Extraordinary Girl: Jamie Diago
Published in LS Filipino Magazine Spring Edition 2008
Circulation: Japan, Philippines, Thailand
From a distance, she looks every bit of the typical colegiala who enjoys hanging out with her friends after school, nothing extraordinary whatsoever. But the moment she gazes into the camera, Jaime Diago transforms from a girl to a lady, to a woman, and to something that proves she’s everything but ordinary.
SHE’S BORN WITH IT
Modeling seems to come naturally for Jaime, who, unlike other models, didn’t go to any modeling schools. “My tita was a model before. She was the one who taught me,” she explained. “Just as long as you know how to walk with heels, you’d be okay.” True enough, her first stint in ramp modeling was the Avon Lingerie, a big show that was held in Araneta Coliseum. Of course, it isn’t just about walking in heels and Jaime had to overcome her own fears. “It was my first time so I was scared and nervous that I might slip,” she recalled. “But I didn’t.”
With her tall physique, clear skin, and aura of innocence, Jaime Diago looks like the perfect cover girl for teen magazines like Candy and Meg. She has modeled both in ramp and print, for big brands like Avon, Sunsilk, and Modess Spirit, and in 2007, she won the People’s Choice Award in the Century Tuna Superbods Beachfest which was held in Boracay, her biggest achievement so far.
Unlike other girls her age, who are into more feminine sports like volleyball and swimming, Jaime, a former varsity player for Track and Field, is into boxing. This kick ass sport is a part of her regimen in keeping her body sexy and beautiful. “I also go to the gym. I run a lot. I do treadmills and cross trainers,” she said. “And I eat more vegetables and protein-rich foods.”
But what makes Jaime stand out from the rest is her fascination for snakes. “I have a pet python named Smiley. I like python snakes because they’re friendly. So even if they look scary, once you put one on your shoulders, it feels like they’re just hugging you.” When asked if she ever used it to scare off suitors, she said, “Haha. Actually, they like it because it’s kind of interesting. Girls don’t usually have pets like that.”
Despite her many achievements and projects in print and ramp modeling, Jaime has no plans in joining showbiz. “I just want to model for a while and get a real job after college,” she explained. She’s taking up Fashion Design at the College of Saint Benilde in Manila and is currently in her third year. “I want to penetrate the fashion industry,” she shares. “I want to have my own boutique named after me. That’s my ultimate goal!”
She’s a revered model, a goal-oriented student, and a dynamic athlete. Jaime is anything but ordinary and she likes to share these words of wisdom to all the Filipino women in the Philippines and abroad. “Beauty is something that you should be proud of,” she said. “You don’t have to wear makeup to be beautiful. Beauty is all about being confident.”
Indeed, Jaime’s confidence exudes a kind of beauty that renders her rare among the many models of today. She’s beautiful, she’s cool, and she’s professional that it’s not difficult to explain why the spotlight keeps on following her all around.
FAST FACTS:
- Real Name: Jaime Marie Diago
- Birthday: March 14, 1988
- Age: 20
- Occupation: Student, Model
- Sports: Boxing
- Top Beauty Regimen: Cleansing, Toning, Moisturizing
5th Floor, Solid House Building, 2285 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, 1231 Philippines
Katherine (second from right - top) during the Mosbeau pictorial at The Playground Professional Photography Studios.
DISCLAIMER: Jaime Diago’s photos are her own.
Photography: Filbert Kung of FILROBES
Model: Jamie Diago
Makeup: Ana Isip
