Rayana Eissa, Sabrina San Diego, Yaofa dela Cruz and Chelsea Manalo are alumni of “SM Youth Go-See,” the digital reality show-slash-model search that’s now on its fourth season.

This year, two winners will be chosen to join the SM Youth ambassadors. The two will each receive P30,000 worth of SM Youth clothing, and will participate in upcoming fan shows and events all over the country. They will also be featured in campaigns and lookbooks at SM Stores nationwide.

But the show is more than a competition and search. It serves as platform to celebrate the stories, identities and dreams of the Filipino Youth. The girls explain how the show helped them, not just professionally but also in their personal growth.

Empowering

“SM Youth’s fashion is empowering because it’s not limited to women, and it gives everyone the freedom to wear what they want,” says Yaofa, who appeared on Season 2. “My experience with SM Youth helped me a lot. I am still a bit shy, but not too much like before. I now have more confidence.”

“We are both audience and creators, so we should take responsibility for what we take from people and share with them,” says Rayana of Season 3 of her role as ambassador.

Chelsea, also of Season 2 and a Miss World Philippines 2017 finalist, says, “As an alumna, I’m given a huge platform to empower the youth and women. I can speak about my ideas and never be afraid to go for them.”

Once a victim of bullying, she used the unfortunate incident to grow and be the best version of herself. “It almost pushed me to the bottom,” she admits. “Now I say live your life the way you want, don’t be pushed or swayed by other people.”

For Sabrina of Season 3, the experience “helped me be more confident in expressing myself. I remember a phase when I sought validation from others. That’s why I’m really thankful that I joined ‘SM Youth Go-See.’ I felt the group warmly welcome the real me.”

“Our bond is unbreakable that up to now we still hang out and work with each other,” says Chelsea of the friendships that developed in the show. “We also bonded with the other batches. We just all became a family.”

Says Rayana, “Even if we have different stories, it’s nice to be surrounded by people who have the same drive to improve, discover and inspire.”

The live finale of “SM Youth Go-See” Season 4 is on July 6 at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall. Gates open at 3 p.m. —CONTRIBUTED

Credits:
Photography
Miguel Alomajan
Styling
Luis Carlo San Juan
Makeup
Theresa Padin and Lesley Jane Zara
Hairstyle
JA Feliciano and Darina Puente
Editorial Assistant
Luis Mendoza