From major lifestyle shifts, to the judgmental eyes of the public, Love, Bonito brand ambassador Coleen Garcia now journeys through a new life at home and in her heart
There has always been a traditional interpretation of femininity and how the world views it. Many often associate it with the image of being gentle, soft, and graceful. Others may think of femininity as being the “rightful” caregiver in the family.
But femininity is not solely tied to one definition anymore. Being feminine is an integral part of a woman’s identity, and because of the added pressures of society, modern women are struggling to find and embrace their true selves.
A “feminine modern woman” might sound like a contradiction. How can the personality of being bubbly and carefree, dressed in pastels or flower prints, coexist with being a strong and independent boss, donning a bold red lip with a tailored pantsuit? That’s the beauty of femininity—it isn’t a black and white concept and a one-size-fits-all description. It never was. It’s time we add color and shine a spotlight on the many women hero figures in our lives.
For Coleen Garcia, one of the leading Southeast Asian womenswear brands, Love, Bonito‘s first-ever Filipino celebrity brand ambassador, femininity is a multi-faceted concept that particularly ties in to her confidence and how she presents herself to the world around her. Instead of being a hindrance, the actress sees it as a form of empowerment, a powerful mindset that is deeply connected to one’s self image.
The key to confidence
“The typical definition when we think of femininity is romantic, sweet, soft, [but] I’ve come to realize that [these are] not [the only things that define] femininity. When you talk about empowerment in women nowadays, I think of boldness,” Coleen explains. Contrasting how society generally views it, she expressed how the term has evolved now that women are taking charge in reclaiming their femininity.
“[Femininity is] not just associated with flowers, and roses, and butterflies, and rainbows. There’s a certain punch to it now… Women now are more palaban, and I’m super here for that,” the actress says.
“A modern woman is somebody who doesn’t fit the mold, someone who’s not afraid to step out of that box and create a name, create something for herself and of herself.”
Coleen Garcia on her definition of a modern woman
Embracing one’s femininity varies from one woman to another. For Coleen, she views it as a form of energy that should be distributed in different aspects of one’s life, as it directly translates into a woman’s confidence. “When I think of feminine also, I think of the word ‘power.’ So, I think it’s just channeling that into everything in your life,” she adds.
Moments of introspection
When one talks about beauty and self image, confidence has always played a big role in the whole narrative. When you feel great about yourself, it’s always reflected in your stance, how you chin up and hold your head up high. But just like everything, being confident is always easier said than done.
Coleen Garcia has been seen shining through the big screen and gracing her shows with perfect poise for years now. But the actress reminds us that she’s just like everyone else, that she’s only human after all. Because of major lifestyle shifts, the 30-year-old admits that she hasn’t been feeling like herself for the past few years. “I have to admit, like in the past three years, there were so many moments where I really felt lost and I forgot who I was,” she shares.
From the pandemic, to entering motherhood, to partially moving to Paris for a while in support of her husband Billy, it’s safe to say that the past years have been one heck of a journey for Coleen. But now with everything settling down, the Kaluskos actress is happy to share how things are slowly going back to how they were before everything.
“I’ve only [recently started] to go out and to see my friends again. And then there’s this sense of remembering who I was,” she says.
Figuring out our life and finding ourselves has got to be one of the world’s biggest mysteries. There’s no manual or checklist to refer to whenever we face hurdles that stump us. We literally have to figure everything out as we go on, and that’s what is fascinating about it. With no rules, we’re free to start wherever and whenever we want. With everything that happened to Coleen, she’s aware of how so much has changed.
“I feel myself coming into something different, and just grow into something that I never was and I’m currently not but, hopefully, [into] the person I aspire to be.”
Coleen on her growth after feeling lost
Coming into her own
As someone who’s loved by the public, one might think that Coleen is not one to doubt herself. As a person with immense grace and beauty, it’s easy to associate her as someone who oozes confidence 24/7. However, as she admits, this is far from the truth. Feeling trapped for three years took a toll on Coleen’s confidence and it was easily reflected on how she dressed.
“I dress so overly modest before, like I would always be wrapped up. Which is weird because on TV, it’s the exact opposite…But when I’m at home or when I go to the mall, I [was] always so wrapped up because I didn’t have that confidence,” she explained.
She even opened up about her own insecurities and how it influenced her style. “There are days when I get so insecure about my arms. I feel like some days, they’re bigger. People will tell me they’re not, but again, it’s about how I feel and I’m not comfortable. That’s why I always wear jackets, I wear cover ups,” she confides.
Now a brand ambassador of the brand Love, Bonito, Coleen has expressed how the label instantly transformed her style and, in turn, helped her in feeling more confident in her own skin. Although nothing really changed in her personal style, she admits that it is now a more sophisticated version of her usual shorts and dresses. “It’s not even changing what pieces you wear, it’s finding a better version of it,” she says.
Love, Bonito is hoping to raise a community of empowered women, one gorgeous dress at a time. Catering to the everyday women, they have been an avenue for women to just embrace their femininity and be their most authentic selves.
Over the years, women have been subjected to criticisms about their bodies and those instances have caused a great deal of impact to their self worth. As someone whose every move is scrutinized by the public, Coleen is no stranger to unsolicited comments from others. When asked how she stays true to herself, she shares a piece of advice she keeps close to her heart for those who are struggling with embracing themselves:
“You have to start being kind to yourself because you can’t expect the whole world to be kind to you… the only voice you should listen to is yours and let that be a voice of kindness, let that be a voice of positivity,” Coleen imparts.
The journey to finding yourself and embracing who you truly are isn’t linear. There will be ups and downs, and days where you might just want to give up. But just remember that everything has to start with you. The world may be loud, but let your voice be louder. Now that women are starting to break the stereotype of femininity and more people are continuing to fight for body positivity, women across the globe are now more optimistic about having a safe space where they can just be themselves.
Love, Bonito’s vision is to live in a world where women are empowered to embrace their purpose and their personal definition of femininity. It’s time to break traditional norms and start being the version of yourself you aspire to be.
Art Direction ADAM AGUSTIN
Photography ANDREA BELDUA assisted by MARIO PEPITO
Videography EXCEL PANLAQUE
Styling BEA GUERRERO assisted by MIGUEL QUILANG
Hair MARK ROSALES assisted by KRISTINE CAMBA
Makeup PONG NIU assisted by MARK EDER
All pieces from LOVE, BONITO
Shoot Coordination TONI CALINGASAN, MJ ALMERO, GODWIN DOMINGO
Shot on location SPROOS STUDIOS
