Born to a geophysicist French father and a Filipina mother, success comes naturally for this spell-bounding beauty who captured the heart of the public when she was declared first-runner up in 2003.

An achiever since her early teens, Natalie already hogged the headlines when she won numerous awards in national swimming competitions. With much humility, statuesque and gently-poised Natalie claimed she is "not really into pageants" and attributed her discipline in sports as the reason why she easily wafted the pressures of the pageant.

Set to leave for Australia this month for her college education, Natalie appears in the current San Miguel Light television commercial. "I'm that girl drowning in the pool!", exclaimed Natalie. "But I still have to see it".

BerkeleyAtWork breezed through her schedule as she juggles her flourishing hosting and modeling career in cosmopolitan Cebu and imperial Manila.

Q: What made you join the pageant?
A: My friend asked me whether I wanted to join since there were lots of free stuff. I wasn't thinking of the pageant, I was thinking of the free stuff. (laughs)

Ms. Philippines offered me free dinners, free trips around Region 7 and free lessons in make up and everything.

Q: I understand you already carved a name in sports as a multi-awarded swimmer, when did you start in that sport and what were your awards?
A: I started swimming when I was five until I was eight, then went back when I was 12.

I joined Palarong Pambansa four times and I got gold, silver and bronze medals in back stroke and breaststroke. I got second and third places in the Philippine National Games in 1997. I also joined Palaro ng Bayan in 2000, which is similar to Palarong Pambansa and I got three gold medals for Cebu City.

Q: What are the values that you learned in the pageant?
A: A lot! You learn almost everything, dealing with people, proper manners. You learn it in school, but in the pageant you learn it from a different angle.

Q: As one of the titleholders, what have you contributed to the tourism industry?
A: We're trying to help the tourism industry. We try to tell the people we visit about the issues going on in our environment and how we can help save it.

Q: Speaking of environmental concerns, what do you think are the three primary issues in Cebu that should be addressed?
A: We should be aware of the air pollution.

They're also cutting a lot of trees for industrialization which can lead to flooding.

Cebu is also rich in its diving industry, yet I see our seas getting dirtier and dirtier. I live in Talisay and it's almost impossible to swim there.

We need to be aware of the damages people are doing to the environment in the name of industrialization.

Q: What keeps you busy right now?
A: I'm hosting a style segment for RCTV and also doing a bit of modeling. I'm a freelance ramp and print model.

Q: Who is your style icon? Why?
A: Britney Spears? (laughs). I just admire the way she dresses up even though critiques think she is one of the worst dressers.

Q: How do you relax?
A: I'm always relaxing right now (beams). That's why I'm looking for work, to keep me busy.

Q: Any beauty secrets?
A: Sleep! It's very important. I sleep at least 10 hours a day since I'm not
doing anything. (laughs) And also skin lotion and sunscreen to protect my face from the sun.

Q: What are the things you can't live without?
A: It's the computer, not the cell phone. (laughs). I'm always trying to find new things in the internet.

Then the sea or the swimming pool as I love the water so much. It's my life.

Q: Aside from swimming, how do you keep trim?
A: Before, I joined the varsity for basketball, volleyball and soccer in our school. I jog in Abellana once in a while.

Q: What are your prized possessions in life?
A: My pets - my dogs, we have 10 dogs at home. German Shepherds, a Dalmatian and half-breeds.

Q: What is your guiding principle in life?
A: There's no loss in trying. Speak your heart always. Like me, I joined the pageant on my own even though I don't have any experience. Win or loss, it doesn't matter, it's the experience. Well then, I won so it was worth it.

Q: What about your ideal man? What qualities have you been looking for?
A: I'm still searching for one! (laughs).

Physically, he must be taller than me, of course. I'm 5'7. I like tall guys. He must also be funny, caring and smart. He must know how to handle his life well and also his career, if ever he has one. He should be independent enough, you know.