A warm welcome

Around this time last year, Anthony Constantino flew from Los Angeles to Manila to pursue modeling opportunities and reconnect with his Filipino roots. He had just graduated then, and he was gearing up for a career in tech. 

But something else was stirring inside him. Many miles away, the Philippines was beckoning, and he heeded the call. 

In July 2024, the Filipino-American was selected to model the official uniform of the Philippine delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympics: a modified barong, the national dress shirt, adorned with a sling inspired by the country flag. 

It was like a stamp of approval: that the long-haul flight was worth it. And more importantly, that Anthony could be the face of the Philippines to the world. 

Things have looked up for the Filipino-American model. He was selected as one of our VMEN for our inaugural print issue. He has gained hundreds of thousands of followers online. And recently, one of the Philippines’ biggest broadcast networks signed him as their newest talent, marking his foray into acting—something that he has always wanted to pursue. 

Anthony has been warmly received in the Philippines, but true to his chill California upbringing, he’s keeping it cool. 

Intentional self-care

“It’s crazy, thinking about where I am today. At my last shoot with you guys, I was still a newbie in the industry,” Anthony muses. “But after months of trial and error and figuring myself out, I’ve learned to move not with ambition, but with intention. When you move forward with good intentions, you arrive at a good place.”

Anthony is now more involved in the business of looking good. The haircuts have been more frequent (every two weeks—a great confidence booster, he says), the workouts more stringent, and his self-care habits more consistent. 

Skincare has taken priority, and Anthony keeps it streamlined: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen for added protection. Though recently, makeup artists have been doing gua sha on him to depuff his face before a shoot, so he’s been doing it himself.

“My job requires me to take care of my skin every single day. It’s not easy, but if you know that it’s a crucial part of your career, you know you have to keep at it,” he says. 

“Besides, skincare is a form of self-care. If you’re not treating yourself well, it will show on your face. And this industry always demands good-looking skin.”

Fitness is just as straightforward: strength training, cardio, and basketball—no trendy exercises or frivolous routines. “However, working out is not enough to maintain the body that I have. Adequate rest and proper nutrition are just as essential.”

But his most favorite methods of self-care? Alone time and sleep. “I love being in the public eye, but I also take de-stressing at home seriously. Sleep is self-love—it’s my gift to myself. Resting well restores my social battery.”

A self-aware king

Anthony is stepping on a bigger platform now, so image has never been more important. “It really begins at home. Before you head out, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve cleaned up and styled yourself well to make that good first impression.”

He’s proud of taking care of himself, of taking the time to ensure that he looks and feels on point. “I am very much aware of what I need to do to maintain my face and body. In this industry, you have to be a little vain.”

But he is anything but self-absorbed.

“I think many people confuse a heightened sense of self with excess vanity. Being self-aware allows you to reflect on where and how you can improve as a person,” he muses. “But there should be a clear line between knowing yourself and being too into yourself. You can protect that line by staying grounded.” 

For him, prayer is key—a strong relationship with God keeps his head on his shoulders, his feet on the floor, he says.

Moreover, he’s all for a healthy dose of self-love.

“A little bit of vanity is good, because you need to love yourself. You need to have that confidence to walk out the door and be proud of who you are.”

Comfortable in his own skin

It’s a tale as old as time, to love the skin that you’re in. 

Trite as it sounds, Anthony embodies it. Impressive, given that he’s in an industry where whiteness is often linked to opportunity. And especially since he’s now in a region where whitening soaps have a chokehold on legions. 

“I’ve been dark my whole life—even straight out of the womb. When I was born, I guess my parents were like, ‘why is this baby so dark?!’ he quips. “But seriously, I love being moreno (dark-skinned). I’m not embarrassed about it at all. 

“When people acknowledge and show love for the color of my skin, it feels great. I’m happy to be an example, and I want other moreno kings and queens to be proud of themselves as well.”

Now that Anthony’s venturing into acting, many people have compared him to moreno Filipino actors of the ‘90s—matinée idols who have made a mark on the Philippine entertainment industry. 

Others call him this generation’s epitome of ‘tall, dark, and handsome.’ Some even consider him the next ‘it boy.’ 

“It sounds like a stretch now, but hopefully I get to make an impact as an actor. I want to become great at the craft,” he admits.

It’s not like Anthony’s a complete newbie. Previously, he appeared in a self-produced series on high school life by social media personality, actor, and comedian Esnyr, who’s currently a contestant in the Philippine franchise of Big Brother. 

And speaking of reality TV shows, Anthony’s actually quite interested in them—he has friends inside the Big Brother house, after all. “You know, people can try putting on a filter for a week or two. But if you’ll be in a house without your phone, and you’ll see the same people for weeks on end, their true colors will show. And I find that fun!”

“That’s what’s making me interested to join Big Brother, actually. It will allow me to be real, to show who I am.”

True colors, real roots

Though born and raised in California, Anthony is as Filipino as it gets. His parents have roots in Metro Manila and Bulacan, a province north of the Philippine capital city. Family gatherings in Los Angeles and Maui are always events in themselves, overflowing with food (especially rice!) and a long line of relatives waiting for their turn at karaoke. 

He’s been honest about who he is: a pure, tanned Filipino—something that nobody can ever take away from him, he says, no matter how distant he has been from the Southeast Asian archipelago growing up.

Besides, he’s been putting in the work: visiting his folks in the province, devouring street food like a true-blue Filipino, and taking language lessons to bring him closer to the culture.

“I’ve always stayed true to my core. I’ve always been real since I came to the Philippines. And while I may not be as ‘Filipino’ yet as the locals, I’ll continue embracing this side of my identity while still representing Los Angeles. Being real has gotten me this far, and I’ll continue to do that,” he says.

It’s all love for Anthony from the beginning, and he intends to keep it that way. 

“Beneath all this glam, behind all the shoots, I’m really just a loving person, and I am passionate about what I do. I want to spread the love because the Philippines has been giving me so much of it. What I’m receiving now, I just want to give it back.”

Photography Paolo Pineda

Chief of Editorial Content Patrick Ty

Art direction Mike Miguel

Fashion Corven Uy

Words Angelo Dionora

Grooming and Hair Myckee Arcano, assisted by Arn Esguerra

Retouching Summer Untalan

Editorial assistant Francis Vicente

Photography assistants Isidro Pejoto and Rolando Alcordo

On location Slick Barbers Co.

Special thanks Christian Indio Bendaña and Hiro Takahashi