SM for being very instrumental in launching my modeling career. I would not have been the person that I am now without the assistance and courtesy that SM has extended to me. For a while, I considered SM to be my modeling “mothership.” The people and staff were nice and cordial, and we were always treated with care and respect.

 To this day, I count my SM designer friends as those closest to my heart. We have remained in touch through the many years that have passed.

  SM has always managed to be on top of it all, both then and now. As such, it is a model for the best in the industry.