Filipina model is Asia’s Next Top Model runner-up
Filipina model Stephanie Retuya placed second to Asia’s Next Top Model winner Jessica Amornkuldilok of Thailand in the reality contest’s finale, which aired on Sunday, Feb. 17 in Star World.
Taiwan’s Kate Ma, on the other hand, placed third.
Also read:Pinay among ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ top three finalists
Final challenges
The three finalists battled for the title in the contest’s final challenges, which consisted of a cover shoot for Harper’s Bazaar magazine, a TV commercial for Canon and a runway show for Singaporean designer Frederick Lee.
While Stephanie did well on the catwalk, Jessica impressed the judges with her magazine cover shoot. The 27-year-old Thai model not only bagged the title, she also won the five best photos competition and four challenges.
The show’s creator, model Tyra Banks joined the panel of judges composed of Nadya Hutagalung and Todd Anthony Tyler in the finale. Joey Mead King served as the show’s judge and mentor.
Jessica tweeted after the finale, “Thank you all fans for support. I am now gonna make Asia proud. Thank you all Judges, without advice i can not be me today. Love.”
She won a modeling contract, a working trip to London, a cover shoot for Harper’s Bazaar Singapore, a contract to become the face of Canon Ixus 2013 campaign, cash prize and a Subaru XV.
Thank you all fans for support. I am now gonna make Asia proud. Thank you all Judes, without advice i can not be me today. love
— JessicaAmornkuldilok (@Jessica_amorn) February 17, 2013
Young mom who hasn’t give up on her dream
Stephanie, a 23-year-old mother from San Pedro, Laguna, worked her way up in the finale. She languished at the bottom two in the weekly photo challenges for five times. Described as a "young mom who hasn't given up on her dream," Stephanie didn’t win any of the best photos challenge, but she emerged runner-up three times and was a third placer twice.
She thanked supporters and congratulated Jessica on Twitter.
For everyone who continuosly supported me on this once in a lifetime journey thank you so much!!!! God Bless Everyone!
— Stephanie Retuya (@StephanieRetuya) February 17, 2013
Fourteen contestants from Asian countries like Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan and Nepal joined the competition, an adaptation of the reality contest America’s Next Top Model, which Tyra created and hosted.
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