EXCLUSIVE: Maymay Entrata Talks About Her Experience As The First Filipino Walking For Arab Fashion Week

“Para akong naging Big Winner ulit.”

That’s how PBB Season 7 winner Maymay Entrata described how it felt like becoming the first Filipino to walk for Arab Fashion Week.

It’s no secret that the teen star has a bright future ahead of her. One of the most promising celebrities today, Maymay has done it all: starring in films, going on concert tours, and even signing countless product endorsements. But just recently, she ticked yet another item off her bucketlist: walking on an international fashion runway.

Ever since she was a little girl, Maymay dreamt of becoming a model. But since she couldn’t afford modeling classes and workshops, she found herself watching YouTube videos to practice on her catwalk alone. When she was a teenager, she joined modeling competitions at her school (once, she even joined a contest at a mall)—but the only title she was able to bag was 2nd Runner-Up. “‘Di ako nanalo [sa contests] so sabi ko, baka wala akong chance maging model. Focus na lang ako sa ibang strengths ko. Pero yung pangarap ko na yun, ‘di pa rin nawala. Nandiyan lang siya.”

 

 

 

 

 

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The sensational star, actress and now international model @maymay slays the @furneamato runway at the prestigious Arab Fashion Week 2018. • #amato #amatocouture #amatoluxe #furneone #dubai #design #fashion #style #beauty #dresses #couture #luxury #d3 #maymayentrata #maymay #mayward

A post shared by FURNE ONE AMATO (@furneamato) on Nov 26, 2018 at 5:22am PST

 

But as fate would have it, 2018 marked a milestone for the young actress as her dream slowly became a reality. Aside from being recognized by supermodel Tyra Banks on Twitter, she was also invited to walk for multi-awarded, Dubai-based couturier Furne One.

“Nung una, ininvite lang nila ako na manood ng Arab Fashion Week. Tapos [after a while], gusto na nilang sumali ako sa fashion show kasi nakikita daw nila potential ko as a model,” the Metro Magazine October cover girl told Metro.Style. “Pina-audition nila ako online nung November. Hindi na ako masyadong nag-expect, tapos nung nalaman kong natanggap ako, sobrang saya ko.”

In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Maymay Entrata shares her experience walking the international runway for the first time. Keep scrolling!

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sensational star, actress and now international model @maymay slays the @furneamato runway at the prestigious Arab Fashion Week 2018. • #amato #amatocouture #amatoluxe #furneone #dubai #design #fashion #style #beauty #dresses #couture #luxury #d3 #maymayentrata #maymay #mayward

A post shared by FURNE ONE AMATO (@furneamato) on Nov 26, 2018 at 5:28am PST

Watch Maymay conquer the runway in this video!

 

 

Metro.Style: How did you feel in the days leading to the fashion show?

Maymay Entrata: Kinabahan ako the night before [the fashion show]. Gusto ko kasi, prepared ako—kaya nag practice ako. Nanood ako ng YouTube videos—kagaya lang nang dati!

Tiningnan ko kung ano ang babagay na walk doon sa gown ko. May iba’t ibang klase kasi ng walk depende sa suot mo. Dapat bagay din siya sa pose mo at sa beat [ng music]. Dapat din maging comportable sa heels. Nung araw na ng fashion show, sobrang relaxed na ako. Focused na ako at clear na sa akin ang mga gagawin ko.

 

MS: What was your favorite part of your Arab Fashion Week experience?

ME: Meeting new people. Hindi ko inakalang may makaka-appreciate sakin na ibang international models. Nagkaroon ako ng ibang mga kaibigang modelo, sobrang gaganda nila! Mababait rin sila. 

 

 

 

 

 

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She is so beautiful and so kind it was so lovely to meet you @maymay Backstage with @kevinoliver9371 @furneamato @amatoofficial #maymay #philippines #kenyan #couture #maymayforamatoafw2018 #mayward

A post shared by CHANEL AYAN (@chanelayan) on Nov 21, 2018 at 10:01pm PST

Maymay Entrata with her new friend, Dubai-based model Chanel Ayan

 

MS: What were the challenges you encountered?

ME: May hagdan doon [sa stage]. Nakikita ko na yung ibang models, natatakot sila. Kaya the night before the show, nag-practice ako sa hagdan na ‘yun kasama yung mga friends kong models—para hindi na kami mahirapan. After the fitting kasi, puede nang gumala, pero imbes na nag-gala ako, nag practice ako.

 

Photo: @furneamato

 

MS: What did you eat on the day of the fashion show?

ME: Hindi ako nag-diet. Nag-pizza at ice cream ako—ang bad ba? Haha! Ayaw ko kasi ma-stress. Kumain ako nang mga 3PM, then ‘di na ako nag-dinner. Pag may show or concert kasi ako, gusto ko kakain ako after na, para worth it.

 

MS: What do you like about working with designer Furne One Amato? What do you think of his creations?

ME: Sobrang malaki ang respeto ko [sa kanya]. Ang gaganda ng creations niya, sobrang kakaiba at detailed. May pagka-fairytale talaga sila—pag-suot mo mga damit niya, feeling mo isa kang prinsesa.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sensational star, actress and now international model @maymay slays the @furneamato runway at the prestigious Arab Fashion Week 2018. • #amato #amatocouture #amatoluxe #furneone #dubai #design #fashion #style #beauty #dresses #couture #luxury #d3 #maymayentrata #maymay #mayward

A post shared by FURNE ONE AMATO (@furneamato) on Nov 26, 2018 at 5:19am PST

 

 

MS: What advice can you give women who dream of becoming a model?

ME: ‘Wag kayong mangamba kung iniisip niyo na wala kayong chance o dahil walang tumatanggap sa inyo na designer. Mag-kakaron rin ng time na para sa’yo. Mag-explore ka muna. Manood ka ng videos, i-train mo sarili mo. Mas maganda na ikaw mismo nag-oobserve at natututo pano mag lakad.

 

Scroll through this gallery for more photos!

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Gallery and lead photos via @chanelayan, @furneamato, and @maymay