{"id":18413,"date":"2014-07-08T05:21:24","date_gmt":"2014-07-07T21:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=18413"},"modified":"2014-08-29T00:35:27","modified_gmt":"2014-08-28T16:35:27","slug":"not-just-glitz-and-glamour-the-different-chapters-in-top-model-jodilly-pendres-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2014\/07\/08\/not-just-glitz-and-glamour-the-different-chapters-in-top-model-jodilly-pendres-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Not just glitz and glamour: The different chapters in top model Jodilly Pendre\u2019s life"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Jodilly<\/a>
Jodilly in Niagara Falls, Ontario\/ Photo from Jodilly Pendre’s Instagram<\/a>\/ Fashion Week photos by Solon Licas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was the last night of fashion week and Jodilly Pendre stepped out in a beautiful blue gown made by Francis Libiran. The audience was quiet in amazement, waiting for her next step. She walked the runway like she owned it. When she gracefully turned, people started clapping.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really want to show the world how incredible Filipinos are,\u201d said the young model before the show began.<\/p>\n

That night, she wowed everyone.<\/p>\n

For this Asia\u2019s Next Top Model (AsNTM) runner-up, going global is not an option. It is a goal. She has been in Canada for a few days now. She has been flown to Toronto for Canada Philippine Fashion Week, but is extending her stay to look for and walk into modeling agencies and to also visit her lola<\/em> (grandmother) and other relatives in Mississauga, whom she has not seen for many years.<\/p>\n

The days before she came to Canada were stressful according to her. It was only a few days before her flight when she got her visa and five hours before her departure when she obtained her plane ticket. She has also been feeling a bit under the weather because of her jet lag and fever, but Jodilly said there is nothing to complain about. No matter how she feels, the moment she steps out on the runway, she turns her \u201csupermodel mode\u201d on. \u00a0\u201cFashion is my transportation to greater places and greater things. The way for me to give back to them [sponsors, supporters and fans] is to give them great performance,\u201d said the young top model.<\/p>\n

Jodilly\u2019s turning point<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Jodilly<\/a><\/p>\n

The 5\u201910 Filipina model had really gone a long way after winning first runner-up in the second cycle of Asia\u2019s Next Top Model. She was called the \u201clevitating princess\u201d during the show (because of one photo in which she looked like she was floating in midair), but Jody showed the world there were more she could do than to levitate. With multiple fashion shows and campaigns lined up for her, she is soaring high. However, Jodilly said she didn\u2019t originally plan to be a model.\u00a0 \u201cI wasn\u2019t really into modeling. When I was in high school, I was a volleyball player. I was part of the Philippine Volleyball Team.\u201d That was her life back then; she went to school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then to her volleyball training from 5 till 10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Until one day, a sad event altered her future forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore graduating high school, my father died. Walang mag-papaaral sa\u2019kin kasi my mom is unemployed.\u201d (Before graduating high school, my father died. My mom is unemployed, so she couldn\u2019t support my studies.) She didn\u2019t get any support from her siblings either. Despite the circumstances in her life, Jodilly worked hard to be a top student. \u201cNaging salutatorian ako because of my dad. Noong high school ako, sabi niya, gusto ko pagdating mo ng high school malaki \u2018yong medal mo, so nagtanong-tanong ako kung paano makakakuha ng malaking medal. Sabi nila valedictorian at salutatorian lang daw.\u201d (I graduated as salutatorian because of my dad. He told me that he wanted me to get a big medal in high school, so I asked others how I could get one. They said the only way was to graduate as valedictorian or salutatorian.) If her dad had not died before graduation, Jodilly said she would have gotten the gold and graduated first in her class. She was happy and grateful, though, that she graduated as salutatorian because it gave her the opportunity to apply for an academic scholarship, which took care of half of her tuition fee for college.<\/p>\n

