arvey Smith hopes to set the catwalk ablaze as member of the all-new model group Viva Covergirls. Fire extinguishers be damned!

For a long time, fans wondered what Darth Vader looked like underneath that big, phallic helmet of his. He strutted around, breathing heavily, intimidating the heck out of everybody. Talked with that imposing, manly voice. Who was in there was anybody's guess—Adonis, God (or, heck, James Earl Jones, who in fact owned Vader's voice). But when the helmet finally came off in The Return Of The Jedi, it was a pale, bald, disfigured face.

Point being that looks can be deceiving. What seems to be good, turns out bad, and vice-versa. In the case of Harvey Smith, one of the members of new model group Viva Covergirls, what will strike you the most is the color of her skin. It's a very deep, dusky brown, and in a country where whitening soaps are a must-have beauty aid, her skin tone would leave much to be desired.

But that, gentleman, is for those who don't know better. FHM knows beauty when it sees one, skin color notwithstanding. So here we are now giving you a chance to see what you otherwise might miss…

What does a Viva Covergirl do? Dancing, singing, acting?

No, we mostly do ramp modeling.

No movie projects?

I guess it's up to my manager. If the opportunity comes, then I'll take it.

What type of roles do you want?

I don't think I can take on really sexy, daring roles. It's okay when I do it on the ramp. The crowd there is very different. It's another thing when almost everybody sees it…

What about this pictorial?

(Laughs) FHM naman ito, eh. Actually my mom doesn't really know about the nature of my job. It will surprise her when she sees this! But, like I said, I trust FHM. I'm sure it will be classy. Dito may art.

Why, thanks! Having said that, what was your reaction when you learned that FHM wanted to take pictures of you?

Kinabahan ako! I thought FHM was mainly for sexy babes. But I had fun. Nailing lang ako nang kaunti, di kasi ako sanay.

You think you'll get used to it? Posing sexy?

Uhm, I'm not really sure. I can't say anything for sure right now.

Do you have a boyfriend now?

Yes.

What about him? When he sees these photos, what do you think his reactions will be?

Hindi ko alam! Alam niya yung pagmo-model ko. Pero ito… hindi ko talaga alam!

What type of guys do you get attracted to?

I don't really look too much of the physical side. Except that he has to be tall—as tall as I am, if not taller.

Do guys get intimidated by your height?

No. in fact, most of my suitors in high school who were really aggressive were those who were smaller than me. Siyempre ayaw ko naman nun di ba!

Aside from being taller, what else do they need to qualify?

Mas particular ako sa ugali. Siyempre kailangan mabait. At kasundo ko, nagkakaintindihan kami kahit minsan di na kailangan ng words.

In your profession as a model, do you get weird propositions?

Yes. I just tell them off. Politely, of course. I say, “I'm not like that.” I'd also tell them that I have a boyfriend. To which they say, “Okay lang! Kahit pangalawang boyfriend, okay lang sa akin!”

What do they offer?

Everything. They'd offer me cars mostly. But I don't get that as often as other models.

You have a lovely dark skin…

My father is a black American. Typical story—he left us early on. When I was younger I really wanted to know who he was and find him. I wanted to know why I was different, bakit yung iba may tatay, ako wala. And I'd tell my mother about it. Sabi na lang niya sa akin, “Wala na yun, iniwan na tayo.” Ngayon nakalimutan ko na. Kung kinalimutan niya kami, ako rin nakalimutan ko na siya.

Let's face it—Pinoys are more partial to fair skin. Didn't you have a hard time breaking into modeling because of your skin tone?

I think it was more of insecurity on my part. Pag sinabi kasing model ka, ang image ng tao dapat perfect ka—height, body, face, at yung kutis dapat maputi. My friends would always encourage me to try it out kasi nga matangkad ako. Pero nung nakilala na ako ng mga agent at designer, ganito pala yung gusto nila—exotic. So because of that nagkaroon ako ng self-confidence.

Did you always want to be a model?

Yes. I took up Hotel and Restaurant Management in college. I stopped once the opportunity came.

Do you have a hard time maintaining your figure?

No. it's mostly dieting. I don't work out. I just stay away from rice and junk food. I think it's also because I have good genes.

All natural?

Oo, lahat yan natural!

Is there anything else you'd like to do, aside from modeling?

I would like to go abroad and have a career there. Otherwise, I would go back to school and finish my studies. I guess I want to eventually marry and have kids. Simpleng tao lang naman ako, eh.

What's the thing that most people don't know about you?

I'm the silent type. And I don't usually show people when I'm hurting inside. Minsan sa isang sulok lang ako. Malaking tulong din sa trabaho ko. Di nila makikita na malungkot ako o may dinaramdam. Pag ayaw ko sa isang tao o nasaktan ako, di nila malalaman.

We have to make this really special, too, because today is your birthday! How old are you?

Twenty-two. Yes, I consider all these wonderful gifts on my birthday.

What's the most wonderful thing that's happened to you?

Eto, yung pagkuha sa akin ng Viva.

What's the worst?

Nung iniwan ako ng dating boyfriend ko!

What is he sees your photos here and asks you to take him back?

Bahala siya sa buhay niya! Dedma!

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