Face of Allure: Alexis Go
MANILA, Philippines - Love and strength are two words that are sure to be in Alexis Go’s vocabulary. Alexis, who’s very close to her parents, says that she got this important lesson from her mom: “With love, we can do so many things. With strength, we can survive all things.”
So she remains as loving as ever — both to her family and to her friends. The second child of businessmen Edwin and Vania Sy Go, Alexis proudly shares that her dad tells her that she’s the most understanding daughter. “My parents tell me they are lucky to have me. I really love my parents. They’ve been supporting me ever since. I’m working so hard in school and my extra-curricular activities because I want to give back.” The 22-year-old also dreams of the day when “it’s going to be my turn. I will just let them travel around, enjoy the world and worry about absolutely nothing.” The Chinese-Filipino beauty is also very close to her siblings and dotes on them. “As a sister to three, I crack jokes most of the time. I think being funny and dramatic runs in my family,” she declares. “What we all have in common is that we laugh out loud. Our laughter is contagious!”
Even though Alexis has won a number of beauty pageants — she was Ms. University of the East 2006, Ms. Chinese Philippines 2008 (and a semifinalist in the Ms. Chinese International 2008) and among the Top 10 in the Miss Philippines Earth 2009 — not many people know that she struggled through her growing-up years. Alexis shares that her childhood was not easy as she had low self-esteem because of her weight problem and that her skin was so bad. Fitting in was also a problem especially when hanging out with friends because “I didn’t know what to wear. My clothes were all out of style!”
Knowing that that part of her life was a test of the strength of her character, Alexis used it as a motivation to do better in some other things — she focused on swimming and dancing. She says, “I love the water, I find it so serene and beautiful. My dad used to tell me that swimming would make me taller and make my skin flawless. So I trained hard and even joined swimming competitions.” The 5’5” athlete even has a collection of medals and trophies to boast of. When she started taking up dancing lessons, her search for true friends ended. She met her best friends there, friends who helped her become the person that she is now. “They boosted my morale and brought out the best in me,” she says of her pals. “They were there with their families in my pageants. I will never trade them for anything. My childhood wouldn’t have turned around without their help.”
Alexis, a Dentistry student at the University of the East, gives priority to her studies even if she’s modeling and hosting at the same time. Being a Miss Universe was her childhood dream so it was not surprising that she singles out 1994 winner Sushmita Sen as one of her role models. “So far, I have lived my life the way I wanted it. No regrets. I am lucky and grateful for everything,” Alexis concludes. — Jerni May H. Camposano
Photography by Mau Aguasin • Styling by Corine Alegre • Makeup by BOBBY CARLOS • Hairstyling by EDIMAR CABILTES of L’Oreal Professionel • Outfits by House of Laurel • Accessories by FIRMA • Shot on location at The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences (119 L. P. Leviste St. Salcedo Village, Makati City; tel. no. 828-4774)
