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No one should ever underestimate the power of timing, for the right face at the right moment can capture an entire generation’s spirit. For a young girl named Lake, it all began the moment she first stepped into the world of modeling. From being a contestant of Face of Asia in 2023, to gracing the runway of MEGA Young Designers Competition (YDC) in 2024, the muse has only continued to ascend.
Now, another year later, Lake has evolved from a promising newcomer into one of the country’s most sought-after models. Her early experiences set the stage for her biggest triumph yet—winning the prestigious Elite Model Look Philippines competition.
Remembering MEGA
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“I still can’t believe MEGA YDC was only last year. It feels like forever ago,” she tells MEGA. “My journey since then has been such a ride. I wouldn’t say I booked the ‘high-end’ jobs right away, but the projects I did get already felt huge for me. I’m really grateful for that. There was even a point where I thought, okay, maybe this is the peak. Nothing will top this. And then Elite Model Look Philippines happened. These are things I never imagined I’d achieve. It still feels surreal.”
That humility sits at the core of Lake’s success. Behind every glossy editorial and runway debut lies the unglamorous truth of long hours, late nights, and endless castings. But the hardest part has been taming her own mind.
“One of my biggest challenges is being on time since I live pretty far from most shoots,” she admits. “When you’re already stressed about traffic, it’s easy for negative thoughts to creep in. That’s something I still work on. And in general, people don’t realize how tough modeling can be, both mentally and physically. Shoots can run for more than ten hours, and you have to stay positive, look fresh, and keep your energy up the whole time. It’s definitely more than just looking good in front of a camera.”
It’s a reality check for an industry often mistaken for effortless beauty. Lake’s grounded perspective is shaped by good mentorship. “I was really lucky when I started because I had mentors who told me right away that there will be way more no’s than yeses,” she recalls. “That helped me so much because rejection is part of the job, and you can’t let it eat you up. My advice is to not take criticism too personally, but instead, use it to improve. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means you’re not the right fit for that moment. As long as you keep showing up and enjoying the process, the right opportunities will come.”
That balance of resilience and gratitude defines Lake’s approach to modeling. It’s also helped her grow beyond the surface-level confidence the industry often demands. “Modeling has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she shares. “I’m naturally introverted, so being in this industry really forced me to open up, be more social, and try things I never would’ve before. I’m still learning, still improving, but I’ve realized that even as an introvert, I can connect with people and hold my own in this kind of space.”
In many ways, Lake embodies what MEGA has long championed—a distinctly Filipina beauty anchored in authenticity and heart. Beyond her talent, her rise is proof of what happens when potential meets preparation and the right platform. As she steps onto bigger stages, she does so with the self-assurance of someone who knows where it all began.
Because sometimes, the best stories in fashion start with a single word: discovered.
Photos: MEGA ARCHIVES, ELITE MODEL LOOK PHILIPPINES (via Instagram), and LAKE (via Instagram)
Photographed by JERICK SANCHEZ
