Although the art of applying make-up goes back at least 6,000 years, still at the current times, the ever increasing demand for skillfully trained cosmetologists continues to dominate society’s needs especially movie productions, theaters, and beauty salons. More than any other profession, the make-up industry is generally dominated by gay men, and the women consistently remain their biggest threat and in strong competition with the former.
Filipino beauty experts, for one, never allow their global competitors pull their pulleys to the top and be left down the drain. In their innately creative ways, despite of the scarcity of financial investments, they could consistently keep abreast with what’s the latest and trendy from out of the limited resources on hand. Truly, Filipinos are a creative lot and indubitably innovative.
From Dagupan City, a progressive metropolitan in Pangasinan province (north of Manila) hails a well-skilled and one of the most in-demand make-up artists in New York City whose name is as unique as her exotic beauty, Maleyna Lomibao.
The youngest among the four children of Jose and Sylvia Tandoc, young Maleyna has since dreamed to be a beauty queen but opted to finish Computer Science in 2003 from the Lyceum of the Philippines due to the wide demands of the course or easy employment once armed with a ComSci diploma.
But it seemed she was not really cut for it since her heart dictated course leaning toward fashion and beauty culture. The inherent ingenuity from within her tried to burst out in protest.
After giving it some thought and total analysis, Maleyna decided to try her luck overseas, in Los Angeles, to be exact. She could be independent and adventurous, highly intuitive, extremely enthusiastic over new discoveries, and adaptable to any given situation… being a typical Piscean (born on March 19). Her career prospect took top priority. Being innately imaginative and ingeniously creative, it was easy for her to lean toward the direction of beauty and fashion.
Living up to the very essence of her name Maleyna, which happens to be a very unique first name which truest essence that has the potential to attain power and authority, skilled and efficient while enjoying rivalry, the alluring beauty enhancer with that incredible Midas touch consistently adheres to her life’s principle: “Work hard, dominate the workplace, conquer every barrier, and hold success in the palm of my hand.”
And instantly her name became synonymous with impeccable make-up and beautifully enhanced face. Dedicated and focused, Maleyna never allowed negativities to cross her way and so was false hope. She could only expect the best from what she does since she puts her whole heart and soul into it to attain perfection.
Serendipitously meeting artists’ reps, fashion photographers, models and modeling agents and attending industry-relevant social gatherings gave Maleyna the essential connections that enabled her to widen her data base and stay long-lasting in the cutthroat business of make-up artistry. She exactly knows who and how to stay connected with potential contacts without obviously showing her downplayed ferociousness and reserved assertiveness. Maleyna, being cautious and a skillfully-honed career person, has learned the ropes of the trade and how to keep them wanting for and coming back to her.
In a recent interview set amid the strident sounds of the queuing crowd over a coffee shop counter in midtown Manhattan, Maleyna candidly responded to my every query and voluntarily revealed even the most surreptitious personal facts about her…some of which I deemed better left unprinted to keep the readers in cavernous thought and palpable scrutiny.
Donned in a black knitted top over skinny jeans faultlessly matched with a wide-collared coat (since the unpredictable spring temp registered in the 30s that Tuesday afternoon), Maleyna’s long dark hair simply falls in a slapdash fashion every time she tilts her head or with just a wisp of thin air…which she unmindfully finger-combed caressingly and at times merely left unattended.
Interesting facts about her sole journey covered most of our comfy tete-a-tete over sips of hot caramelized honey latte. Here are a few attention-grabbing excerpts from her answers, personal points of view, and sanitized opinions deciphered straight from my close encounter with New York’s latest toast in make-up trends, Maleyna Lomibao.
Bobby T. Yalong (BTY): What was actually your childhood obsession?
