Filipina wins 1st Runner-up in Supermodel of the World!

Just when everyone thought that we have already impressed the world in the film industry (remember Brillante Mendoza’s Best Director award in the Cannes Film Festival), and showed our singing prowess through Rhap Salazar’s breathtaking taking performance in the World Championship of Performing Arts that earned him the gold Medal award, here’s yet another news-breaking event that will surely make Filipinos proud again. Charlene “Chat” Almarvez, a 16-year-old model from Laguna, beat more than 30 contestants and won first runner-up in the recently concluded Ford Models’ Supermodel of the World. Aside from winning a US $150,000 exclusive contract with Ford New York, Almarvez will also appear in Fashion Week Fall next month.

Almarvez endured five days full of photo tests, walking lessons and interviews with some shopping and samba on the side at Sao Paulo, Brazil. She competed with models from Canada, France, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Kenya, Sweden, Bulgaria, Spain, United Kingdom, USA and Slovenia, among others. Karlina of Latvia won first place, followed by Almarvez, then Isabelle of Sweden, Olivia of the USA, Maryna of Belarus, Grace of Australia and Bruna of Brazil.

Almarvez stands at 5′9 1/2″  and studies business administration at the De La Salle University College of saint Benilde.

Manila Standard Today also lists Pinay models who placed in the competition: “1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez (runner-up in 1986), Crest Best Smile awardee Lala Flores (1990), and semifinalists Adel Go (1989), Lorena Pangan (1993), Joan de Mesa (2000), Marjay Ramirez (2002), and Verns Buckley (2003).”

Almarvez’ fellow Laguna native, Charo Ronquillo of Cabuyao was second runner-up in 2005 and has since modeled for Lacoste, Kenneth Cole, Mac Cosmetics Barbie Collection, Sisley and Benetton.

Established in 1980, Supermodel of the World discovered Chanel Iman, Renee Simonsen and Alexina Graham, among others. Ford Models’ current roster includes Iman, Lakshmi Menon, Brad Kroenig, Jacquelyn Jablonski and Crystal Renn