Being model #1,697

What is it they say? You don't look back on those nights you spent watching TV and liking stuff on Facebook. So if someone asks you to do something that sounds fun yet horribly inconvenient and unhealthy, just do it. Not all the time if you're really not the type but every once in a while is good for your sanity. These make for great stories to tell your grandchildren someday!

That said, last November 29 was epic. Ferretti and our blogger models helped break the world record for the most number of people in a catwalk! I believe 2,255 people walked that night, beating Turkey's 1,967 models at the Guiness Book of World Records. It was predictably a stressful event but everyone had their game face on. 

Murphy's Law

I was in Glorietta as early as 8:30am for the briefing and rehearsals. I limped most of the day because I stubbornly wore these new shoes that ended up giving me a centavo-sized wound on my left foot and minor ones on both feet. TMI part - I also had my period when I got to the venue. Then I realized the outfit I want to wear makes me look terrible. Blah blah blah you get the idea. What could go wrong, went wrong.

Still - game face!

Best face forward

I'm so happy with how cooperative and high-energy our bloggers were (all 20 of them!). They were where they should be, and they all looked fantastic. Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown, and Estee Lauder did our makeup in Rustan's Makati. It's actually pretty cool to see how the different brands do makeup - Clinique is an enhanced version of your face overall, MAC is fierce (focus on eyes), Bobbi Brown is bridal and flawless, while Estee Lauder is prim and elegant. I think someone took a photo of the looks side by side, I'll try to hunt it down for you!

Bambi being made up by Bobbi Brown

Iya filling up the standard Clinique questionaire so they can determine her skin type. All Clinique first timers do this!

My makeup! I love it. Junel, the Clinique person assigned to me that day, also did my hair. How awesome is that? Makeover kung makeover!

Ta dah!

Iya's Clinique face

Rhea was polished by the girls at Estee Lauder. She is quite fair in person.

Marbbie blogs at Tumblr but she's actually a freelance magazine writer, mainly for Sense & Style. She's a good friend of mine so I invited her to model as well! 

Makeup done by MAC *low whistle*

I would like to thank the Estee Lauder brand people - Mira (Clinique), Liz (Estee Lauder), Jill (Bobbi Brown), and Kirsten (MAC) for helping us look fab for this event. Particularly Mira, I love her. <3 

Mira

The Walk

When it was time to stand up and go backstage, that's when I realized the magnitude of what I was attempting to do. One, I was going to help break a world record. Two, I was going to walk on stage in front of hundreds of people! I was so greatful that I was with my friends because it would've been so awkward to be surrounded by complete strangers while waiting in line. 

The feeling is indescribable but I'll try. The moments before I was about to go up to the stage, I was a nervous wreck. Like omg how am I going to walk, how do I pose, what if I look too fat and common in the outfit I put together 30 minutes before the final count, etc. Then there's also the omg I'm so happy to be part of this thing! It's a heady mix of anxiety and excitement as the runway music pounds away. 

Photos from the gorgeous Ana Gonzales, who was front row that night

And then it was time. I went up and just walked as best as I can. In startling contrast to what I felt minutes before, on stage I was just...calm. You know those slow-mo moments where everything is just a blur? Yep those are real. The actual walk may have just taken 30 seconds but it felt waaaay longer. 

It was amazing. It's truly a one-of-a-kind experience!

The Aftermath

The Philippines did break the world record with 2,255 models that night. Turkey's record was 1,967 last May. :P I heard that earlier that day there weren't as many models as Ayala hoped there would be (target was 2,500) but the final number still beat the previous record. So, all's well that ends well! 

This is probably not something I would want to help organize again, honestly, the strezz levels were off the charts. I was also planning another event scheduled just a few days before the show, too! But like I said, I am super happy to be part of such an occasion and to finally experience how it is to walk in front of hundreds of people. It's a day I will remember for the rest of my life. :)

Photo from Carizza

Hey don't forget to visit Ferretti in Glorietta 1 btw! Lots of new bags and new cute flats. I was just there the other day so I know this for a fact. Lol. See you there.