THE COMEBACK
Nearly two decades later, Celine Lopez is still around, alive and kicking with a
glass of rosé on hand
Black and white top and pants from MARK BUMGARNER;, B.zero1 18 kt white gold bangle bracelet with I logo on the spiral, B.zero1
18 kt yellow gold bangle bracelet, B.zero1 18 kt yellow gold bangle bracelet with logo on the spiral, all by BVLGARI
Ivory pant suit from CH CAROLINA HERRERA, Serpenti earrings in 18 kt rose gold, set with rubellite eyes and full pavé diamonds, Serpenti necklace in 18 kt rose gold, set with rubellite eyes and with pavé diamonds on the chain and the head, Serpenti band ring in 18 kt rose gold set with carnelian elements and pavé diamonds, Serpenti band Ring in 18 kt rose gold with carnelian and pavé diamonds, Serpenti band Ring in 18 kt rose gold with Mother of Pearls and pavé diamonds, Serpenti band Ring in 18 kt rose gold with Mother of Pearls and pavé diamonds, Serpenti ring in 18 kt rose gold, set wit rubellite eyes and demi pavé diamonds, all by BVLGARI;
Constellation Manhattan quartz 28 mm Steel and Sedna™ gold watch by OMEGA
For anyone who came of age in the mid-2000s, it was impossible not to hear of Celine Lopez and her adventures. The days before the zenith of social media coincided with the initial rise of the super clubs in Manila, and the place to read about her and her glamorous cadre of friends and their exploits were on blogs that breathlessly recounted what went on. What she wore, what they did, what happened that night was heartily discussed until the workweek began, before the whole cycle started again in time for Friday night.
These days, Celine lives a life that is a little calmer than her halcyon days at the perch of Manila’s social scene, and as such can reflect frankly on those days past. She has lived it all and seen it all.
“We weren’t stuck on our phones and we were pretty much present in the moment. I remember more things during that era than I do now,” she says. "People these days lose that seamless sense of fun by taking photos instead of dancing or flirting." Social media for her is just a way to touch base with friends as a sort of memory tool, but she could otherwise live without it. “There are some people I really can’t be with because of their advanced obsession with Instagram,” she says. “It just kills the vibe. People who know me know that I’m having fun when I’m not posting anything.”
Nothing is as irritating for Celine than to deal with boring people, especially those who are rude. “I would like to be thought of as a fun person,” she says. “Sometimes I’m talking to someone and they’re on their phones, which is already awful. Then I realize they are taking selfies of themselves! Talk about going from bad to worse.”
One thing she does appreciate about today’s fast-paced digital-first era is how it helps her business. “It’s the hearth and home of our brand. It’s incredible that my office is an iPhone X,” she says. “I get to do more things in my personal life without ignoring my business. I’m a woman, I was born to multi-task.”
That business is Gypsy Rosé, the first locally branded luxury rosé in the Philippines. Purely Instagram-based, the idea to start a wine brand was something Celine and business partner Monette Bata Garcia first came up with due to their love of libations. “Monette and I kept ordering different drinks that doubled up our tab,” she says. “We joked that we should make a drink that we both loved. It was an amazing idea that led the joke to become a reality.” Clearly, all great business decisions come from a few good glasses of drinks.
In the beginning, Celine says everyone thought they were crazy for even thinking of getting into the alcohol industry. “I mean, the only thing I knew about wine was how to drink it,” she says, laughing. She says their love for the product was what led them to dig their heels in and work hard to make it a success. “I think it’s important to have that attachment to it,” she says. ‘We’ve made mistakes and we learn from it and move on. You just need to keep on going and the motion and activity make the product grow.”
Celine says both she and Monette are blessed to be working together. They each bring different skills to the table: Monette’s strengths lie in logistics, back door action and getting things done, while Celine is more focused on branding and marketing. Above all, they stay in sync with each other because of their friendship. “We’ve known each other since forever,” she says. “We are open with each other and make sure each decision made is unanimous. We have each other’s backs.”
“People who know me know that I’m having fun when I’m not posting anything.”
THE ORIGINAL IT GIRL
Celine has fond memories of her formative years. “We didn’t take ourselves too seriously,” she says. “I think a club and a person in their 20s is always a good mix.” She has no major regrets, although she wishes she was a bit more guarded with certain people, but acknowledges that being cautious about friendships is no way to live at all. "I also regret some guys I dated in my 20s. I will deny some until I die."
One thing she mentions she has a hard time doing is reading past interviews, back in the days she was seen as Manila’s Original It Girl. “When I read my past interviews I want to vomit,” she shares. “I was so smug back then, which was a huge mistake.”
