She is now officially the new image model of Dr. John T. Cenica’s Jancen Medical Spa!

Looking back, the 5’7" beauty queen who was recently talk of the town because she was romantically linked to balladeer Mark Bautista and actor Polo Ravales, still couldn’t believe that she was risking everything she has in Canada to pursue a showbiz career in the Philippines. But after she inked a management deal with Viva Artists Agency and Jancen Medical Spa, she felt more confident that her sacrifice and hard work would pay off sooner than expected.

Because she wanted to be a host, model and a singer in the Philippines, she has been looking for a manager.

"I looked at different companies and I did some research and Viva appealed to me the most. I saw their successful artists. They also offered to take me in as one of their artists. But I did receive different offers and I was encouraged in different directions. But I had some friends recommend Viva," she explained.

Though she is seldom seen performing a tune or two on television, she described her singing style as something close to the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and even Beyonce. At the moment she is working on her singing techniques and breathing skills so when the time comes, she would be ready to cut an album!

As an actress, she considers herself a versatile one having taking workshops at the Canadian Casting, a professional school for Canadians interested in entering the acting industry of Canada and the United States of America.

"I did a lot of volunteer work in Canada like for this non-profit organization called Mothers Against Drunk Driving and they have shown different commercials and educational films in high schools which I was a part of as an actress," revealed Riza. (She said she wants to work with Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Aga Muhlach and Richard Gutierrez someday.)

With regards to Jancen, she expressed that she has always gotten her facials and other treatments in the said medical spa. According to her, she is very pleased with the work they are doing on her and feels fortunate that she has the backing of a well–known cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Cenica, and a team of skin care specialists for her bid in showbiz.

Aside from skin care, Dr. Cenica said that some of her treatments include skin rejuvenation and hair removal to mention a few. He added that Riza Santos fits perfectly the qualities of an image model for their medical spa. These for her beauty, pleasing personality, intelligence, passion in everything she does and her wholesome and well–rounded personality.

"She is going to be one of the hot actresses in town soon and I believe that she will make it in showbiz," remarked Dr. Cenica. "Like her, we’re also committed and passionate with what we do in Jancen."

Riza’s freshness too was one of the factors considered because Jancen has always been taking the direction of always purchasing new and advance machines for skin care and other treatments like their RF (radio frequency) skin tightening equipment that uses radio waves to stimulate the collagen in your body to provide a safe way to tighten and contour the skin while adding improvements in tone and texture.

Moreover, Riza has done commercials of Subway sandwiches in Canada and Inuovi Cosmetics in Singapore, which made her a more suitable image model of Jancen Medical Spa. Incidentally, they have a new branch in McArthur Highway in Balibago Angeles. Pampanga where Riza is expected to cut the ribbon if her hectice schedule would allow.

In the meantime, Riza is keeping mum as to her other upcoming projects. She just mentioned that she might be doing a movie with Aga Muhlach under the direction of Joey Reyes.

"I’m excited with this project. I hope it happens soon. At the moment I just keep on auditioning and hopefully land a job as a host, model or even an actress," smiled Riza who’s also rumored to be one of the Housemates in the upcoming "Pinoy Big Brother" Celebrity Edition 2."

So who exactly is Riza Santos and how did she end up here?

Born and raised in Canada, she finished high school and attended Bible College and was in the Edge Program which was a Christian Discipleship Leadership Program. While her goal is to finish a degree in Biological Sciences and be a doctor someday.

Then she joined Miss Earth Canada as the representative of her province Alberta, Canada and she won. She then represented Canada in this year’s beauty contest held in the Philippines.

After the Miss Earth pageant, she was appointed by the Philippine Tourism Authority as the Ambassador of Tourism wherein she promoted Philippine Tourism abroad. Her job entailed her to travel to different tourist spots in the country like in Tacloban, Leyte, Banawe, Boracay, Cebu and Iligan to mention a few. She also became the president of the Coastal Protection Foundation where she partnered with PTA

More than the lure of the limelight, fame or even probably money, seeing the beauty of the Philippines was one of her reasons she wanted to stay and pursue a career here.

"I enjoyed all the places I visited because everything is so different," she expressed. "I really saw the diversity of the Philippines and culture. And also the people are very beautiful and warm… maraming Filipinos in Canada. The city that I came from has 40,000 alone. So I really grew-up in a Filipino community. And that is also why marunong akong magsalita ng Tagalog."

So what are her expectations with her budding career?

"For me I used to do a lot of modeling and hosting in Canada and for me I was hoping to get involved in modeling and hosting initially and then singing would be the climax of my career… my philosophy in life is probably best describes by these verses from Proverbs which goes ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. And all thine ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.’ I believe that if I just put my faith in God, be obedient to Him, He’ll lead me," remarked Riza.

Does she foresee any problem with her showbiz career because she’s a Christian?

"I don’t think I’ll encounter any problems. I’m up for any challenge because I know I was raised in a Christian home. And my parents raised me with really strong moral values and I feel that I’m really grounded in my faith and I really have a lot of support from my family and my friends. I don’t feel that I’d waiver at all from my faith. I’m excited in a career in this business and industry," answered the 20-year- old beauty queen proudly.

Riza also has her own timetable with regards to her showbiz career.

"I want to see, what’s going to happen. I’m evaluating it month by month. I’ll do a six-month assessment. I think I will give it a one-year timeframe and see how far my career is going and how much potential I have to advance in the future," she described.

Whether she makes it or not in one year would also determine whether she goes back to the Canadian Armed Forces and continue her training as a reservist.

"I’m a medic. I wanted to be a doctor so I joined 15 Fields Ambulance which is the medic and my ultimate career goal in the Canadian Armed Forces is to be a Medical Officer and a Military News Reporter. I was in training for one year, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday nights. I did my Basic Military Qualifications and Military Qualifications. So I’m qualified with the C7 which is similar to the M16, the C6, C9, Grenades," she pointed out.

So does she has a boyfriend?

She again stressed that those rumored relationships she allegedly had with some male celebrities were all false.

"I never had a boyfriend. And I was only allowed to have one when I reach 18 but by choice I still don’t want to have a boyfriend because I also don’t have the time!"

Focused and passionate about her showbiz career, Riza Santos is one VAA talent ON THE RISE!