Page 38 - Fiji Traveller 7

Maryanne Bulewa

is going places

By Ben Wheeler

It’s a hot and humid Thursday afternoon as I arrive at Albert Park to
discover how 17-year-old Maryanne Marguerita Bulewa balances high
school with a successful modelling career and being one of Fiji’s brightest
taekwondo stars.
After meeting her at Fiji Fashion Week, Bulewa has invited me to attend
one of her taekwondo classes. I arrive to find her delivering a series of
kicks of such power that they visibly shake the poor fella holding up a
considerably cushioned pad.
Her instructor, whom she will later refer to as Master, moves in and
holds his hand up above his head, seemingly indicating he would like her
to deliver a head kick to an imaginary giant. She obliges.
Clearly, balance is not an issue for this young lady.
When we sit down and talk, I’m impressed by her comfortable, easy-
going nature and how self-assured and mature she seems. This comes
from six years of modelling, she explains.
“I was really shy at first because of the amount of people, and the
eyes upon you. It’s really scary, because you’re walking by yourself, and
everyone is either complimenting you or judging you. But slowly, slowly,
after about three years, I started getting used to it.
“From Fiji Fashion Week I’ve gained a lot of confidence and bravery to
be myself!”
Again and again, she returns to the subject of her family.
“I always had my parents there to support me,” she says with a smile.

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