From modeling to marketing
AT 16 years old, back then already at 5’9”, Lorena Pangan was scouted to be a model in her hometown of Angeles City, Pampanga.
That was several years ago. At that time she hard knew that it was going to be the beginning of her long-running career in the modeling industry, where she romped catwalks locally and abroad. Lorena has garnered reputable titles such as Ford Supermodel Philippines, semi-finalist in Ford Supermodel of the World that was held in the US, and lastly finalist in Top Model of the World that was held in Moscow.
Today, Lorena is exploring a new profession, in a new industry, in a new city. She is currently the marketing communications officer of Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino.
Although it seems like a huge jump from the ritzy fashion scene, Lorena had her fill of the corporate setup when she was the sales and marketing manager of a security aviation firm in Manila, and later as part of Clark International Airport.
She got the best training of the two worlds, she said. In modeling, her confidence was fully honed and then later in aviation, where her bosses were mostly from the military, her discipline and work ethics were put to a test.
“I was still doing modeling at that time and one day, I woke up and thought: ‘Why don’t I try the corporate world?’” Lorena said. “It was a challenge, especially since many people are under the impression that modeling is pa-cute lang, and they would often ask me, can you really work?”
Indeed she has proved those notions otherwise, having moved herself up the corporate ladder through determination and diligence. “Whether it’s in sales, marketing or modeling, honesty and sincerity should be imbibed—and these are things that can’t easily be camouflaged,” she said.
As a model, Lorena had starred in print ads and television commercials for milk products, makeup collections, jewelry and credit cards among others, and she has also worked with famed designers. She likens that experience to a “whirlwind,” she said, one that has exposed her to all the glitz and glamour the world has to offer. Now now all she wants to focus on is her new profession and her passion for the arts.
“I love painting, drawing and sketching. In fact, one of my first projects for my first corporate job was to redesign the logo,” Lorena said. She said free time is mainly spent listening to classical and Broadway music, helping out her church group, and oftentimes getting lost in the streets of Cebu trying out local fares.
“I want to explore,” Lorena said. “Before I left Luzon, I told myself I’m going to learn the dialect, learn how to commute, and also to try all the good food that people are always talking about. It’s a challenge, but I enjoy it.”