5 Artist Center talents represent RP in the 3rd Asian Supermodel Contest

Five Artist Center talents will fly to Guangxi, China to represent the Philippines in the 3rd Asia Supermodel Contest to be held from May 16 to 25. The five beauties from GMA 7 who will compete in the said model search are young actress Rhian Ramos, Bb. Pilipinas 2007 1st runner-up Abigail Cruz, StarStruck graduates Arci Muñoz and Rhea Nakpil, and newcomer Steph Henares. Steph is the daughter of Artist Center head Ida Henares and the first cousin of Rhian. The Asia Supermodel Contest is sponsored by the Chinese Fashion Association, Guangxi TV station, in cooperation with China Bentley Culture Dev. Co. The five Philippine representatives will be modeling the creations of fashion designer Ramon Sabella. They'll be competing with models from China, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam who will also send five models each—all expenses paid. In an interview with Abante's Rey Pumaloy, Steph clarified that the five of them were chosen by the Chinese Fashion Association to represent the Philippines and not by her mother. The selection process was done though photos that the Artist Center sent to the organizer of the contest. From these photos, the Chinese Fashion Association picked their choices and were sent back to Artist Center. Meanwhile, in a separate interview with Mario Bautista of People's Journal, Abigail said she is not scared to go to China after it was hit by a killer quake. "Malayo naman daw ang Guangxi from the earthquake. I cannot afford naman to let this pass as it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said the girlfriend of TV host Paolo Bediones. Abigail is also keeping her fingers crossed that their team will win in China. "I'm celebrating my 24th birthday on May 30 and we'll be back here in time for it. My birthday wish is for us to bring honors to the country." Steph, Rhian, Abigail, Arci, and Rhea will be leaving today with Artist Center's Ida Henares and Jenny Donato. The Asian Super Models Contest aims to promote Asia's top models and to help organize the Asian Model Economic Alliance. - Philippine Entertainment Portal