I’ve turned down ALL attempts, to make me do the catwalk, pose for exhibits, model for a designer (for charity events), do tv commercials, fashion shoots for magazines, magazine covers, etc., even when I was much younger, no bilbil and no renkols yet. Hindi ako marunong mag-pose. Maarte ako pero hindi ako marunong umarte sa harap ng camera.
It was an honor to be chosen by Pitoy Moreno to be one of Philippines Best Dressed Women a few years ago, but that too, I politely turned down, due to shyness. Honestly, I don’t think I fit that description. Lagi lang ako naka tsinelas at daster, naka samburay ang buhok, no way I’m best dressed. You have to embody that description, not just for a day or a night. It’s a lifestyle, and I don’t have that kind of lifestyle.
Contrary to what others think, I do not want to be the center of attraction. I do not want to walk like a model in the middle of Shangrila Hotel’s Ballroom, for fear of tripping, stumbling down. Napaka lampa ko, sabi nga ni Edmund, kahit sa hangin, natitisod ako.
Seventeen years ago, I was asked to go to Hongkong to model for a refrigerator.
Nahiya din ako. I’ve been asked to model for a floor wax, kunwari nagbubunot ako ng sahig para sa tv commercial. Ayaw ko naman, parang hindi naman bagay sa beauty ko. Mas bagay pa sa akin sa commercial ng Raid or Baygon, nanghahabol ng ipis. I do that all the time, here at home.
Galit sa akin si Goulee Gorospe because I backed out of his project Ten Best (something) Women, last December. Meron yun fashion show, ilang beses pa palakad-lakad at papalit-palit ng gown. I didn’t want to do something like that.
While I was in Turkey, I received several calls. I’ve been nominated to be among this year’s Fabulous Women. I received a call again while I was in Malaysia, and then last week.
My first reaction was, “I don’t like, hindi naman ako fabulous”. After several more calls, with some hesitations, I agreed to be a part of this charity event, after they assured me that I would just pose for photos, no fashion show.
Sige na nga, I am fabulous na, kuno.
There’s a gala dinner on the 19th of November, they assured me too that I would just go up on stage to receive a plaque, no walking-walking on the catwalk. I don’t want the guests to think that it’s a pregnant women’s event.
Renowned photographer Rupert Jacinto sent me photos of last year’s photo exhibit.
I saw the photos of Imelda Cojuangco, the mom of Tonyboy, I think Tingting Cojuangco was also there, Ching Cruz, and many other respected women in the Philippine social scene. They all looked so glamorous and queenly in the photos.
VP Jejomar Binay was last year’s guest of honor.
Rupert Jacinto, standing beside Ching Cruz’s princess-like photo.
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June 18, 2013
Ms. Annie Tan – Yee
Dear Ms. Yee,
Hello. Thank you for your wonderful acceptance to be an esteemed Subject in my forthcoming coffee table book: Faaabvlous IV — (Faaabvlous I and Faaabvlous II already have won two years in a row, as Best Coffee Table Book, 2010 and 2011 by the Printing Association of the Philippines) — quite a legacy for your family archives for generations to come.
We are tapping fabulous and beautiful people with style, substance and elan. They are those who carve niches in their fields of endeavor. As such, you have been selected to be one of the:
“Faaabvlous Fifteen Women”
The event is presented in partnership with The Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, and in support of the Love-a-Parish program of the Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt 5, under Chaplain Fr. Jun Sescon. The project assists needy churches all over the Philippines.
Sponsored by The Peninsula Manila, a “Black and White” Gala – Book Launch dinner shall be held at the Rigodon ballroom on November 19, 2013.
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Congrats Annie,