What’s your #BeautifulStory?

Behind every beautiful woman is a story. This I learned through 17 women — iconic beauties in their own right — who gladly shared their stories of transformation while they prepared for one of Pond’s biggest nights for the year. Right in the eye of the storm, a certain calm presided. The Pond’s girls, including the brand’s newest face, Toni Gonzaga, quietly sat in their makeup chairs while stylists prepped them for the night. Half expecting a chaotic backstage environment, I was taken aback by the serenity of the scene. Perhaps it was all the white, or perhaps it was them? Does being a Pond’s girl make you zen? Does it change your life? I sat down with each of them and asked them, “What personal transformations have made the biggest impact on your life?” and discovered, in the process, just how lucky Pond’s is to have them onboard.

Toni Gonzaga

When I was just starting out in the business, our parents were trying to make ends meet. Now we’re living a comfortable life because I was able to pursue my dreams, I was able to help my family. I guess that’s the biggest transformation of my life — that we’re now enjoying the blessings that come with our hard work. From this I learned that I was stronger than I thought I was. All the rejections have molded me and taught me to become grateful for everything that is given to me. I’ve learned what to value, what to ignore, and to remain humble because I don’t own any of this and anytime God can take it all away.

Physically, if you look back at my old pictures, I didn’t look like this at all. Through the years, I was able to work with a lot of professional people. The best thing that I’ve learned from them was that you can’t always go with the flow — you have to know what looks good on you, you have to know the products that you will trust, especially when it comes to taking care of your skin. In this country, when people say, “You’re beautiful,” dalawa lang ‘yan. It’s either maganda ka o maputi or maganda yung kutis. Being beautiful is something that you have to work on. It’s really an effort to look good, There’s a product like Pond’s that can help you deal with all of your skin problems. Pond’s White Glow doesn’t make you look white, it gives you a rosy white glow. So you look fresh, young and healthy.

Jasmine Curtis Smith

My confidence as the younger sibling, someone who’s trying to make it in this industry, someone who’s trying to break through things like “She’s just another face,” or “She doesn’t really have talent,” transformed for the better when I was cast in the movie Transit for Cinemalaya. When you’re performing in front of so many people and you have to be in a scene with actors who are bigger and better than you are, you have to bring your A-game. When I found out who my castmates were, I thought that I really needed to be much better than what I already was and give more to my work — and praise God because it led me to winning an award.

In terms of the physical, I guess my biggest transformation was growing up. I got pimples earlier than most teenagers. I didn’t get much on my face but I would get it on my chest and my back. Then I decided to stick to a regimen for my face and the rest of my body, that’s when it started to clear up. Also, my face has become more “mature,” which means I can adapt to older roles but at the same time, I’m not too old and I can still play a teenager.

Apples Aberin

Motherhood. Nothing compares to the experience of loving someone as unconditionally as a mother loves a child. As challenging as motherhood can be, I believe it has made me a better, more compassionate person.

That, and shifting careers at age 40. This has really taught me that anything is possible if we put our heart, mind and soul into it. Age is just a number and should not limit or define us.

Physically, more than just a beauty transformation, the fact that I’ve tried my best to take care of my skin since I was in my 20s really helps me feel more confident today. Because I’ve followed a consistent beauty regimen over the years, I’d like to think that my skin looks younger than my actual age.

Kryz Uy

I think I was very insecure before — and the more makeup I put on, the more insecure I felt. I couldn’t go out of the house without wearing false eyelashes and having smoky eyes. But once I (learned about) skincare it made realize, “Why am I piling on things that aren’t meant to be on my face, instead of things that would make me enhance what I already have?” This definitely changed how I use makeup. Before I would pile on concealer, foundation, layer by layer. Now I just look at my face and see what I want to enchance. Instead na smoky and fierce yung peg ko, fresh na.

It also has a lot to do with my friends who are also bloggers. What’s nice about our group is we treat each other like sisters. If I don’t have a dress to wear for an event, they’d bring one for me. I’m based in Cebu, so whenever I’m here in Manila, they pick me up, they offer their house so I can stay there. When I was battling with my insecurities, they were the ones who encouraged me to step out of my smoky-eyed shell.

