an espresso with… Teresa Herrera
THE SUPERMODEL/ACTRESS/YOGINI AND PROJECT RUNWAY PHILIPPINES HOST TALKS TO VERLAINE RAMOS ABOUT HER MULTIFACETED LIFE
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT PROJECT RUNWAY?
The discovery of fresh, amazing talent. When people think of fashion, normally, they think it’s just about looking good. This show shows a whole new perspective – real insights – about the fashion industry, from what gets drawn on paper to runway shows to what reaches the stores, plus all the hard work that goes into it.
YOU’VE DONE HOLLYWOOD FILMS. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WHILE YOU WERE THERE?
Being able to stay true to who you are. In Hollywood, you can easily get swept away by everything. So you can either do auditions or take the Hollywood party route. I chose to go through auditions and study acting. And I’m lucky to be raised by wonderful parents who instilled good morals in us, so I remain in touch with who I really am.
AND YOU ALSO TEACH YOGA?
I’ve been practicing yoga for 12 years. I came across yoga and studied under my wonderful mentor, Shiva Rea. I got into yoga trance dance in 1999, and it opened a whole doorway of expression – you use your body and dance to convey your inner being. I’ve been teaching yoga for three years now.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO THE ARTS?
Totally! When I was little, I was always making greeting cards, painting pictures or just playing with Play-Doh!
I come from a lineage of lawyers and judges, but my parents – especially my mom – encouraged me and my siblings to figure out for ourselves what we wanted to be. During summer breaks, she enrolled us in crafts, dance classes or sports. I think that carried over to our professional lives – all of us are in the entertainment, design or art scene.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO PURSUE?
Two things: Go back to my art and paint, and go into real estate. I want to build eco-friendly resorts. I have a vision of what the next generation of business should be, and I’ve realized I want my next venture to be of value to people. But of course, my top priority is to settle down and have a family.
Catch Project Runway Philippines on ETC (SBN-21). For show updates, visit www.etc.com.ph. For more on Teresa Herrera, visit her site at www.teresaherrera.multiply.com
PHOTO BY TAMMY KENNEDY
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