Brazilian by birth; Pinay at heart

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipinization of Brazilian model Daiana Menezes is so complete you would think it happened overnight. Three years ago, she stayed in the Philippines for two months for a modeling stint. The next year, she auditioned for Eat, Bulaga! and passed the VTR tests handily. The Filipino-speaking Daiana fell for the Philippines and a Filipino, Be Bench winner Carlo Guevarra hook, line and sinker.

They met on the set of TV5’s Lipgloss, where Carlo plays — of all roles — a gay chasing Daiana. Art imitates life, except that Carlo is not gay. Now, the two are like fish and water. One can’t do without the other.

“I prefer Filipino men,” coos Diana. “They’re more gentlemanly. I wouldn’t mind marrying one someday.”

At 19, Carlo is three years Daiana’s junior. But his girlfriend doesn’t mind. For her, age is just a number.

“Why, he’s mature for his age,” she asserts.

Thanks to Carlo — and the magic of the Internet — Daiana doesn’t miss her family back in Brazil that much. But although she now eats a Filipino breakfast — complete with adobo and corned beef — Daiana has not forgotten her independent ways back in her native land.

She lives practically alone (with only a production assistant or PA with her) in a condominium near Broadway Centrum, where Eat, Bulaga! is held live. Once, still unaccustomed to having an assistant, Daiana chose to prepare her own things instead of waking up her PA and asking her to lend a hand.

“I know she was hurt,” recalls Daiana.

And it caught her flat-footed. For someone used to making her own meals, carrying her own things and fending mostly for herself, asking someone else’s help was uncalled-for. But Daiana soon realized she was no longer in Brazil, where do-it-yourself is the name of the game.

She also learned to be more subtle — and less direct — in expressing herself before her co-stars and fellow workers on the set. That’s the Filipino way, and adjust she must.

“Brazilians are more frank,” she explains.

She’s not complaining, though. In fact, Daiana is bent on making the Philippines her permanent home and visiting Brazil now and then just to stay in touch with her family.

Things are jumping for her here. Daiana has just renewed her contract with Dermaline Facial and Skin Care Center/Daiana Stalder Professional Skin Care as its official celebrity endorser.

Dina dela Paz Stalder, president and CEO of the company says she chose Daiana once more because she continues to be dedicated to her work.

“Daiana epitomizes the values fostered by Dermaline: Integrity, professionalism and commitment to customer service,” Stalder adds.

And since she’s an international model, the Dermaline boss is confident Daiana will continue to give her company the global edge it’s now enjoying.

Throw in endorsements like Choco Mucho, TV shows like Bitoy’s Funniest Videos and S.O.P., and you have a highly-visible, on-the-go Daiana.

Thus, she doesn’t take things lightly.

Daiana is taking up voice lessons to prepare her for her S.O.P. numbers. She also goes to Dermaline twice a week for her redulip massage treatment and regular laser hair removal sessions.

Then she’s off to her condo where she enjoys being on her own — surfing the Net, watching TV on her big, big screen, and puttering around the place. That is, if her dear Carlo is not around to keep her company. Now that’s another story.