How does Julia Barretto shine despite the high standards people set for her?

With OPPO, the actress and other names from the local entertainment industry share what happens when the camera stops rolling. 

In the Philippines, a lot of celebrities  choose to sweep their flaws under the rug in exchange for acceptance. In contrast,  Western media lauds celebrities who are more open about their personal problems ; where showing your true self comes with praise for being more relatable. 

But what really happens when the camera stops rolling? We sit with some remarkable names in the local industry today and ask them how they shine in the dark despite the high standards set for them.

Julia Barretto

There’s always a light in that tunnel, you know what I mean? There’s always something good that’s going to come out every time you’re going through something. There’s always a comeback for every setback. And I feel like for as long as you don’t give up on your dream or on yourself and you work hard enough, then you’ll get to that light.

Issa Pressman

For artists out there, you need to find your own space where you can just drop everything, make it as messy as you want ‘cause it’s gonna be messy. Have your own corner even if it’s the smallest corner in the room. Just make it ready and available for you that everytime you’re in the mood you just go for it. Always have a purpose [for your art], I guess, even if it’s like the smallest purpose of just having it in your room or if you want to give it to your friend as a gift or your purpose is so you can sell it in the future or to inspire other people. There’s a lot of purposes, you can just pick one and know you have a reason why you’re doing this. If it’s for your love, your passion, or whatever, just take your pick.

Laureen Uy

Before, I would always put it in my head na don’t stop what you love doing kasi at that time I was just doing it for myself, a visual diary. I really didn’t expect it [would] be an occupation. Back then, I had all the support from my family but it’s your own struggle that you have to actually tell yourself to stick with this, do this, try this until you reach your goals or your dreams so I think it’s the entire process of really doing [it].

Marga Bermudez

I think the number one thing you should keep in mind is people don’t have the same struggles, people just go through different things and I think it’s how you overcome those challenges in your life. It’s either you face it or you run away from it. You can’t reach your goals if you don’t dive into it but you have to dive into it smart. You have to know what you’re getting into, you have to know that it’s not easy, it’s not a joke, it’s not always fun. There [are] some people you will hate working with, there’s some people that you will deal with and that’s the world, that’s like an out-of-college experience like you’re dealing with different people and different attitudes — so I think it’s just how you really blend yourself into it and kind of present yourself the way you want to, but set yourself apart.

Luke Landrigan

At first, it was [all about] trying to prove myself to other people that I can do it. But it was later on that I realized that I have to do it for myself and no one else. [In pursuing any passion], it’s always a gamble but you just have to do it, and it’s also choosing to surround yourself with the right people. If your heart’s in it and you have passion for it, eventually you’re gonna get there.

Magic Liwanag

Oh my god. I don’t know if you’re going to believe me but I used to shoot photo journ. I used to go to the Mendiola massacre Rallies, I used to go to the Nazareno. I guess the dark times in my career was really looking, looking for the right direction because sometimes as a photographer, what will I focus on. Sobrang layo niya to where I am right now because right now, I shoot music, I shoot most of the international concerts and I shoot lifestyle with the A-List celebrities in our country and even the Hollywood ones that come by and for me, it’s just like your tagline. You find your light — it’s up to you to put yourself, to put yourself out. No one’s gonna help you put yourself where you’re supposed to be. You have to just know who you are. You have to be confident. There’s a thin line that separates being overconfident and confident so you just have to be yourself because everything will fall into place.

Rosenthal Tee

I think anyone in the creatives [industry] will really get into that moment when they’re hearing so many opinions and getting judged for so many things, but at the end of the day you really just have to toughen up and know that your voice is the one that matters the most to your well-being.

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Anyone can have their shining in the dark moments with the new OPPO F11, equipped with a rear camera with low-light capabilities. Watch out for OPPO’s big reveal this March 27 as they redefine the art of portraiture.