Anthony Constantino's Return to His Filipino Heritage

An origin story

There’s a Filipino myth that explains the creation and diversity of mankind. To take care of the Earth, an ancient deity decided to create man out of clay, shaping it in his likeness and firing it up in an oven. He took the figure out too early, so it came out half-baked. He tried again. He left it for too long, so the clay got burnt. On his third and more careful attempt, he finally created what he wanted: a golden brown figure. Though different from each other, they were all made from the same clay; the deity loved all three equally and breathed life into them. He placed them on Earth, commanding them to become caretakers of the world.

This myth came to mind when Anthony Constantino arrived on the set of his VMEN shoot. If he were one of those clay figures made eons ago, he was probably crafted with more precision, skill, and patience. With his towering presence, toned bronze body, and a chiseled face, Anthony seems like one of the ancient deity’s better works.

But Anthony’s origin story is grounded in reality. The 22-year-old Filipino-American model was born and raised in California, occasionally visiting Hawaii because of his parent’s food truck businesses in Maui. With his grandparents living with his family in Los Angeles, Anthony grew up experiencing Filipino culture—from karaoke, large family gatherings, to huge servings of rice in every meal—despite being miles away from the archipelago.

Filipino-American model Anthony Constantino reconnects with his Southeast Asian roots. — SHIRT **GUCCI**

A homecoming tale

This deep connection to something distant was what compelled Anthony to forego a stable job in the tech industry. “I had my head set into a 9-5 already, but deep down in my heart, something else was pulling me,” he admits. That stronger feeling, he says, was the desire to deepen his relationship with the Philippines. “I wanted to come here to really connect with my roots and see where my family is from,” he shares. “I don’t like it when, if somebody asks who you are, you reply with your work or what you do. Being pure Filipino—that is who I am, and that’s something you can’t take away from me.”

But Anthony didn’t just fly to the other side of the world without a plan. He also saw the trip as a way to further his modeling career, which he began part-time in 2022. And the gods must really like him, because the move paid off immediately: recently, he was chosen to model the Philippines’ official uniform to the 2024 Paris Olympics: a modernized barong (the national dress shirt of the Philippines) with a sling adorned with the colors of the Philippine flag. The opportunity was as historic as it was special; Anthony grew up seeing a couple of his grandfather’s barong but never got to wear or ask about them. “It’s my first barong ever. It really has a special place in my heart.”

Several modeling opportunities continue to come Anthony’s way, and the worlds of pageantry and entertainment have also knocked on his door. While he’s keeping his options open, Anthony is certain on exploring more of the Philippines and learning more about the culture. Perhaps this latter desire—of reconnecting with one’s roots and paying respect to one’s heritage—is what’s keeping him in good graces with the gods.