mad(z) about makeup & more

I had the pleasure of assisting and watching the scenes behind this shoot, all thanks to my mentor.♥

Seeing each artist work with precision and creativity was awe-inspiring. 

The makeup artist's (Jen Delica's) work, had you seen it in person, was good as final art! 

Finals for my High Definition Makeup Class (C.A.S.) coming up! It's exciting!

PLDT Home “Evolution” TVC

Greenwich “Zombie” TVC

Maggi Magic Sarap “Queen” TVC

Nestea “Concert” TVC

Maya Angelou

***

Maybe this is how those uberly in-love couples feel upon realizing that they've found their match.  I feel like I'm getting married, I am overjoyed! Not merely because of these milestones that have been unfolding since recently but because of the person that I have become and am becoming -  a better, more positive version of myself and I like it! In my litol sistor's words: *insert rainbow here*

As much as I would like to claim that this story is solely about me, it's not. Really. 

Everything that happened in the past, the loooong wait that seemingly would never be over and most especially the struggles that I had to go through to be where I am now - a place where my new dreams are realized - now makes sense. I knew everything would make sense one day but that's hard to hold on to when you are blinded by your impatience. And I wouldn't have gone this far without Help.

On this journey, these are the lessons that I have been learning, re-learning and keeping in mind. 

On your walk with Him, the journey is much better when you have loved ones and friends who walk with you, who support and inspire you; and to whom you can do the same. 

When fear is great, confess your faith . There is no better way to battle it. 

Some voice, some force is going to plant some lie to shake your faith further. But remember, as His child, we live BY FAITH, not by sight, and not by feelings. When the it becomes louder, greater, repeat no. 2.

Do things with all your strength, hit it with your best shot, whatever it is! And be confident that He will supply more strength. Saan ka pa?

Don't let your pain blind you. Remember, He is always here with us just as the sun is always around even when you can't see past the clouds.

The journey is not going to be easy all the time. Take heart, didn't He do the hardest thing of all at the cross? What will He not do for us?

For someone who's a go-getter, it's hard to let go, especially when we SEE that things don't seemingly go according to HOW we pictured them to work. But we have no better choice than to trust (and this entails waiting) because He really knows best. He will supply you everything you need, from hope, to the right people, chances and perfect timing, lahat na! 

He is awesome! Heniways, I'm far from being a mabait girl or a saint, ha. *rolls eyes at you*  But I will admit it, I'm no longer the kind of person that I was and that's in a better way. 

When you let Him, He will work wonders in your life. And don't worry about not being perfect, diba nga He made the most awkward people in the past victors? ;-) 

When I got an email from the original Sole Sister, Lois (www.wearesolesisters.com), saying that I made it to the final cut, I was not keen about the news. You read that right - NOT keen - instead, I was anxious as things were gloomy at that time and I was concerned about the fact that the winner would be chosen based on public votes ALONE. 

Most of all, I could feel my insecurities creep in and I  feared that I didn't have enough have no talent as a writer to be a blogger. *nostrils flare*

(That controversial photo, which got my friends asking why I chose it. So pa-cute, so not me! :P)

 As usual, I used this time to consult Him and realized:

One: This was an opportunity given to me because I asked for it… for a chance to chase my dreams. Courage to pursue makeup artistry has been given to me and now it was my chance to have an avenue to do the other thing I love - traveling and inspiring people to live their passion.

Two: The beauty about blogging is that it's not only about being the best writer and not to worry because that's workable; it's also about putting your heart in what you do (through easy and tough times). It's cliché but it's proven to work. I also remembered that I am a person who loves to share my passion - traveling and makeup artistry. That's a reason enough to overcome my worry.  I told myself, "You want to infect others with passion, here's your chance!"  

(source: rewirethoughts.com)

Three: Along this new path that I have decided to take, it's inevitable that I face challenges and setback; I started to question my decision of leaving my job. Always the toughest part -keeping faith - but the truth prevailed, if He puts you through it, He will see you through it.

So deadma na sa mga issues!

And 1k plus votes after, here I am, your victor! Your new Sole Sister! :D Wahooo!

(Excited to see you at  http://www.wearesolesisters.com/!)

More than being the winner, what makes me happy is the support that all of my friends and your friends (who don't know me) gave me. I owe it up to you and I could never thank you enough!

Most of all, I am grateful to Him who's been continually patient in teaching me over and over and over again that He can move mountains.

And so to you, I would like to leave this note:  Always remember WHY you are where you are and where you want to be. Fear and all sorts of challenge will come your way but keep faith. Copy that? Over and out.

