BRENT OF FRESH AIR

Brent of fresh air by Gabby Libarios

In the cutthroat world of modelling, where pretty young things are from time to time measured not in intelligence but in inches, not in eloquence but in pounds, only a few remain standing. More often than not, the ones who come short of the standards, however superficial and vicious, fall by the wayside, often becoming the second-raters who never get superstar treatment, the ones who had to live a life paying for their own drinks and buying their own lunches. But the rare few who manage to stay on top of their game, despite the constant influx of newer and fresher faces, are rewarded generously. Most of the time, they are the ones who get invited to wallpaper events, glamorize fashion shows of overhyped designers, and add that needed sparkle to any label.

Among the names in the great constellation of supernovas is Brent Javier, the preternatural charmer and boy-next-door who is making waves and raking raves on the Philippine runway and beyond. Forever young Since he walked away with the top honor at the 2002 Mossimo Bikini Summit, Brent has been a fixture, if not a strong force, on the runway and in print advertisements. In just a short span of time, he became the most recognizable face in the modeling industry. Billboards were everywhere, endorsements came left and right, offers to do magazine covers land on his lap like carefully wrapped birthday presents.

From Century Tuna to McDonald’s, from Smart Buddy to Cosmopolitan magazine’s most eligible bachelor, Brent has been showered with opportunities other models could only dream of. The modeling world, indeed, has found its golden boy. “I think i just got lucky that I got associated with good quality brands,” says Brent humbly. Thanks to his boyish good looks and a smile that seems to brighten up a room, Brent had the fortune of having a face that can easily be molded according to the demands or whims of clients. More so, he came at a time when muscular and heavily built frames were not important anymore. “There was a period when I was considered the boy next door by everyone,” says Brent, his lips forming into a smile. “I appeared in a teen magazine for a year straight.” At the time, Brent had with him the perfect formula to keep him a hot property in the business. “If the fashion editorial calls for it, I can look like the bad guy, or bare as much skin as required,” he adds. His looks, however, did not always work to his advantage. “I got rejected so many times. Some say that I look too young for the part,” says the 25-year-old in mock despair. Little has changed since then.

Brent is still considered a favorite in fashion shows and endorsements, although the hype is not as strong as it used to be. If there’s one thing that changed over the course of four years, it’s Brent’s attitude toward his work. “I don’t feel old,” he says. In fact he feels that letting people see his growth in the business would someday help him shed off his goody-goody boy-next-door image. “I want to become more versatile. I want to do everything.”

Rumor has it It is an unwritten rule that if you want to keep yourself pleasing to the eyes (and ears) of people, you should know when to pull a Roxie Hart. You should be able to do something so controversial or intriguing to spark the interest of your audience. For Brent Javier, however, becoming the talk of the town was just a walk in the park. For the longest time, gay rumors have been hounding him like a crazed murderer on the loose. “I guess that’s the worst rumor I heard,” he says, smiling. “Maybe, that rumor came about because people did not know what to say about me. They made things up to add more drama, more intrigue.” At the outset, the rumors were enough to leave him pissed off and walking around with a bruised ego.

But Brent has learned to take everything in good spirits. “I was really pissed because I did not want people to pry into my life. I am a very private person.” All that is water under the bridge now. Brent is confident with his sexuality and has realized that it’s all part and parcel of the business. So instead of sulking in his bedroom or breaking boards to steam off his anger, Brent just wants to focus his energies to the things he has control over, like his career.

A few weeks ago, Brent was in Singapore for the Fashion Festival. Along with a number of Filipino models, Brent hit the ramp for plush brands. Prior to this stint, he did several projects for different companies. “I’ve done a commercial, a couple of editorials, and some print ads. Nothing really big, though,” says Brent with meek smile. “I have an agency there. It’s called Upfront Models. I do what other regular models do there—get casting sheets and sent to this and that place for go-sees. I would wait there and see if I would get the job or not.” Although he doesn’t see himself migrating to the Lion City to work his butt off as a model, Brent considers the place lovely. “I make more money in Hong Kong, Philippines, and Thailand. Singapore is a nice place to unwind and relax.” Canadian boy Despite being one of the most sought-after models today, Brent still thinks that his career is not designed to last forever. That’s why this early he is thinking of trying his luck in show business. Some contemporaries have crossed over and done it with flying colors, so it would not be too much of a gamble for the young model. Among them are Paolo Paraiso and Zanjoe Marudo.

“If my career doesn’t pan out, I would just head home, go back to Canada and enjoy my life there,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong with it when I left. I just wanted to find out what my life would be like in the Philippines. If my career doesn’t work out, I would go home, happy or not, it won’t matter.” That’s Brent Javier, a tough cookie, but always a breath of fresh air.

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