BELA PADILLA is excited to represent the country at this year’s Asian Super Model competition to be held in Nanning, China, with Starstruck discovery Fianca Cruz and model Kimberly Tan. “It’s an honor na akong napili ng GMA Artist Center and I promise to do my very best para hindi mapahiya ang ating bansa roon,” she says.
They’ll be wearing the trend-setting creations of designer Nono Palmos. More than 30 young beauties from China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and India will participate in the region's biggest modeling contest. The competition, open to 16 to 24 year old girls, requires models to display their "Asian style and charm."
Last year, Pinay representatives Mariana del Rio, Bianca Paz and Gwen Ruais made our country proud. Mariana won third runner-up while Bianca and Gwen bagged the special awards for Ms. Photogenic and Best Runway Walk. GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) head Ida Henares was the first-ever Filipino judge in the competition usually dominated by representatives from founding countries China, Korea, and Japan. Now a member of Asian Model Association, she led GMAAC delegates Rhian Ramos, Stephanie Henares, Rich Asuncion, Arci Munoz, Lou Munoz, Abby Cruz, Rhea Nakpil and Anthea Murfet to a triumphant stint in the same competition a couple of years back.