EXCLUSIVE: Filipino Top Models Jasmine Maierhofer And Jodilly Pendre On Their Careers, Dreams, And New Normal
See how these two beauties coped with life under quarantine, plus all they've been up to and what they hope to do, soon!
What do you do when the industry you're a part of has come to a screeching halt with no certainty of a resurgence any time soon?
Well, you could mope and feel sorry for yourself, and blame the pandemic for all your woes. Or, you could dust the dirt off your knees and scan the landscape, seeking creative ways to move forward even when all signs point to stop.
For long-time Filipino models and Metro Chats guests Jasmine Maierhofer and Jodilly Pendre, two women whose professional success and security depend heavily on live events and physical gatherings, it didn't take long for them to figure out that being part of the fashion industry at this point in time isn't the most ideal thing.
They lost opportunities and their plans were derailed, not to mention the anxiety that came with a total career standstill.
With 11 months of lockdown behind them, Metro Chats guests Jasmine Maierhofer and Jodilly Pendre have picked themselves up; like the clothes they wear and the fashion community that they work with, they handled their situations with grace and creativity, eventually figuring out what steps to take to pull themselves out of this rut.
Last year, Jasmine Maierhofer was awarded top honor by Asia Model Awards in its 15th edition; she's also a bride-to-be who's been engaged to Angelo Patrimonio since 2019. Meanwhile, Jodilly Pendre is best known as a finalist in the second season of Asia's Next Top Model; she's currently based in Melbourne, Australia.
Metro Chats guests Jasmine Maierhofer and Jodilly Pendre talk about their years so far and what they hope to do in the next months in an exclusive interview on Kumu's FYE Channel.
Check out the highlights of our conversation with them in the gallery below!
Jasmine Maierhofer and Jodilly Pendre on Metro Chats
Jasmine Maierhofer and Jodilly Pendre on Metro Chats
The beginning
Jasmine started modeling at 14 and it was such a serendipitous start. Having grown up in Puerto Galera, she was just out on the beach when a modeling agent spotted her and that was that. The agent and Jasmine's mom had a good talk about the opportunity, and the rest was history.
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer
Rewind, to the start
"Wala talagang naka-scout sa akin," she laughs, pointing out the stark differences in her and Jasmine's modeling career's beginnings. Jodilly doubted her abilities to become a model mostly because she was a sporty girl with an athletic built, but slowly but surely, she built her portfolio and her confidence, too. Her baptism of fire was with famed photographer Doc Marlon Pecjo and though tears, lots and lots of tears, were shed with her experiences with him, they made her better.
Photo Credit: @jodilly
Promise fulfilled
She promised herself that the next time she would be shot by Doc Marlon, it would be for a cover shoot. After all, in their first-ever encounter, not only was Jodilly reduced to tears, but her dreams of making it in the world of fashion were (almost) extinguished for good after this photographer told her she couldn't make it if she didn't work harder to improve. Some time after that and after much practice, Jodilly found herself face to face with Doc Marlon for a second time and on her birthday no less, for, you guessed it, a cover shoot with Metro magazine. "Nagtatatalon kaming dalawa ni Doc Marlon sa shoot na 'yun... Naging milestone ko 'yun. I'm so glad that I took his constructive criticism," Jodilly shares.
Photo Credit: @jodilly
Unexpected
Jasmine's most memorable shoot of her early career was also one she had with the legendary Doc Marlon. It was 16 years ago and she was new to the business, not quite sure about what to expect and the pressure that came with the job. She had a test shoot with Doc Marlon, and just like that, a photo of hers was chosen to be the cover of a magazine.
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer
Philippines, represent!
Jasmine definitely takes it seriously when she's invited to go overseas for a job. She knows she's not only representing herself but standing in place for an entire country, so it's always a best foot forward approach for her. Her latest international accolade is the Philippines Star Model Award 2020 given at the Asia Model Awards.
