‘Philippines’ Next Top Model’ includes petite Pinays

MANILA, Philippines — In time for the return of supermodel Tyra Banks as “America’s Next Top Model” (ANTM) host, “Philippines’ Next Top Model” (PNTM) returns on TV to include petite Filipinas, PNTM director Mike Sandejas said.

“We lowered the height requirement to 5’4”, lower than the usual standards (5’9”), so more girls will have a chance to compete, so that those who do not have the traditional model height can dream to become models,” Sandejas told Philstar.com in a recent interview.

According to him, they did not open the competition to men and plus-sized models yet because they want to stay faithful to ANTM’s first season format.

“There are no plus-sized yet; we want the contestants to be fit kasi malakas ang fitness sense ng millennials eh,” he explained.

The show recently named its 12 finalists, which include Ina Dominica Guerrero, which was in the same Binibining Pilipinas batch as Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. Other finalists who were beauty queens are Petche Ann Vale, a Mutya ng Pilipinas contender last year, and Jan Helen Villanueva, a part of Binibining Pilipinas 2013.

The finalists, said Sandejas, came from different classes and backgrounds from all over the world. There are half-breeds and Filipinos who grew up abroad such as Aivie Pahn from Canada; British-Filipino Adela Mae Marshall; and half-Swiss Angela Lehmann.

Sandejas clarified that this PNTM cycle is a TV5 production and different from the previous one produced by another TV network and with Ruffa Gutierrez as host. It is also not the same as “Top Model Philippines” hosted by Sarah Meier.

“America’s Next Top Model” premiered in May 2003. Banks, the show’s creator and executive producer, served as the head judge for 22 cycles. The model search aired semiannually until 2012, and then annually in 2013, the year British singer and actress Rita Ora replaced Banks as the head judge.

The Kapatid Network, which aired two seasons of “Asia’s Next Top Model,” announced auditions in early January this year after acquiring production and airing rights. Former Binibining Pilipinas-World Maggie Wilson now heads the panel of judges that will choose the winner among 24 contestants. Other judges include celebrity stylist Rain Dagala and Professional Models Association of the Philippines President Raf Kiefer.

“I want to go back into the original spirit of the series wherein it is in fact also a model documentary, parang ‘yung ugly duckling ba na we turn a diamond in the rough kind of person into a top model,” the director explained.

He assured that this PNTM reboot is different from other Top Model shows all over the world because of Filipinas’ different culture and dynamics. There are also plans, he said, for more seasons that will probably include male contestants and social media engagement, just like when ANTM had US-based Filipino blogger Bryan Boy as judge.

Some challenges, Sandejas noted, are inspired by the first seasons of ANTM. “We’re following the old Top Model bible…It’s not totally different from the first one, but there will be something new to learn every show. There’s a skill, a philosophy that we teach that you can adopt to your career if you want to become a future model.”

Will there be also naked photo shoots? “You have to watch to find out!” he said.

 “Philippines’ Next Top Model: High Street” airs every Tuesday at 8:10 p.m. on TV5.

“Philippines’ Next Top Model: High Street” judges and mentors (from left): Professional Models Association of the Philippines President Raf Kiefer, Binibining Pilipinas-World Maggie Wilson, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and celebrity stylist Rain Dagala.