Not another Brazilian model

MANILA, Philippines - The newest face and body of Folded and Hung, Justin Hills may seem like your friendly neighborhood Brazilian, but upon closer inspection, there’s
something different about him that sets him apart from the rest.

Born to a British father and a Filipino mother, Justin was born and bred on the countryside of the UK, but is now roaming around Asian cities filming TV commercials while he gets himself ready for that Hollywood goal. “Everybody thinks I’m Brazilian. I told them I’m Flinglish,” he jokes, combining his Filipino ancestry and English humor. He works well around Asia, given that he can look Chinese, Japanese or any other Asian mixed with western blood.

Every now and then, he finds himself in the beautiful people capital of the country, Pampanga, to see his family —his mother hails from there. He was just here on a brief vacation from Thailand, where he is based now, when his agent John Brillantes of Reco Modeling Facebooked him and signed him up to be part of his roster. Within a few days of being in Manila, he saw himself shooting the latest campaign of trend-setting Folded and Hung. “We liked him the minute we saw him. He talks really well. He has acted in a couple of films already and might just make it in Hollywood,” said Alan Vianzon, the marketing mind behind the brand.

Trained in theater the Marlon Brando style — the Adler technique if you want to be specific about it, Justin is really passionate about his acting. “Acting is the best way to express yourself. You learn about human behavior and how you deal with certain situations. Once you begin to know yourself, you can begin exploring other characters.” Know thyself, rule number one from Justin Hills. “If you are not in touch then you can be lost and cannot go back to yourself. Case in point, Heath Ledger.”

Rizal, Pacquiao And Flordeliza

A world traveler, Justin, just like any twentysomething, is eager to explore the world. ”You can learn so much from every culture, what with its different traditions, even religion.” In fact, aside from jetting between Hong Kong and Korea, Justin just left Manila for Bangkok, where he is taking Brazilian jujitsu. Man of the world, this one.

‘I really love Filipino culture. I love Jose Rizal, he paved the way for Filipinos to search for their identity. Filipinos are so underestimated, but they are the most adaptable people in the planet. This is a nation of all hearts!” he enthuses on a nationalistic note.

 He counts Manny Pacquiao as one of his icons, and admires Angel Locsin, his female counterpart in the F&H campaign. “Now, that is a true superstar, that Angel. She is so humble. I think humility is very important in this industry. That, and not trying to be what you’re not. That is how I am—I say what I feel.” Humility, rule number two from Justin Hills.

Since we were on the nationalist track, he went down further to his core. “My mom was an activist during the Marcos years — that s why I am the way I am. Her name is Flordeliza Sese. The Philippines has so much prospects and resources, and the Filipinos have so much to offer the world. Other people think you have to be American, or they have to be European for them to make it. No they just have to be Filipino.” Pinoy pride, rule number three.

“I’m not just a pretty face, I’m not just another male model.”

Yes, Justin we believe you.