Filipino contenders in modeling tilt series

IRISH Ong

Two Filipino beauties are competing in the newest season of Diva’s supermodel tilt “SupermodelMe.”

Irish Ong and Jasmine Ng compete with 10 other aspiring models of Asian or pan-Asian descent to advance their careers in the fashion industry.

Set in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the fifth season dubbed “SupermodelMe Sirens” promises to break new ground in the search for the ultimate supermodel through physically and mentally grueling challenges including “crazy” casting calls, photo shoots with exotic wildlife and extreme sports.

Ong, who is a successful model in the country, said she showed the hospitality that Filipinos are known for, even with the other contestants.

“I compete with them but I am also friendly with them. It’s healthy competition that I want to show. Filipinos do not just want to win. We have to uplift each other, because that is what women are supposed to do,” the 20-year-old Filipino contender said.

Half-Australian Ng said she was very proud of her Filipino roots.

“I always tell people that I am half-Filipino and when people tell me, ‘Wow! You’re really beautiful,’ I tell them ‘Yes, the Philippines is the [home] of the most beautiful women in the world.’ I want to show it to everyone,” said Ng, who was raised in Australia.

The aspiring supermodels said they learned a lot from their experience doing the challenges and living in the same roof with the other contestants.

Ong said her shyness and timidity did not pressure her to compete against contestants with “louder” personalities: “I am just myself…I think that sets me apart from others.”

JASMINE Ng

Ng said the skills and knowledge they acquired would help them break the domination of Western models on the international scene. “Having Asian heritage, we show the world that we have what it takes—inside and out—to be beautiful Asian supermodels,” she said.

“SupermodelMe’s” original Asian format reflects the strategies for mixed branding of the international channels division of NBC Universal, according to Scott Mackenzie, NBC Universal Asia-Pacific vice president.

He explained that in Southeast Asia, especially in the Philippines, there was a growing interest in unscripted content, as evidenced by an NBC channel’s reality show.

He revealed that E!’s “It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” is also enjoying success, a top-rating show in different parts of Asia.

“‘Gutz’ was the No. 1 E! show in Malaysia,” he said. “We like sharing content. We like finding Philippine stars and introducing them to other territories.”

Aside from the custom-tailoring of their shows, Mackenzie added that synergism also helps them discover new talents and ideas. Ong, for instance, was introduced to “SupermodelMe” through Raymond Gutierrez.

NBC Universal also plans to “step up” its programming by introducing more regional shows that will cater to a broader audience all across Asia, he said.

(“SupermodelMe Sirens” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on Diva.)