In its bid to always offer something new and fresh for its viewers, Q Channel 11 has recently launched their latest VJs and one of them is multi-talented fashion model Valerie Bariou.

Having lived in different countries since birth because of her father who is a respected international banker – her hometown includes Paris, Nigeria, Shanghai – she is now based and living for good in the Philippines where her mother’s from. She has also found most of her modeling jobs from Manila.

And if she’s a familiar face, it could be because you have recognized her from the various magazine covers she has been on, TV commercials or even fashion shows she was part of. Aside from being a model, QTV 11 VJ Valerie has also dabbled in acting and in jewelry making.

So how did she end up as a QTV 11 VJ?

She explained that she was urged to audition by one of her casting agents.

“The first time was like we’re hosts already and we had to present the evening or the event. Afterwards there were some acting involved like emotions in hosting, funny, happy, etcetera. They wanted to see if we are capable of the acting required. And here I am,” described Valerie enthusiastically about her QTV 11 VJ audition.

Being a VJ is actually Valerie’s third TV stint. She has once hosted a lifestyle/sports TV show and “Hotwire” wherein she introduced cars. But a VJ could be her biggest break on TV since it is with a major network (QTV being a sister company of GMA Network).

Valerie is also an actress and she has been in three indie films. She played the role of a “glam-secretary” in “Subject: I Love You” with international actors Briana Evigan, Dean Cain and local star Jericho Rosales. She was also the leader of an army in “Xenoa 2: Clash of Bloods.” And she is now working on “2999” with Marvin Agustin.

Though acting showcases another dimension of herself, Valerie stressed that she would only take on roles she feels she could do. She enjoys acting but it’s not her only profession at the moment.

Valerie who’s been living in different countries for years has attended an American school, an International School and a French-German school. She took-up Business Management and Fashion Design. Then she studied Diamond Engraving. Despite her works being featured on magazines, it was a career she doesn’t want to go full blast to.

“Jewelry making is lots of money but lots of problems, too. Because lending it to some and then nawala, sira or walang bayad. Headache na so I don't want to go into it anymore,” she laughed. She hasn’t left doing business in the realm of fashion though as she has ventured in perfumery. Through the Wisdom store in Podium Mall, her Pink and Blue perfumes under Licious e Hom perfumes and Les Parfums du Monde are sold.

It’s not surprising though how well-rounded a person Valerie is and that she has a lot to offer the public – from just being a pretty face on print and TV to the silver screen and a businesswoman. It could be attributed from her years of living with different nationalities and cultures as she was growing-up.

So how was it exactly for her to be based in different countries?

“It’s because of my father who is a banker. Now he works for the Bank of Sultan in Brunei. He was assigned to the French Bank to Africa, China, Middle East so I lived in Dubai also and Oman.

I decided to go my own way now so I’m here now. I lived six years in Africa. It was fun. I always feel that I have a different life because you have to adopt to each country. They speak a different language, dialect and accent,” she replied.

And what made her stay for good in the Philippines?

“Actually, when I met Onemig Bondoc. We have a daughter, Arnelle Janelle. So my life is here na. I’ve been here with Onemig for almost three years already. So this is my home now, wherever Onemig wants to go I’ll follow,” she explained endearingly.

According to her, having a daughter with actor Onemig Bondoc never hindered her to continue her career. She said that they first met during a photo shoot wherein they did a spot together. And since they entered a relationship together, she described Onemig (her hubby-to-be as they would soon have a civil wedding) as very tolerating and supportive.

“I told him that this is me and I have to do my own experience. I don’t want to feel frustrated as a person and as a woman. As a mom and a wife to be and at the same time I’m myself. He understands me. As long as we have time for us and as long as I prioritize my family then there’s no problem. At the end of the day it’s still work. It’s still money naman. Everybody needs to earn. I’m very independent. I told him that if I stay home I’ll be bugging him. I’ll be nagging him. At least I get to see other people and I get connected to the world,” she remarked.

Valerie is also confident that she balances her time well with her daughter and Onemig. And at the moment she’s enjoying her new-found career as a VJ and hopefully she gets her own show to host soon!

“It would be nice to host my own show if I get more hosting gigs. But I have to adopt because everything is really different. Every job like print is different. Commercial is different and being a VJ is different… for me I’m very adventurous and I like to try out different things. So when I die, when the day comes, I can tell that I tried everything that I want to try out. Because I don’t want to look at my life and say oh shocks I should have done this,” she opined.

Already an in-demand model for print and TV commercials, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her becoming a fast-rising face on television as Q Channel 11’s newest VJ because simply put Valerie Bariou is ON THE RISE!