I didn’t expect to find myself back home in Manila this quickly. After only being in Tokyo for six weeks and before our shipment of household goods even arrived, I found myself boarding a plane homeward bound for a work opportunity I couldn’t resist. As the plane touched down on familiar soil, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of anticipation for what would be a whirlwind trip—five days that make up a quick detour from my new life. And yet, despite the brevity of my visit, there was a palpable sense of excitement.
 

For expats who come home, the days are short and a blur of activity, a frenetic balancing act between obligation and nostalgia. Every moment counted and from dawn till the wee hours of the night, I found myself swept up in appointments, errands, and reunions, each ticking second a precious—somehow desperate—opportunity to reconnect with thefamiliar rhythm of Manila life. It’s easy to think that quick trips at home are a vacation but  more often than not, it feels like an expat’s game of catching up with a life that has been left on pause.

The Power of U
What I did come home for was an event I couldn’t resist the opportunity to host. I’ve been hosting events on and off since 2002 but this has to be one of my favorites so far. Ultherapy has launched its newest brand ambassador and it’s none other than Heart Evangelista.
 

I’ve been watching her since her days of playing Missy in G-mik and have enjoyed watching how she’s been able to reinvent herself through the years. From being a teen actress to an artist, social media personality, and now global fashion icon. “Authenticity can be your soft power,” Heart said during our interview. Trust that it took all of me not to show my excitement over hearing that on stage. The countries that know how to harness their soft power have often reaped the rewards of a strong and veritable brand. This is something that can be replicated for an individual, proving that truly knowing your inner self leads to authenticity, which plays a huge part in crafting a global appeal. Heart is living proof of that. “I started my YouTube channel so I could be the one to tell my own story,” she said, adding that openly sharing the not-so-perfect parts of her life had given her a new kind of freedom.
 

Ultherapy is branded as the gold-standard in non-invasive skin lifting and tightening. A treatment Heart has sworn by, getting it done twice a year. For full transparency, I admit to having had the treatment done twice in the last two years, fully enjoying its effects of a slimmer face and a jawline with more definition (or as the TikTokers would say: snatched). According to Heart: “I’m excited to take on this new role as we not only celebrate the beauty that is not just on our skin, but also reflects the confidence within us.”

The general public can often be quick to dismiss beauty as a frivoloustopic, but I’ll always argue that looking your best and truly feeling beautiful in your own skin have a direct correlation with how one feels about his or herself. Now more than ever, people have myriad options to achieve their own beauty goals. And what is freedom if not having the ability to make choices for oneself?
 

I remember the first time I tried Ultherapy with Dr. Jennie Diaz of Skin101. Three months after the treatment was when I started seeing its effects in full and I kept having friends telling me that I look well- rested and fresher. Nobody could pin point what it was but I’ve always been honest about the role science and art (makeup) play in my life. In 2024, people can set their own beauty standards and we’re so lucky to have all these options.
 

In the end, my whirlwind trip to Manila was more than just a series of appointments, reunions, and work. It became a journey of self-discovery and affirmation. One thing I love about my job is how I get to hear people’s stories and retelling it to a wider audience. Hosting that event ended up being more than a job. It reminded me of the importance of embracing one’s true self and cherishing the beauty found in authenticity. As I boarded the plane back to Tokyo, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the value of self-love and self-expression.