Melanie Marquez returns to her first love

Only a few Filipino living mannequins can lay claim to the title “supermodel,” and one of those is Melanie Marquez. Now the statuesque glamazon has come back to her roots after a long hiatus.

The model-turned-beauty queen-turned actress went back to her first love—playing muse to fashion designers—for the recently unveiled holiday collection of fashion designer Boyet Fajardo.

Marquez was a gangly girl from Pampanga in her early teens when she was discovered. With such long limbs, arresting beauty, and impeccable command of the runway, she instantly became a favorite among designers.

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Renowned queenmaker and fashion designer Renee Salud then fielded her to the 1979 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, where she clinched one of the crowns.

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She represented the Philippines at the 1979 Miss International pageant in Japan and became the third Filipino woman to bring home the title, also making history as the youngest ever participant to win the crown.

Marquez continued her modeling and even scored international gigs, sending her to many parts of the world. In New York, she won the “Face of the 80s” contest that sent her to the “Supermodel of the World” competition where she finished as a runner-up.

Decades later, and after a rollercoaster of a personal life, she returns to her first love which is modeling.

“God will give you that brilliance, then your personality and good heart will glow. People around you think you don’t seem to age. And you are not bothered by material things. Let’s live within your means. You’ll find peace and contentment,” she said.

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For Fajardo’s campaign, Marquez went before the camera of lensman Edward de la Cuesta, with Jonnah Huliganga handling hair and makeup. Bobbit Patag took care of the styling.

“My life is an open book, but one that is full of challenges. It may seem that I lead a glamorous life but, honestly, I hate dressing up and wearing makeup. Gusto ko, simple lang!” Marquez said.

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Fajardo’s holiday collection, a series of creations mostly in black-and-white, will be available soon at the biggest malls and department stores across the country.

“I feel excited about this collection. I was never excited about my photo shoots before, but now I am! This collection highlights my 48 years in the fashion industry, through all the struggles, as my journey speaks volumes of my acumen throughout all the generations I’ve served–from the baby boomers to the millennials, and now the younger crowd,” he said.

“I always want movement, constant movement, and never remain at a standstill, even during the pandemic. I’ll do the things i’ve been dreaming to do all my life,” added Fajardo, who emphasized that the pieces are limited and all locally made.

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As for Marquez and her endurance in the industry that has spanned almost half a century already, this was what she said: “I think my X-factor comes from professionalism, coupled with my dedication and genuine character. Anything fake will eventually manifest itself.” /edv