From Shy Boy to Runway Boy: I Did NOT See This Coming
If you told me five years ago—heck, even five months ago—that my son Ken Matthew Navarro, the same kid who used to hide behind me when a stranger so much as looked in his direction, would one day strut on a runway… I would’ve laughed, excused myself, and asked what exactly you were drinking.
Because let’s be honest: Ken? Ramp modeling? That was filed under “Not In This Lifetime,” right next to “Winning the lottery.”
And yet here we are.
Apparently, life woke up one morning and said, “Plot twist!”
Ken has been cast as one of the ramp models for a new agency called Yvee—yes, a real modeling agency with real events and real people who actually know how to pose without looking like they’re at a barangay ID photo booth.
And here’s the kicker:
Master G actually made this happen.
She took a chance on Ken—this shy, quiet, behind-the-scenes kid—and sponsored him to join the agency. She saw something in him that even I didn’t see. And I’m his mother! Imagine my shock. Imagine my confusion. Imagine me recalibrating my entire understanding of my offspring.
When Master G says, “Give this boy a shot,” you don’t question it. You just accept that the Universe has spoken and your son is apparently destined for runway lights.
And who leads this whole thing?
None other than Yashna Sharma, Master G’s youngest daughter—ramp model, beauty title holder, and walking reminder that some families really are blessed by the aesthetic gods.
Meanwhile, In Casa Ritoch…
With everything happening with Ralph—fractured ankle, operation, mobility issues, and the whole chaotic life package—we haven’t exactly been out attending events like fancy runway parents.
So of course, the night we’re stuck dealing with medical schedules and crutches…
The Urban Noel happens at Citadines Bacolod.
And Ken walks the runway.
And we miss it.
Classic.
But then the photos started coming out online.
And when I say my jaw dropped, I mean I had to check twice if that was really my son or some long-lost celebrity cousin we didn’t know we had. The confidence. The stance. The face. The kid was serving runway realness like he’d been doing it his whole life.
Excuse me???
Where did this creature come from?
And what did he do with the shy boy who used to turn red just ordering at McDonald’s?
I swear, if this is character development, it’s better than half the K-dramas I’ve watched.
Proud Mom Level: Unlocked
Scrolling through the event photos felt like watching a butterfly emerge from its cocoon, except the butterfly is my son, and instead of wings he has clothes styled by Edwin Benitez, Mangley Couture, Atelier Desamparado and the confidence of someone who suddenly discovered he is, in fact, model material.
I’m not even exaggerating—I’m so proud I could cry, but I won’t, because that would ruin the fantasy that I am calm and collected and used to these things. Spoiler: I’m not.
And honestly?
Seeing him step into something so unexpected, so bold, and so unlike the Ken I grew up with…
It’s mind-blowing in the best way possible.
This won’t just be a night for him.
This is one for me—the mother who now needs to emotionally prepare herself for a future where people might approach me and say, “Ay, ikaw gali ang mama sang model?”
Yes. Apparently. That is now me.
So here’s to Urban Noel, Yvee, Yashna Sharma, Master G for believing in Ken before anyone else, and most especially to my suddenly-unshy, runway-conquering son, Ken.
Kid, I don’t know who you are anymore, but I love it.
And next time?
We’re not missing the event.
Crutches, wheelchairs, medical drama and all—your parents are coming.
