Maxim Philippines January 2009 Issue - Valerie Concepcion

NAME: Valerie Concepcion

REAL NAME: Valerie Galang Concepcion

BIRTHDAY: December 21, 1987

BIRTHPLACE: Manila, Philippines

JOB: Model, Actress, Host

HEIGHT: 5'7"

VITAL STATS: 34-26-36

WEBSITE: http://www.valerieconcepcion.ph/

Valerie Concepcion could be the epitome of “sugar and spice and everything nice,” but the experiences she’s been through all these years will tell you otherwise. With her series of ups and downs, she may be a woman scarred, but she’s headstrong, proving her worth to be in show business and to everyone’s hearts.

Valerie Concepcion was born on December 21, 1987, in Manila, Philippines. Val, unlike her other contemporaries, didn’t actually enter show business should she could support her family. It was her love for the craft—and her desire to entertain people—that prompted her to join the family of Click, a noon-time teen show of GMA 7 where she played the role of Yasmin. Otherwise, she would just be a full-time student who’s taking up a degree in Mass Communications or in a cooking school, turning one of her hobbies into a profession.

At a very young age of 15, Valerie was already conquering TVs and movies. Besides Click, also played a significant supporting role in the movie Fantastic Man. She was so good with her acting performances that she was hailed as Best New Female TV Personality in the 2003 Star Awards. Indeed, one would definitely believe that she was already at a peak of her career, until news broke out, and she was forced to leave from her work temporarily. Known to a few but a total shock to many, Val was pregnant with her first child—and she was only 16.

Everybody thought that it’s the total end of Valerie, who gave birth to a very beautiful baby girl whom she fondly calls as Fiona. However, the dilemma turned into something positive when she was welcomed back to the world she learned to love with Open Arms. She received great parts in GMA’s fantaseryes, such as Mulawin: The Movie and in Majika, where she played the role of Naryan, an umbra or a female spirit who needs to conform to the wishes of her master. She was also Elisa in Atlantika, a concept of GMA of a very powerful kingdom found underneath the sea. However, it was her portrayal as Nora Ferrer in Sinasamba Kita that made even her critics think that she can be a dramatic actress. Nevertheless, it was during one of her shoots for the said soap opera that she met a very terrible accident. It could have been just a fake collision with a car, but it landed her in the hospital for days.

Valerie wasn’t only noticed for her acting prowess but for her ample curves as well, which people think got much better after she gave birth. This gave her great spots in men’s magazines, including FHM, where she was heralded as the 42nd sexiest woman in the Philippines. She also never fails to entertain millions of people all over the world as she becomes one of the female co-hosts of Willie Revillame in Wowowee. Valerie can also be seen in commercials, most notably in her cameo appearance in San Miguel Beer with Manny Pacquiao and Jet Li. 

Valerie believes that everything happens for a certain reason. For a girl who’s barely in her twenties, to think that her setbacks are only lessons to be learned is such a huge feat. Her determination and natural ability will truly make her shine among the stars.