The gift of beauty
MANILA, Philippines - The timelessness of one’s beauty comes from one’s loving heart filled with passion, kindness and respect — characteristics that transcend time and physical borders.
For Maria Fe Perez-Medina, the very first endorser of Ever Bilena, one of the country’s leading beauty brands, there is beauty in respecting oneself. “When you respect yourself, you will be able to appreciate and love beauty. I believe that if people will manifest this kind of thinking, they can also inspire others to look at their good qualities, which will eventually make them feel good and appreciated,” says Marife, who started to appear on the brand’s first print ads in the ‘80s. She recalls the first product she endorsed: the first Ever Bilena Eye Curl Lash.
Soft-spoken Marife, who exudes elegance and class, was introduced by a friend to Ever Bilena president and owner Dioceldo Sy, who offered her to be the brand’s endorser. She says being the first endorser of the brand is one of her life’s turning points as it opened a lot of opportunities for her in the modeling industry. “From my experience being an Ever Bilena endorser, I was able to boost my self-esteem and it made me realize that there was something in me that I could contribute to the industry of empowering timeless beauty of women. This confidence also contributed a lot in my profession now as a banker,” shares Marife, now a senior branch manager at Metrobank. She also used to be a ramp and commercial model.
Married for 26 years to Philippine Airlines purser and former commercial model Maximo Guillermo Medina, Marife takes pride in her children (Matthew, 25, a nurse in Oregon; Maxine, 24, Professional Models Association of the Philippines member and The STAR’s Face of Allure; Marx, 22, an export officer; and Ma. Ferica, 21, a graduating nursing student at the University of Santo Tomas). As a working mom, she looks forward to having quality time with her family every weekend. “I don’t fail to bond with my husband and children especially on Sundays when we hear Mass. Then we dine and go to the mall after. I am also at my happiest when I travel with my family,” she shares.
As for her beauty regimen, Marife says that aside from taking care of herself physically, she also sets aside time to take care of herself spiritually, “I pamper myself with facial cleaning every other week. I also go to the spa. I also drink lots of water to hydrate myself. And I take care of myself spiritually by praying the rosary.”
Marife admits that she learned a lot from being an Ever Bilena endorser and credits the company for honing her to be the strong and empowered woman that she is today. Her advice to women: “Be confident at all times. Be prayerful. Love your own skin and imperfections for these imperfections are the ones that make you beautifully perfect. Being a mother, a career woman, and a grandmother, there are three ‘Ps’ to remember: patience, prayer and persistence.”
For 32 years, Ever Bilena continues to empower women through its products and advocacies. One of the brand’s endorsers now is actress and TV host Dianne Medina, Marife’s niece, who embodies Ever Bilena’s passion in bringing out the best in women.
A Communication Arts graduate from Miriam College, Dianne, who is also blessed with a gift of gab, is one of the hosts of People’s Television’s morning show Good Morning, Boss! and does work for Radio Television Malacañang (RVTM). She also just finished a project with ABS-CBN’s teleserye Two Wives.
“It has been my dream to be part of the Ever Bilena family. I am grateful for my ninong Dioceldo for this opportunity and I’m really happy,” says Dianne, who is very passionate in everything she does — be it acting, hosting TV programs or serving the Lord, the most important for her.
“I was warmly welcomed by the Ever Bilena family, especially by Denise (Sy). Ever Bilena is very supportive especially with my advocacy of helping cancer-stricken kids at the Child Haus Foundation. When I need anything for this cause, they are supportive. They are open to help and support my advocacy because they know it’s important to me,” Dianne shares.
As for her beauty regimen, Dianne says, “I make sure that I don’t sleep with makeup, which I take out with Ever Bilena makeup remover. I wash my face regularly with EB Naturals Papaya Soap. I also use moisturizer before I go to bed and before putting makeup. Whenever I will be exposed to the sun, I make sure to put on sunblock.”
A former Star Dream Girl, Dianne believes that beauty is not always about the physical aspect. She defines beauty by quoting one of her favorite Bible verses: “Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Proverbs 31:30.”
Photography by Rita Marie • Styling by Nasia Cammayo • Makeup and hairstyling by Froilan Sulligue • On Dianne: Pink one-shoulder ruched dress by The Florence Fling and yellow gown with ruching and deep V-neckline by Karimadon; On Marife: Maroon long-sleeved gown with gems and black three quarter-sleeved dress with gold lace detail both by Karimadon
