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SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor
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Young Life
Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph
MAUREEN WROBLEWITZ
ON DEALING WITH BULLIES AND GAINING CONFIDENCE By Bernadette Lunas
“E
HAPPY FEET
TASSEL TALK IT SEEMS like brighter and bolder is the way to go to this season. One trend, in particular, is gaining its fair share of popularity—the quirky tassels. Keds a n d
XPECT the unexpected,” indeed, as the shortest, youngest, and most inexperienced contestant in Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 5 was named winner of the reality modeling competition. Filipino-German Maureen Wroblewitz never thought she’d come as far as being in the Top 3 of the competition. Standing at 5’6” (1.68 meters), she was one of the two shortest among finalists (the other one was another PH representative, Jennica Sanchez). At 18 years old, during the competition, she was the youngest. To top it all off, she was considered the most inexperienced contestant, having no background prior to joining the Asian franchise of Tyra Banks’ show. She was hardly a strong contender at the beginning of the show, and was immediately discounted and underestimated by her competitors. “At first, people were already doubting me,” said Wroblewitz. The representative from the Philippines had been in the bottom two twice Even Wroblewitz had a hard time finding herself and gaining the confidence needed to win. “All the time I was told to believe in myself, to trust my instincts, and to feel confident, but then I would always feel confused,” admitted the 19-year-old model. “I was doubting myself, I never knew what I’m doing in front of the camera.” She shared she became conscious and shy to show poses because she knew the other girls who have more experience were watching and judging her. But she eventually learned to be more confident as the show progressed. “I said to myself , ‘just forget about them, do your thing. You’re doing it for yourself, not for them or anyone else’. I learned more and started getting better and better and felt more confident. I really learned to love myself and learn more about myself,” related Wroblewitz. The inexperienced contestant became a “sponge,” and absorbed everything being told to her. The PH representative eventually landed on the top spot twice—becoming a threat to other finalists. She was called a “pretty face with no skills,” words that pushed Wroblewitz to further do her best. “I got bullied—they will come at me and try to bring me down. Maybe they felt threatened by me,” she confessed. But in the end, the youngest, shortest, and most inexperienced contestant proved her critics wrong. On June 28, Wroblewitz was named the Asia’s Next Top Model, a first win for the Philippines since we started sending representatives in 2012. “Always expect the unexpected—with her quiet determination, Maureen put all that she had learned to good use to make her country, family, friends, and the judges exceptionally proud. She deserved to be crowned the winner of Asia’s Next Top Model Season 5,” said series host Cindy Bishop. Along with Bishop in the panel were AsNTM creative director and photographer Yu Tsai, Nylon Singapore editor in chief Adele Chan, Storm Model Management’s Ruby Adler, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. “Winning Asia’s Next Top Model is a dream that I never want to wake up from,” said the elated Wroblewitz. “I’m really happy that I can prove them (critics) wrong. I’m not just a pretty face, I’m more than that.”
kate spade n e w york has launched its latest collaboration of shoes for those who want to put a punch to their outfit. Make a statement with colorful sneakers accented with tassels and pompoms.
Included in the quirky collection are Champion Silky Multi Lace Tassel, Triple Decker Tassel, Champion Rosa Silky Tassel, and Champion Red Chili Peppers. Each pair is available at P3,995.
These limited edition sneakers are now available at Keds stores and online at keds. com.ph. Turn to E2
NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE. Maureen Wroblewitz proved her critics who told her she's just a 'pretty face with no skills' wrong after winning Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 5. Photos from asntm.com
IN THE SERVICE OF THE COMMUNITY
Over 4,600 Citi volunteers from the Philippines joined in Citi's 12th Global Community Day
MORE than 4,600 Citi volunteers in the Philippines participated in service activities in celebration of Citi’s 12th Global Community Day in the Philippines on June 10. Global Community Day offers Citi volunteers a wide range of opportunities to work alongside community and non-profit partners to help improve neighborhoods and cities. Citi chief executive officer Michael Corbat said the event “provides an opportunity to deepen our relationships with communities we serve, which is absolutely vital to our business success.” In the days leading up to and on the Global Community Day, Citi volunteers participated in more than 1,500 service projects, ranging from urban revitalization, mentorship and jobs skills training, literacy and education, to environmental conservation and disaster relief.
Citi Philippines chief himself, Aftab Ahmed, volunteered on back-to-back weekends of servicing the community. On June 3, Ahmed joined hundreds who helped Upper Bicutan National High School get ready for opening of classes by cleaning classrooms, painting chairs, and covering textbooks with plastic. And on June 10, the CEO led 300 volunteers in supporting persons with disabilities at the Freedom Walk in Quezon City. Participants from the Philippines were part of the nearly 100,000 Citi employees, with their family and friends, in 500 cities around the world who joined in the event. Visit citizenship.citigroup.com to learn more about Citi’s citizenship efforts across Scan this icon to the globe. view the PDF