1) 
Where are you from? Born in Oklahoma City, but left at 2. Raised in the Philippines, Hawaii, Oakland, then back to OKC as a teenager. But of all the places I’ve lived, NYC feels most like home. 

Does your city help inspire you ? Nyc inspires me the most with its diversity, culture, art, and history. 

 

2) When did you realize you wanted to make doing make up as a full time career? I realized I wanted a full time career in makeup when I was around 23. I had done some modeling as a teenager and although I loved doing I felt like I ran out of time because of my age. So I decided that I’d always loved doing makeup on myself and others and decided to pursue it as a career. 

 

3) Whats the hardest thing about being a make up artist that people probably would'nt know? I think the thing that would surprise most people is how much inventory you have to have on hand as a freelance makeup artist. Being an artist on productions or on set involves more than just makeup. You have to make sure you are equipped with razors and hair clippers, a first aid kit, protective makeup masks and capes, airbrush guns, a nail kit, etc. There’s so much more involved than just making a face look good. And I do hair as well so that’s an additional kit that I have to be equipped with at times. I would say the HARDEST thing about being a freelance makeup artist, at least here in NYC, is the physical toll it can take on your body. Running around the city and boros on the trains with your kit... it’s no joke.

 

4) How did start doing make up for the show "Desus & Mero"? & Who has been one of your favorite guest ? I started doing makeup at Desus & Mero when I received a phone call from the line producer of the show. I was referred by a former colleague. It’s hard to say who my favorite guest was because they truly have the most illustrious guests on the show. But I loved Whoopi Goldberg as well as Tracy Morgan. 

 

5) What would be your advice to your younger self? My advice to my younger self would definitely be the same advice I give my children now; remember that you create your own reality, so BE FEARLESS and don’t limit yourself . Oh, and MEDITATE godammit!!!

6) I see you have two beautiful children what would be your advice to moms out there trying to follow their dreams ? I believe so strongly that the Universe/God/Source conspires to give you what you believe you can have in your experience in this life. I’m the type to write down what I want to experience. I use affirmations and incantations sometimes too. And I’m not saying it’s as simple as speaking it and it will come. No, you actually have to BELIEVE it for yourself. And take the steps that you do have control over with what you have to start bringing those dreams into fruition. Then watch how the opportunities start to physically manifest in a way for you to accomplish that which you want. When I was 18 I told myself I wanted to live in New York and work on MTV. In 2012, I was assisting on my first TV production job on Season 3 of GuyCode on MTV2. And a month later I started assisting on the first season of GirlCode on MTV.  Then in 2015, I told myself that I wanted my own show, and I wanted it to be a talk show; something consistent. Then in 2016 Desus & Mero on Viceland was offered to me (it seemed like out of the blue) as the HMU (Hair & Makeup) Dept Head. 

 

7) What hidden talent do you have that people wouldnt know? Most people don’t know that I’m a great cook. Pretty much everyone in my family cooks so learning wasn’t an option. 

 

8) I see in your bio you put you love food , what food could u eat every day for the rest fo your life if you had to choose? Oh shit, that’s a hard one because I love variety so everything gets old sooner than later for me. But I could create a lot of different dishes with a potato if that’s all I could eat everyday for the rest of my life. I’m assuming I would be allowed to prepare any way I want though, not the same shit everyday.