Yes!” exclaims content creator, podcaster, educator and beauty queen Ayn Bernos,
But, just like what Oprah said, “Just not all at once.”
“I’d like to believe the same thing,” Ayn says. “I can be a mom and a successful career woman. Or I can be… Well, that’s the thing. I don’t know what I can’t be. And hopefully that message resonates with a lot of us.”
According to Ayn, as long as we embrace what the universe can give us, and if we open our hearts to it, “nothing can stop us from reaching our dreams.”
Take it from this TikToker, who grabs every opportunity that comes her way.
“Growing up, I always wanted to be a beauty queen,” she recalls. “I wanted to wear a sash, stilettos, and a crown. But how can you pursue such a dream when you’re 5’3”?”
In the Philippines, that is not the height of a beauty queen. Women who join pageants are slim, tall, and stand at 5’8” at average.
“How can you pursue such a dream when you’re five inches short? And so, when I was younger, I put that dream on hold,” she shares.
Instead, Ayn pursued her other passions. She took better care of her physical and mental health (especially during the pandemic years), trained in public speaking, she started creating educational videos on TikTok, and worked on her advocacy which is to empower women and redefine beauty (beyond stereotypes).
“I would still do the things that a beauty queen would do. Instead, I didn’t do it with a sash and a crown.”
But then something happened in 2021. For the first time in many years, a major national pageant in the Philippines scrapped the height limit and allowed women to join even if they stand 5’3”.
And for the first time — in a long time — a brown-skinned woman at 5’3”, with a round face and soft features, got to stand up on the Miss Universe Philippines stage, and say her name: Ayn Bernos, 26, San Juan.
“I didn’t even live in San Juan,” says Ayn with an impish grin. “I’m from Quezon City. But you know what? I just grabbed the opportunity and relished the spotlight.”
This self-care brand can do it all, too!
Ayn was the keynote speaker during the launch of a self-care line that just like her, has the power to “do it all!”
For this TikToker turned beauty queen, she wouldn’t have done all of that if she didn’t take good care of herself.
This is the inspiration behind the newest tita essential that will soon be a must-have in not just your mom or tita’s purses, but yours, too!
Taiwan brand Ming Sing launched its line of self-care products that not only promises to “do it all,” but also helps empower women to do the same.
With the theme “She Can Do It All,” the launch reiterated the importance of self-care as the cornerstone of setting oneself up for the career path she chooses for herself.
“We are proud to bring Ming Sing Agua de Florida and a host of other self-care products to the Philippines,” enthuses Ming Sing Taiwan CEO Evelyn Kwok. “We believe that this is what Filipinas need to feel physically and spiritually well, so that they can do everything they set their minds to.”
Scents & sensibilities
Have you ever smelled something that takes you right back to your childhood? For guests who attended the launch, Agua de Florida by Ming Sing did just that.
According to a Chinese national seated beside me, Agua de Florida used to be a staple in every Chinese household.
A multi-purpose product, this “magic” water has been used by women for generations to help remove body odor, to freshen the air, calm the nerves, relieve headaches, soothe itches, and even sanitize one’s environment.
“Ming Sing started in 1907 just by selling Agua de Florida,” notes Leo Lau, Ming Sing Philippines business development co-director Leo Lau.
In 2018, Min Sing announced that they are going to shut down its operations.
“And my mom, Evelyn Kwok, being the entrepreneurial woman that she is, decided to take a leap of faith. She revived the brand, and rekindled people’s memories of what Agua de Florida once was, what Ming Sing once was,” Leo adds.
Kwok expanded Ming Sing’s vision as well.
“We’re not just making Agua de Florida, but a complete line of personal-care products,” he adds. “My mom hopes that one day, these items can touch people’s hearts and lives — just like what Agua de Florida did back in the day.”
Ming Sing’s Agua de Florida is a unique blend of 70 percent denatured alcohol and essential oils. It reminds one of those comforting, unhurried days with your loving and multi-tasking lola, mom or tita.
“And just like them, Agua de Florida is versatile. Its formulation is safe to use for multiple applications such as perfume, fabric or air freshener, and even as a gentle surface cleaner,” he says.
Agua de Florida has also gained popularity for its applications in spiritual wellness. It is believed to cleanse negative energy, and provide a variety of metaphysical benefits.
As a nod to this, the launch featured Ea Torrado, a certified tarot reader, energy healer, mindfulness and meditation coach, to do tarot readings for guests. The ritual included spritzing Agua de Florida to cleanse the air during readings.
Ming Sing also introduced its other multi-use products such as the Moisturizing Candle, which doubles as a moisturizing lotion; Mosquito Repellant, Crystal Hand Sanitizer, and Itch Reliever.
“In line with its philosophy to put a twist on everyday products, there’s definitely more to look forward to from the Ming Sing line,” adds Leo. “Just like how Agua de Florida touched so many lives back then, we want to do the same with our new product line.”
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Ming Sing products are available on Shopee and Lazada.
For inquiries, visit www.mingsing.ph or follow Ming Sing @mingsingph on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.