Model, Actress and Author
MAGIC IMAGE HOLLYWOOD MAGAZINE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF INTERVIEWING MODEL, ACTRESS AND AUTHOR Cora YELLEN ARMENTA, SHE OPENED HER HEART TO US AND TALKED ABOUT HER CAREER AND PROJECTS; LET’S SEE WHAT SHE IS ALL ABOUT…
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. She graduated from Siena College and attended the University of Santo Thomas. Corazon is a member of the Screen Actors Guild of America, SAG/AFTRA, and is known as Cora Yellen Armenta as her Professional Screen name. Cora’s 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! She started modelling when she was 13 years old, and has been featured several times as a Cover Girl. Cora has done numerous print ads and TV commercials for Pepsi Cola, Firestone, Macy’s, Kings Hawaiian Bread, Western Airlines, and San Miguel Beer, among others. She has modeled in the Philippines, Scandinavia, New York City, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Cora appeared in several Film and TV projects, such as The OJ 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 starred in numerous stage plays and musical plays, including 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 in 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. She was the Founder and President of the Beverly Hills Barbie Doll Club, with 2000 dolls in her collection. Cora was dubbed The Living Barbie Doll. She modelled Life-Size Barbie Doll Outfits for several Barbie Doll Conventions throughout the United States and Germany! Her club also did several fundraisers, and charity work for several organizations. Cora was an author of a beauty and fitness book entitled Total Beauty and Life.
Her book was endorsed by Gloria Diaz, former Miss Universe, Marianne Rogers, actress and former wife of country star Kenny Rogers. She was 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. She was America’s Ms. Charisma 1988, Ms. Travel of the World 1989, Ms. Gandang Pilipina 2015, Mrs. Travel & Trade Love of Country Ambassador 2018, Mrs. Philippines 2018, Mrs. Asia Glamor 2018, and the current Mrs. Asia USA California 2019. She was crowned at the 30th Anniversary celebration of Miss Asia USA at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, California, produced by Virgelia Productions! As the reigning Mrs. Asia USA California, Cora has been busy with a tight schedule for guest appearances, Fashion Shows, attending Fundraising events, giving her time for charity work, and visiting US Military Veterans at the VA hospital. She had an amazing journey, including a 10-day visit to Thailand, sightseeing, elephant ride, filming a video for Cancer Hope Village, and was a special guest for the Miss Chiang Rai pageant. Cora has traveled extensively to the seven continents of the world and the 7 Wonders of the World, having visited 100 countries worldwide! Recently, she launched her own company, Corazon Production Company, with Gasa Charities Inc. as her fiscal sponsor. She founded her own company for her love, passion and support for the arts, education and culture, so she can further her cause and advocacy to produce Fashion shows, theatrical stage plays and short films to showcase and promote the talents of Asian Americans, and other nationalities who excel in their artistic fields. Cora resides in Las Vegas, Nevada and Los Angeles, California with her family.
MIHM-Tell us a little bit about you, where are you from and what inspired you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and in beauty pageants?
CUA-I was born and raised in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines, the youngest daughter, among 6 children, of former Brigadier General Aurelio Ugalde and Chony Ugalde. Since elementary grade to my college days, I was always voted the Muse, Miss Primary, Miss Grade Five, Miss Sophomore, Homecoming Queen, etc. I always performed in school dances and stage plays. I started modelling at the age of thirteen. My oldest sister was an actress and beauty queen, as well. I always had a passion for the entertainment industry. It all comes natural to me.
MIHM-You are a model, actress and author. What makes your heart beats faster?
CUA-First love – modelling, then acting, travelling and writing.
MIHM-You were Ms. Travel World, Mrs. Philippines, Mrs. Asia USA CA. Tell us about it.
CUA-I have seven beauty queen titles through the years, the latest as the current Mrs. Asia USA California, produced by Virgelia Productions. I was crowned at the 30th Anniversary celebration of Miss Asia USA in Redondo Beach, California. It is truly an honor to have all these titles. It proves that a woman at any age and heritage is beautiful and powerful. Through this journey and experience, I can continue to make a difference in society, to volunteer for charitable work, to be a philanthropist by heart and to be a great example for young girls and women at any age, to demonstrate that we women can do anything we put our hearts into! I am proud to be a Filipina American, and Asian American!
MIHM-You are also a real estate agent, tell us more about that.
CUA-I had a Real Estate license in Nevada, and currently an inactive Real Estate license in California. As at present time, I have been very busy with a tight schedule for guest appearances, fashion shows, attending fundraising events, giving my time for charity work, including a 10-day visit to Thailand, sightseeing, elephant ride, filming video for Cancer Hope Village, and was special guest for the Miss Chiang Rai pageant. Travelling the world is also one of my passions. I have visited the seven continents of the world and the Seven Wonders of the World, having visited 100 countries.
MIHM-What other projects are you working on right now?
CUA-Recently, I launched my own company, the Corazon Production Company, with Gasa Charities Inc. as my fiscal sponsor. I founded this company because of my love, passion and support for the Arts, education and culture, so I can further my cause and advocacy to showcase and promote the talents of Asian Americans and other nationalities who excel in their artistic fields for the fashion shows, theatrical stage plays and short films that I will be producing in the future.
How can people reach you, do you have social media, website, etc.
Companies and producers can reach me at my Facebook page, Corazon Ugalde Armenta, and Instagram @coraugaldearmenta and my email [email protected]
Cover and inside red gown
by fashion designer
David Tupaz Couture.
Photos by Leonato August
