|
By Ricky T. Gallardo
As the PMAP celebrates 20 glorious years,
current president Rissa Samson opens her heart and talks about the
shared dreams and visions of the only modeling organization in the
country.
 |
 |
|
The
PMAP works hand in hand with
the country’s best fashion designers |
It’s the 20th anniversary of the
highly-esteemed Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP)
whose members have been strutting in most of the major fashion
events the country has seen. With a planned grand reunion for all
its current and past members, the PMAP is planning a big party for
everyone who have contributed to the organization’s 20 glorious
years.
Members of the PMAP are pulling all the stops to
make this a truly memorable and nostalgic occasion, a grand tribute
to the history of modeling and Philippine fashion. The anniversary
bash is presented by Samsung, to be participated in by pillars in
the fashion industry. Auggie Cordero will be opening the show while
Inno Sotto will serve as finale. The show also features the
collections of the best fashion designers of the land.
The PMAP is the only organization of models run
by models themselves, each confident of their own talents, abilities
and capabilities to manage and plan their respective modeling
careers. Established in 1987, the PMAP was conceived to “uplift,
protect and professionalize the modeling industry in the
Philippines, and to develop and stabilize, national and
international awareness, participation, involvement and competition
in the field of modeling.”
To clarify, the PMAP is not an agency but a
cross between an association and a union of models. “As a union,
we continue to uphold our rights. As an association, we have a
vision of what we want to become in the future,” says one of the
original members Tina Maristela-Ocampo, who cofounded the
organization with co-models Ronnie Asuncion and Robert David.
Life & Times had a recent talk with Rissa
Mananquil-Samson, who’s busy making sure that the anniversary
celebration on September 5 will be a blast. Here are excerpts from
the conversation:
Life & Times: How has modeling evolved in
the Philippines after 20 years?
Rissa Mananquil-Samson: Back then, there were
not so many models. It was easier to standout, rise above the rest
and succeed. Today, a new model is born every day. It bears more
weight, effort and recognition to be able to succeed today as an
accomplished model.
Also, I understand modeling also wasn’t much
of a profession in the early years. Designers, I am told, would
favor girls from prominent families to model and compensation
wasn’t much. Today, modeling offers equal opportunities for girls
from all walks of life. It is a profession that can become one’s
bread and butter.
I believe PMAP has dramatically improved the
working conditions and rates for models and effectively
professionalized the modeling industry.
What programs of past PMAP officers are still
being implemented?
We have continued the annual outreach program
spearheaded by former president Apples Aberin-Sadhawani. Various
beneficiaries include Tahanan Sta. Luisa home for sexually abused
girls, Habitat for Humanity, Jesus Loves the Little Children and
Hospicio de San Jose to name a few. We also have participated in
several fundraising projects for the Word Wildlife Foundation of the
Philippines (WWF) and our members have participated in the celebrity
bowling for Bantay Kalikasan.
Many may not be fully aware of PMAP’s outreach
and caroling activities. We have quietly arranging themed Christmas
parties year after year, allowing everyone from the fashion industry
to get together in a night of fun and games, raising funds and
helping the less fortunate in our own little way. This is something
that has been done and continued through all generations of PMAP.
What makes me most proud is when the heartfelt
generosity shines in each model every time we participate in an
outreach program. It may have been a day without all the makeup, the
high heels, the fabulous clothes and the bright lights—all the
things that make us look pretty. But even if we are in our most drab
outfits, it’s that day of the year when all of us at PMAP look our
best and our most beautiful.
How much is the standard pay for models
today? Has it improved? What benefits do your members get?
Standard pay for models has greatly improved.
The PMAP board has successfully implemented a more comprehensive
rate guide and provisions to protect the models such as overtime
fees, strict working hours and cancellation fees.
How does PMAP address the problem of the
continuous influx of South American models? Do they have work
permits? What steps are being planned to protect its roster of
members from this unwelcome competition?
I have nothing against foreign models in Manila
so long as they obtain the proper work permits from our government.
Their presence in fact encourages healthy competition and this can
only push models to spheres of global excellence.
More than anyone, I feel it’s the new, younger
local models who are affected by the influx of foreign models.
Seasoned models continue to get work, simply because they’ve
established themselves, they can deliver and never fail the client.
These younger models who seek to penetrate the modeling industry
have to unfortunately compete with these foreign models.
If there’s anything that concerns us, it’s
an issue of a much bigger scale. It’s the fact that a handful of
Philippine modeling agencies have been bringing in Brazilians,
Venezuelans, South Americans and the likes without obtaining proper
work permits. Many of these foreigners are underaged (below 18).
They come to our country as tourists but continue to work and earn
money without being taxed—all without the proper papers. We’re
wondering if the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation has endorsed
their work as models to the Department of Labor and Employment. And
has DOLE given work permits to these models? Also, what steps will
DOLE take toward companies who employ minors and foreigners with no
work permits?
When we Filipinos go to other countries to
work—be it a white-collar or a blue-collar job—their governments
regulate matters by requiring work permits/visas from us. And they
certainly don’t make it easy for us. In other countries like
Malaysia, local talents are very much well protected. Only local
talents are allowed to do high-paying projects such as TV
commercials, print ads, and endorsements, while the foreign models
are only limited to doing runway shows. Measures like these taken by
the government not only protect their own talented citizens but also
help keep the circulation of income within their country. When
foreign models come to Manila, they should likewise obtain the
proper work permits just the same way we do in their countries.
It’s wonderful that the Philippines can now be
seen as a country with opportunity for work. Unlike before when
foreigners were deathly afraid of coming here and saw very little or
no work opportunities. But wouldn’t it also be a good measure of
progress if the government can come up with regulations that protect
its homegrown talents?
What does it take to be a member of PMAP?
One has to be invited and screened to get into
PMAP. Good bone structure, height and beauty—these all help. But
more than that, we invite both seasoned and promising models who
possess professionalism in work, the right attitude, dedication, and
the vision to uplift the modeling industry. These are models who
will be assets to our organization.
What are your visions for the next three
years?
For the next generation of PMAP models and
members to continue the strong legacy all the seniors have started.
I have no doubt they will make us all proud.
For all male and female Filipino models to be
properly compensated—whether they are members of PMAP or not. I
hope the rates and provisions we started at PMAP will one day become
a nationwide standard for all models.
|