Since she still needed money to pay the rest of her tuition fee, Jodilly had no choice but to find work. \u201cDapat magpa-part time call center agent ako, but then God gave me the right people.\u201d (Supposedly, I was to apply as a part-time call center agent, but then God gave me the right people.) One of the people she was referring to was her high school best friend Yvette Corral, who joined the modeling world before her. Yvette then introduced her to Julius Uy, a modeling agent. At first, Jodilly was hesitant if she could really model. For her, models are always glamorous and well made-up. She knew she wasn\u2019t that kind of person, but again, she had no other choice at the time.<\/p>\n

Jodilly\u2019s early beginnings as a model<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jodilly was 16 years old when she started in the business. \u201cI started my portfolio with Manila Bulletin, Fashion Institute of the Philippines, and [renowned Filipino designer] Ino Sotto,\u201d she said. And then she also met Robbie Carmona, another famous Filipino designer, who became one of her mentors and opened more doors for her. Robbie picked her to walk for the opening of a gala even though she didn\u2019t know a lot about ramp modeling yet. \u201cHe just said to me, \u2018I believe in you.\u2019\u201d From then on, Robbie promised her that she would be in all of his shows, so that Jodilly could earn money for her school allowance.<\/p>\n

Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW) producers Joey and Audie Espino had also helped the young model by always giving her projects during PhFW. \u201cHindi pwedeng \u2018di ako makaka-ten na shows every season kasi that\u2019s for my tuition [fees].\u201d (Every season, I made sure to, at least, do 10 shows because that\u2019s where I get the money to pay my tuition fees.) Mega and Preview magazines also chose her for many fashion editorials, which gave her more exposure.<\/p>\n

Jodilly got her big break when Vince introduced her to Rajo Laurel, one of the biggest names in the Philippine fashion industry. \u201cWhen I did Rajo for Parisian, I became Rajo\u2019s muse. Nagkaroon ako ng billboard sa EDSA. All over the Philippines, iyong mukha ko andoon sa SM.\u201d (I had billboards all over EDSA. All over the Philippines, you could see my face in SM malls.)<\/p>\n

The worst time in her life<\/strong><\/p>\n

With her success in modeling, one would think that Jodilly was having the time of her life\u2014but she wasn\u2019t. Aside from modeling, she was also in school full time because she was determined to graduate on time. She also rendered service at school to keep her scholarship on top of everything, because with the kind of work schedule she had, she was worried she would not be able to maintain the required grades for an academic scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my worst. Worst talaga,\u201d Jodilly said about her college life. There were times when she didn\u2019t even have money to buy food or to go to school that she had to ask her friends and even strangers to lend her money. While her classmates partied after class or traveled during summer breaks, Jodilly worked to make ends meet. \u201cKung iba yun namatay na sila sa frustration at depression,\u201d she said. (If it happened to someone else, maybe that person would have died of frustration and depression.)<\/p>\n

Jodilly rising above the challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2<\/a><\/p>\n

As always, Jodilly never complained. She just believed that God would always provide solutions to all of her problems and kept working hard. Her perseverance and grit paid off when she received her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Information Systems from University of Santo Tomas in 2013. By that time, she was also already a veteran model.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old Jodilly met two significant people, who became her mentors and closest friends, before she joined Asia\u2019s Next Top Model. They were designers Roland Alzate and Noel Crisostomo. The things she learned and pieces of advice she got from both friends helped her get to where she is today despite not getting the AsNTM title. They taught her the importance of letting go of negativity as soon as it entered her thoughts. So when the unexpected occurred, when she lost to Malaysian Sheena Lim during the final challenge of the competition, she didn\u2019t think of herself as the loser. \u201cDuring that moment, I knew Sheena would win. I know she\u2019s good because they\u2019ve been telling me\u2026 She\u2019s good, but I am great. That moment I was only thinking that I would show the world that I was the winner. I am not only a winner, but I am a victor,\u201d Jodilly said.<\/p>\n

