PMAP celebrates 25 years

MANILA, Philippines – On November 5, Monday, the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) celebrated 25 years of glamour, beauty and fashion in a grand reunion at the grand hall of Marriott Hotel, Newport City. 

Models young and “old” walked the catwalk together in a fashion show that signified their solidarity as members of the “only organization of its kind in the Philippines.”

According to PMAP, they are not a modeling agency.

PMAP is an organization run by models — “As a union we are vocal with our rights. As an association, we have a vision of what we want to become in the future,” said co-founder Tina Maristela-Ocampo of The Black Shop fame in the PMAP website.

Jackie Aquino directed the fashion show. Designs by Eric delos Santos, Jerome Salaya Ang, Pablo Cabahug, Joel Escober, Chris Diaz, Maureen Disini, Vania Romoff, Kristel Yulo, Martin Bautista, Mark Tamayo and Niño Angeles were showcased.

There was also a photo exhibit at the hotel lobby shot by top lensman Jun de Leon. Seen through his lens were PMAP’s international models, among them: Apples Aberin, Marina Benipayo, Ornussa Cadness, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Wilma Doesnt and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo.

Model and TV host Phoemela Baranda is the current president of PMAP.

Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez is vice president; Mia Ayesa, secretary; Raphael Kiefer, disciplinary officer; Angel Agustin, treasurer; Ornusa Cadness, public relations; Sanya Smith, special projects; and Kara Gozali, junior board. – Rappler.com

Score by Kevin MacLeod. Video by Patricia Evangelista and Adrian Portugal. Editing by Patricia Evangelista.