Aldana (right) in a global ad for Heineken beer
My supposed small role turned into one of the highlights,” said South Africa-based Filipino actress Michelle Aldana as she recalled landing a part in a worldwide ad recently released by a Dutch beer brand.
Michelle said this was because Francois Rousselet, director of the Heineken commercial, told her that he admired her beauty, particularly the color of her skin.
“I hope Filipino women understand that our beauty is appreciated internationally. This director, who worked with Kristen Stewart for the recent Rolling Stones music video, told me just that. I was lucky because my part in the commercial became a highlight. What I had was a small role that became bigger. I’m so grateful to him,” Michelle, who is currently in Manila, told Inquirer Entertainment.
On Facebook, Michelle posted the YouTube link to the commercial, then captioned it with: “I’m not going to lie. I’m super stoked to be part of this new ad, but disappointed that they didn’t use the version where I spoke Filipino or Mandarin. I was hoping to be that Filipino who spoke Tagalog in a global ad. But still, here’s to all the cultural minorities who are pushing boundaries in this industry. Cheers!”
When asked by Inquirer Entertainment whether she was aware that she served as an icon to morena-looking women, specifically in the ’90s, Michelle, who was crowned Miss Asia Pacific in 1993, said she only became aware of this quite recently.
“I honestly didn’t know until recently when I heard some people—considered by today’s generation as titas and titos (aunts and uncles)—introduced me as, ‘This is Michelle. She’s the idol of a lot of morenas.’ I didn’t realize that I made such an impact on Filipino women that way. I’ve always thought it was because I was a beauty queen. It’s nice to hear this from women. To have light-colored skin has been the standard for a very long time, even up to today with all the popular all-female Korean groups,” said Michelle.
Past discrimination
Being iconic does not mean she never experienced being looked down upon because of the color of her skin, said Michelle. “I will never forget this incident in Germany,” she began. “I did some modeling when I was there. I tried out for a bra commercial. One of the casting people there kept telling the others that she didn’t like me. I heard everything she said. She probably didn’t think I spoke German. She said, ‘No! I don’t like her. She’s too dark for this!’ The others said, ‘Let her try it on first. She might look good in the bra.’ I guess she was the head of the group because no one disagreed when she said, ‘No!’”
Michelle continued: “My guess is that they were looking for an Asian with lighter skin, maybe a Chinese. You see, people in other places—especially those who haven’t traveled to Asia—when they think of Asians, they think of the Chinese. I cried when I got home. I was still a crybaby back then. These are the things that make you stronger. Now, I look back and laugh at that incident. People are more conscious now. I’m happy that the younger generation is now woke,” said Michelle, now 49, but still looking lovely and svelte.
After her Miss Asia Pacific reign, Michelle tried out acting by appearing opposite the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the 1994 action movie, “Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban.” But it was Michelle’s performance in Tikoy Aguiluz’s 1996 drama “Segurista” that earned her praise from film critics. However, she left to live abroad two years later.
“I got engaged in 1998 and relocated to Germany. At that time, I was taking up European Languages at UP (University of the Philippines), so I thought what better way than to actually be in Europe to practice the languages. I got married there in 2000, but had to leave for South Africa because my husband at the time got assigned to set up a regional office there for his company. I got divorced in 2008, but I’m still living in South Africa,” said Michelle.
Michelle has three kids: Dustin, 21, and Kai, 18, from her first marriage; and then, Io, 8, from her second. She remarried in 2014.
Michelle successfully built an acting career in South Africa, where she became part of the series “Generations: The Legacy.” She also appeared in TV commercials, including one for Samsung.
Challenging role
Michelle has been in Manila since June to visit family and friends, and later, to work on a GMA 7 series set for release in September. She said “yes” to the project for three reasons: “The talent fee is good. I’m a businesswoman. I have to make sure that my trip here is worth it. Second, it’s a good role. Last year, GMA 7 offered me a very challenging role. I was supposed to play a person with mental health issues. Sadly, that didn’t push through. When they got back to me this year, it’s for a project that’s equally challenging. I will be a kontrabida, something that I’ve never done before.
“Lastly, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for so long. It feels comforting to perform in Tagalog. I just want to try out again to help ease the feeling of longing. I really missed this,” Michelle declared. INQ