Another Filipina finished among the finalists in the prestigious Supermodel search.

Charlene Louise “Chat” Alagon Almarvez, who’s turning 17 on Jan. 25, placed first runner-up in the 2010 Supermodel of the World search held in Sao Paulo Brazil over the weekend, and got a US$150,000 modeling contract from Ford Models NYC.

Noted Funfare’s “beauty experts” Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Feliex Manuel, Chat is the third Filipina to land in the Top 5, following Melanie Marquez (also first runner-up) in 1986 and Charo Ronquillo (second runner-up) in 2006.

“Chat is statuesque and stunning at 5’9”,” added Felix. “She’s a Business Administration freshman at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. She was discovered during a Santacruzan in Laguna. With just a couple of months experience in modeling, she tried her luck and won the Supermodel Philippines search during the Philippine Fashion Week in October last year.”

This year’s Supermodel winner is Karlina of Latvia (Baltics). The runners-up are Charlene (Philippines), Isabelle (Sweden), Olivia (USA), Maryna (Belarus), Grace (Australia) and Bruna (Brazil).

“They will be featured in the New York Fashion Week Fall 2010 next month,” said Felix. “Ford Models Supermodel of the World is the largest and most prestigious international modeling competition. Established by Eileen Ford in 1980, Supermodel of the World held its first event at the Sporting Club in Monaco.”