Meet Your Star Bonbon

In the quest for the Filipino international modeling star, Brent Chua appears to have gotten ahead of the few women who have managed to break into the global glamour industry. Enjoying steady, progressively bigger work in New York, he counts among his portfolio highlights a Benetton campaign shot by David Sims, as well as modeling credits for Target, Bang & Olufsen and Motorola. His striking, strong Oriental look may be deemed unconventional, by some quarters here, but, from his career trajectory in Asia (where he was a veritable male supermodel) and now, in the toughest modeling market in the world, Brent Chua may be poised to become the new, homegrown supermodel.

How would you characterize your success in modeling? Are you overwhelmed by it? Coming to this industry, I did not set any goals for myself, that is why I’m not able to describe if I’m successful or not. Success is infinite. You can only measure your own success if you compare it to other people’s achievements.

Is there anyone you’d like to measure your achievement by, then? There isn’t anybody in particular I would compare my achievements to because I’d constantly feel that I would have to live up to that of their own. As to being the top model in New York, why not! Anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

Did you ever expect the positive reception you got in modeling? In this industry, there are no guarantees. It’s not healthy to expect anything in an industry that relies so greatly on chance.

So can you hazard for us a secret to your success? Being genuine as an individual, patience, and, most important, having discipline.

How did you find modeling in Manila? I’ve acquired numerous close friends in the industry from modeling in Manila. However, the rates are too low and my look is too strong for the market.

What do you like and don’t like about modeling? I like being able to wear nice clothes seasons ahead of the pack, meeting a lot of people, traveling. I don’t like rejection but that is part of the industry. And people who take advantage of you. Hectic schedules, especially during fashion weeks.

What a regular day in New York for you? Conditioning my body, attending casting calls, chilling in the park with friends, experiencing the different neighborhoods of this incredible city.

Do you miss Manila? Work means being away from home, and I should take advantage of it while it’s still here. Modeling is not a long-term job. When I retire, I could always go back home and be with my family. (Excerpts from Imagine, Issue One, November 2007)

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