We've definitely matured and learned more about work and hard work," says 2010 Ford Models' Supermodel of the World Winner Danica Magpantay.

Though she and her fellow Filipino supermodels, 2005 second runner-up Charo Ronquillo and 2009 first runner-up Chat Almarvez, have been thrust into the spotlight at a very young age (Danica and Chat, now 18, and Charo, now 23), they remain down-to-earth and unaffected by the glitz and glamour of their job.

"Modeling really isn't easy, because it's also mentally taxing. You need to have the drive and the passion for it," says Magpantay.

"Modeling has taught me a lot about what work really entails and about valuing money, unlike before when I would only get my money from my parents. Now that I'm earning, I've learned how to handle my own money wisely," she adds.

"Modeling is tough. You need to be very independent," adds Ronquillo.

Though modeling takes them to sought-after destinations and world fashion capitals, it also takes them far from home more often than they would wish.

Ronquillo, having started earlier than the two, has modeled for the likes of Tory Burch, Nanette Lepore, Antonio Berardi, Diane von Furstenberg and Kenneth Cole; has done TV shows such as the "Today Show" and the "Tyra Banks Show"; and has appeared in magazines such as Vogue Spain, Esquire and Glamour.

Almarvez has walked the runways of Tracey Reese, Naeem Khan, Cynthia Steffe and Sophie Theallet, among others, during New York Fashion Week; and has appeared in magazines such as Teen Vogue, Vogue China and VS Italia.

Magpantay has also walked the New York runways for Nanette Lepore, Odd Molly and Porter Gray, and has appeared in local fashion magazines and shows.

Far from home

Asked what they miss most about home, Almarvez says, "The presence of my family."

"My simple life in Laguna, playing basketball and hanging out with friends," says Ronquillo.

Adds Magpantay: "I miss the sense of being young and free-spirited because now, you're thrown into the real world."

Doing fashion editorials, runway shows, and TV appearances far from home is only one of the job's demands.

These young women must keep themselves in tiptop shape as well, waking up at 8 a.m. to work out, and keeping their diet. Modeling-depending highly on looks and youth-is a profession that usually requires a Plan B, regardless of one's perceived staying power in the business.

What happens after a model has used up her shelf life? These three supermodels express a wish to pursue their other passions-fashion merchandising for Magpantay, culinary for Almarvez, and photography for Ronquillo.

But, for now, they will pursue modeling as far as their looks and feet could take them.

"I still see myself modeling six years from now. Maybe after that, I would want to go back to school. But for now, I want to make the most out of everything that comes my way," says Magpantay.

Ronquillo says, "I'll model for as long as I can," a sentiment shared by Almarvez: "Anything can happen but I plan to model for as long as I can."

Not for the faint-hearted

However, as much as they love modeling, they note that modeling is definitely not for the faint-hearted. It's not merely about knowing how to pose, having that swagger to your walk or even having that X factor. There's a lot of discipline and emotional maturity required.

"Before you get into modeling, you should think about the sacrifices and changes you must make and the challenges you will encounter," says Almarvez.

"Don't get too attached as well, because you won't always get the projects you want. It will affect you negatively if, in the end, you get disappointed and you're too attached to it," adds Ronquillo. "Always keep a positive outlook because if you don't, your negativity will get the better of you."

Magpantay, Ronquillo and Almarvez have also joined the cause to fight human trafficking. Led by Former Ford Models CEO Katie Ford, who linked up with the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. headed by Cecilia Flores-Oebanda (one of two recipients of this year's World Children's Honorary Award), the campaign aims to raise awareness about this issue.

A video featuring a number of models providing warnings about human trafficking in eight languages, including Tagalog, has been produced, with Magpantay, Ronquillo and Almarvez appearing in it. Through such a video, Ford Models encourages more Filipinos to learn about the dangers of human trafficking and what they can do to help stop it. -Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network

source : divaasia

'Modeling is tough, mentally taxing' - Supermodels Danica, Chat, Charo

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Thai model li ming is the beautiful infrastructure on the cover page of men’s magazine Maxim Thailand for the month of March 2010. She grew more beautiful and much more sexy and enjoy working with diverse class entertainment. You may just be stunned with a range of her abilities.

Thai Model Li Ming In Maxim Thailand

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By Maureen Koh

RATES for social escort services vary greatly.

The New Paper on Sunday spoke to 22 agencies offering such services here and found that rates range from $200 to $2,000 an hour for escort services only.

Any additional charges, such as a discreet encounter, is charged separately.

Bigger players such as Social Escort Singapore and Singapore Exquisite Social Escort Services typically charge higher rates, from $1,000 an hour.

Fees for mid-range players start from $500 an hour, while the rest can go as low as $200.

Naturally, much depends on the "quality" of the girls offered - models and flight attendants typically command higher rates.

The owner of Singapore Model Escorts, who wanted to be known only as William, said that the most expensive booking it had was a $25,000 three-day trip to Maldives.

"It's about exclusiveness," he added.

Trips to Bali

But overseas assignments for social escorts are not common, he said.

Mr Prince Wong, owner of Singapore Escort Services, said his company arranges overseas trips in South-east Asia, "usually in Bali, because it's easy to get the visa and no one knows them and it's also a more romantic location".

Claiming his company offers "starlets and actresses", he added: "No one there would recognise an Asian actress, just like how you would not recognise a top-notch Indonesian businessman."

Clients willing to pay top dollar are usually professionals, elite businessmen and young entrepreneurs in their late 20s who have successful companies, he said.

"(But) the majority of our clients are lawyers and bankers," he added.

William pointed out how his agency charged "easily $25,000 for a few nights".

