Balikbayan model competes for Top Model of the World
By JOSE D. PATAO, JR.
MICHELLE de Leon, a statuesque balikbayan model from California, is now in China to represent the Philippines at the 2007 Top Model of the World Pageant slated for February 14 in Kunming, southern China.
Michelle, a 5-foot-10 stunner who is celebrating her 23rd birthday today (February 7), left for Beijing last Sunday (January 28) to join 50 other delegates worldwide who will contest the coveted Top Model of the World crown. Measuring 34-25-35, dusky Michelle arrived in Manila last January 24 from Sacramento, California where she and her family have been residing for the last five years.
Born in Balanga, Bataan, Michelle's father is a black Puerto Rican while her mother is a native of Bataan. She finished grade school and high school at St. Joseph's School in Olongapo City. Blessed with a flawless brown complexion, Michelle is often mistaken for a Latina especially in the US where she has modeled signature brands in San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles and New York. In fact, she bears a striking resemblance to two celebrated Colombian beauty queens: Tatiana Castro (Miss Colombia-Universe 1993-94) and Jeymmy Paola Vargas (Miss International & World Coffee Queen 2004).
Although she has been residing in the US for the last 5 years, Michelle confessed that her heart is still here in the Philippines. She has modeled for Star (Models) Agency in San Francisco for one and a half years and is hoping to be a supermodel for the famed Ford Models Agency someday. She says modeling is a tough job especially in the US because of the stiff competition and advises model hopefuls to have a strong heart and to always think positively.
Michelle got her biggest break in the international pageant scene when she was discovered by pageant and fashion guru Renee Salud during a fashion show in San Francisco last September. Her towering height and strong Latin features did not escape Salud's keen eye for beauty and immediately referred Michelle to the Philippine licensee for Top Model of the World.
For the record, two Filipinas have broken into the winning circle in the annual pageant's 15-year history: Lorena Pangan who placed 3rd runner-up in Moscow, Russia in 1994 and Paulette Quinto who was 4th runner-up in Martinique in 2005.
This writer believes Michelle's got what it takes to win the coveted Top Model of the World crown given her impeccable beauty, poise and attitude. After all, her motto in life is: "It's not about how hard you could punch but how many punches you could take, and fall and rise again and move on..."
Michelle, a 5-foot-10 stunner who is celebrating her 23rd birthday today (February 7), left for Beijing last Sunday (January 28) to join 50 other delegates worldwide who will contest the coveted Top Model of the World crown. Measuring 34-25-35, dusky Michelle arrived in Manila last January 24 from Sacramento, California where she and her family have been residing for the last five years.
Born in Balanga, Bataan, Michelle's father is a black Puerto Rican while her mother is a native of Bataan. She finished grade school and high school at St. Joseph's School in Olongapo City. Blessed with a flawless brown complexion, Michelle is often mistaken for a Latina especially in the US where she has modeled signature brands in San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles and New York. In fact, she bears a striking resemblance to two celebrated Colombian beauty queens: Tatiana Castro (Miss Colombia-Universe 1993-94) and Jeymmy Paola Vargas (Miss International & World Coffee Queen 2004).
Although she has been residing in the US for the last 5 years, Michelle confessed that her heart is still here in the Philippines. She has modeled for Star (Models) Agency in San Francisco for one and a half years and is hoping to be a supermodel for the famed Ford Models Agency someday. She says modeling is a tough job especially in the US because of the stiff competition and advises model hopefuls to have a strong heart and to always think positively.
Michelle got her biggest break in the international pageant scene when she was discovered by pageant and fashion guru Renee Salud during a fashion show in San Francisco last September. Her towering height and strong Latin features did not escape Salud's keen eye for beauty and immediately referred Michelle to the Philippine licensee for Top Model of the World.
For the record, two Filipinas have broken into the winning circle in the annual pageant's 15-year history: Lorena Pangan who placed 3rd runner-up in Moscow, Russia in 1994 and Paulette Quinto who was 4th runner-up in Martinique in 2005.
This writer believes Michelle's got what it takes to win the coveted Top Model of the World crown given her impeccable beauty, poise and attitude. After all, her motto in life is: "It's not about how hard you could punch but how many punches you could take, and fall and rise again and move on..."
Photos by Eton Concepcion
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