Pilar

On things that spark joy:

Personally, I really like exploring. Exploring can mean different things to me: exploring cultures, places, and even myself. I usually engage in different activities to do so like traveling, doing volunteer work, and self-care stuff (like working out or going to the beach haha). I think that’s where my passion lies: anything that takes me out of my comfort zone. Through this I get to explore the world around me, and learn more things about people and myself. This is where I find most joy as well. Also good food and traveling gives me a lot of joy.

Her passion & advocacy:

I really just like to help people in any way I can. One of my main goals in life is to set up a social enterprise that will help other people. I know it’s pretty vague, I still need to find out what kind of help specifically, but I just really want to make a positive change in people’s lives and the communities we live in.

On finding confidence:

Finding my confidence was honestly a struggle for me at first. I was a really shy girl growing up. It was hard for me to make friends. I remember that in my childhood; I’d always be teased for being “chubby” compared to the other girls. I never realized that I was being body shamed at such a young age! But then I got into different activities that took me out of my comfort zone: mostly musical theater and sports. I was really forced to not be shy and I was also really lucky that these things ended up being activities I genuinely enjoyed doing. By doing all this, it brought out a more confident and fun-loving girl, essentially the person I am today.

On body image:

I think we’ve come a long way into redefining what beauty really is, and that goes with self-worth and body image as well. I am so glad that there are different movements now (by people, brands, etc.) that embrace a more authentic and natural kind of beauty. It’s amazing how it’s slowly becoming a standard that we find beauty in our “imperfections” and I find it quite refreshing for people to share photos of themselves, rid of all the filter and Photoshop. I think we really have to embrace our curves, our folds, our lines, our bones, our features – we’re all unique, and we come in different shapes and sizes. And I find that so beautiful!

Words she would have like to have heard at the most vulnerable point in her life:

I heard these words and it’s what got me through the most vulnerable parts of my life: the pain that I go through is always worth something. There’s always a greater purpose as to why I’ve felt pain; why I’ve suffered. Some of the most painful moments in my life actually helped me become stronger. And I really think it’s important to always pull yourself up after you fall, and to believe that things will always get better. It helps a lot to know that I have I have a support system with my close friends and family.

On Alba:

I really love how this brand allows us to love ourselves and embrace the bodies we have – no matter the size, look, or shape. It’s a beautiful movement of sisterhood and positivity. I’m just so glad that Alba is here to allow women to love themselves and feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.