Glory Days

The Professional Models Association of the Philippines: 35 years of elevating an empowered, competent, and formidable modeling industry

- MARIAN SAN PEDRO

The popular press may paint modeling industry using the striking colors that come with big parties, lucrative shows, and highly influential people. But in their seemingly perfect and fascinating world, constant criticism, rejection, and long, long hours of work are part of a model's presumed glamorous life.

The faces of fashion destined to lead charged and impactful days on and off the runway are more than blank canvases and their perceived facades they deserve platforms that allow them to be completely human, filled with hope, passion, and purpose.

On February 11, 1987, the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) became the very first organization of its kind in Asia-and probably the world-to be run by models themselves. Each bearing unyielding confidence rooted in their own talents, abilities, and capabilities to manage and plan their individual careers, the models of PMAP aim to "uplift, protect and professionalize the modeling industry in the Philippines, and to develop and stabilize national international and awareness, participation, involvement, and competition in the field of modeling."

With the firm belief that as a united front, models can band and work together for their own protection and progress, PMAP serves as a key force in the development and upgrading of the local modeling industry. Contrary to some beliefs, PMAP is not an agency, but a cross between an association and a union of models.

"As a union, we are vocal with our rights, as an association, we have a vision of what we want to become in the future," says Tina Maristela-Ocampo, one of the original members who co-founded the organization with co-models Ronnie Asuncion and Robert David, in response to what they believed were conditions that should be professionalized.