My Nuffnang Story

Written by Kring Elenzano on November 15th, 2011. Posted in Blogging, Contest, Personal

“For me, the best things about being a blogger are not the freebies, the hits, being invited to exclusive events or even the money that you could earn from it. It’s the comments, the heart warming messages from the readers and viewers, the idea that you could be a positive influence and perhaps even a catalyst for change… It’s just so humbling and inspiring. ♥”

When Nuffnang invited me to hold a contest on my blog – sponsored by SWISH Mouthwash – where I could give whatever I want to my readers, I did not merely get excited – I was challenged. What can I share with my loyal readers, that’s worth x amount of money, that would REALLY mean something to them? Gadgets? Clothes? A round-trip ticket to Korea?

From what I’ve gathered over the past few years, majority of my readers (female, 13-35 years old) want one thing – to matter. And so, with that in mind, I thought the best prize for a contest would be a full-blown make-over: new clothes, hair and make-up from Hairshaft Salon, photo shoot at the Art Movement Studios, dinner at Stacy’s and even Php 5,000 cash!

Many people joined and answered with so much passion. In their answers, I saw how much they wanted it, how much they needed it. It was indeed overwhelming. But in this contest, only one person could win. And Jersa Isip convinced us with these words:

“As what I’ve said on my 1st entry, I think it is not a matter of who “deserves to win” but who is “eager to win”. And I’m still keen on winning this contest.”

She submitted two entries, in fact.

So on October 28, 2011, I met Jersa for her special day. Without exaggeration, I tell you this – she’s the shyest person that I’ve hung out with in my life. EVER.

“Jersa…. ang itawag mo sa akin.“

Jersa doesn’t really talk, unless you ask her something. Even then, she’d just answer with a single word or a short sentence. When I was trying to get to know her, she wouldn’t even look me in the eyes. It was tough, really, especially for someone so talkative as me but I guess things happen for a reason. At the end of the day, it dawned on me, if there was one person who really needed this make-over, not just physically, it was Jersa.

We started our day at a mall department store. I was looking for three things in her outfit: color, “sexiness” and youth. A lot of times big women tend to hide beneath dark-colored clothes that cover too much. Not that day. Jersa would be foxy!

Inspiration: Nicki Minaj

There were some troubles at the beginning. Some dresses were out of budget, others weren’t her size and a few looked like they were for mothers… We had a difficult time choosing her footwear, too since Jersa is a size 11. But if there’s a will, there’s a way. We eventually found the perfect dress and shoes.

After buying her outfit, we went to the Hairshaft Salon at The Podium where she was treated like a star by the staff. Miguel, my personal stylist even did her hair color and gave her a new ‘do.

I’ve always thought those foils are also used to wrap imbutido.

Jersa has never had her hair colored and we were so thrilled to just recreate her look. It took about three hours to do her hair and another hour to do her make-up. She has also never had her make-up done by a professional before. It was indeed a lot of firsts for her and quite honestly, even until that point, I still didn’t know what was going through her head. She would just occasionally smile, which was marvelous as she has a beautiful smile! I bet she doesn’t even know it!

WOWOWOW!!! What is metamorphosis (lalim). And she has blonde and red highlights!!! Thank you, Migs!

Just before night time, we headed over to the the Art Movement Studios where photographer Raphael Yu was waiting. Rap, at such a young age, has worked with many models and clients before and it was interesting to watch him “direct” Jersa. Soon as she walked in, he knew right away that she is VERY SHY and it might be hard to capture good images.

“Whatever happiness you have felt this whole day, try to exude it at this very moment. Bring it out. That’s what I want to see”, he said. Though she had some adjusting to do, Rap and I were both surprised that the happy and friendly Jersa came out! And it showed on the photos!

Rapyu working his magic!

Jersa showing y’all a completely different side of her.

The model and the photographer! It’s a wrap!!!

While waiting for her print to be done, I asked her how she felt while striking those poses. “I feel… different, more mature. It’s normally my sister who gets to do these things but I’m glad I was able to experience it, even just for a day.”

Wow. I tried to hide it but her words made me emotional. I, too had a lot of insecurities as a kid. I may have outgrown many of them but some still linger. I gave her a pep talk, shared with her some life lessons that I’ve learned over the years, especially about claiming one’s dreams. I was talking to her but I found my self listening to my own words as well.

We capped the night with a DE-LI-CIOUS dinner from Stacy’s at Capitol Hills. The first time I went to that resto, I just knew it was the perfect place to have dinner for a special occasion. The interiors are too adorable and are 1950′s inspired! More than that, they serve awesome food, too. Pretty, great-tasting food.

You can never go wrong with a heart-shaped rice.

The star of the night with the lovely staff of Stacy’s! THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU GUYS WERE OHSOME!!!

Jersa’s adventure did not end that night, however. A couple of weeks after, she claimed her check at the Nuffnang Philippines’ office! It was Php 5,000 worth, half of which she said she’d give to her mother and the rest would be her Christmas money. Jersa had to stop school because of financial reasons and so she doesn’t get a regular allowance anymore. The 5,000 pesos would mean a lot, much more than I could’ve thought.

I looked like such a “tambay sa kanto”. Oh, and that’s Trixie Esguerra of Nuffnang Philippines!!!

I truly hope Jersa learned something from this experience because I sure did. I do not expected her to be all sassy and flamboyant right away but starting conversations with people could be the first step. And I fervently wish that even for a day, she felt like a princess. Or a rockstar.

A lot of times I get asked why I do what I do. Why I blog, why I make videos, why I write stories, why I create things. Primarily, it was for creative expression but eventually, I’ve come to realize that there’s more to it than that. There has to be. It is such a waste to be given all these opportunities and blessings to use it for nothing. Perhaps helping and inspiring others are some of the other reasons. Maybe I’m just used as a medium. I have a whole life ahead of me to figure it out.

But from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank everybody who made this possible. SWISH Mouthwash, Migs and Sir Ferdie of The Hairshaft Salon at The Podium, Raphael Yu and the Art Movement Studios, Gelique Abesamis and her staff at Stacy’s and of course, Nuffnang Philippines. Thank you for letting me use my blog to make a young woman realize that she is special.