P.S. 

Looking back, I should've submitted this photo instead - carefree ang peg! Anyway, doesn't matter. Haha!

I know I had promised to keep you posted so let me tell you all about it now, starting from, well, the beginning of it all.

When I was little, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I knew with certainty that I wanted to be on TV. Nope, not in the show business (I must admit I dreamed of becoming a singer) instead, I wanted to talk in front of the camera like a TV host or a newscaster.

My parents often caught me talking in front of the mirror, pretending to interview another person (played by myself as well) or reading news reports from some magazines. Back at the tender years of my innocence and naiveté, I already knew what course to take up to get me to my dreams – Communications.

(Look for the girl who stands out and you'll find me.)

Fast forward to college, I got exposed to the broad world of communication arts and its many disciplines, and my interest in the world of advertising grew deeply… to have a career in advertising became my new dream. Soon, I landed a job in that field and for more than five years I served as a corporate slave in the client servicing department of a multi-national advertising firm.  

People say it takes certain amount of gut and feistiness in order to survive in the industry. I say you need a ton of those to last and to get out of it alive! The advertising world is crazy, fun, fast-paced, crazy, demanding, wild and did I mention crazy?

(One of the things I will miss this year: Fun costume parties! That's me in the middle)

(And another thing: Crazy/fun people)

My life there was filled with love-hate stories. As with all stories, I reached a point wherein I knew I had to end it due to a couple of reasons but primarily because I was (re)discovering new and not so new passion.

Leaving my comfort zone a.k.a my career in advertising took much of self-deliberation and conversations with Him. With all the inspiration and encouragement, I mustered my courage and took a leap of faith to quit my job and pursue my new dreams – one, to become a makeup artist and two, to travel the world.

(Oh, the things I love!)

Currently, I am a freelance makeup artist and I do other projects on the side. I can say that my journey toward becoming a makeup artist is taking shape quite well, although, I still have a long way to go.

Now with traveling the world, that’s where I was unsure about the “how” part until this opportunity presented itself, which might be the answer.

http://www.wearesolesisters.com/2012/08/who-are-finalists-for-next-sole-sister.html

I now have a chance to become a travel blogger as the next Sole Sister! If you are still reading (congrats!) take a time out, click the link below and please vote for me, MADZ, here. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/questions/403818866339735/

Not convinced to vote for me yet? Let me tell you quickly why this is important for me.

When I was still pondering about quitting my job, Sole Sisters (www.wearesolesisters.com) became a major inspiration to chase my dreams. I first learned about them on my trip from Calaguas island where I came across an article about them in the in-flight magazine.

You know how in every trip, ending it always leaves a burning hole in the heart? Reading that article felt like a time bomb exploded inside of me! I admired their courage and the kind of life they lived… going for what was giving meaning to their lives, making things happen for them – chasing their passion!

Small incidences lead to a milestone. I can say that their story among many others' fueled my courage chase my own dreams, too!

You may be thinking, “Makeup and traveling? Hmmm they don’t seem to connect.” but I’ll tell you that they do, at least for me.

I am an admirer of beauty - women are beautiful, Filipinas are lovely – I get a sense of fulfilment being able to bring out more confidence with the help of my art. And I would like to show Filipinos and the world that brown is also beautiful… you can call me a Filipina Beauty Advocate.

  (Making-over my muse)

I am an admirer of beauty – the world is beautiful, especially the Philippines! Its beaches, the boondocks, the food, the people and culture are rich. I have never been outside the country because every time I thought of going abroad, there’d be a far more irresistible local (usually beach) trip that would come up.

  (Camiguin White Sand Bar; photo taken by Jen Reyes)

Aside from being fun, what really draws me into traveling is having ample amount of time to commune with the nature’s gifts, to broaden your mind to all sorts of people and culture, and to open yourself up to spontaneity, which leads to adventures.

Traveling, besides new friends, discoveries, adventures and all sorts of experience, never fails to bring me joy and nourishment to my soul. And each trip intensifies the urge to travel some more.

"The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences... The core of man's spirit comes from new experiences. " 

- Into the Wild, 2007

 (Must-see movie for all passionista and travel enthusiasts)

And as for you, congratulations for enduring up to this point. I know this is cliché

but it's true - It's never too late to chase your dream!

I hope you support me in realizing my dream of becoming a Sole Sister travel blogger.

Vote for me, MADZ, and spread the word about my story. Thanks!