It was 1981 when Jojo Veloso felt that there was a need to discover new faces under his turf and tutelage. Thus, the Philippine Modeling Agency (PHILMODA) was born.

Having the knack for spotting the right potential talent and look, Jojo's early elite list of discoveries were Lotis Key, Loren Legarda, Lynda Tupaz Ranillo, Marilou Coronel-Santiago, Lyn Ynchausti-Cruz, Geraldine DinDin Lopez, Gina Ponce, Joanne Esteban, Boom Boom Asturias, Rudolf Yaptinchay, Alice Dixson, Richard Gomez (before he joined show business), Aiko Melendez, Monette Rivera, Rowena Moran (Lovi Poe's mom), the late Miguel Rodriguez, Kenneth Peralta, Gary Estrada, Jose Mari Mendezona, Plinky Recto, Timmy Cruz, Antoinette Taus, Lander Vera-Perez, Cheska Inigo, and socialite Anne Mette Nielsen, just to name a few.

For years, PHILMODA became a formidable player in the modeling industry, especially in providing Class A models to different advertising agencies. But in 1986, the industry became so highly competitive, particularly with the increase number of freelance talent agents and modeling agencies in the metropolis. To entice more new talents and invite young aspirants to be part of the modeling world.