BEAUTY BLOG
The Secretary of the Department of Tourism on how to live a joyous, well-balanced life
Berna Romulo-Puyat imparts her wisdom on living a meaningful life
When you’re meeting a public figure for the first time, you can’t help but have some preconceived notion of them. Sometimes, you’re wrong, other times—like this one—you may find yourself to be right. Upon arriving ten minutes early to the Secretary of Department of Tourism Berna Romulo-Puyat’s home, I find her perched on her chair, answering emails as her trusted makeup artist is halfway done with her look. Clearly, she likes to get ahead of things—and this is something she uses to her advantage.
Having been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Tourism just last 2018, RomuloPuyat has created a culture of sustainable tourism, which has inspired both stakeholders to use environment-friendly practices in their own way and visitors to act as responsible tourists. She cites a specific example of this: “The closure of Boracay has become instrumental in showing the effects of neglecting the environment. When the island was rehabilitated and reopened last October 2018, the significant changes pushed the government and the private sector to ensure that other tourist
destinations do not suffer the same fate that the island had experienced.”
As expected, the petite beauty keeps an incredibly hectic schedule, which she seems to handle with utmost grace. “As soon as I wake up, I reply to text messages and emails. Before I sleep, I make sure all my documents are signed which sometimes lasts up to 3 or 4 AM. When you work for the government, there are no holidays or weekends,” she shares. But despite her schedule, it is her passion that fuels her every day.
Naturally, one has to ask how she manages to balance her work and personal life. “I’m in a relationship with my job,” she quips, adding, “Both my children already graduated from college so I’m an empty nester. But when the three of us are in Manila, we make it a point to have Sunday lunch—no cellphones allowed.”
Whether you’ve seen Romulo-Puyat on television, on the newspaper or on her colorful Instagram feed, you can’t deny that she always looks incredibly put together. While she credits this to her team, she also makes sure to do her part by taking care of her skin. For her, a low-maintenance skincare routine works best. “I use POND’S Cold Cream Cleanser to remove my makeup, then CETAPHIL Gentle Skin Cleanser in the morning and evening. For my SPF, I use sunscreen from THE AIVEE CLINIC,” she reveals. Her everyday makeup look is simple as well, with PILI ANI Pili Lipstick and SUNNIES FACE Fluffmatte as her go-to’s.
Romulo-Puyat makes it a point to prioritize her health, no matter how busy she is that week. “I make time to exercise at least three times a week. I like running and doing core exercises,” she shares enthusiastically. When it comes to her diet, the ebullient DOT Secretary says that she prefers to keep everything in moderation. “Moderation is key. I try to eat less carbs, but when I feel bloated, I order the lasagna or the chocolate desserts of Keto Vegetarian PH,” she adds.
In addition to this, she also likes to make time for some self care, sharing to us a few wellness tips she believes every woman should know. “No matter how tired you are, always make sure to clean your face before sleeping. Also, find time to have a massage to destress,” she shares.
It is an understatement to say that Romulo-Puyat is one busy woman. But despite her vivid work life, she talks to you enthusiastically, as if she had all the time in the world. When asked what her philosophy in life and in beauty is, her answer is simple: “Always choose to be happy. When you’re happy, your face will show it.”
“ALWAYS CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. WHEN YOU’RE HAPPY, YOUR FACE WILL SHOW IT”