Before Kisses Delavin dared to compete for Miss Universe Philippines, she first conquered the streets of Prague. Here’s a look back at her #MakingMEGA in 2018.
Related: See A Different Side Of Kisses Delavin In Her #MakingMEGA Documentary
It’s been 4 years since the MEGA Team and Kisses Delavin flew out of the country for her first-ever solo cover shoot. Delavin then was a rising star whose youthful spirit, genuine kindness, and talent lead her to be a loved actress and singer but today, she stands as a young woman ready to take on a grande role–the Miss Universe Philippines title. So, before she competes for the crown, watch her strut the boldest fashion in the streets of Prague, Czech Republic.
Here’s an excerpt of her March 2018 #MakingMEGA cover:
The weather can be quite erratic in Prague. One day it could be sunny and bright; the next, gloomy and dark. Couple the former with sceneries of mainly medieval and gothic structures—think castles and churches—one could only imagine how the weather can strongly affect the temperament of anyone who even so much as passes by. For the uninitiated, this dreary overcast could potentially vog down the memory and overall experience of the escape of a lifetime. But this wasn’t the case with the ray of light that is Kisses Delavin. With her innate cheerful disposition and bubbly personality, she quite literally brought a wash of color to the almost desaturated European milieu—a welcome and refreshing respite, if you ask us.
At first glance, one would assume that this dainty, porcelain-skinned beauty from Masbate has lived the charmed life—born with a silver spoon in her mouth and is used to having everything. While it can be said that she can appear careful, almost as if fragile to the touch, this traces itself back to the fact that this young girl has been fighting hard all her life. Encompassed by a burgeoning youth, Kisses Delavin has already gone through the harsh wringer of life, having fought for her very existence. “Ang parents ko took five years bago nila ako nabuo,” she reveals. “So, ‘yung five years na ‘yon, pabalik-balik sila ng Manila to have injections para makabuo ng baby. And then, ‘yung first time…basta eight pregnancies ‘yung mother ko…and then ako lang ‘yung nag-survive. Maraming beses siyang nakunan.”
A long awaited answered prayer, it makes perfect sense that this individual was (and still is) showered with so much care and affection. So, when a life or death situation struck her when she was six, all means were exhausted to save her. “When I was six years old, nagkaroon ako ng disease, viral encephalitis. Parang rare disease siya,” she recalls. “Nagko-convulse na ‘ko tapos ‘yung doctor sabi niya kailangan madala na ‘ko sa Manila. So, nag-charter [plane] ‘yung parents ko. Mga 30 minutes dumating ‘yung eroplano from Cebu, in-airlift ako papuntang Manila and then ‘pag dating ko sa Manila, sinabi nila na mga 15 minutes na hindi ako nakarating, maaring wala na ako.” Her fate seemed dim as she fell into a coma and the doctors declared that if she doesn’t wake up in 24 hours, she will not make it. Miraculously she survived, unscathed without any lifelong damages—just a story to tell from here on out.
ON HER OWN
There is gratitude not only towards her family life, but towards career and opportunities as well. Having finished off as Second Big Placer on the famous reality show, Pinoy Big Brother, Kisses is on a roll, racking up a record deal, endorsements, appearances and a teleserye to name a few. Considering her early foray in show business, things are truly looking up for the young star. It’s funny how she almost lost these breaks had she not pressed on and decided to take matters in her own hands.
For as long as she can remember, the glitz and gleaming allure of show business has always fascinated her. Back in the province, she would watch a lot of TV and would claim to her father, “Gusto ko gawin yan.” Understandably, her father would discourage her from pursuing such a tumultuous career path and preferred his unica hija to finish her degree and eventually have a
stable career. Despite this, never once did she consider putting a stop to chasing after her other dreams, such as modeling and joining pageant competitions.
