For Maria Remedios Bueno-Coady, it’s not just more fun, but also more heavenly in Zambales.

It’s quite easy to be fascinated by the sprightly personality of former international ramp model Bueno Coady, more commonly known as Baby Bueno, and even easier to be captivated by her many stories.

Whereas it is her statuesque presence and fair beauty that instantly commands attention, its her convivial demeanor that keeps you holding on to every word and every anecdote she shares.

And that was exactly what happened one December late afternoon when Bueno-Coady met with a group of reporters at the Tap Room of the Manila Hotel.

Bueno-Coady was in town to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones as she shared her life story—a tale that almost plays out like a script from one of those drama series we often watch on TV, but a bit more inspiring.

From fish market to fashion runways
Born in Sta. Cruz, Zambales, Bueno-Coady was the second to the eldest of 12 siblings (seven girls and five boys) to parents Panfilo and Esperanza Bueno.

At the age of 12, Bueno-Coady showed her penchant for hard work and business by helping sell fish and accepting laundry.

“Although my father was a good provider I still wanted to help them, kasi nga ang dami namin magkakapatid so I sold fish in the mornings and balut [duck’s embryo] in the afternoon with my aunt, and take note it was always sold out.” she proudly began.

“But even when I was just a little girl, I had this illusion na of being a model, so while I was carrying that basket or bilao of fish on top of my head; I was also trying to imitate how models posed or how they walked. Kahit naglalaba ako noon, pose ako dito, pose ako dun with my hands on my waist, and I remember my mother would tell me, ‘Baby, itigil mo yan! Mangulot ka na lang,” she recalled laughing.

So when she turned 15, Bueno-Coady left for Manila to try her luck at modeling and to prepare for her college education at the University of the East, where she became a scholar.

She began her career as a mannequin for several well-known Filipino designers in Manila such as Aureo Alonzo, Ben Ferrales and Dante Ramirez and appeared as a signature model in the “Bagong Anyo” and “Kalipayan” presentations organized by then First Lady Imelda Marcos.

Her big break came when she was discovered by famed couturier Pitoy Moreno who gave her a chance to live out her dream of becoming a ramp model. From then on the strong-willed probinsyana slowly metamorphosed into one of the most sought after models in both local and international fashion shows.

She first gained international exposure after being invited by Italian designer Ken Scott to join his entourage for shows in Paris and Hong Kong. Soon invitations from haute couture names as Balestra and Fabiani of Italy, Lanvin, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci and Coco Chanel, began pouring in.

Her beauty also caught the attention of Sampaguita Pictures and she was cast in a couple of movies such as Dragnet with former President Joseph Estrada and Zoom, Zoom, Superman.

Later on, Bueno-Coady would utilize her creativity and what she learned about fashion as she became a full-time fashion designer and held her own fashion shows. In addition to her own designs, Bueno-Coady’s fashion shows in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, and Manila also featured those of Versace, Dior and Balenciaga and other big name brands.

These fashion shows further widened her network and she was soon tasked to design the clothes for several famous celebrities and even a few royal families.

“I had not only fulfilled my dreams of becoming a model, but I was also very fortunate to have the chance to meet VIPs, dignitaries and even kings and queens all over the world, I couldn’t ask for more,” she beamed with pride.

She lived in Singapore for 27 years and in Hong Kong for eight years, but it was in Macau where she met and later married architect-designer Michael Coady, with whom she had a child.

After establishing her Baby Bueno Promotions, she shifted her attention to organizing events, art exhibits and fashion shows that promoted Filipino culture and artistry.

“I helped organized the exhibits of Filipino artists such as Rafael Pacheco and Nemiranda and in their art presentations in Asian countries like Brunei. I had always believed in the talent of Filipinos and this was my contribution to promote our arts and crafts.”

Zambales in her mind
Bueno-Coady was reaping the rewards of her success when tragedy struck and she was diagnosed with cancer.

“I was in Switzerland when I was diagnosed with brain tumor,” she recalled.

As the tumor in her brain grew and grew she was even pronounced clinically dead.

“A doctor in Switzerland saved my life, and the cancer went into remission but then it recurred in Hong Kong and I thought to myself—I can die pala anytime.”

“Still, I never lost hope. So wala akong ginawa kundi magdasal. I also began taking some Chinese her-bal medicine and became a vegetarian. Later on, a miracle happened. Parang kinain daw ng utak ko ‘yung tumor o ‘yung na-cover ‘yung tumor ng utak ko para ‘di na siya lumaki o mag-expand, and all of a sudden nawala ‘yung cancer ko. Even the doctors could hardly believe the miracle,” she excitedly narrated.

It was for her one of those life-changing moments that made her realize that she still had a mission and another purpose in life and that was to return home to the Philippines.

Although she has seen the best of the world, Bueno-Coady admits that her hometown of Zambales had never left her spirit.

“I may have traveled all over the world and seen some of the best places, but somehow it always reminded me of Zambales, and how much beauty my province had to offer,” she related.

Now she is back in the country to focus her attention into helping promote her province, its beaches, corals and products like mangoes and handicrafts.

“Zambales is known for its pristine beaches and beautiful islands, but it is most loved for its mangoes. Our mangoes are the best in the world!,” she exclaimed. “It’s malaki, matamis and masarap!”

Baby has been one of staunchest promoters of the annual Mango Festival that hopes to promote their mangoes and inspire local growers to develop competitive mango products Filipinos could be proud of.

“Besides the Mango Eating Challenge there are a lot of other fun filled activities to entertain both local and foreign tourists such as a street parade, float competition, mango-themed street dance, trade fair and variety shows.”

This year Bueno-Coady wants to further enhance the celebrations by planning to hold talent competitions to attract her talented province-mates to showcase their talents in singing.

“I believe we have a lot of very talented singers just waiting for their big break and be discovered,” she stated.

She also plans to increase livelihood opportunities through the making of soap, perfume, handbags and handicrafts through the trade shows to help aspiring entrepreneurs and artisans.

“It’s quite unfortunate that there are a lot of poor people in Zambales who are just waiting for the right opportunity, I want to serve as an inspiration to them that through hard work, they too can rise up from poverty and achieve their dreams.”

“It’s more fun in the Philippines, but its more ‘heavenly’ in Zambales, because of the beaches, and scenic locations. White sand ang mga beach namin doon parang sa Boracay and like I said tasting our best mangoes is like a taste of heaven,” she enthused.

Her journey in the fashion world may be nearing its end, but her quest for public service has only began as Bueno-Coady looks to take a more active part in helping the province of Zambales as one of the board member in the upcoming mid-year elections under the banner of Liberal Party.

“I’ve been wooed to run in previous elections but I always said no, deciding to focused all my
eco-tourism and anti-graft campaigns as a private individual, but through the years I’ve realized I could do more as a public servant so I finally said ‘yes’ this time.”

She added, “I don’t want to impress anybody, and I think I have no reasons to do such para may mapatunayan pa to myself. Tumutulong na ako noon pa and that is my attitude. But I think joining politics will give me a better chance para mas mapalaki at mas mapabuti pa ang maibibigay kong serbisyo to my constituents in Zambales.”

“I’m running just to serve my kababayans. I don’t have any motive to enrich myself because I’ve already achieved everything I wanted. I just want to give back and helping the poor, nothing more, nothing less, as a way to give thanks for having a truly blessed life,” Bueno-Coady concluded.