All I can say is: it’s about time (jk).
Ever since I was in high school writing movie reviews on my journal for a school film org, I knew I wanted to be a writer, specifically a movie writer. If I were to become a movie critic as a career, I would already be satisfied with that. But it seems that life had a slight redirection for me.
Being named the first-ever Editor Of The Year (Jr. category) is both a honor and an unexpected surprise because being an editor wasn’t on my radar so early in my career. I was (and still am) fine with being a writer. Being an editor was a plot twist waiting for me around the corner.
I would like to think that this award is a reflection of my love and passion for the craft as well as the dedication and support of past and present mentors and co-workers. My growth and this award would not be possible if it weren’t for them. College me would probably be shook that his dream of being a movie critic led him to being the deputy editor of an international magazine at 26 haha.
And to my NYLON Manila family, thank you for making those hard days worth it.
When I joined MEGA at the start of the year, I was ready to be lowkey and nonchalant in this new chapter of my career. But when I was asked on the second day on the job if I wanted to write the cover story of MEGA’s Feb-March print issue, I guess life had other plans for me. 🤠
I’m no stranger to covering Ashtine Olviga. The first time I ever wrote about her was when I attended LITZ’s pre-debut virtual press conference in 2021. But getting to meet her in person and profile her was an experience in itself. Ashtine was beyond gracious with her time, honest with her answers, and surprisingly chill about her rise to stardom.
This has been an honor getting to write this as I wrap my first month on the job with my name for the first time in MEGA’s print magazine. The fact that it’s the cover story of one of Gen Z’s next big stars for MEGA’s first print issue of the year is still surreal to me. I’m grateful to everyone who helped get this project over the finish line.
Some behind the scenes of the shoot last January because the location was so pretty and the weather was nice. 🐴
2025 Dump
The year really had plot twist after plot twist for me, but leaving Nylon Manila after 4.5 years of living my dream was a real shock to the system. But such is life, and if anything, it was a sign to close this chapter of my life that I learned so much from. Despite how it can feel like sometimes, I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish this year.
As I start a new chapter of my life next year, I’m looking forward to a 2026 of fulfillment, growth, and not being guilty about putting yourself first.
Getting to interview big celebrities for the cover story is one of the most daunting but also one of my favorite things about the job, and getting to do that with Bianca de Vera was no exception.
For my latest (and last) cover story for NYLON Manila, I had the pleasure of getting to write about Bianca and her relationship with authenticity. It was a refreshing piece for me with how I got to pick her brain a bit and not talk about her just in the context of her love teams. From what being real means to her to the importance of being you, Bianca spoke her truth, which made writing this that much more special.
If there’s one thing I hope to leave with this cover story, it’s to never dim your unique light when it feels like everyone wants you to be someone you’re not. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword, but a choice, and one worth making.
Read the full cover story on @nylonmanila 🌸
When at the Gala
There’s a special kind of excitement whenever I get to do red carpet coverage as I rush to post 20+ Instagram stories in 3 hours. Hectic, but a unique kind of fun.
#GMAGala2025
📸 by Richmond Orpia
Late last year, I wrote about Andres Muhlach after he was announced to be playing the lead male role of Ang Mutya Ng Section E. A few months later, here he is as our April 2025 cover star.
NGL, I was pretty nervous to interview Andres for the cover story. But he isn’t as intimidating as he seems. He’s a pretty chill and cool guy, nice to talk to, and courteous with the team. I think it’s safe to say Andres is one of if not the favorite cover star the team has worked with yet. 💙
Some BTS from the shoot last March.
#AndresForNYLONManila
Well, that was wild.
2024 was a year filled with the unexpected, personally and professionally.
Personally, I’d be lying if I say my mental health didn’t take a dive this year. But it’s in those low moments where I appreciated my real friends who are there for me and prioritized my happiness (which isn’t always easy for someone like me).
Professionally, I began the year with a surprise promotion to Managing Editor, a promotion that had its fair share of growing pains. I said goodbye to old friends and found myself in frustrating situations. But with struggle also comes success. We launched the NYLON Manila MyZine, which honestly hasn’t really sunk in me yet that I helped launch a print magazine and get to see my name and writing on print. I got to work with some of my favorite brands, companies, and studios that I could have only dreamed of a couple of years ago. Getting to interview some of the biggest and coolest artists like XG, Manny Jacinto, and BINI will never not be pinch-me moments. And I’ll always be grateful that I got to attend dozens of movie premieres in the past year.
If there’s one big thing I learned this 2024 and hope to bring with me to 2025 is that nothing really beats doing what makes you happy. The only person who can really tell you you’re happy is yourself after all. I hope to listen to myself more next year and beyond.
2025, manifesting that you’ll be a great year for me with what’s on the horizon.
A little behind the scenes from NYLON Manila’s December-January 2025 cover shoot. No better way to end the year than with two of some of the most talked-about Filipino Gen Z in the country right now and with a theme that feels particularly personal for this stage of my life.
Photo 8 📸 by @nicaglorioso
Go to nylonmanila.com to read the full cover stories and order a copy of the MyZine print issue.
One of the things I like about working at NYLON Manila is how I have the opportunity to write about and even interview rising stars right at the start of their career before they go on to do bigger and greater things. Such is the case for Esnyr Ranollo.
In 2021, I reached out to Esnyr on his old email account to ask for an email interview after his high school TikTok videos were starting to blow up. I wrote about his story then in one of his first feature interviews. Now, three year later, Esnyr, who is still reaching new heights, got his first solo magazine cover courtesy of NYLON Manila and I had the pleasure of writing the cover story all about the power of Gen Z slang. Okay full circle moment.
It’s always nice seeing people I wrote about years ago prove that their potential is real and playing a small part to help tell their story. (Swipe to see bts from the shoot and at the end for a throwback on the first time I ever wrote about Esnyr).
How it started How it’s going
3 years ago, I went on a Zoom call with Criza Taa to interview her for the cover story of her NYLON Manila Headline. At the time, she was mostly known as a former PBB housemate and actress on He’s Into Her. Yet even then I could feel that there was something more to her.
Fast forward to now, and she has her very own cover, and I once again had the opportunity to write a cover story about her. I can still remember the day I interviewed her in 2021 and I find it so interesting to see her grow and find her stride as an actress and content creator.
As a writer, getting to do a feature on the same personality years apart just shows how much people can grow, even if you haven’t reached your twenties yet. It’s giving glow up.