Heart Evangelista

I think it was the inward first before the physical. I had lots of issues when I was younger. I was chinita and at that time, we didn’t have the Koreanovelas yet. All we had were the telenovelas from Mexico so the “in” look was mestiza. I was very insecure about that. But my dad would always tell me, “You are who you are and you will shine because of your uniqueness.” With my dad’s support, I became more confident about myself and when I was more confident about myself, I appeared to be prettier.

I think I’ve been through a lot for my age. I’ve learned that no matter what problems you face, family is family and that you should really treasure your relationship. Being independent also changed me permanently. Now I have self-worth. You won’t forever be living for yourself — eventually you will have to share your experiences with your children, you have to be selfless and because of that, you have to live your life to the fullest. Own your time.

Rissa Mananquil-Trillo

I was called a lot of names growing up. I accepted all those labels but at the same time, I wanted to transcend these labels and show that everyone can be beautiful. My transformation story touches so many aspects. As a model, I wasn’t exactly the tallest or the prettiest or the thinnest, but because of that I made it my mission to be the best model they can ever book. As a columnist, I knew how it felt to be on the other end, as a reader, and I couldn’t bring myself to recommend something I never tried or didn’t work for me.

Teaching my two daughters to take care of themselves is the best thing I can do for their confidence. I want their journey to becoming more beautiful to be with Pond’s as well. I was an ugly duckling of sorts growing up but don’t ever think that the way you are now will be the way you will be for life. The more you take care of yourself, the better you look. That’s the kind of investment that can change so much, not just with the way you look but even in the way you feel.

Patricia Prieto

Being asked to be a Pond’s girl! Before I would just blog about Pond’s — but now I’m actually a Pond’s girl and it’s just humbling and really amazing. When I was younger, I was very very shy, maybe because I was bullied as a kid. My ugly duckling stage was indescribable. It was just something else. I looked like a boy. I was skinny. I was really dark. Emotionally, it took a minute to tell myself, “I’m gonna do this.” But physically, trust me, it was a very long process.

I started taking care of my skin. I didn’t even believe in SPF. Now my freckles are coming out! So it’s SPF time. I also use anti-aging products. Even before Pond’s got me, I’ve already been using the facial wash and the toner. My grandmother and my mom use Pond’s, too.

One day, I just told myself that I have to be more than who I am. You can ask other bloggers — we get haters, and I use that to empower myself. I tell myself that I must be doing something right for them to try so hard to find something wrong.

Julia Barretto

I feel like you transform as a person when you mature and when you learn something about yourself. Recently, we just ended with Mirabella, and through working on that soap I realized so much about myself. I’ve learned about getting along with other people, being patient. I’ve chosen to do things that will make me a better person.

Growing up, and my body growing up' taught me a lot about myself also. It changed the way I carry myself, taught me how to be more confident and how to take care of my skin. I use Pond’s White Beauty and carry around Pond’s Facial Wash everywhere I go.

Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez

My transformations are actually milestones for me — getting married, having babies, and basically finding a side of myself that’s outside of the fashion industry where I spent most of my youth. I’m actually very proud of it because I never saw that side of me before. I never thought I had inclinations for creating, or having a certain appreciation for art. That was a big revelation for me.

Physically, as I get older, I get more and more involved in sports. My passion for exercise just keeps growing and it has helped me transform in many ways. Mentally, I’m very alert because of it. Spiritually, it has helped me connect with myself better. When you’re young, you feel so invincible because no matter what you do, nothing affects you — not your skin, not your health, not your weight. Just a little sleep restores you body. I was like that. I would bake in the sun for hours at noon. Now that I’m older, I take better care for myself. I engage in a skincare program — intense cleaning, toner, and of course my creams. I start with a serum. I like Pond’s because they contain alpha hydroxy acids that help my skin exfoliate, which I need. Then I put on the creams, and sleep. A skincare regimen is not something that a woman my age, or a woman much younger than I am, should forego.

Laureen Uy

My transformation was fixing all my insecurities. I used to be teased a lot. I was just always quiet in grade school. I didn’t have many friends. Then in high school my older sister started teaching me. She would say, “Why don’t you try growing your hair, or taking better care of your skin?” Soon enough I started taking all her good advice. Then when I met my best friends in high school, I started gaining more confidence. We helped each other. Interning for Candy magazine was also a turning point. I would see models in the office. They were all so skinny and beautiful. Parang ang perfect nila. But when you’re confident, even if they’re there, you will still feel beautiful because we’re all beautiful.