With a tenacious drive and determination to make it, she worked hard, eventually making her dreams a reality. Winning titles and landing jobs only fueled her to go full speed ahead into the business she had only until that point seen on television. “I really want to be known as someone who acts on camera,” shares Kisses. “‘Yun ‘yung gusto kong gawin, kasi ever since bata ako, mahilig ako manood ng movies, ng TV. And then sinabi ko sa daddy ko na gusto ko ‘yan gawin, na parang ang saya niya gawin. Sinabi ko, I will never know if I don’t try.”
A turning point in her life would have to be when she went on to pursue a college degree in De La Salle University. After being burnt out from all the studying and stiff competition she had to face, she knew that it was now or never. “Accountancy ako sa De La Salle University, wala akong time sa ibang mga bagay,” she reasons. “So, nag-ask ako sa parents ko na, ‘Please, bigyan niyo ako ng three months leave. I just need a break. I’ll be a CPA lawyer then have a business.’ Sa three months na ‘yon, kailangan kong i-try ang mga bagay na ‘to. So, [I planned] kung anong gagawin ko. I told myself, wait lang, I need to try this because I’ll never be 17 again.” Needless to say her biggest gamble paid off.
Since then, she has been going at it non-stop, slowly ticking of the many boxes on her list of dreams. One of which, was to land on the cover of MEGA. “Totoo ‘yun, yung first solo cover ko is MEGA. I feel very blessed kasi this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s not like any other photo shoot,” she says. “I am very competitive, but in a way sa sarili ko ako competitive. Kailangan galingan ‘yung pag-pose. [I] always listen to the photographer. I was nervous kasi siymepre, first solo shoot, and then ang daming tao sa paligid ko na talagang magagaling and so I [asked myself], ‘Will they like what I’m doing? Okay lang ba pose ko? Am I causing delay?’ May mga thinking na ganun kasi I really want to make it the best. Pero when it went on, talagang mararamdaman mo na it’s just you and the rest of the team. You have nothing to worry about because they chose you for a reason. And ibig sabihin, pag-pinili ka nila sa #MakingMEGA, you deserve that spot. So, I just thought na I’ll enjoy this. They chose me because I am who I am. I’ll just show them my true self,” she says in full confidence.
KEEPING THE PROMISE
It is no surprise that Kisses has managed to navigate the often chaotic industry with an ease that is well beyond her tender years. Sure, she has faced a number of challenges, but like the true survivor she is, she will emerge victorious. Coming in close contact with the young lady, it becomes apparent that her self-awareness and truth will keep her grounded.
“My greatest achievement is believing in myself and always standing up for what I believe in.”
Kisses Delavin
“Kasi in life, if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. Kung ikaw hindi naniniwala sa sarili mo, what more ‘yung ibang tao? So, if there’s one thing na gusto kong i-share, kailangan mo maniwala sa sarili mo. Believe in yourself and of course, with God, kasi galing sa kanya lahat ng strength mo.”
Youth is often encumbered by so much naysay, proving to be such a hurdle to go through, especially in the years where the identity is being shaped to what it will eventually become. But like many a young’un that has come and gone on to face the much dreaded adulthood, it is a keen understanding of one’s truth and keeping at it that really sets the observers who just float on by from those who really set their focus on what really matters, the self and the dreams that anchor them to who they really are. Kisses Delavin may be at the early throes of youth, but it is clear that this survivor will keep on keeping on, proving people wrong and making the most important person proud, herself.
Photography MARK NICDAO
Creative direction SUKI SALVADOR
Art direction JANN PASCIA
Styling RAIN P. DAGALA assisted by MOI BUSTO
Makeup OWEN SARMIENTO
Hair JOHN VALLE
Photography assistants PHIL NICDAO & JAMES BAUTISTA
Special thanks to AMBASSADOR JAROSLAV OLŠA JR. OF CZECH REPUBLIC, ELEISA HERNANDEZ, CONSUL VERONIKA HIRZEL OF CZECH EMBASSY MANILA, MR. MICHAL PROCHÁZKA OF CZECH TOURISM, ARCHIE CARRASCO, LUZ BAGALASCA and STAR MAGIC
Shot on location at OLD TOWN SQUARE
