Real-Life Goddess - Apaul Tatlonghari-Bello

During that awkward stage called adolescence, we struggled to discover our own identity and experience self-acceptance and, most likely, started by looking for role models and/or friends to be associated with. Amidst the high school and college populace where almost everybody wants to stand out and/or leave a mark, I found inspiration from a particular schoolmate (sorry, fair-skinned best friends!) whose simple yet elegant example reminds me that beauty can be effortless. With her consistently delightful smiles and charming exterior, it was easy for me to consider Apaul Tatlonghari-Bello a girl crush way back in high school.

Lornadahl: We Pinays are bombarded with reminders that "white is right". Have you always been convinced that brown is beautiful?
Apaul: I am. I never wanted to be a mestiza. I am proud Pinay! I just love my own color. I realized that we are blessed to have this complexion. Whereas people in the West spend lots of time and money going to a tanning salon just to achieve this kind of complexion.

Where can I get THAT smile?

Lornadahl: Did you ever try whitening products, too? Any rants and raves to share?
Apaul:: Yes... but for a short period only. Since my mom and I back then shared the same things. Hmnm.. something to share? Could that be a yearning? The most practical way is just to accept your color/complexion. Instead of spending money in those whitening products, use it productively like sharing it with your family or the needy.

Lornadahl: I used to think that being morena is limited to black outfits. I hated how I looked in white, pink, yellow and orange. How about you? Any colors you find unflattering for our skin type
Apaul: Back then, I had the same issue. So instead stop dwelling on it! The perfect solution is to embrace it! Now I'm bold in using different colors and wearing various outfits. Would you believe that my favorite color is white?

Lornadahl: Can you tell us what is your fashion style?
Apaul: Usually, my wardrobe staples are refined and sophisticated. I want to look sexy without wearing ass-skimming or boob-flashing clothes. Something with laid back vibe and looks effortlessly cool.

Looking perfect in purple!


Apaul goes for the black-and-red combo I'm also fond of


All-black!

Lornadahl: Which celebrities serve as your fashion icons? Why?
Apaul: Locally, I like Angel Aquino and Pam Quiñones. For international, I love Alexa Chung. All of them are epitome of beauty and style! Undeniably gorgeous! They always wowed us with some beautifully pulled-together looks with a unique ability to stay ahead of the trends.

Lornadahl: Do you consider dark men sexy? Why or why not?
Apaul: Ofcourse! Dark men look HOT and APPEALING. Derek Ramsay is the perfect example. Indeed sizzling hot. But sexy is subjective. For me, sexy is a lot of things: guys with self-confidence, sense of humor, beautiful eyes, honesty, eloquence and presentable fashion sense.

Lornadahl: Do you think you are/were treated differently because you're morena?
Apaul: Now, differently in a nice way. Living in other country where majority of people are "white", you can easily draw attention. They just like it! They will find you pretty. However, I observed that when I joined a beauty contest way back in high school, usually the winner is a mestiza. And I wonder why the judges always find mestizas prettier than morenas.

Living in South Korea: Such a knock-out beauty vs. the pale Yoo-jin (from teleseries Winter Sonata)

Lornadahl: Do you think being morena is better when you're slim? Would it also work for plus-size women?
Apaul: Not really! In fact, plus-size women having this color can make you look slim. Being tan has an innate stigma of being sexy.

Lornadahl: I know you're a beach bum, too. Do you still go for sunbathing to become darker? Are you satisfied with your color already?
Apaul: I'm very much satisfied with my color. So I just enjoy the sun, whenever, wherever. I'm not afraid of getting dark.

Lovely white kaftan!

Lornadahl: Do you confront people when they call you names (ex. baluga, kirara, etc)
Apaul: I haven’t experienced this yet. If ever, I will just ignore them.

Lornadahl: How do dark people want to be called?
Apaul: F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

Lornadahl: Do you also have a preferred skin tone for your romantic partner?
Apaul: Before I met my partner, I have a criteria for men. I wanted someone mysterious-looking, tall, brown-skinned and all. But now, it's changed! Regardless of the appearance, I love my partner. Loving him makes my life complete.

Who's the lucky dude, you ask?

Lornadahl: Do you still get insecure about your complexion? get intimidated when surrounded by mestizas?
Apaul: No. Never!

Lornadahl: What's your secret for that even skin tone? I'm envious!
Apaul: Honestly, there's no secret. I do body scrub 3 times a week with an ordinary bath soap and body lotion everyday.

Lornadahl: How do you deal with I'm-so-fugly/dark days?
Apaul: There are really those days! When that thing strikes, I just focus on my strengths.

