Charlene "Chat" Almarvez, a 16-year-old model from Laguna, beat more than 30 contestants and won first runner-up in the recently concluded Ford Models' Supermodel of the World. Aside from winning a US $150,000 exclusive contract with Ford New York, Almarvez will also appear in Fashion Week Fall next month.

Almarvez endured five days full of photo tests, walking lessons and interviews with some shopping and samba on the side at Sao Paulo, Brazil. She competed with models from Canada, France, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Kenya, Sweden, Bulgaria, Spain, United Kingdom, USA and Slovenia, among others. Karlina of Latvia won first place, followed by Almarvez, then Isabelle of Sweden, Olivia of the USA, Maryna of Belarus, Grace of Australia and Bruna of Brazil.

Ford Supermodel of the World 2010

In the Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines search in October, Almarvez beat nine other Pinay models, including former Binibining Pilipinas-World 2008 Janina San Miguel who was part of the top three. (San Miguel, known for her question and answer portion blunder, resigned from her post in 2008 because of "undue stress" caused by the death of her grandfather.) Former Ford Models CEO Katie Ford headed the panel of judges.

Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines

Almarvez stands at 5†²9 1/2"   and studies business administration at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, reports Manila Standard Today. She was one of the muses in a Flores de Mayo parade last year where she was spotted by fashion director Cata Figueroa, who later trained her. Born to police officer Taddeus Almarvez and contractor Leah Alagon on January 25, 1993, the fast-rising model was a majorette in high school.

Manila Standard Today also lists Pinay models who placed in the competition: "1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez (runner-up in 1986), Crest Best Smile awardee Lala Flores (1990), and semifinalists Adel Go (1989), Lorena Pangan (1993), Joan de Mesa (2000), Marjay Ramirez (2002), and Verns Buckley (2003)."

Almarvez' fellow Laguna native, Charo Ronquillo of Cabuyao was second runner-up in 2005 and has since modeled for Lacoste, Kenneth Cole, Mac Cosmetics Barbie Collection, Sisley and Benetton.

Established in 1980, Supermodel of the World discovered Chanel Iman, Renee Simonsen and Alexina Graham, among others. Ford Models' current roster includes Iman, Lakshmi Menon, Brad Kroenig, Jacquelyn Jablonski and Crystal Renn.

Photo from Supermodel of the World.