THE Philippines is currently set into an intensely competitive mode. No doubt we’re killing it at our international pageant campaigns. But we also have representation in ongoing design and modeling reality show competitions.
Before anyone cries that I’m claiming them for the Philippines, each is mighty proud of their Filipino heritage. On the US-based Project Runway Season 19 (cash prize of $250,000), we have Kenneth Barlis (32) and Darren Apolonio (27). On the second season of Canada’s Drag Race ($100,000), we have Stephanie Prince (23). And on the sixth season of Singapore-based SupermodelMe (for a shot at modeling fame), we have Nikki Advincula de Moura (17), Cassandra Laforteza (24) and Melanie Jane Fernandez (21).
NIKKI DE MOURA (PHOTO: SUPERMODELME FACEBOOK) DARREN APOLONIO (PHOTO: RAMONA ROSALES/ BRAVO) STEPHANIE PRINCE (PHOTO @VUKSVISION)
SLAYING THE RUNWAY
THEY may not have realized their goal of reaching the finals and showcasing a collection at New York Fashion Week but both Kenneth and Darren were able to display their talents and spoke highly of their native roots at the same time. They were also up against designers hailing from Mexico, Haiti, Nicaragua, Russia, China and Afghanistan. (Jasper Garvida won the British adaptation, Project Catwalk in 2008. The only person of Filipino descent to do so.)
In Episode 3: “If You Got It, Haunt It,” the brief was for a Halloween chic creation that’s not costumey. “We felt your look was confusing and unfinished,” judge and Elle editrix Nina Garcia quipped of the olive satin creation that sent Kenneth packing. Former editrix of Teen Vogue Elaine Welteroth said, “You have such a beautiful spirit, Kenneth. Thank you for blessing us with such a positivity that is just so refreshing.” To which actress and guest judge Taraji P.Henson added, “We wish you the absolute best. On to the next great venture in your life.”
Kenneth, born in Zamboanga, is an alumnus of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, has shops on Melrose Avenue and San Diego, and recently showed at Paris Fashion Week. His clothes have been worn by RuPaul, Bella Poarch, Dermot Mulroney, Carrie Underwood and his “future husband” Pietro Boselli.
“I know that I gave it all. That gives me peace of mind and going home with a grateful heart that I’ve experienced all these amazing things and the craziness of it and the drama. So it’s truly truly an amazing experience,” Kenneth said.
“Bye, Kuya,” Darren sweetly shouted upon Kenneth’s exit. The next episode, “Flower Power,” the contestants designed their own floral prints. True to his “eclectic mix of 1970s/1980s camp and avant-garde subcultures mixed with contemporary youth culture street fashion’ philosophy, Darren was inspired by the doodle-like hippie flowers of Bikini Bottom of SpongeBob. He was out.
Darren was asked by Elle, “What has been your biggest success so far?” The BFA degree in Fashion graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design replied: “Being able to leave my home country and move to New York is a success on its own. Growing up in the Philippines, not exactly a fashion capital, a career in fashion, especially with my niche aesthetic, seemed like a pipe dream, but all that rebellious, not-taking-no-for-an-answer attitude got me somewhere, and that’s a success on its own.”
LIFE’S A DRAG
WHILE Project Runway challenges have a budget of $400, Canada’s Drag Race’s first challenge, “Lost and Fierce,” was for the queens to “create a haute-check couture look that screams premiere party eleganza using left-behind materials from the coat check.”
Stephanie’s cocktail confection made from paper flyers was deemed Top 3 material by judges Brooke Lynn Hytes (first runner-up in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11), fashion stylist Brad Goreski, and broadcaster and Season 1 “Squirrel Friend” Traci Melchor. With an entrance look she created herself honoring Jollibee, I had high hopes for Stephanie especially after fellow Pinay queen Kyne excited early in Season 1. However, she stumbled in the overacting challenge in Episode 3, “Screech”.
“Stephanie Prince, my Calgary queen. You came into this competition like a stampede. Now the world better buckle up because your rise has only just began,” gushed actress and judge Amanda Brugel.
“I’m very proud of what I brought to this competition. I hope people heard my story and I hope Canada and the world would love me. For those kids growing up still—for Filipino gay kids, queer kids, kids who don’t realize who they are yet—you have something special in you heart. And you can grow up to be bitches. Like me,” said the proudly self-proclaimed “Filipina Goddess and Prairie Princess.”
TEEN QUEEN-TURNED-MODEL
OF the three Pinays in contention in SupermodelMe, Nikki de Moura is the most likely to clinch the prize. A Filipina has never won the top plum after Jacqueline Milner (Season 3), Karina Curlewis (Season 4) and Irish Ong and Jasmine Ng (Season 5) competed in the past.
After a seven-year hiatus, SupermodelMe (Revolution) is back with 12 girls of Asian descent taking on 10 challenges for one shot at global modeling stardom. The new host/judge is Thai-American Cindy Bishop, Miss World Thailand 1996, with Fil-Australian Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018, and Swedish-Chinese Ase Wang among the judges. As a task master, Filipina-Malaysian supermodel and Subaru ambassador Monika Sta. Maria “aims to raise a revolutionary roster of future supermodels that are equipped and fit enough for the fast-paced, action-packed world of international supermodeling.”
Nikki was born and raised in Brazil, before relocating to the Philippines at 13. Her mother hails from Bukidnon. She was discovered by designer Angela Soriano and honed by designer Malayka Llamas. She was trained by Cagayan de Oro makeup artist Jeri Udasco before she was crowned Miss Teen Philippines 2019.
“I think my role model is Gisele Bündchen. When I’m in Brazil, they will call me the next Gisele Bundchen even though we look nothing alike,” the current Bench model said. “But I really like her because she’s like very calm and centered. She meditates. She loves nature and animals. And I’m very much like that.”