FACES OF ALLURE:  KATHERINE  BAUTISTA, SAMANTHA  LEWIS

MANILA, OCTOBER 21, 2009 (STAR)At 21, Katharine Bautista has overcome a lot of life’s hurdles. But Kate, as she is fondly called, is proud of what she’s become after the challenges in her life. Now, she beams a stronger and tougher version of her that people see and meet.

After losing both her parents, the Filipino-German model is keeping in her treasure trove of memories all that her parents had taught her. “My dad Norberto told me to respect myself first because I wouldn’t be able to give respect to others unless I respect myself first,” shares Kate, the youngest of four siblings. Her mom Celia, on the other hand, advised her to take good care of herself because there would be times when she can’t depend on anyone but herself.

As she experiences more and more things in life, Kate finds out for herself some useful lessons. “I believe everything happens for a reason because I also do things for a certain reason,” she philosophizes, adding, “I also learned that I have to fight for what I think is right, even if I have to fight alone.” Kate admits that she used to be a coward but experiences in life taught her to be a fighter because, “I don’t want people to see me as the kind of person they can easily bring down.”

The 5’6” Raven Models member has an array of things that keeps her busy. With a gorgeous face and svelte figure, Kate has graced fashion editorials, joined fashion shows and appeared in commercials. Working as a model has given her insights on the do’s and dont’s of fashion. “Fashion interests me because as a woman, I’m always trying to find something new and unique for myself,” explains Kate, who is also into music and theater. She shares that she was interested in music since she was a little girl. Kate used to be a choir member and would join amateur singing contests. She always thinks of herself as a frustrated singer until an opportunity to star in a musical fell right in front of her. “I was so happy to become part of the musical because I was able to perform in front of a large audience. I felt I overcame my ‘frustration.’ I’m now broadening my knowledge in music by listening and studying different genres,” she muses. Kate also dabbles in arts and crafts to make her leisure time enjoyable and productive all at the same time. “I do some ‘D-I-Y’ stuff and even tried to make a business out of it. It’s fun to explore one’s imagination and creativity.”

Kate, who describes herself as a “jack-of-all-trades,” believes that when all else fails, you only have to do one thing. “Pray. It works!” she advises. — Jerni May H. Camposano

Photography by Sara Black • Fashion styling by Corine Alegre • Makeup by Claire Seelin Diokno for Shu Uemura • Hair styling by Ruel Papa for L’Oréal Professionnel • Pink dress by Joel Escober for Myth • Printed dress by Jun Escario, located at Greenbelt 5 • Bangle by Joyce Makitalo for Firma, Greenbelt 3

Face of Allure: Samantha Lewis (The Philippine Star) Updated October 11, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Statuesque Samantha Lewis philosophizes that one should always have a positive outlook in life because that will keep one going. She says: “For sure, life isn’t always about fun and pleasure so it’s healthy to think that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” Sam also believes in the power of the mind because one’s thoughts create what happens in one’s life.

The 5’10” junior Nursing student at the Far Eastern University admits to being nerdy at times. Sam reveals that she can be very grade conscious especially in Math and Science, her favorite subjects in school. She takes her studies very seriously that even her modeling stints have to take a back seat whenever she has classes. Samantha, a member of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines, says: “Modeling for me stops whenever I have classes so I do shows and shoots during my summer and semestral breaks.” The svelte stunner furthers that she tries to work out school and modeling schedules as much as she can. Sam furthers: “My course is demanding in terms of time and effort. But modeling is also something I love doing. It’s a different experience for me every time I do photo shoots.”

The half-British, half-Filipina girl has been modeling since she was 16. Her modeling career started when a friend asked her to model for him in a hair styling competition. “He brought me to his designer, Edgar San Diego. Tito Edgar got my number and booked me on my first show,” recalls Sam, who says that she truly enjoys shoots and shows because they don’t feel like work at all.

She considers her mom Lilia the biggest influence in her life. “She’s the best mom in the world and I could never ask for another. She just knows the right things to say whenever I feel down.” Sam also recounts how painful it was to lose her dad and grandmother, two closest people to her, three weeks apart. “You’ll only know what you have lost when they’re already gone.”

At 21, Sam is bent on achieving her many dreams in life. But she’s not in a hurry and she just leaves it all up to the Guy Up There. She concludes, “Live life one day at a time. And remember that faith is what it takes to get you through uncertainty.” — Jerni May H. Camposano

Photography by Sara Black • Fashion styling by Corine Alegre • Hair and makeup by Baba Parma • Dress by CEST CHIC • Accessories by CRU, available at Rockwell Power Plant Mall