"It sounds crazy...but there are people who are happy to pay such prices."

Mr Wong, who claims that his agency works with top Asian models and actresses from Hong Kong and Taiwan, said prices can go up to $8,000 an hour.

The owner of Velvet 6 Management, who wanted to be known only as Bob, said there's no standard rate for escort services.

If anything, the prices only serve as a deterrent for those who can't afford it, he said.

Bob added: "Those who can afford will still call up."

He also said that perception of "class" is in the client's mind.

Bob, whose company has been in business for five years, charges $450 per hour for companionship to events, with an additional $250 for each subsequent hour.

While Mr Wong works with escorts from an international background, William chooses his from among women here.

He said: "We chose girls based on their CV (curriculum vitae).

"For example, if they were cover girls on popular men's magazines, then they command a higher price."

Other attributes include clear clean skin, clean straight teeth, a nice smile and a friendly personality.

Agency owners we spoke to said the girls usually approach them to be a social escort.

Mr Wong said: "They apply, we don't advertise, except on our website."

Out of the total amount that a social escort makes, the agency takes a cut of 35 per cent to 40 per cent.

Bob said: "Other companies have a 60-40 arrangement, where the agency takes 40 per cent of the takings. But we take only 35 per cent due to competition."

As to what the services entail, Bob said that the escorts are expected to provide companionship and converse with the client.

Sometimes, they might have to accompany the client to a room too.

"But what they do after that is none of my business. Nobody forces anybody into a room," Bob stressed.

Despite the big bucks, not all escorts stay on.

He said: "It is a rolling parade. The people we have need the money such as they face financial difficulties or want to help their families out.

"So when they have paid off their debts, they just drop off."

This article was first published in The New Paper.

source : asiaone

Models, actresses get up to $8,000 an hour

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Name: marie マリエ

Birth name: tamaki marie pascal 玉木・マリエ・パスカル

Date of birth: June 20, 1987

Place of birth: Tokyo, Japan

Height: 170 cm

Weight: 47 kg

Measurements: 33 / 24 / 34

Blood type: A

Horoscope: Gemini

Profession: Actress, model, talento

Japan Beautiful Model Marie

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Name: akemi katsuki 香月明美

Date of birth: May 16, 1987

Place of birth: Japan

Height: 174 cm

Weight: 51 kg

Measurements: 34D / 24.5 / 35.5

Blood type: O

Horoscope: Taurus

Profession: Model

Taiwan Sexy Supermodel Akemi Katsuki

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China Young Model Group – Up

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Model's death puts light on overwork

FUZHOU - The obituary notice of Ai Weiwei, an online model in East China's Fujian province, has been widely circulated in cyber space, generating sorrow at the loss of a young life and retraining the spotlight on health concerns of young workers.

The young woman, just 22 years old when she died on May 14, was a popular online model and the deputy managing director of a local media company. She gained fame as a "football baby" in the online promotional campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and as an icon of an online game.

"Working overnight was very common for her," said Zhu Xing, Ai's agent. "She even used to work without rest for three consecutive days."

"Ai had a bad stomach, which may resulted from irregular eating habits. She also often caught colds. But neither she nor we thought too much about it, because that's the price a model must pay," Zhu said.

According to Zhu, Ai left her hometown in Jiangsu province for a performing career when she was 16, and she worked at part-time jobs to pay for her study at an art school. In 2006, she came to Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian province, to join the Julong Network, where she gradually become a star model.

"Just had some oats for breakfast, and now my stomach really hurts" was one of the last entries Ai made on her micro blog in February. "It's Lantern Festival, and I am again all by myself. I miss you, Daddy "another one reads.

One week after the festival, Ai collapsed at work. She was diagnosed with leukemia in a hospital in Fuzhou. "And even when she was dreadfully ill and all her appointments were suspended, Ai insisted on continuing to work and keeping the degree of the illness a secret," Zhu said. "Finally, she left in peace, surrounded by her parents and boyfriend."

Ai's death was announced on her micro blog and the company's homepage.

Zhu dispelled the rumor that news of her death was "hype", saying that life was not something to joke about.

Chen Junmin, head of the hematology department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fuzhou Medical University, said leukemia is often related to overexposure to radiation and benzene compounds, and viral infections can play a role.

Hardworking young people dying from overwork is nothing new in China. In April, a 25-year-old PricewaterhouseCoopers employee unexpectedly died of a stroke. In a survey after the news became known, nearly 80 per cent of respondents said they had experience of working overtime, while 26 per cent said they worked on average more than 10 hours a day.

"It's a society filled with competition, everyone is trying to grasp every opportunity," said Zheng Qiwu, a sociologist with Xiamen University. "But we badly need a law to protect young workers from being harmed by overwork."

"I hope Ai's tragedy will ring a bell for those who pay excessive attention to work instead of their health. Don't wait until the last moment to learn the real meaning of life."

Model dies from overwork

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MOST girls dream of getting married in flowy white wedding gowns, but one Shanghainese bride has decided to turn those ideals on its head.

25-year-old Zhuo Qing traded the wedding gown for skimpy bikinis as part of her wedding photo shoot.

Her radical move has not gone unnoticed, attracting considerable attention on Internet blogs and forums.

On citizen journalism website Stomp, a netizen called Wedding Planner observed that while the trend has been criticised by the traditional Chinese community, the younger generations tended to be more open to the concept of having risque wedding.

In fact, some couples are pushing the boundaries and going the full monty for their wedding shoots.

Sexy, cliched, or innovative? You decide.

source : divaasia

Bikini wedding photos defy tradition

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