Maureen Wroblewitz is one of the long line of Filipinas who have brought pride and recognition to the country. The 19-year-old became the first Filipina to win Asia’s Next Top Model. The win catapulted her into the spotlight with endorsement deals and a prestigious opportunity to fulfill her dream of being a model in London.
Late last year, ASUS partnered with the Filipina-German model to promote its line of consumer laptops. We were able to sit down with her and get to know everything from her laptop requirements, pop culture favorites, as well as her advice for anyone who wants to follow in her footsteps.
How hectic has your life been after winning Asia’s Next Top Model and ASUS’ brand ambassador?
Like how much it has changed? I’ve been very busy. I have endorsements. I get recognized now in the streets. A lot has changed… But me as a person, I just feel more confident and my lifestyle has changed. But not too much has changed.
It has been a crazy journey for me. I still remember when I just started, when I was a kid dreaming to be an actress or model and this chapter in my life has definitely been the greatest. I’m just very thankful for all the support I get.
What was your life like before being the first Filipina to win Asia’s Next Top Model?
My life was like pretty boring I would say. Before Asia’s Next Top Model I just moved to the Philippines, that was a big step. Before that I got my driver’s license in Germany and I finished high school. I was just in school the whole time. There was nothing really interesting, like the biggest step before Asia’s Next Top Model. I was just moving to the Philippines.
What are your commitments as Asia’s Next Top Model?
I have my endorsements here. It’s mostly just that. I still have the London (trip). That’s part of the prize. I’m going to be working with Star Model Management in London. It’s one of the biggest agencies. It’s the prize because it’s hard to be able to work with them. So, I’m going to be doing that. I’m not sure if there’s going to be any season 6 (of Asia’s Next Top Model) anytime soon.
What lessons have you learned from your Asia’s Next Top Model journey?
Before all this happened, before I started modeling, I was extremely shy and I was afraid to do things so I would’ve missed this huge opportunity because of being so shy. I wouldn’t have known that I’m capable of doing anything. That dreams really do come true if you work hard for it. So I’m just very thankful. I almost missed the opportunity of joining Asia’s Next Top Model because I was so shy and kind of afraid to get out of my comfort zone. So I’m just really happy that I’ve just pushed through and I did it. And now this opportunity of going to London… like thinking of it now I think that back then I would be so afraid that I would probably just cancel something. But now I just see it as a great opportunity. Of course I’m nervous because it’s London and it’s huge. But I think it’s good to take risks and experience something different. To grow as a person and especially as a model as well.
Any advice for those who want to break into the industry?
All I can say is modeling is not as easy as it seems. You have to be mentally and physically prepared. There’s going to be negative people, there are going to be people trying to be jealous of you, trying to bring you down. So you have to prepare yourself for that. But just know that you have to focus on yourself. Always be motivated, believe in yourself, and just know that if it’s really your dream then fight for it.
What’s keeping you busy these days?
What’s really keeping me busy now is I have upcoming endorsements, then I have some shoots and events. I’ll be leaving end of the month for London, on the 26th (of this month). So I’m just kind of like preparing myself, getting my things ready, and mentally preparing myself that I’ll be staying in London for three months.
But I think it’s good to take risks and experience something different. To grow as a person and especially as a model as well.
Can you describe your typical day for us?
If I have a shoot, then I wake up early in the morning. I just get ready, I shower, I have some light breakfast, and then I go to my shoot. I usually get stuck in traffic somewhere. (laughs) Once I get back home, I just try to relax and get all of my makeup off because I have to take care of my skin. I try to calm down and maybe like watch some movies or something. That’s what I usually do. When I want to relax, I just listen to music, try to calm down. And I spend time with family. I also watch a lot of TV shows, just a few episodes so I don’t stay up too long.
What are you favorite TV shows?
Recently I finished Altered Carbon, it was right when it was out I was like I got to watch this. It took me like two days I think? Like I binge-watched everything. And it’s a really good show so I recommend it. Now, I’m watching, I’ve always heard that it’s good, Breaking Bad. So, I’m watching that now. I’m starting season 2.
What is on your current playlist? What songs do you listen to when you want to hype yourself up for a shoot or something?
My playlist isn’t good for that. My playlist is usually more indie alternative. I love Japanese House. I like Mac DeMarco. I like finding new bands and artists, especially if they’re not so known. It’s kind of like I discovered them or something. That’s usually my playlist. It’s very calm. For shoots, I like listening to funky things. Kind of like ’70s or ’80s (music). It’s usually around that era.
What about your favorite movies?
My favorite movie is The Notebook. I really love that. The Fault In Our Stars is a really good one. Love, Rosie, I really love that one. It’s mostly romantic movies. Romance, comedy, drama, maybe.
What do you use to manage your digital/online lifestyle?
I usually have my phone all day, browsing through social media. And now I have my ZenBook Flip S, I usually use that during the day or at night when I want to watch movies or TV shows. I just have my phone and my laptop.
When it comes to laptops, what are the three things you look for?
For me, it has to be light because I’m always on the go. It has to be easy to carry with me. I look for a stylish one so I can pair it with my outfit of the day. And I want for it to be high performance and for it to be durable, lasts long.
What’s your favorite ASUS product?
The ASUS ZenBook Flip S. I’m just very, very happy with it, especially when I use it for movies or something. You can just flip it so you just have the screen and you don’t have the keyboard. It’s very practical for that and super light. I just bring it anywhere.
What else do you use your ZenBook for?
Aside from watching and browsing through social media, I’m planning on editing some things, I’m just trying to get my hands on the program for it. But I’m really planning to edit some videos because I used to do that but as a hobby. I’m trying to get back to that, maybe edit photos as well.
What are your future plans outside of modeling?
For now it’s just modeling. I just want to focus on some modeling, because it’s “my year.” I’m just focusing on that now. I do have plans of maybe starting to act. But that’s stuff for the future.
Are you going to do that locally or abroad?
I’m still thinking about that.
No offers yet?
There are a few offers here but I just want to focus on the modeling first.
It has been a crazy journey for me. I still remember when I just started, when I was a kid dreaming to be an actress or model and this chapter in my life has definitely been the greatest. I’m just very thankful for all the support I get.
Where can our readers find you online?
My Instagram and Twitter are @mauwrob.
How active are you?
I try to be very active. I try to post every day. I post every week at least (on Instagram). And then Twitter I try to tweet my fans because they always get very excited if I tweet them. I don’t get to do it every day because of my schedule but I try to be active.
