Gabrielle Hahn Lopez
MANILA, Philippines - The majestic natural beauty that the world has to offer is magnified once seen through the eyes of the youth.
For Gabrielle Hahn Lopez, who writes a popular lifestyle blog “Dorotea & Louise,” traveling allows her to create meaningful memories with her family and friends. “My love and passion for traveling was sparked by my desire and interest in the beauty of the natural world and those around me. Experiencing new and diverse locations is something that brings me so much joy,” shares this 22-year-old, who is about to graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in European Studies minor in German Studies. She also took up a German Language course at the Charles Duisberg Centren in Berlin for a summer study tour in 2014.
The daughter of Manila (First District) Rep. Manuel T. Lopez and statuesque beauty Suzette Hahn-Lopez, Gabbie, as she is fondly called, acknowledges her parents for the person she is today. “My father always taught me that education is not only limited to the four corners of the classroom but the environment around us. That’s why I find that there is a lot to learn around me each day. He enlightens me. He is also the reason why I love traveling so much,” she relates. Perhaps it is also from her father that she gets her entrepreneurial spirit. In 2014, her Filipino food stall/kiosk won the John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) Challenge. JSEC is a student entrepreneur mall in the Ateneo where students, who are aspiring to become entrepreneurs, can start their own businesses.
“From my mom, I’ve learned to never give up. She tells me to chase my dreams and pray. She also reminds me to be kind to people around me. Mom would always be there whenever I needed her. She’ll always be the woman I’ll look up to,” says Gabbie, who helps in the feeding program her mom holds in different schools in Manila.
“It’s a very heartwarming experience that I am able to be of help to others through my mom. My relationship with my mom is also very important to me,” says Gabbie, whose mantra sums up everything she has learned from her parents: “Encourage yourself. Inspire yourself. Believe in yourself. Love yourself. Never doubt who you are.“
With her love for learning about different cultures and exploring the world of endless possibilities, Gabbie, together with her cousin Alessandra Lopez, who studies in the US, decided to put up a lifestyle blog called Dorotea & Louise. Through this blog they document their constant travels as best friends and cousins “who share the same passion for food, traveling, art…and pretty much everything.”
“One of the most memorable entries from our blog is the first one where Alessa and I invited a group of friends of different nationalities (Chinese, American, Italian) to the Philippines. We hosted them and we brought them to Mount Pinatubo where we rode 4x4s. After that amazing experience, these same friends brought us to Shanghai and hosted us there as well,” this stunner excitingly shares.
The world awaits Gabbie. She is starting to scale greater heights while holding on tight to her values. “Life is beautiful! I believe there is good in everything. Whatever happens, I always know that at the end of the day that it’s God’s plan (that will happen) — and I just look at the positive side of things. With that, I would like to be the best that I can be for my family and friends,” Gabbie concludes.
Photography by Mau Aguasin • Makeup by Ria Aquino
for MAC Cosmetics • Hairstyling by Hyatt Laurel • Styling by Bang Martinez • Jewelry by Miladay Jewels
• Pink dress by Debenhams and fuchsia paisley dress by Rhett Eala • Shot on location at Shangri-La at the Fort, Taguig City
