Cosmo at 15

I remember my first shoot with Cosmopolitan. It was for a situationer editorial, meaning I had to act out situations that would illustrate some of the magazine’s articles. No, it wasn’t anything risque. It was more of funny situations, like “how can you tell if you’re dating a psycho” or “how to be more assertive”. We shot it at a furniture store in Makati, and it was me, Bianca Fernandez and Luke Jickain. At that time I had no idea how to act. I only knew exaggerated commercial model acting. So you can expect the photos looked very O.A. (over acting). It was quite fun though, as they directed us at the shoot, “more sad”, “angrier”. (Ill see if I can work up the courage to post them here.)

I thought that may just be my last job with Cosmo but surprisingly, they started booking me for beauty and fashion editorials. I was more than excited, because that was my dream. Doing those big editorials meant you were a full-fledged model and I think at that time I was only doing support roles in commercials (and situationers haha).

Then in 2004, I got the shock of my life when I found out (at the shoot itself) that I was part of Cosmo’s 7 Sexiest. First of all, I didn’t know how to look sexy. That required skill and a lot of practice I didn’t have. The thought of having to do a shoot like that made me super nervous. What calmed me down though was that I was working with Toto Labrador. We had done shoots countless times before and I was already so comfortable with him. Looking back, its funny because it wasn’t even that sexy! I wore a pink top and a brown skirt with my forced pout. Hahaha.

I went on to do more editorials for the magazine. I recall always having the best time at shoots and I even got to travel to Palawan for a fashion ed (it was my first time). I can say I owe Cosmo a lot, because they took a chance on me when I was just starting out. Which is why when I got a personal e-vite from Cosmo’s EIC Myrza Sison, I knew I couldn’t miss this event. I was more than happy to come celebrate with the magazine on their 15th anniversary.

Happy 15th year Cosmo! We are all fun, fearless females because of you.

Here are photos from the fab event:

At Joey Samson’s atelier, getting fitted for the event. This was an hour before the event, btw. Super rush fitting!

This was the scene when I arrived: steady music and a lot of socializing.

The first people I saw at the event: actor Rambo Nunez and DJ Mars Miranda.

Manila Bulletin’s Style Weekend magazine EIC: Liza Ilarde.

Cosmo Hunk, R&B singer Jay-R.

Cosmo’s first Pinay covergirl and host for the evening, Joey Mead with her hubby Ian King.

Preview’s creative director Vince Uy, Summit’s beauty director Agoo Bengzon and Sparkling magazine EIC Eunice Lucero.

Flanked by PMAP supermodels: Valerie de los Santos, model/actress Bubbles Paraiso, mommy-to-be Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and model/host Phoemela Baranda.