Maleyna Lumibao (ML): Since my youth, I really wanted to be a beauty queen. I don’t know but it had been an obsession since. I would (secretly) wear my sisters’ clothes and shoes and my mom’s make-up. If other girls my age would want to play with dolls, I loved the feel of make-up on my face and the stirring thrill from balancing my steps with my sister’s high-heeled shoes. There was an unexplained fascination when wearing oversized clothes that served as long gowns on me.
BTY: Did you achieve your magnificent obsession of being a beauty queen?
ML: Hahahaha…! Very Much! I joined my first ever big pageant in Los Angeles in 2009 and took home the Miss West Hollywood title. That motivated and inspired me to join other contests and Lady Luck seemed to be constantly by my side. In 2010, I grabbed twin titles: Miss Supermodel in San Francisco and Miss USA in L.A. And in 2011, another double victory: Queen of the Universe and Miss Galaxy Empress.
BTY: When did you start being a professional make-up artist?
ML: It took me a long process to be what I really wanted…to be the best make-up artist in the field! I studied extensively, underwent tutelage, rigid training, apprenticed at the popular Vanity salon in Hollywood, and even spent another two years to master hair dressing and grooming. In 2009, I was already operating my own beauty salon in L.A.
BTY: Knowing that there’s a stiff competition in the beauty business in Los Angeles, how did you fare being a newbie?
ML: It was a huge challenge… I just couldn’t deny. But the excellent quality of my creativity, aside from the fact that I am one effectual endorser, was more than enough to advertise my business and soon enough, I gained a good number of clientele and started to carve my own niche and name in the area.
BTY: If not this career, what could have been your other option?
ML: Definitely, a doctor like my mom. She actually convinced me to follow her footsteps but the incessant call of the glitz and glam of the entertainment world was irresistible… and I easily surrendered. But I have no regrets whatsoever… I just couldn’t imagine myself in a different career other than this.
BTY: What made you leave L.A. and re-start a career here in NYC?
ML: I made a wrong move but it was a lesson hardly learned. I followed my boyfriend who runs his business in the city. His scheduled visits in L.A. seemed insufficient that only left us longing for each other more, so we both decided to sell my shop and lived together. But the things we envisioned didn’t work as planned and our relationship went kaput… however, we still tried to maintain our friendship.
BTY: So, what keeps you going in this chaotic and tumultuous surrounding?
ML: I am doing well. My connections are getting broader and business is ok. Although I still aspire for bigger opportunities like to be in contract with a big celebrity or a popular television network. There was once an offer but I did not bite it. I don’t want to be tied down for two years with a fee I could easily earn in months or in a year.
BTY: Other than this career, what other skills could you offer?
ML: I am a professional beach volley ball player…yes, I travel with a group for possible matches.
BTY: By the way, which big names’ faces had your hands laid on or touched?
ML: Well, some Filipino celebrities that visited L.A. I used to do Brandy, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Scherzinger, and lately, Miss Universe 2016 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
BTY. What do you think sets you apart from your contemporaries?
ML: Well, I guess, aside from being satisfied with my work, my clients would often compliment that I am quiet…not the garrulous type. They even mistook my silence for being too serious or engrossed with what I do but that is really what I am. I hate the “palengkera” attitude (wild and chatty like an uneducated vendor) especially in the workplace.
BTY: Currently, is there a special someone who inspires and gives you reason for living?
ML: The pain from my past jilted moments had been nursed… and yes, there’s somebody who now filled the emptiness in me. He’s from Belarus and with the traits I have always dreamt about…tall, good-looking, very generous and thoughtful. After a hard day’s work, I have all the motivations to go home and enjoy the rest of the day. He’s a perfect inspiration!
BTY: Any future plans?
ML: This early, I’m considering to permanently establish my career here… maybe operate a high-end complete service beauty salon, create my own make-up brand, introduce a new scent bearing my name, and hopefully, with the guy that will not only inspire me but will be around to support a burgeoning business.
Beauty, they say, is a fragile gift that fades away but the truest essence of it remains unaltered beneath… for there’s no cosmetic for beauty like happiness and contentment.
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