My 2006, 2016 & 2026. How’s yours?

Me in 2006, Makeup by MAC Pro Vilma Cruz for Nocturnelle (Dita Von Teese) Collection. Self-portrait. 

2006… is 20 years ago. Although it had made me push through with my career as an in-demand pro makeup artist at MAC cosmetics, doing part-time face-modeling, paintings/sketches, & having a band/metal covers band  (I left band life due to personal issues), I can say that it is the most grim & darkest year in my entire life. Despite the ordeal of my harrowing personal life, it made me focus on my artistic goals which I used as a gateway to pursue my dreams of traveling the world while experiencing vast cultures, watch my favorite bands/artists live (perhaps, meet them, too), & see art galleries of my favorite painters. I turned my pain into a vessel of pursuing my career and art goals. But I am still grateful to all the opportunities & the lessons it brought me, while working at a very young age independently, letting go, going with the flow, giving life a “second chance”, & overcoming it all alone… without anyone’s help. I am also grateful to people that I have met along the way and to those that helped me without asking. 

🪜🪜🪜

Moving on to 2016: it was one of the most busiest year in my career. My work has graced the covers of Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, GLAM, T The TIMES, Harayer magazines, tv show guesting at What’s up Doha, brand representative to Middle East brand Wojooh & French brand Borjouis makeup brands & conducting makeup workshops, to meeting world-renowned international fashion designer Alice Temperley of Temperley London, attended Grazia red carpet, all while I’m jam-packed with both the international celebrities & VVIP’s makeup clientelle. Got to visit my country the Philippines for the 3rd time in my life, & resumed more leisure travel to Japan & Hong Kong. Such trips of unwind are very much needed to nourish one’s soul. In this, I got to watch Iron Maiden (got to take home guitar picks used by the band) & Nightwish (first tour with After Forever’s Floor Jansen, Marco Hitiela was still part of the band and drummer Jukka’s departure) both concerts live in Japan. All these with the support of my husband, family, & very tight-knit lifetime friends. 

🎬🎬🎬

Fast forward to 2026: a more laid-back & much calmer approach to both 2006 & 2016, & bidding farewell to a rather strange & very challenging 2025, as an half grey-haired almost-40 adult that keeps on occasionally coloring my hair black, where I suddenly feel the importance of focus on my health & well-being. While admittedly “clueless” & “vulnerable” of what this year has to offer, I do hope it’s as meaningful & abundant as the two previous years… & away with all the negative vibes, for good. 

🧘‍♂️🧘‍♂️🧘‍♂️

Achievements: I am proud of myself & all the things I have achieved for the past 20 years. 

What I have desired and wished for as a young woman in 2006 which was “pursuing my dreams of traveling the world while experiencing vast cultures, watch my favorite bands/artists live (perhaps, meet them, too), & see art galleries of my favorite painters.”, it has all happened. Travelled to 17 countries, watched my favorite bands, got to meet Mr. Ville Valo (HIM): my dream since I was a kid, Mr. Kari Valo (Ville Valo’s father) Jussi 69 (The 69 eyes), Randy Blythe (Lamb of God),  still a makeup artist/painter for the past 22 years with my abundant portfolio, got to meet celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic and Kim Kardashian for a makeup workshop in Dubai, and  the most important thing is that I am still me— alive and kicking: living the goth - extreme metalhead living the subculture alternative lifestyle with zero fvcks given to conformity. And yes, I still wear red lipstick. 💄💄💄It was worth fighting for my dreams, my life, my artistry and career, and my future’s path. 

🧿🧿🧿

Resolution: I’m grateful for grabbing my dreams at my hand’s reach whenever I want to, but, I do long for me to dream again, as I lost my will & desire to dream. I guess, it’s because I already have achieved what I wanted and needed in my life. But I will keep on trying and relive my dreams. And who knows if I go back to things I have not been able to pursue, like music? I will only let the time do its work on my life. Also, to try being more healthy. And may the ones I love be off of harm’s way.

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I honor the life of what could have been, what has been, and what will be. 

I am curious how was your 2006, 2016, and 2026? Where were you at the time and how was it like? Wishing you all the best 2026. 

⚡️⚡️⚡️

🖤🖤🖤, 

Devruhadabrah