2 Pinay stunners among ‘Asia's Next Top Model’ top 3 finalists

For the privilege of being called Asia's Next Top Model, two Filipinas are set to compete in the finale of the show's second cycle.

 

Katarina Rodriguez and Jodilly Pendre will be joined by Malaysia's Sheena Liam in the finals of the modeling competition, after besting 13 other models in the competition.

Only Pendre was active in her modeling career prior to the competition, but she and Rodriguez were both college students.

Pendre had made rounds in top fashion magazines around the country, landing a fashion editorial for Preview Magazine's August 2013 and even being part of the Philippine Fashion Week, according to a report on Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP).

The 20-year-old model also modeled for designer Rajo Laurel's collection for shoe brand Parisian.

Track team member Rodriguez, while being the godchild of Filipina designer and model Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez, only got inspired to pursue modeling professionally after her acceptance to the competition, PEP said.

She said she "prioritized school and track above all else," and feels there is tremendous pressure on Filipina contestants to do well this year.

"Last year's representative, Stephanie Retuya set the bar really high, coming in runner-up, therefore I must either come in runner-up or win!" Rodriguez told PEP.

Rodriguez has written an online advertisement for a popular beauty product, and has helped create GMA Network's Christmas Station ID in 2012.

If their modeling careers do not work out, Rodriguez plans on becoming an international lawyer or diplomat, while Pendre wants to become a computer programmer. — Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News