STAR DREAM GIRL: Angelica Bella Misa

“I love football!” exclaims 17-year-old Angelica Bella “Kylie” Misa, a varsity player of the most popular sport in the world today. “It’s not true that girls can’t play. I play the game because the whole family plays it,” she explains. “Also in a way, I prove that girls can also be strong enough for the rough game.”

The daughter of pilot Rafael and former flight attendant Joanna (nee Barroga) Misa, Kylie was never  pressured to follow in her parents’ career path. Not that she doesn’t enjoy the excitement of being 30,000 feet above sea level. In fact, the 5’51/2” lass takes sheer delight in seeing foreign places and learning of new cultures. “I don’t like being away from people too long. But I definitely love traveling,” says Kylie, who shares that Paris and Venice are two of her favorite destinations — the former she has seen and the latter she is yet to see.

“I want to live in Paris. When you’re there, everything seems like a movie. Even the way people eat in the cafes,” she gushes, her eyes smiling in delight with all the beautiful things she experienced in the City of Lights. Meanwhile, top on her must-visit places is the City of Bridges. “Being in Venice romanticizes everything, such as being in the gondolas,” she adds, her excitement almost palpable.

A seasoned traveler, Kylie names the top three most important things in a jetsetter’s luggage. “Since I don’t want to miss out on people back home, I never forget to bring a laptop,” she says. “Pants are advisable. Trust me.” Of course, traveling won’t be as memorable without cameras. “So don’t ever, ever forget this gadget for capturing those precious memories.”

Kylie, a Communication Technology Management sophomore at the Ateneo de Manila University, reveals more of her plans in the next two years — to become part of Greenpeace or any other non-government organization. “I believe it is everyone’s calling to be responsible for our surroundings,” the young advocate philosophizes. Environment and violence against women are two causes Kylie wants to be involved in. “My mom inspired me to be a go-getter. She gives me a lot of opportunities and she pushes me to go get it while it’s still there.” Her dad, on the other hand, taught her to be more laidback and to not let occasional failure derail her endeavors.

She’s not the typical kikay girl. It’s because Kylie believes that beauty should be all-natural. And people undoubtedly see it in her.  — Jerni May H. Camposano