Anne Curtis campaigns against 'dream shaming'
Anne Curtis hopes that by putting up Dream Machine, she can help other people deal with shyness and stop them from shaming their own dreams.
MANILA, Philippines — Since Anne Curtis celebrates her 20th anniversary in showbiz this year and was recently named "History Maker" during History Channel's "History Con," Philstar.com asked the actress and TV host what she thinks is her greatest contribution to Philippine showbiz so far.
"I think in a way, I’ve become almost pop iconish na parang, it’s okay if you’re not the best singer in the world. You can sing your heart out if you like for as long as you exemplify others. It’s not something that you should be ashamed of. You should always have confidence in yourself," Anne said in an interview following her launch as new ambassador for anti-aging supplement Shiseido Collagen.
To be called a "history maker" is truly amazing, she said. "It’s cool that they made a background check on you and I’m so amazed din na I’ve been around and became a singer and had sold-out concerts, traveling with that concert. That’s unheard of! It was just truly such an honor and I’m very happy with the recognition."
In her 20 years in showbiz, Anne, who is admired by millions of followers on social media, actually looks up to another superstar as guiding light. "I love Audrey Hepburn! She’s classic, timeless, I love her films!"
But what Anne likes most about Audrey is the latter's philanthropy. "That’s truly why I adore her," Anne said, thankful for the compliment that her voice was compared to Audrey Hepburn.
Following Audrey's footsteps, Anne recently launched her passion project, the Dream Machine platform that hopes to stop dream shaming and empower dreamers to reach for and live out their dreams.
In an intimate press conference, Anne confessed that she entered showbiz with big dreams and she is grateful that most of these dreams have come true.
“I have always been a dreamer. In my 20 years in showbiz, I have worked hard to reach for my dreams. I am blessed to have already achieved most of my dreams and it’s now my turn to be a blessing to others through the Dream Machine platform,” Anne said.
Anne, who has been doing charity works quietly for many years, decided to put up the Dream Machine after hearing stories of dream shaming.
“It is sad when people set dreams in their hearts only to be dream-shamed by people either because of their color, their status in life, their current skills. It gets worse when it is their own family or their loved ones who shoot down their dreams. The Dream Machine platform hopes to encourage dreamers to continue chasing their dreams and we will do our best to help them,” she added.
Anne revealed that she also was a victim of dream shaming when people called her out for holding the Annebisyosa concert, saying she did not have the right chops to sing, much less do a concert.
“To sing before a huge audience was my dream. And I worked hard to make it happen. It was not something that I did just for myself, but the Annebisyosa concert was also my way of encouraging people to always fight for their dreams in the face of those that say you can’t do it,” Anne recalled.
Through Dream Machine, Anne hopes to connect with dreamers and learn more about their dreams through the Dream Machine website.
There are three categories of dreams that Dream Machine will be supporting: Youth, Education and Empowerment.
“Before the school year started, we were approached by the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City for support in their school renovation. Dream Machine was very happy to help and we are hoping that the renovation will inspire the students to study better,” Anne shared.
To officially kickstart the platform, Dream Machine is hosting the Color Run to empower the dreams of disabled children under the auspices of United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), for which Anne has been an ambassador for two years.
“Proceeds of the Dream Machine Color Run will all go to the children with disabilities being taken care of by Unicef. These children are dreamers, too, and you’ll be surprised that some of their dreams are not really for themselves but for their families,” Anne said.
She hopes that by putting up Dream Machine, she can help other people deal with shyness, stop them from shaming their own dreams, and also become a "history maker" just like her.
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