a bright ray of hope that whenever there are problems,
there will always be solutions. You just have to contin-
ue and never stop. Persevere and you will be sweetly
rewarded at the end. Knowing that other people have
gone through what I am experiencing gives me an as-
surance that I, too, can champion all adversities in life.
Q3: In such a competitive industry how do you en-
sure you stand out?
A: When I deal with clients, I see to it that my team
and I give out 101% of our best. Attitude plays a big
role in my career. I still consider myself a novice in this
kind of industry. Clientes will only remember you if
you have made an impressive mark in their minds and
that is because of the attitude of professionalism. It is
very important. Sticking to it becomes your character
and that is very important to clients.
Q4: Your work often leans into the world of fantasy.
What draws you to that style of work?
A: For me fantasy spells creativity; it exudes challeng-
es and fierceness. It displays colorfulness and defines
many emotions. Fantasy is a world of make believe and
in doing fantasy makeup, I can make my imagination
become a reality. It is challenging because crafting fan-
tasy makeup is something that is far removed from re-
ality. It defines many emotions as it can display love,
anger, hate, joy, or fear all in one masterpiece.
Q5: As you were building your career, did you come
across any pieces of advice that really spoke of
helped you to?
A: There is one advice that really made a mark in my
entire career. While earning my way to being a pro-
fessional makeup artist, I was also a nursing student.
During my first year in nursing, I attended one school
function wearing a un-prescribed school uniform. One
of my instructors called my attention to the office and
lectured me about wearing the prescribed uniform.
What she said was inculcated in my heart and in my
mind and up to now, it is one of my guiding principles.
She said, “If you are going to be a nurse, you should
start acting, dressing, behaving, and thinking like one.”
And so, I always put that into practice. Now that I am
turning my dreams into a solid reality, I never forget
that to become a successful professional makeup artist,
I should act, behave, think, and practice being a profes-
sional makeup artist. It will eventually become innate
in you and will always be a part of yourself.
Q6: Have there been any projects you’ve worked on
that have been particularly important to you as an
artist?
A: My heart goes all out to young talented individu-
als who are just like me. One particular project I have
worked on and will continue to work on with is the
charity works and apprenticeship. I have seen lots of
children affected with family conflicts. I have expe-
rienced being in that situation. I have known lots of
orphaned children. In my hometown in Lipa, there is
an orphanage called S.O.S (Save Our Souls) I have
worked with. I conducted medical and dental services
along with some generous partners and benefactors.
I have gathered individuals from the orphanage and
made them apprentices; gave them lessons on how to
work with cosmetics and hair do’s. A hair and makeup
fashion show was held as a culmination of their hard
work. As it was a success, I also have started another
apprentice program with another branch of the orphan-
age from other parts of the Philippines.
Q7: Do you have any pieces of advice for new or as-
piring makeup artists?
A: As I progress with both my careers in nursing and
makeup artistry, I have developed my work my mantra;
my work principles; my life formula which I share with
my team, my friends, my master class participants, the
people I come to work with, clients, and my family..
1. WORK HARD. Nothing in this world comes easy.
Every successful individual like Bill Gates, Mark
Zuckerberg, and Jack Ma, they all have started
with failures. But that never became a hindrance
to become successful. They have work hard and
never stop at any failure. Even Thomas Alva Ed-
ison failed so many times before he was success-
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