BEAUTY BLOG
The kindhearted beauty reminds us to stop and smell the roses
Siargao through the eyes of Katarina Rodriguez
There’s nothing quite like getting to know someone during a beach trip, especially if it is a place as charming as Siargao. You will catch yourselves in moments where your guard is completely down—whether you are wading in crystal clear waters or sharing a motorcycle ride together. It is all too easy to make friends in the island as everyone is on equal ground.
Getting to know Katarina Rodriguez was no different. When we meet her at the town’s airport, she extends an arm to introduce herself. On the van ride to Bayud Boutique Resort, where her editorial is to be shot, she excitedly shares anecdotes about her frequent visits to the island. “Everyone simply treats each other equally here,” she says.
“In Manila, work really keeps me busy. I’m currently taping Make It With You” on ABS-CBN with Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano,” she shares. In the show, Rodriguez plays Gil’s girlfriend Rio Isla—someone she says is completely different from her own personality. “She’s always very made up, whereas I’m more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt,” she laughs.
The Miss World 2018 titleholder shares that initially, showbiz wasn’t an option for her. It was after passing down her crown, however, that the industry piqued her curiosity. “It was my first time to audition and when I got it, I couldn’t say no,” she shares. Rodriguez soon saw a parallelism in the two, sharing that showbiz and pageantry focuses on one thing: a stellar performance. “This time, however, you’re not performing as yourself, but as this character you have to play.
It’s similar in some ways, but other times, it’s a totally different ball game,” she adds.
She says all this later on as she has her base done—something that doesn’t take too much time as her skin is glowing. Naturally, one had to ask what her skincare routine was. “It’s actually different here compared to when I’m in the city. In Manila, I use Korean brand AHC’s Eye Cream For The Face. I mix it with LUBIDERM Daily Moisture Lotion since I have sensitive skin,” she starts. For Siargao, she lists down some of her essentials, which has to be light and easy to apply: “I love ORIGINS GinZing Energy-Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist. I also use SHISEIDO Suncare UV Lip Color Splash SPF 30 on my lips.”
When it comes to her everyday makeup look, Rodriguez gushes about her lash extensions from NÉW LOUNGE. “Even when I surf here, it stays on! It makes my life so much easier,” she says. In addition to this, she loves a multipurpose product like LAURENT COSMETICS Lip and Cheek Stain, adding that the local brand had just started selling products on the island. For her hair, Rodriquez also supports sustainable, local products such as SESOU. Since she is always at the beach, she also makes it a point to get treatments and trims every month and a half from celebrity stylist and personal friend Lourd Ramos.
Rodriguez’s eyes light up when the topic shifts to food. “Here in Siargao, everything is fresh! Since I’m more active here, I allow myself to eat carbs every other day. In Manila, I try to stick to a Keto diet as much as possible. I cook my own food and bring it to taping,” she says.
It isn’t surprising that she loves working out—her toned physique gives it away. She typically hits the gym in Manila, but in Siargao, her activities vary depending on the day. One might find her doing Muay Thai at SOS Gym, practicing yoga at Lotus Shores or catching a wave at one of Siargao’s many secret spots with her boyfriend. “There’s something about Siargao. The days are so long here,” she starts. “On the last day of 2019, I surfed, paddle boarded, practiced yoga and boxed. We even had time for dinner and drinks after. It was a great day to end the year,” she smiles.
When asked about a piece of beauty advice she would like to share, her response is simple and refreshing, reminding us of something we’re all guilty of taking for granted: sleep. “I only realized how important sleep was in the last couple of years. Recovery is so important, and the best time to recover is when you sleep,” she shares.
Recovery—a word many of us tend to forget in the fast-paced world we lived in. Seeing Siargao through Rodriguez’s eyes was definitely a breath of fresh air, a reminder to take a break every now and then to appreciate the view ahead.
RECOVERY IS SO IMPORTANT, AND THE BEST TIME TO RECOVER IS WHEN YOU SLEEP”