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer
Asia's Next Top Model
After playing in the Philippine National Team for volleyball and walking runways at Asia's Next Top Model in Malaysia, Jodilly isn't a stranger to pressure but her experiences as a top model-hopeful are ones she'll never forget. "Nandu'n 'yung excitement, nandun 'yung pressure but at the same time, nandu'n 'yung [feeling na] 'This is it,'" she recalls. She's content with her performance and how she portrayed what it means to be Filipino to international audiences and among other women from different countries, too!
Photo Credit: @jodilly
Breaking myths
Jodilly and Jasmine let out a big resounding "No" when they're both asked if it's true that models have to adhere to strict diet and fitness regimens to stay on top of their game. Jasmine has an unstoppable sweet tooth, and Jodilly will almost always have an extra serving of rice - but both women temper their indulgences with active lifestyles. That's the secret ingredient, as it seems: starvation and deprivation are no-nos, but working out regularly and finding the exercise that's right for you? That's what needs to be done (and not just by models, but by everyone, really, regardless of profession).
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer @jodilly
Pandemic buddy and hobbies
Besides her fiancé (Angelo Patrimonio), there's a special someone who's kept Jasmine company over the pandemic: Isla the chihuahua! The little doggo has helped home-based modeling work for Jasmine all the more bearable, especially because she's had to learn new things in such a short span of time to be able to keep up with demands. She's had to learn how to shoot photos at a professional level, figure out lighting, dress herself, and do her own glam looks (her weakness!). "Hindi ako prepared pero kailangan kayanin," she laughs. With no shows and very limited physical shoots happening, Jasmine has had to prepare for virtual fashion shows and even figure out how to pull off catalogue looks! When she's not working, she's off working on her YouTube channel. She finally has time to post travel vlogs and she's glad to have the time to finally edit the videos herself!
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer
Real struggles
Mentally, financially, socially—these are the ways the pandemic affected Jodilly personally and professionally, and she admits that she hasn't fully recovered from these just yet. Modeling gigs were put on hold, her part-time job had to stop, and she couldn't produce as much content for her social media platforms which made it a real struggle to stay afloat and keep anxiety at bay. To keep herself productive, she turned inwards and simply allowed herself to heal and figure things out at her own pace. Self-love and health were her priorities, and then she adjusted her social media account to accommodate life's new normal. It was a slow process to pick herself up, but she's well on her way to recovering and feeling like herself again. She has two new hobbies, too: playing the ukulele and discovering the gamer girl in her!
Photo Credit: @jodilly
Post-COVID dreams
Europe—that's where jetsetter Jasmine wants to head to when this pandemic is all done and over with. "Marami pang places doon na hidden gems na gusto ko pang puntahan," she shares, noting how traveling is probably one of the biggest things she misses in this time. Who knows? Maybe she'll go for a trip for her honeymoon.
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer
Homecoming
It's been three years since Jodilly has left the Philippines, and she hasn't been back since. She misses home and can't wait to go back, but at the same time, Japan is definitely where she wants to go to again. The first time she was there, it was for less than 24 hours, and she definitely feels like she missed out on the chance of exploring! (The Naruto theme park is on her bucket list, she jokes).
Photo Credit: @jodilly
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Beauty open secrets
There's really never a one size fits all routine for women, even when it comes to skincare. Jasmine takes on a minimalist approach—water, lots of water in a day, is what she depends on for fresh skin. Jodilly, on the other hand, is all about giving herself one day in a week where all she does is skin and haircare, and she spends a ton of time luxuriating in the process! Exercise is also a part of Jodilly's life, and so is a positive attitude. Physical and mental aspects play a part in her glowing from the inside out.
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer @jodilly
Modeling goals
For Jasmine, it's to be able to continue going with the flow. She's grateful to still have work, for having made friends in the industry, and for having this career in the first place. For Jodilly, right now, it's to try and make a name for herself in Melbourne's fashion scene, and to be able to share her experiences of modeling with other young girls hoping to make it big in the same industry. In fact, that's where she sees herself in the far off future when she's retired from the catwalk—teaching, training, and mentoring models in the making.
Photo Credit: @jasmaierhofer @jodilly
Lead photos from @jodilly @jasmaierhofer
