Model: Corazon Ugalde Yellen Armenta // Photographer: Leonato August // Gown: David Tupaz Couture // Hair: Ashley Moore // Makeup: Emily Harper // Location: Downtown Los Angeles

Following Your Heart: Corazon Ugalde Yellen Armenta

BY CHIC COMPASS STAFF

Corazon Ugalde Yellen Armenta was born and raised in the Philippines, the youngest daughter of former Philippine Air Force Brigadier General Aurelio Ugalde and Chony Ugalde. Her paternal grandfather was from Spain, and her other heritage is a mixture of Filipino, Polynesian, Chinese, Portuguese and Italian. No wonder she has that exotic, alluring look! Early on, Corazon started modeling at 13 years old and has been featured several times as a Cover Girl. Corazon is more than a pretty face, however, she graduated Siena College and attended the University of Santo Thomas. She is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild of America, SAG/AFTRA.

Over the years, you may have seen Cora in numerous print ads and TV commercials for Pepsi Cola, Firestone, Macy’s, Kings Hawaiian Bread, Western Airlines, San Miguel Beer among others. She modeled the runway for numerous Fashion Shows with international Fashion Designers. She has modeled in the Philippines, Scandinavia, New York City, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Her acting credits include several Film and TV roles – The O.J. Simpson Civil Trial Reenactment for E! Entertainment, Days of Our Lives, Dangerous Man, Black Sheep, Behind the Dark, Botyok sa America and “Corazon” Filipino TV series. She has also starred in numerous stage and musical plays – Balikbayan, New Yorker in Tondo, Regina R. of Greenwich, Green Card, Blind Curves, The Legend of Queen Puso produced by Manila Actors Studio, East West Players and Asian American Theatre. She won Best Actress at the Virgo Awards for her role for There Was a Soldier. She co-hosted a Filipino TV show Entra Pinoy, as well as several Celebrity Night fundraisers for the Fil Am Press Club.

Turning one of her passions into a cause, Corazon is the Founder and President of the Beverly Hills Barbie Doll Club. With an astounding 2000 dolls in her collection, Cora is dubbed The Living Barbie doll. She modeled life-size Barbie doll outfits for several Barbie Doll Conventions throughout the United States and Germany! Her club also has done several fundraisers -charity work for several organizations.

Cora’s talents don’t just end here, she is also an author of a beauty and fitness book, entitled Total Beauty and Life. Her book was endorsed by Gloria Diaz, former Miss Universe and Marianne Rogers, actress and former wife of country star Kenny Rogers. She is also the owner/founder of Corazon Ugalde Yellen Cosmetics and was the first Filipina to model for a major mannequin manufacturer. They sculpted her face and made a face mask to be immortalized as an Asian Mannequin for several department stores in the U.S.A.

As you might have already guessed, Corazon has competed and won many titles over the years, she was America’s Ms. Charisma 1988, Ms. Travel of the World in 1989, Ms. Gandang Pilipina 2015, Mrs. Travel and Trade Love of Country Ambassador 2018 and the current Mrs. Asia USA California 2019. She was at the anniversary celebration of Miss Asia USA at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, California, produced by Virgelia Productions.

Cora has continued to stay busy with a tight schedule for guest appearances at fashion shows, attending fundraising events, giving her time for charity work and visiting US Military Veterans at the VA hospital. She has had an amazing journey so far, including a 10 day visit to Thailand, sightseeing, an elephant ride, filming a video for Cancer Hope Village, and was special guest for the Miss Chiang Rai pageant. Cora has traveled extensively to the seven continents of the world and has visited 100 countries worldwide! Recently, she launched her own company, Corazon Production Company, with Gasa Charities Inc. as her fiscal sponsor. By founding her own company, her love, passion and support for the arts, education and culture she can further her cause and advocacy to promote the talents of Asian Americans, and other nationalities who excel in their artistic fields for theatrical stage plays, short films and fashion shows.

How come this newest venture does not surprise us at Chic Compass? We have a feeling this is just the start of something even bigger for Cora as she continues to live her passion and follow her heart.

Chic Compass: How did you get started in pageants?

I got interested in beauty pageants since I was around 10 years old when my oldest sister Cynthia Ugalde won Miss Philippines. I was groomed to join Miss Philippines then, but I fell in love, eloped and got married instead at a young age. However, I made up for it! At present time, I have seven beauty queen titles, the most recent as Mrs. Asia USA California 2018-2019.

Chic Compass: Did you have a role model?

My grandmother Brigida Lucero is my role model. I always admired her beauty and beauty within. She was a widow at a young age and raised four children as a single mother. She showed strength and determination and at the same time, she was loving, warm and caring. She had 27 grandchildren, and I am proud to say that I was her favorite granddaughter!

Chic Compass: What are your current plans to capitalize on your career?

As the current Mrs. Asia USA California, produced by Virgelia Productions, I want to make a difference in the world by volunteering to several charitable causes, to be a philanthropist by heart and to be a great example to young girls and young women, to demonstrate that we women can do anything! Whether it is our career, home life, love life, we can be the best of ourselves!

The #metoo movement is a positive direction for women all over the world! It is important that women come out and speak their minds on their unpleasant experience!

Chic Compass: What is your view of women running for office?

I admire women running for office. It is about time that more women get involved in politics as there are many issues including women matters to be acknowledged and addressed in this modern world! Women are as intelligent, strong and capable as men in politics!

Chic Compass: What does beauty mean to you?

For most people, beauty is more of an outward image. The beautiful face and body are obviously a beautiful image to everyone. But for me, beauty is more than that. Physical beauty fades as time goes by. Beauty comes from within. When a person is good natured, confident, happy and possesses several admirable qualities, her real beauty glows! This is the beauty that lasts and never fades!

Chic Compass: If you had the power to change or contribute in the world, what would it be?

If I have the power to change and contribute in the world, it will be to stop poverty! My heart goes to the poor, especially the impoverished children.