When it comes to beauty, people usually think, “Eto na ‘yun.” But you can still be more beautiful. It was in high school when I started taking good care of my skin. Now I use Pond’s Flawless White BB Cream daily — in Beige, of course. That’s my color.

Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach

Entering motherhood really triggered a transformation in me. It was a new journey in my life and there’s really no rulebook on how to be a mother. But one thing that I learned is that we all have our different mothering techniques and every day is different. Now, my children will be turning 13 — the teenage years will be another new journey. Up to this day I rediscover myself as a mother and it’s a great joy to see how my kids are turning out and how you were able to make an impact on their lives and vice versa — how they bring so much joy to Aga and I.

I can honestly say that transforming is something that I continue to do. When I was 18 years old, I felt like I hadn’t grown into my fullest potential yet, and I think that for all women, it’s a constant process of bettering oneself. There will always be things that women will need. I use Pond’s Age Miracle. I was already using Pond’s since I was 16 because my mom was using it. I’d really like to age gracefully. I’m not scared about it. But if you ask me what I can’t live without, it’s moisturizer, sunblock and Pond’s.

Cheska Garcia-Kramer

Being a mom has given me new meaning and new purpose in my life. It has made me a more positive person. Along with becoming a mother, I’ve totally embraced everything about getting older. For me, I’ve embraced the new chapter of my life — being in my mid-30s. I noticed that I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I realized that I like being simple. I don’t put as much makeup as I used to. I feel like I don’t have to prove anything anymore, I’m just happy the way I am.

Nicole Andersson

It sounds clichéd but I really think I found myself in college, living on my own. I found my own identity and realized what was important to me and getting rid of that uncertainty was such a relief.

Physically, I “transformed” when I finally lost all the weight I gained at university — the freshman 15 — I was finally back to feeling like myself again and that really helped boost my confidence.

Agoo Bengzon

Motherhood sort of forced me to prioritize things. Before, I had so much free time. So when I became a mom, I had to learn to divide my time between being a mom, an employee, and a wife. I learned how to organize my life just so that I am able to devote time to every part of it.

Motherhood has, in a way, changed the way I approach beauty, but I still have to make an effort. I know that sometimes, being a mom, you really don’t have much time. But I think it’s just a matter of organizing your day and setting aside time for taking care of yourself.

My skincare regimen is kind of long, but if I had to cut it short to maybe 20 minutes, I’d probably cleanse, tone, moisturize, slather on SPF and apply eye cream. In the long version, cleansing alone involves a lot of steps and three to four products, and then moisturizing, anti-aging… I do a 14-step regimen.

Kelly Misa-Fernandez

I can’t recall any big event that created an overnight transformation or big difference in my life. But I guess a time came when I believed I was beautiful in my own way and that made me confident. That was during my college days, when I began modeling. 

It was a gradual thing — my confidence grew as I grew up. I began to appreciate things about myself that were not necessarily physical, but good qualities and traits that made a difference in other people’s lives. When I began acknowledging my importance and what I could contribute, that’s when my confidence grew.

Tricia Gosingtian

A change really came over me when I learned to accept that there are different kinds of beauty, and that true beauty has a place in each of us. I realized that I should never compromise myself just to fit a certain standard. Believing in myself and constantly staying true to what I love really molded me into the person I am now.

As for the physical, everything changed when I learned how to take care of my skin with Pond’s products. I used to think I didn’t need skincare when I was younger, until I realized that even the geekiest, most introverted girls can get into beauty and skincare, too!

Hindy Weber-Tantoco

My biggest transformation was when I decided to approach life more holistically. I changed my diet. We decided to grow our own food; we have an organic farm now. We moved away from the city to the countryside and just approached everything from medicine to education to spirituality more holistically. This definitely made me stronger because of the food that I was eating. I’m 41 now and I feel better than ever.

My diet made a lot of difference on my skin. I used to have a lot of breakouts and I used to attribute it to hormonal changes, but it wasn’t. It was the food that I was eating. It was the wheat and the sugar.

I make sure to wash my face twice a day and especially remove all makeup. I exfoliate three times a week. I actually use Pond’s Acne Clear. It’s for teenagers but I use it once a week just to keep all the oil at bay. What I love the most is the dual eyecream, and I also use the night cream on my arms, my elbows and my feet. I love it — it’s not greasy but it’s so rich.

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