The Professional Models Association of the Philippines, the only organization run by models themselves, recently inducted its new set of officers at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.
Taking on the helm as president is Raphael Kiefer, with Girlie Benitez as vice president; Eva Abesamis, secretary; Ana Sideco, treasurer; Natasha Bautista, public relations officer; Paulette Quinto, disciplinary officer; Jarius Ferrer, special projects officer; and Hye Won Jang, junior board officer.
Established on February 11, 1987 by top caliber models, the PMAP aims to “uplift, protect and professionalize the modeling industry in the Philippines, and to develop and stabilize national and international awareness, participation, involvement and competition in the field of modeling.”
The group was formed in response to what they believed then were conditions in the fashion-modeling industry that needed to be professionalized, among them reasonable working hours and standardized compensation for model bookings. “As a union we are vocal with our rights. As an association, we have a vision of what we want to become in the future,” said one of the original members, Tina Maristela-Ocampo, who co-founded the organization with co-models Ronnie Asuncion and Robert David.
The PMAP continues to serve as a key force in the development and upgrading of the local modeling industry, with the firm belief that as a united group, models can band and work together for their own protection and progress.
The new officers will build on a two-year #IAMPMAP campaign to highlight the new generation of models who are smart, well-rounded individuals who can multi-task and are involved with various projects and advocacies – certainly more than just pretty faces. Kiefer for instance is an entrepreneur while Benitez is a jewelry designer. Abesamis, on the other hand, is an artist and pastry maker while Sideco is a financial advisor. Bautista describes herself as a business leader while Quinto is a baller, Ferrer is a socio-agricultural entrepreneur and Jang is a Management Engineering graduate.
To know more about PMAP, log on to www.pmap.net.ph or follow Professional Models of the Philippines on Facebook.