For every person, life has its ebbs and flows and Celine is no different. What keeps her sane is her determination to hustle. “I worked hard for everything. My career is my safe harbor,” she says.
“If anything goes wrong, I have my work to keep me sane. Hard work is good for the soul.” Throughout the years, she has made sacrifices for her work. A few years back, Celine stopped drinking. "I actually stopped drinking for five years because it was affecting my work. My career is everything to me. It’s ironic that I sell booze for work now. "
The biggest lesson she has learned is that anything is possible. In 2013, Celine was a co-producer on Metro Manila, an independent movie shot in the metro by British filmmaker Sean Ellis. The movie went on win the Audience Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and was mentioned on multiple “Best of the Year” lists. “It completely blew our minds when it gained international recognition,” she says. “Same with Gypsy Rosé. Everyone told Monette and I that we're nuts to do this. We are nuts and yet here it is. We are so proud of our baby. If you believe, you shall receive.”
Celine is someone who recognizes her flaws. “One thing about me is that I’m too candid. I do wish I could be more careful. But I am the train wreck that I am,” she says wistfully. She despises those who are overly concerned with presenting an overly edited version of their lives. “I hate that and you can smell the lies and pretention a mile away. They’re not fooling anyone.”
“One thing about me is that I’m too candid. I do wish I could be more careful. But I am the train wreck that I am.”
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chain and 18 kt rose gold pendant set with central diamond and pavé diamonds, Diva's Dream ring in 18 kt rose gold with central diamond and pavé diamonds, all by BVLGARI
Black slip dress with bows by HINDY WEBER; Heather grey bolero by JOEY SAMSON; Serpenti Tubogas earrings in 18 kt rose gold set with pavé diamonds on the head and the tail, Serpenti Tubogas necklace in 18 kt rose gold set with pavé diamonds on the head and the tail, B.zero1 Design Legend four-band ring in 18 kt rose gold and white ceramic, B.zero1 Design Legend four-band ring in 18 kt rose gold and black ceramic, B.zero1 XXth Anniversary five-band ring in 18 kt yellow gold, all by BVLGARI
THE ROAD AHEAD
Now more assured of herself and her place in the world, Celine has mastered her limits. She says going out more than once a week is not as wonderful as it used to be, especially after the hangover. “I feel terrible after, with the anxiety, and eating greasy food for the hangover,” she says. “The post mortem is just not worth it. I try to have one social activity a week. More than that makes me feel ill.” She considers sleep the ultimate luxury she considers sleep to be the ultimate luxury, but also has a special place in her heart for what she calls the Las: "La Mer, La Prairie, and a sheet mask." While she says those are the only brands that work for her, she's pragmatic about what it means for her finances. "I’ve been trying Olay Regenerist as well, because I need to be ready when I go broke. I have my plan B." Celine has no qualms about delaying the ageing process. "I like ageing mentally and spiritually but not physically," she says. Due to her high pain tolerance and sense of adventure, she doesn't mind trying every treatment under the sun. "As I turn 40, I'll take what I can.".
Celine is forthright when she brings up her body image issues. "I looked like a little boy in my 20s. I was so busy dieting and losing weight." She shares that the pixie cut she was known for was less than a chic decision and more because she lacked the nutrients to grow hair. "There was just so much pressure to be thin." Once a fan of boutique fitness, she decided to opt out and now prefers to do a 30-minute workout at home. “I went from a size zero to a six in three years and living in this new body is interesting,” she says, honestly. “Boutique fitness makes you feel fat. I’m not fat; I’m just moving on to a new shape.” She had years in the past with eating disorders and now chooses to take care of herself, first and foremost. “I want positive reinforcement in all fronts.”
Stable in her work life, Celine would like to work on her personal life more, mentioning that she always put it on the back burner. However, the need to achieve and prove herself will always be strong. “I’ll keep going on until I die. I can’t keep still. I still have a lot of dreams,” she mentions. She keeps to heart the best advice her dad ever gave her. “He said, ‘always be an original,’ ” she says.
Celine has done just that. A fan of Game of Thrones, she thinks Jon Snow will end up on the Iron Throne. Truthfully speaking, Celine is a lot like Sansa Stark. Like Sansa, she survived the onslaught life decided to throw at her, in the end learning to fight back and stand again. “I’m a slow learner, it’s true,” Sansa said. “But I learn.” Celine learned, too.
“I’ll keep
going on until I die. I can’t keep
still. I still have a lot of
dreams.”