Her inspiration to succeed<\/strong><\/p>\n

The AsNTM runner-up is, up to this day, still very thankful to the thousands of fans who supported her, the people who believed that she was the real winner. \u201cI didn\u2019t know na \u2018yong suporta ng Pilipino at ibang bansa sa\u2019kin sobra pala. Lalu nila akong ginawang famous. Nag-trending \u2018yong \u2018Justice for Jodilly\u2019 [on social media]. Dun ko pinost \u2018yong statement ko na, \u2018I feel more than a winner.\u2019\u201d (I didn\u2019t know that the support of Filipinos and people from other countries for me is tremendous. They made me even more famous when \u201cJustice for Jodilly\u201d trended [on social media]. That\u2019s why I posted a statement saying, \u201cI felt more than a winner.\u201d)<\/p>\n

Besides her mother, Roland, and her tito Noel, her supporters became her inspiration to keep pushing herself beyond her limits as a model.\u00a0 \u201cLagi ko chine-check \u2018yong Instagram ko. Lalu ako na-i-inspire \u2018pag nababasa ko \u2018Jodi sana makita ka namin.\u2019\u201d (I always check my Instagram. I get more inspired whenever I read comments like \u201cJodi, we hope we see you in person.\u201d)<\/p>\n

Because of the support she received from her fans and loved ones, she didn\u2019t allow any disappointment to stop her. Big opportunities came to Jodilly after AsNTM. Aside from getting lots of campaigns and projects, she got picked as one of the outstanding Filipinos honored during Mega\u2019s Pinoy Pride Ball in June and also became one of Meg magazine\u2019s \u201c30 under 30\u201d achievers. Despite the fame and the success, Jodilly said that although a lot has changed in the way she thinks and dresses up, not a lot has changed in her personality. Even though she admits that she likes wearing designer clothes now, because she wants to always project the image of a supermodel, she makes sure not to act like a diva. She stays professional and kind to people. If there\u2019s one thing she learned through her years in the business, it is that kindness pays.<\/p>\n

When asked if her popularity with men also heightened after the top model search, she smiled and said that when it comes to that aspect, she\u2019s not as in demand as her Filipina co-finalist and friend Katarina Rodriguez. \u201cHappy ako kasi less stress. Plus, I have a boyfriend. Mag-tu-two years na kami. He\u2019s very, very supportive. (I\u2019m happy because there\u2019s less stress. Plus, I have a boyfriend. We\u2019ve been together for almost two years. He\u2019s very, very supportive.)<\/p>\n

Jodilly the unbeatable and the unstoppable<\/strong><\/p>\n

After her short visit in Canada, Jodilly will be back in the Philippines for more work. She is planning to fly to London in July for her friend Roland Alzate\u2019s show. Fashion capitals New York and Italy are also on her list of destinations this year. To be an international supermodel, Jodilly is ready to go wherever she needs to be. \u201cI am using my AsNTM title as much as possible to get an advantage kasi let\u2019s just be practical, if you\u2019re just Jodilly Pendre sinong maniniwala sayo? Of course, \u2018yong mga Pilipino pero outside hindi ka naman nila kilala\u2026 I\u2019m just maximizing my popularity.\u201d (I am using my AsNTM title as much as possible to get an advantage because let\u2019s just be practical, if you\u2019re just Jodilly Pendre, who will believe in you? Of course, Filipinos know who I am, but outside the Philippines, they don\u2019t\u2026 I\u2019m just maximizing my popularity.)<\/p>\n

\"3This young woman has lots of plans for herself and for her family. Of course, her most important endeavor right now is to become an international supermodel. In the future, she also wants to start her own business. Just like everyone else, Jodilly does not know for sure where the path may lead her. She knows many rejections may come her way, but she is ready for it. She keeps her focus by always thinking that, whatever happens, she is unbeatable and unstoppable. \u201cIt\u2019s always about the state of mind. You need to attract what you want. I will go global and will be greater than the greatest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jodilly Pendre, with the good and the bad chapters in her life, is ready to embrace greatness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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