akosimaren11

[akosimaren11]

Beyond the Soaring Heights

Since I was young, my dream was to walk on runways, wear high-end products and do photoshoots with big brands. I entered the fashion industry at a very young age.  I was 13 when I started achieving that dream, and I am still achieving it up until today. Here is my modeling journey, you’ll see how I started from someone who was being belittle to a woman who is striving with passion.

[The Opening of New Doors]

I can describe my rookie years as both challenging and exciting. I went through lots of discriminations, body shaming, critizations and received a lot of insults and hates. It hurts me to think that most of those people are my fellow models, the directors, staffs and even some of my friends and families. Insecurities and self- doubts started to ate me up. I was a girl who was very wary and socially anxious back then, and those situations made my condition worse that time. I hate being watched, being noticed, I just hate attention from other people because all I think about was they are talking negative about me. However, I managed to cope up with my struggles. I looked forward to every runway shows that I was attending to, I enjoyed every photoshoots, and I am glad to participate every competitions.

[Baby Steps Counts]

On my 3rd and 4th year in the industry, I started to build up my own empire. I started to have invitations on runway shows (unlike when I was in my newbie years wherein I inquire myself to be involved in), I got opportunities to be a guest model on photoshoots, to be a judge, work with big people in the industry, and catwalk instructor. Sometimes I earn money, sometimes I don’t. But it doesn’t matter, memories and experience is what I am trying to gain here. I am still learning and improving each day. At this point, the quotes “Baby steps counts” and “trust the process” makes more sense.

[Stair of Knives]

My little journey is like a staircase made out of knives, every step is a challenge, you either face it or skip it. And I fearlessly took every step, with the thought of ‘success’ in my mind. There is no room for failure, though we all think that we can stand up and continue the game. The reality is that when you fail, everything fall apart with you, you can still move forward but the threat of  breaking down is there, and will continue to be there. 

All in all, my experience of being a model as yet is far from the ‘dreamy’ idea that model-influencers are showing us on cam. There are a lot more to be documented behind the cameras, the stage, and the doors. Hardships, struggles, tears, fake smiles, exhaustion, breakdowns and sleepless nights. Nonetheless, I guess that is how models are built for, to visualize the word ‘perfect’. Though, there is no such thing as perfect in this ruined world. I will still reach beyond the soaring heights of my dream.

[akosimaren11]

TRAVEL BLOG: Admiring the Land of Unexpected Treasures

When I was a kid, I always dreamt of traveling around the world exploring every countries and admiring its wonders. That’s why my happiness was overflowing when my mother surprised me for my 13th birthday. She bought me a ticket together with my grandma to this crazy magical place once nicknamed as the ‘Fine City’, Singapore.

I was very excited that I packed my things a week before our trip; I was very excited that I didn’t even slept properly the night before it. We will spend the next 4 days in Singapore and those were one of the greatest days of my life.

[Day 1] Flawless

When we arrived at the Changi Airport, I couldn’t help to be fascinated with every details and features it has. Once we got out of the plane, the cool and moderate weather of the city hugs me. While we were walking at the aisle of the airport, I couldn’t take my eyes of the signboards featuring the things that the airport can offer. Those include the movie theatre, swimming pool, arcade, the garden, the tallest slide in the world that is located in an airport, and the fitness oasis. Unfortunately, we were in a hurry so didn’t got the chance to explore all of those spots. But at least I got to see the famous butterfly garden where over 40 species of butterfly is located, I remember how I named one of them ‘Mariposa’ because of its wings that is similar to my favorite fairy character at that time. The airport simply an art, with its flawless construction, sculptures, paintings, photo galleries, the music that fits the vibe of the place, and the cool kinetic chandeliers that moves synchronously.

The first day was spent with us spending most of our time resting in the hotel and planning for the next day’s destination and all. We stay at the ‘The Hotel Boss’, the place was very accommodating and neat. We got a nice view from the glass windows which were the Arab street, the lake, the museum and the mosques/churches that surround the place.

