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Charo Ronquillo - Filipina model shines in world fashion

A Filipina model has made it to the pages of Vogue, Glamour and other top fashion and beauty magazines, through high-profile ad campaigns.

Nineteen-year-old Charo Ronquillo is touted to be the next Anna Bayle, the Filipina who was the supermodel in the '80s.

She is based in New York and plans to penetrate Paris, too.

Last year, Ronquillo did a shoot with top photographer Bruce Weber for Ralph Lauren's American Living.

Wherever she goes, Ronquillo's exotic beauty is turning heads. She's also done runway shows for Nanette Lepore, Lacoste, Zaldy for L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Tory Burch, Norma Kamali, Sisley, United Colors of Benetton, Armani Exchange and Kenneth Cole, among others.

Only a year and a half after becoming the first Asian model to make it to the top three in the Ford Models' Supermodel of the World competition, Ronquillo has shot for top retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Ann Taylor, BCBG by Max Azria, Catherine Malandrino, J Crew. She has recently done "go-sees" for Prada, YSL, Marc Jacobs, Richard Chai, Jil Sander, Philip Lim, Valentino, Badgely Mishka, Issey Miyake and Vera Wang.

Diane Von Furstenberg likes her so much that Ronquillo has served as fitting model for the designer several times.

Work ethic

Clearly, her rise is due to both her looks and work ethic. She works almost every day, sometimes flitting across America.

She likes runway modeling—the crowd, the limelight, plus the craziness backstage, with, she said, "everyone panicked and yelling." She also enjoys the creative process of magazine work. Once, a makeup artist blackened her teeth for a shoot, and Ronquillo recalls still feeling beautiful.

First break

A native of Cabuyao, Laguna, Ronquillo and her siblings were raised by their grandmother while their mother worked overseas to support the family. She had always wanted to model and began entering contests early. But her first true break didn't come until she won the prestigious Ford Models' Supermodel of the World Philippines, produced by Runway Productions.

She not only earned representation from Asian modeling powerhouse CalCarrie's International Models, she was also placed in the hands of famed model-maker Joey Espino.

Ronquillo flew to New York for the Supermodel of the World finals. Interestingly, she was in a Diane Von Furstenberg, the designer who'd become fond of her.

Her initial two-year contract soon stretched to three when Ford saw the pace of her success.

Despite her exposure to international high fashion, Ronquillo hasn't really left home, says her mentor Espino.

"She remains at heart a proud Filipina, who always makes it a point to be available to come to the Philippines and to the home where her heart resides."

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