In an exclusive interview with MEGA Man, the male models who took center stage in this groundbreaking underwear campaign bared their innermost narratives and profound sentiments about body positivity and the opportunity bestowed upon them
In today’s fast-paced world, where the pursuit of perfection seems to be the norm, it’s no secret that unrealistic beauty ideals and societal pressures hold sway. Thus, it’s high time we start acknowledging that men also face an array of insecurities, body image concerns, and the never-ending quest for a sometimes unachievable standard.
Highlighting the fact that self-love and acceptance are processes rather than destinations, this brand’s latest campaign seeks to break the silence surrounding men’s body image. In an exclusive interview with MEGA Man, the men that graced it shared their intimate perspective on the journey of embracing distinct shapes that represent our masculinity.
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Abraham Guardian
Abraham Guardian, a fashion designer and co-owner of HA.MÜ, said he was delighted to be a part of the shoot because he had always dreamed of modeling for another label. However, he felt some apprehension because it was his first modeling gig and it was an underwear shoot right away. “I was concerned that the undies might not fit me well or might not even look good on me,” he mentioned.
The 27-year-old designer remarked that he immediately said yes to the assignment because he has gained so much self-assurance about his figure over the years. It’s clear that his confidence showed in the pictures he took. And his first thought upon seeing it was, “Hala ang cute ko!” While he was proud of this accomplishment, he was also a little nervous, as evidenced by his comment, “I hope people will not be too mean with the comments.”
“This was a benchmark for me that proved that I have developed thicker skin and that my confidence from within is already showing on the outside.”
When it comes to learning to love one’s body, Abraham reminded everyone to take it easy on themselves and remember that it is a personal process. “Everything starts from within; everything starts with you. You should start out of your shell at your own pace.” With the presence of unnecessary and unjust norms that need to be wiped out, he expressed his wish that more fashion brands would make an effort to promote a variety of representations.
Ozzie Llige
Ozzie Llige, a college senior studying early childhood education at De La Salle University, likewise posed for the camera, leaving no room for doubt that he deserves some excellent remarks. This young gentleman is not only a student but, also an athlete, having played for DLSU in UAAP Season 81. A challenge seeker, he decided to try out for the role of courtside reporter for the UAAP’s 84th season and was successful in landing one of the coveted spots.
In light of the hard work he has put into his body and his self-assurance over the past several months, Ozzie stated that he kind of saw this campaign as wonderful timing. However, he said that he felt pressure to live up to the team’s expectations and justify their selection of him as a model.
The student-athlete had some insightful things to say during our chat about body positivity. One of his many interesting points is that any campaign should focus on more than just looks; it should also have a meaningful goal. When asked why he agreed to be in the ad, Ozzie responded, “It had a lot to do with the message the brand wanted to cross with everybody! It wasn’t just any other modeling gig to look ‘aesthetically pleasing.’ It came with a purpose, and I wanted to be part of that! And seeing the feedback it got these past few days felt fulfilling, not just to me, but for everyone else involved!”
“It’s understanding that healthy looks different for everyone. Being lean, muscular, or buffed up doesn’t automatically guarantee that someone is healthy!”
Ozzie shared that the message holds a significance for him on a deeply personal level. Just a few months ago, he found himself grappling with the experience of body dysmorphia. But after seeing the campaign photographs, he was filled with joy. “I initially thought that I wouldn’t look ‘presentable’ on camera. But as the shoot was progressing and seeing the shots being taken at the computer screen, I was surprised as to how much progress I’ve made,” he proudly shared.
He closed our interview by saying how delighted he is to share with us how he is beginning to build his body and his confidence at the same time. He shared three pieces of advice that any man will benefit from. To begin, maintaining good health is all about striking a balance between different aspects of your life. Second, don’t let the opinions of others determine how you feel about your body or how you treat it. Last but not least, when it comes to developing good routines, a little bit goes a long way. Small steps add up to big changes, and Ozzie assures that you’ll be able to look yourself in the eye one day and be grateful for all the effort you put in.
