Chie Filomeno is a far cry from the “sweet Calendar Girl” that Neil Sedaka sang about in the 1960s, when the pin-ups were Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable. Maybe a bit more of the Farrah Fawcett mold in the 1970s. Or the athletic swimsuit supermodels in the 1980s, such as Christie Brinkley and Elle McPherson. Or a progression of the stunning Pinays who were catapulted to stardom after turning sexy in calendars for liquor brands.
Chienna “Chie” Roseph Filomeno, 25, is the petite spitfire who embodies these times’ hopeful attitude, after having herself endured setbacks in her budding showbiz career of late. That makes her the perfect choice as the poster girl for 2022 of the world’s largest-selling gin.
“[She] is a modern woman who is passionate in her work as a model, vlogger, youth influencer, and actress. Ginebra San Miguel chose [her] because she embodies the attributes that our products stand for—a modern Filipina who personifies our brand attributes of being ‘matapang,’ ‘ganado,’ and having that never-say-die attitude,” GSMI national sales and marketing manager Allan Mercado says in a statement.
“To be a part of the GSM family is such a big fulfillment for me. This is a dream come true. I am really happy and grateful to be a part of the brand’s legacy,” says Chie, who was recently evicted from the Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10 house and will soon to be seen in the series Love in 40 Days.
DARING AND DAUNTLESS
THE calendar showcases Chie as a daredevil and adventuress: a health and fitness enthusiast, a race-car driver, a roller skater, a fashion trendsetter, a surfer, and a beach lover. The photographs also display her body confidence in all its glory. She was unveiled as a Calendar Girl via a virtual presscon on December 1.
“I’ve always been comfortable with my body kasi alam kong meron dito na petite like me, sinasabihan ng, ‘Hoy ang payat payat mo!’ So I want to be the face for those girls or kahit anong gender ’yan, I want to be the image for them na it’s okay to have this kind of body as long as you know you are healthy inside and out. ’Yun na ’yung pinaka importante,” Chie says. “It is definitely beyond that. It is about being strong. It is about feeling and looking good, not just on the outside but also on the inside. I know I am more than just a pretty face. I am more than my mistakes. I know I still have a lot to prove, not to other people, but to myself. My competition is myself and not [with] anyone else.”
As for how she maintains her slender frame: “I’m more about lifting weights. I avoid cardio since I’m petite. So I want to gain muscle, I want to be toned and lean. And for my diet, hindi man kayo naniniwala pero malakas talaga ako kumain. I give my body what it needs. Kasi ayoko i-deprive ’yung body ko eh. So that’s why I work out. Kailangan rin ’yung mind mo and your soul healthy din ’yung fini-feed mo sa sarili mo. It shows. I also make sure na balanced ’yung diet. Alam mo ’yung feeling kapag nakakain ka ng junk food? I really avoid pork kasi nararamdaman agad ng body natin ’yung bigat after eating those foods. Ang bilis mag-react ng body natin if active tayo mag-workout and also ’yung lifestyle natin.”
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
IT also helps GSM that Chie Filomeno is a social-media phenomenon with a combined following of more than 6 million on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter. That sphere of influence can be a double-edged sword. Bashing can be vicious but Chie opts to use the platforms as a force for good.
“I use it in a positive way, to inspire people, because that is what we all need right now. We should use our influence to inspire and give hope. That has been my goal,” the Antipolo City native says. This realization came after she and her group, GirlTrends, received widespread ridicule when they performed rather erratically on It’s Showtime sometime in 2019.
Her stint at the “Bahay na Kuya” reinforced her belief in herself. “Ang pinaka-best lesson ko na natutunan ko, which is so funny kasi ito rin ang natutunan ko sa parents ko and natutunan ko rin kay Kuya, is to never give up. Kasi, what if you are this close to that success ‘tapos you’re giving up? Sayang lahat ng effort, dugo’t pawis sa bagay na iyon.”
NEVER-SAY-DIE ATTITUDE
Chie follows a long line of captivating GSM Calendar Girls: Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014), Anne Curtis (2011), Solenn Heusaff (2012), Kim Domingo (2017), Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (2019) and Sanya Lopez (2020).
Just like her beautiful predecessors, Chie also imbibes the brand’s never-say-die mantra when faced with the challenges of a life led in the limelight.
“Kung ano ’yung nakikita nila sa social media, ’yun na ’yun. We are public figures but we’re not public property. For me, I have to be feisty. Hindi nila dapat kami matapakan kasi tao rin kami. I am a strong woman in a good way naman.”
Image courtesy of PHOTOGRAPHED BY XANDER ANGELES
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