For MEGA’s September Issue, we spoke to a few inspiring names who are redefining what it means to be a Filipina model today
The world of modeling is no longer just about striking poses or walking down the runway. Filipino models are breaking barriers, expanding their profession past fashion shows, and seizing possibilities in various industries. These exceptional individuals demonstrate that modeling can serve as a gateway to higher opportunities, such as acting, social advocacy, and foreign exploration.
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Siobhan Moylan
Siobhan Moylan, a Ford Models talent, is one of those who’ve turned their modeling journey into a global pursuit. Juggling her work between the Philippines and New York City, she is constantly bridging the gap between both worlds. “Traveling the world as a Filipino model has been an amazing experience. I’ve met so many Filipino creatives around the world and they’re all killing it,” she shares, recognizing that Filipino talents thrive well beyond local borders.
For Moylan, modeling abroad comes with a fresh set of challenges, but it’s exactly what she craves. “There’s just more opportunity in New York really as a model,” she explains. “The competition is good for me and I like the challenge. Sometimes, in New York, you’ll go to a casting, and it’s like 500 models there—you know, some huge models that I recognize from following for years.” But it’s this very competition that keeps her on her toes, constantly pushing herself to evolve.
Despite her international success, Moylan’s heart remains connected to the Philippines. “The industry here prepared me a lot for New York. I think we have so much talent here,” she says. Her goal? To shine a global spotlight on the Filipino fashion scene and uplift the community that shaped her career.
Sabina Gonzalez
Being the daughter of Filipino top model Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez could easily cast a long shadow. But Sabina Gonzalez is carving out her own path, bringing fresh energy to the modeling industry while carrying the weight of her mother’s legacy with grace.
However, despite her mother’s storied career, Gonzalez maintains that her journey is hers alone. “My mom has never really given me advice on how to model or what to do,” she reveals. “The only thing she ever really tried to instill in me was professionalism and kindness.”
This individuality and authenticity are what define her. While she didn’t start as young as many models, she believes entering the industry later has allowed her to approach it with more maturity. “I don’t think I could have done it earlier,” she reflects. “I don’t know if I would have had the emotional maturity back then.”
Lou Yanong
Some models break into other industries, but Lou Yanong is merging them. With her foray into entertainment, Yanong is making waves beyond modeling. “From the very beginning, I knew who I wanted to be. I just wanted to be out there,” she says with a laugh, as the actor-model explains her love for coming-of-age movies and how that passion eventually manifested into an entertainment career.
Her journey in entertainment is unique as her family doesn’t have a background in the industry. She paved her own way, learning from modeling and socializing. With every opportunity, she’s made her mark not just as a model but as a face known in mainstream media. “I think from modeling, you learn a lot about yourself and how to deal with people. It’s helped me grow a lot.”
Jach Manere
Jach Manere’s participation in Asia’s Next Top Model was a key moment that gave her the attention and traction she needed to accelerate her career.
“It did alter my life after joining the show. I got more attention and traction, and I’m glad that it gave me the right kind of audience.” Her stint on the show opened doors to new opportunities in social media and content creation. Jach has since balanced the runway with a presence on digital platforms, using her influence to grow her brand and create more professional opportunities.
Even today, her recognition remains strong, not just locally but across Asia. Yanong and Gonzalez say, “When we go to different places, people will still ask for photos with her. ‘Jach Manere! Jach Manere!’ And we’re just in a market in Bangkok.”
Despite being in different fields, Sabina Gonzalez, Lou Yanong, and Jach Manere have stayed close to their roots in modeling. For them, being part of Models of the Moment feels like a reunion—a chance to connect with old friends and new faces alike. “We work with these models every time. We know each other. It’s nice working with them because we know how to move together and relate together,” Manere says.
Mika Reins
Transitioning from the runway to the screen isn’t the smoothest ride, but Mika Reins makes it look effortless. “As a model turned actor, I think what makes me different is bringing that fashion into acting and the showbiz industry. It’s a hard shift,” she says. In modeling, emotions are often subtle, conveyed more through movement than facial expression. But for Mika, this very practice paved the way for acting, as she learned to express her emotions through her body and performance. “That evolution in modeling helped me enter the performing arts.”
Being part of MEGA’s historic 50 Models shoot is another milestone for Reins. The significance of the Philippine fashion scene lies in its tight-knit, diverse community. “We all come from different backgrounds, but it’s amazing to share our stories and see how we’ve all ended up here, at this exact moment.”
“Right now, my head’s above the clouds. I just want to embrace the moment because once it’s gone, it’s just a memory.”
Mika Reins on beinng a model of the moment
When asked about being a “model of the moment”, Reins reflects on the impact a model can have. “You know you’re effective when someone wants to stop and stare at your photo for more than five seconds. You’ve created something that stirs them emotionally.”
What ties these models together is their passion for evolving, chasing opportunities beyond the runway, and bringing the Filipino identity to any stage. “I feel like Filipino creatives are just world-class,” Gonzalez says. “That’s something that has been under-appreciated in the world.”
In some ways, these models are doing more than modeling; they symbolize a new generation of Filipinos who refuse to be defined by a single label. Whether it’s acting, content production, or simply challenging industry standards, they’re displaying that there is no limit to what they can do.