[Day 2] Taste of Heavens

In the morning, we decided to explore the place and we found the spa, which my grandmother enjoyed so much, the hidden garden and of course the hotel’s indoor pool. Swimming was not a very good idea at that time because the water was very cold but we still did. The manager told us that there is a free breakfast buffet for the entire guest so after swimming, we went straight into the hotel’s restaurant. I remember how embarrass I was when we walked In. We are still wet, wearing bathrobes with just our swimming suits inside and the slippers that were provided by the hotel. People there are all wearing either their casual attires or office attires. They all looked very formal and classy, though they didn’t seem to be bothered by us. I went in the buffet table and there are loads and loads of mouthwatering foods. There are multicultural foods but I am not very familiar with everything so instead, I got myself three bowls of different cereals, and topped them with a lot of whipped cream flavored strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. There is also a station for DIY sandwiches so I made myself one with a ham, chicken cuts, tomato and mayonnaise. I also drowned myself with sweets; the restaurant was very kind that he let me take home some candies, so I did. I took sour candies, lollipops, sweat candies, gummy candies and many more.

That day, we decided to go to the ‘Bugis Street Market’ where many shops, café, bars, and food stalls are located. I was craving over every food that I see as we were walking down the street. We decided to buy some souvenirs and chocolates for my friends and family. My mom treats us with street foods that are famous in the city like the fish-shaped bread filled with either chocolate, read beans or ice cream and the fresh fruit juices. For lunch, we went to the Landmark City (Restaurant) which is managed by my mama’s boyfriend at that time. The restaurant is offering halal foods from different cuisines across the region. I tried a Hainanese delicacy like the chicken rice that has a tender chicken meat that is boiled, over white rice and a sauce of your choice. I also tried Indian spicy egg omelet which I didn’t like so much because of its strong taste coming from its different ingredients and seasonings, the Arabian shawarma which I loved because of the reach taste of the beef and the sauce together with some vegies, and of course the ‘Milo Dino’. I will never forget that giant beverage because I really enjoyed it the most. It consist of milo shake as the bottom layer, followed by a layer of milo ice cream, milo cookie crumb at the top of it, milo choco powder over it and the milo syrup for its final touch. I will never forget how it tastes like a dream, it was very sweet though. One thing that I noticed in Singapore was there were milo products and advertisements everywhere and it was very cheap, some stores even give milo chocolate drinks for free.

[Day 3] No regrets

Our last day to have a tour around the city. In the morning, we went at a place called ‘Lucky Plaza’ which is nicknamed as the ‘Philippines of Singapore’. We ate our breakfast in a Filipino restaurant and I was surprise by the amount of ‘kababayans’ in there. It feels like home, hearing strangers speak your language in a different country. After eating we just walked around the place and bought some gifts to take home. We also went in the notable places in Singapore like the Marina Bay in which tourist spots like the Manila Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Singapore Flyers are located. We rode the bumboat through the Singapore River up to the famous Merlion.  And then after that, we went in a station where we rode a cable car which was the first time that I’ve experienced in my life. Almost everything was made from glass so you can have a 360 view of the whole city. We stopped in the station near Resort’s World Singapore where the well-known Universal Studios Singapore is located. The place was indeed great! There are many themes in each side of the area. We rode different rides including The Mummy, Madagascar, Transformers (3D), and Jurassic Park. My mama’s boyfriend bought us a smoked turkey’s leg while waiting in queue which tastes really great! It was my first time to try that too. We got a VIP ticket but it was such a waste for me because we didn’t use much of it. Most of the rides are closed and reconditioned. Our last stop for the day was the water show in Sentosa, they featured the movie ‘Frozen’ that night so I really enjoyed it.

[Day 4] Every Little Thing

Our last day in Singapore was mostly checking out the hotel and spending the day at the airport. It was very comfortable to hang around the lounges with free snacks and even buffet and enjoying every little thing that the airport can offer.

 Our overall trip in Singapore was very memorable. I can say that it is a perfect place for those people who love arts, cool architectures, multicultural cuisine, and those who like to spend cheap. I will definitely go back if given a chance. Lastly, I recommend bringing extra batteries for your cameras, and charge your phone full. There are many available charging spots in Singapore but you won’t like to spend your time waiting for your device than just walking around and enjoying the place’ wonders.