'My long-lost family': Sandara Park embraces Philippine roots anew

MANILA, Philippines — Homegrown star turned global pop icon Sandara Park finds her way back to the Philippines to partner with the country’s leading low-calorie beer, San Mig Light.

Sandara revealed in a statement sent to Philstar.com that the collaboration could not have come at a better time and that it feels like “finally meeting my long-lost family.”

“I’m really grateful to have such wonderful experience. It’s like being embraced by lightness and fun, just like the brand and just like me,” Sandara shared.

Sandara’s career started in the Philippines when she appeared in the pilot season of the reality-based talent search "Star Circle Quest," where she finished as a runner-up in the competition. She rose to fame soon after, starring in multiple box-office movies and producing a platinum-selling album.

In 2007, Sandara moved back to her home country of South Korea where she later joined the K-pop girl group 2NE1 which produced chart-topping hits such as “I Am The Best," “Fire," and “Come Back Home." The group was pivotal in bringing the music industry from South Korea to the world stage becoming one of the leading figures of the Korean Wave.

During this time, Sandara admitted missing a lot of the things that comforted her during her stay in the Philippines, one of them is her favorite San Mig Light. “Parati kong hinahanap ang San Mig Light every time I go back to the Philippines,” she recalled. “I really missed it, like all the time. San Mig Light is my favorite because its light, fun, and it gives off an easy vibe. Perfect for me!”

Being San Mig Light’s newest brand ambassador comes at a fitting time for the artist as she embarks on her first solo music endeavor in six years with the recent release of her
self-titled mini-album “Sandara Park." Similar to the brand, Sandara believes that staying positive and worry-free is essential in her line of work. She bared that keeping a light vibe and a bright personality are some of the things that she purposely maintains as an artist and celebrity.