Lornadahl: There are so many morenas out there who still battle with skin acceptance. What would you tell them?
Apaul: POSITIVE SELF AFFIRMATIONS, DAILY! At first, it'll feel like you're lying to yourself! I know it sounds crazy, but it works, I'm telling you from experience to be comfortable with who you are and how you look. What matters is that you are beautiful and you deserve to feel that and be happy with yourself! No need to be imprisoned by insecurity.

Who else will tell you how beautiful you are? Say it now and make it a daily habit!

All photos are from Apaul's Facebook page.

***End of Interview***

Livin' It Large in Reel Life

Aaaah, lazy Sundays. The best time to feed our peepers with our DVD backlogs! For today, I'd like to share a blast-from-the-past clip about my 15 milliseconds of fame way back in September 2008.

With some help from my Studio 23 friends, I found myself casted for the Us Girls' Fashion segment. I was thrilled to hear that I'd get assistance from the bronzed host Angel Aquino and stylist Mike to find the most flattering pieces for plus size women.

The other segments will feature food in epic proportions, big and bold accessories and a certain celebrity with big bucks, big walk-in closet and potentially big heart. Hence, they called that episode, "Livin' Large".

Almost ready to go on cam! Beige dress, black top (underneath), black obi belt, black jacket from Nur. Tortoise pumps, silver hoops and wrist watch were mine.


Lights, camera...fashion!

Trying on clothes was fun until my twins demanded attention. Even if the beige dress is of perfect fit, we needed pins to keep my cleavage covered. Good thing Angel Aquino found a black top for me to wear underneath. But this relief was short-lived. The top button broke free from the dress, as if my twins were protesting from being clad. Mike reacted, "Ngayon lang ako nahirapan sa boobs!"

To say I loved this beige dress is an understatement. I even wanted to take it home! The dress, according to Mike, gave me this Ecomoda aura. I believed Jon (segment producer) and Glenn (researcher) agreed as they urged me not to smile and to do more chest out during my rampa.

It was also a delight to wear the gray top (not documented in photos). It gave me a "dignified" look, according to Angel Aquino. For me, its magic lies on its simplicity yet apparent demonstration of effort. It can work as casual and formal piece alike.

Photo opportunity with Angel Aquino and Mike.

Is this on?

The samples behind me. Wearing my From A To Tee™ shirt and denim miniskirt.
After the shoot in Nur's boutique in Tomas Morato extension, off we went to Milly Clothes' office in Pasig City. Their stuff is available in SM Stores. I'm not really impressed with their designs but they were super nice to make me choose my take-home among their samples.


Trying on the peasant blouse and light brown capri pants from Milly's

Psychedelic (at least for me) dress from Milly's. Silver shoes were mine.

Guess what I chose between these options? I opted for the former, much to Angel Aquino's shock. My girlfriends Carl and Sherry (they both joined me during the shoot to provide oral support) agreed, saying it is what typical unfashionable moms would wear.

Well, it's no secret I am drawn to anything with orange-and-brown color combination and my closet is home to a lot of peasant tops and capris. Although I'm pretty obsessed with dresses that time, I had to give the other up. The design is kinda...old. The Carl-and-Sherry tandem and I must have contradicting tastes in clothes!

Mike offered I should go for the most expensive piece among my options. I didn't take heed. But I was truly glad to hear him say that the pang-nanay (Carl's words) combo is better: the dress sample is quite damaged (unfortunately, it's the last one) and the peasant top-and-capri suits my character more.

Besides, I was attracted to the potential freedom to mix and match. Until today, I wear the blouse to job interviews and whenever I'm in the mood to look smart-casual. I know I've done a last-minute pictorial in Intramuros wearing this. The pants? I donated that pair to my mother when I realized it's quite loose.

How about my take-home stuff from Nur, you ask? I assumed they'd give me that beige ensemble. After all, I've tried it on AND even caused damage on its top button. Guess what's inside my thank-you bag?

Putting on my take-home dress from Nur. Forgot to put on a smile, though

I am still yet to find the confidence to wear this dress outside my bedroom. Friends who've seen this piece air their disapproval, saying it'd make me look like a nun or milk maid. Would you agree? If so, please remind me to look for this again for the next Halloween party I'm attending.

Aside from such cool freebies, I am still grateful for this opportunity to make my secret dream to be a model come into fruition. It may be a gruelling experience to squeeze this shoot after and before my graveyard shift, but I felt over pouring joy knowing that I passed on an example that we, big girls, too, can shed those inhibitions and make a runway out of any ground we step our pedicured feet on.

So there goes my official debut on national TV. Next? I'm thrilled to know.

Looking very large next to Angel Aquino?

More photos here and check out the plug here.