Juan Enrico
Juan Enrico, an individual who identifies himself as a multidisciplinary artist, concluded this collaboration in a manner that can only be described as a work of art. He revealed that he experienced a moment of contemplation before embracing the project, particularly due to his concern that he may not possess the ideal physique to grace the advertisements as an underwear model. However, upon realizing that the campaign is all about celebrating a range of body types, he was ultimately persuaded to seize the opportunity and confidently accept the offer.
“I guess it was an extra push for me to be really comfortable in my own skin without having to look ‘perfect’ enough, like, I can say, ‘Oh, I’m okay after all!’”
When probed for his perspective on the subject of men’s body positivity, Juan eloquently opined that the journey towards self-acceptance begins deep within the spaces of one’s soul. He emphasized that trusting yourself is an absolute game-changer and went on to state, “Confidence is really the key [to] being sure of yourself, and you really have to unlearn pointing out flaws because once you stop nitpicking on things about yourself, that’s how you walk towards a more confident outlook for yourself.”
Jam Miranda
Jam Miranda, owner of a video production company, said that his physical size changes depending on the era he’s living in. He mentioned that he had always been the fat kid in school, but that he had lost weight and put on muscle from his college years until his late 20s before going back to his pre-college physique. Therefore, when the brand made contact with him, he shared that he was really confused. He told a humorous anecdote, saying, “For context, I own a video production company, and we make digital ads here in the Philippines. When Straightforward messaged me about a shoot, I thought they were inquiring about our services.”
He wasn’t only uncertain at first, but he also had serious doubts about taking on the project. “Kahit na my body was the stereotypically fit underwear model type, I would’ve hesitated pa rin kasi that was my first ever modeling gig, and it was for underwear pa. Glad I pushed through though!” Jam mentioned.
“I feel like some men still misunderstand the concept of body positivity because I personally had the wrong idea previously. Body positivity does not mean that you empower people’s unhealthy habits. It means being comfortable with whatever shape or size you are in so you don’t form self-destructive thoughts, which can hinder you from bettering yourself.”
Jam, a person who has always worked behind the camera, sees this venture as a wonderful chance to experience life in the spotlight. He also said that he and his girlfriend were together when he saw the images for the first time, and that their reactions couldn’t have been more different. “I felt [kind of] shy when I saw the photos, pero she was smiling from ear to ear and was very excited to post about it!” When he saw how his girlfriend and the internet community reacted, he immediately felt better and began to grin and smile. “It just goes to show that most of us are too hard on ourselves when in fact, the self deprecating thoughts are just that, they’re just thoughts.”
He ended our talk with an insightful reminder that, when it comes to bolstering one’s own self-assurance, it’s best to focus on oneself rather than on the opinions of others. “Everyone is a main character in their own world, so if you feel insecure about how you look, I promise you, they don’t even notice half of what you’re noticing about yourself,” he exclaimed. He went on to say that individuals going out of their way to talk trash about you typically have negative things going on in their lives, and they’re projecting those problems onto you, adding, “Trust me, you’re doing better than them.”
Royce Cristobal
Even though we were not able to personally talk to him, Royce Cristobal graciously took to Instagram to provide us with an exclusive glimpse into the significance this campaign holds for him. He used to believe that his vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder that strips patches of skin of their pigment, was his ultimate enemy. “It stopped me from being normal. I kept thinking about how anytime I’m out alone in public, I had to bring my towel just to cover what I considered my flaw,” Royce captioned.
“As I got older and understood how diverse the world is, I began to believe that each of us has something special about ourselves. That all of us are unique in the most beautiful way.”
Royce shared that this campaign is an experience he will undoubtedly cherish, emphasizing his sincere admiration for brands that show courage in venturing beyond the conventional and spearheading movements that champion inclusivity. He also made sure to express his immense gratitude for the individuals he had the pleasure of encountering, from the models who graced his presence to the exceptional team that worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Photos produced by: STRAIGHTFORWARD
