Of Brazilian and other foreign models

I CREATED THIS BLOG IN MY FRIENDSTER IN EARLY 2007. SINCE THEN NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED. FOREIGNERS (BRAZILIANS MOSTLY) STILL LORD IT OVER IN GO-SEES, VTRs, ET AL. THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE.

In light of the just-concluded Philippine Fashion Week, one important related issue needs to be addressed.

As someone engaged in the talent management & handling business, I am somewhat discouraged by what I’ve witnessed recently in some go-sees – the Philippine modeling scene has been invaded by foreigners, particularly Brazilians. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that per se. In fact I think it’s nice of these young beautiful men and women from other countries to be working in the Philippines despite our country’s not-so-pleasant image and when thousands of Filipinos themselves leave for overseas employment every day.

But when these foreigners are favored over local models in various fashion shows, special events and even TV commercials and print ads, then that’s a different story altogether and should be looked into by concerned authorities.

During the past weeks, I brought some talents to a number of go-sees for famous brands and I was dismayed not only by the number of foreign models competing with Filipino models for the attention of the go-see organizers but by the fact that a number of these organizers eventually got mostly foreign models for their upcoming shows.

In one of the go-sees, I overheard some local models sigh in frustration saying, “ang dami na namang Brazilians, sigurado sila na naman ang makukuha.” One particularly good-looking and perfectly built male model further commented, “kaya minsan tinatamad na ‘kong magpa-go-see e.”
If those words reflect the general sentiment of our male and female mannequins, then the future of the Philippine modeling industry looks bleak. Something has to be done. Now!

“Importers” of these foreigners may say that Filipino models anyway are themselves commissioned to do modeling assignments outside the country. In Singapore, for example, a good number of fashion and commercial models are Filipinos. Well and good. They could, in a way, be considered as OFWs – our pride and saviors of the Philippine economy. However, we should look at it this way. Singapore is a very small country, the size of Subic. In fact, it’s just a dot on the map. They import foreign models out of necessity. The demand for models in that state-country is so big that it could hardly be met by locals. Thus the importation of Filipino and other foreign models.

The Philippines, on the other hand, consists of more than 7,000 islands and our population now stands at 80 million or so. It is hard to imagine that a country such as ours would be lacking in young men and women who have great potentials in modeling. In fact, the many beauty pageants and modeling competitions that take place annually, monthly even, attest to the truth that our country is rich in these “resources.”

So why the need for imported models? To satisfy our colonial mentality? If it is, then we really need to discourage it. Or is it because of these imported models’ sellability? I don’t buy that. There is absolutely nothing that these models have that Filipino mannequins don’t, except perhaps the lack of inhibition when it comes to undressing (no offense meant).

I am disappointed that the Philippine Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), being the premiere organization of models in the country, doesn’t seem to be taking any action on this matter when they, in fact, should be at the forefront of a campaign to discourage the use of foreign models in fashion shows, TV commercials, print ads, etc. I challenge them to do something about this for the interest of our local models.

As to brand names and companies, I call on you to prioritize Filipino models. By God, you are in the Philippines. You are selling to Filipinos. It is a great insult if, in a fashion show for example, you put three Filipino models only as some sort of “props” then have tens of Brazilians as the “stars” of the show. Don’t wait for a boycott of your products or garments.

Modeling agencies and events organizers, on the other hand, should likewise realize that they are doing our country a great disservice by fielding foreigners in modeling jobs and assignments (here) instead of our very own. Don’t tell me that Filipino models are not at par with their foreign counterparts because even you know that is not true. Filipino models can give foreign models a run for their money.

Perhaps the appropriate government agency or department should start looking into this practice which is slowly but surely becoming rampant. Do these foreign models, for example, have the necessary work permits? But work permits aside, rules should be formulated to protect the interests of Filipino models.

And to our Brazilian friends, I don’t wish to sound unkind, but they should understand that this is the Philippines and Filipino models are the one who should be lording it over – on the ramp, on TV and in print – not Brazilians nor any other foreign nationals. And no I won’t say “Brazilians go home” either. They are most welcome to stay. It’s just that in the Philippine modeling scene, it's the Filipino models who should be hugging the limelight.