WHEN duty CALLS
CONFIDENT IN THEIR BEAUTIFULLY MORENA SKIN, WE GATHER FOUR DISTINCTLY DUSKY BEAUTIES WHO HAVE SHOWN US WHAT BEING A MODERN FILIPINA IS ALL ABOUT
Creative direction SUKI SALVADOR. Art direction JANN PASCUA. Styling RAIN P. DAGALA assisted by JEF FRONDA. Beauty direction TRINA EPILEPSIA assisted by MICH SANCIANCO. Makeup GIO FLORES (Janicel Lubina), ALBERT KURNIAWAN (Lovi Poe), WINN RAMOS of LANEIGE (Alessandra de Rossi) and PAOLO MARANAN (Sam Pinto). Hair JELANIE PATRICIO (Janicel Lubina), MARK FAMILARA of AT EAST | JED ROOT for KHIEL’S STYLIST SERIES (Lovi Poe and Sam Pinto) and SANDY ODO (Alessandra de Rossi). Nailcare POSH NAILS. Sittings editor ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA. Shoot assistant JAY ANNE AGUIRRE. Shoot coordinator GENALLI FRANCISCO. Production design TIPPING POINT COLLECTIVE
THE NEW UTILITARIAN
Who says utilitarian style can’t be sexy? Pair your boxy separates with feminine pieces and sultry heels for a sensual take on utility wear
On Alessandra Oversized coat with fur details by JEROME SALAYA ANG and silk satin top and trousers both by JOHN RUFO. On Lovi Deconstructed shirt and shorts both by RUSSELL VILLAFUERTE and cage heels by JIMMY CHOO. On Sam Dress with zipper detail by JEROME SALAYA ANG, turtle neck top by CHEETAH RIVERA and snakeskin heels from JIMMY CHOO. On Janicel Olive green trench by JOHN RUFO, long dress with zipper detail by JEROME SALAYA ANG and lace-up heels from JIMMY CHOO
LOVI POE
Lovi Poe is definitely not your typical demure Filipina. She oozes sensuality, from her low, silky voice to her sultry and dusky beauty. Men (obviously) are drawn to her like bees to honey, and women end up feeling a mixture of admiration, envy and a little bit of disapproval—some Filipinas still believe that sexiness is something that you downplay. But underneath her alluring beauty, Lovi exhibits a quiet, steely strength and confidence about herself. In fact, when faced with intrigues and issues in her job, she keeps quiet. “I think silence is the best response,” she said. “Ayoko lang palakihin…although I know exactly what to say to fire back,” she added. “I’d rather keep quiet and let the others do the talking.”
However, she admits that sometimes she wants to change and start defending herself, which is a little trickier for women. Perhaps she’s a little inspired from shooting the historical biopic Lakambini,a story on Filipina hero Gregoria de Jesus. “It’s very difficult because us women…you have to be ladylike, be prim and proper, handle everything with grace. How are you supposed to do that and be a fighter at the same time?” But she affirms that it’s important for her to speak up once in a while.
But for Lovi, her biggest competition is not the negative people around her, but her old self. “[Modern Filipinas] are always trying to be better,” she said. She’s in love with acting, but she wants to sing again and hopefully get into photography. “I want to be a lot of things,” she says. “I want everyone to realize how passionate I am in anything I venture into.”
"I WANT EVERYONE TO REALIZE HOW PASSIONATE I AM IN ANYTHING I VENTURE INTO”
SAM PINTO
It’s hard to imagine anyone saying something bad about Sam Pinto. Whether she’s on the receiving end of hilarious pick-up lines on Bubble Gang or hosting on GMA’s Sunday All Stars or MTV Pinoy, she always seems like a cheerful and bubbly girl. But show business is a tough industry, and even the popular girl gets mixed up in rumors and intrigues.
“At first it was so hard,” she said. “I would ask myself, ‘Why are they saying all that stuff about me? They don’t even know me!’” she shrugged. “In the end, you get to learn that it’s really part of the job.” It’s taken some time for her to learn, but as long as she knows the real score, she ignores all the white noise and keeps her eye on the prize. “I want to be remembered as an actress,” she declared. “That was the goal when I entered showbiz. I’m still in the process of achieving that.” She laughs. “Give me a few years!”
In the meantime, she’s enjoying her work in TV and busy working on her own bikini line (she took up Fashion Design in college), proving that she’s a fun, modern Pinay. “[Being Filipino is about] being confident in what you do, and just loving every moment of life,” she said. And of course, hospitable, too. “I met someone in Siargao; he’s from Israel, and I told him, ‘You should come to Manila!’ And he’s actually here!” she laughed. “That’s what I’ve been doing lately, showing him around.” Then again, it must be hard to say no to a gorgeous, golden beach babe when she tells you to go to Manila.
"I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS AN ACTRESS”
JANICEL LUBINA
It was a moment out of Miss Universe—or at the very least, the movie Miss Congeniality. Recently crowned Miss International 2015 Janicel Lubina was walking down the runway in a Frederick Peralta creation for the Samsung Fashion Show when she felt herself tripping. Instead of letting that happen, she brought out all her confidence to keep walking. “Pinakita ko sa tao na hindi ako nahihiya. Sobrang nagemote ako; binawi ko! Ayokong mawala yung momentum.” She laughs. “Hindi [ako] nagpapatalo. Kahit tumambaling ako!”
That was the same persevering spirit that kept Janicel joining pageant after pageant, also to help her family cope financially after her father suffered a mild stroke. “Hindi talaga siya ganon kadali,” she said. “Ang dami ko nang sinalihan!” After more than eight tries (even finishing first runner up behind Megan Young at Miss World Philippines), she bagged the crown for Miss International at Binibining Pilipinas 2015. Yet she still had to bring out her confidence when people pointed out that she had worked as a household helper. “Yung masakit lang, parang yung katulong, napakaliit for them.
Sa totoo lang, napakalaking role ang nagagampanan ng mga kasambahay sa society,” she said, clearly proud to have been one.
It’s refreshing to see what a happy, bright-eyed and positive binibini she is, and Janicel hopes to inspire more women to do whatever they want in their lives and careers. “A modern Filipina can do anything!” she declared. She also hopes to help other girls appreciate their own beauty. “When I was in the province, lahat nangangarap na pumuti!” But when she arrived in Manila, she loved how people appreciated her morena color. “Isa na rin akong ambassadress ng morena beauty,” she laughed, and why not? “Halos lahat tayo moreno at morena!”
"A MODERN FILIPINA CAN DO ANYTHING”