Christine Hermoso: In winning form

MANILA, Philippines - Women need confidence to enable them to try new things, pursue opportunities and enjoy the good life. The “Live on the Lighter Side of Life” campaign of Olay Natural White Bar is about helping them achieve this confidence. The campaign encourages women to forget the same old usual choices they make that keep them from stepping out of the shadows and living on the lighter side of life. Olay invites women to live on the lighter side of life with newfound confidence by revealing their skin’s natural fairness all over with the new Olay Natural White Bar. It all starts with trying something new for a change.

Fitness figure and model Christine Emilia Luz Hermoso lives by one mantra: to stay enthusiastic about all possible opportunities. A few minutes spent with her will immediately reveal that here is a girl who gladly and proudly wears her heart on her sleeve.

Christine has always been very athletic. She recalls, “I was always getting into all kinds of sports — softball, running and swimming.” The active lifestyle that she led did not, however, keep her from developing a few issues about self-image as is often the case with individuals in their adolescence. “I had developed some problems with my skin and was also overweight for my height,” reveals Christine.

In 2009, she finally decided to embrace a healthier lifestyle, hitting the gym as often as she could and even joining a fitness competition that, she observes, “was an experience that has allowed me to push myself and see what my strengths are and what I am capable of.” A rigid training program and diet that prepped her for the fitness competition ultimately gave birth to her perfect figure, happy disposition and eternal radiance. “Going to the gym regularly and eating healthy has allowed me to shed off the weight. Getting good sleep and staying hydrated at all times has also helped me improve my skin. I am also positive that people whom I met in the past will not recognize me anymore.”

Christine also realized the importance of maintaining fair skin, especially since as an athlete, she is exposed to the dangerous rays of the sun. “As you grow older, you realize the value of a balanced life, which includes maintenance of a healthy body and healthy skin. These are important because they motivate you to feel good about life and yourself,” she says. Christine strongly believes that skin fairness boosts confidence. “With fair skin, one can exude the natural beauty of a woman. Women should invest in products that contribute to healthy skin.”

Now that she is in tip-top shape, Christine is kept occupied by her work in public relations. She explains, “I would like to be able to try all kinds of performing arts. In terms of training, I am more of a dancer with backgrounds in jazz, ballet and cheerleading.” Her foray in the entertainment industry has given Christine several support roles, all of which she considers to be avenues for her to grow. She reflects, “By working in diverse environments and creative teams, I am lucky to be able to learn different approaches and styles in acting. These projects, regardless of whether I am in a support or lead role, have been learning experiences that I value immensely.”

During the photo shoot and interview, the petite and porcelain-skinned stunner enthusiastically shares of her fascination over indie films. “I had just auditioned for a role in an indie film that I feel I can really relate to. It’s a story about a struggling dancer,” elaborates Christine, whose verve and energy leave one constantly engaged and fascinated.

Considering all that Christine has thus far achieved, she insists that there is always room for improvement. She declares, “I am a work in progress. I think that all women should always keep this in mind so that they are constantly pushing themselves to improve and to grow.”

Perhaps because of her orientation in sports, Christine is characteristically the type to face up to any challenge that life may hand her. “In all that life hands to you, especially when you are about to enter into something new or challenging, it always helps to surround yourself with positive energy. There will always be things that will bring you down or may cause you to doubt yourself. But at the end of each day, you have to make conscious choices that will ultimately make you happy.”

Simple, spot-on and to-the-point, Christine Hermoso is able to find the way through every new endeavor with a positive state of mind and a never-ending fervor. That’s what living on the lighter side of life has done to her.