The beauty of resilience

Young actress Rhed Bustamante PHOTOS FROM FACEBOOK/DEARFACEPH

Best known for her roles in the TV series "Flordeliza" and the horror flick "Seklusyon," Bustamante has been balancing her studies and passion for acting all these years. Now a graduating senior high STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) student, she says she strives to juggle these responsibilities to make the most of every opportunity.

"I'm not going to lie, but I've been having a hard time lately [between school and work]. But with the love and support of my friends and family, I can still manage. It's not too overwhelming because I love doing all this, so I don't get tired," the student-actress admitted in an interview during her launch as the newest ambassador of the collagen drink brand Dear Face.

Despite the demands of school and showbiz, she maintains a positive outlook, especially after going viral years ago when her family turned to selling food near the railway to make ends meet during a time when she hardly had any showbiz projects.

Thankful for the work she has today, not least of all her latest endorsement, Bustamante exclaimed, "It feels amazing because I never expected any of this. I'm just really grateful for these opportunities, so, like I said, I won't waste them."

Looking ahead, the 19-year-old hopes to further explore the entertainment industry by pursuing a degree in filmmaking.

"I'm inspired to create great movies. But I also want to continue my career — of course, I'd love to become a director and work behind the camera at the same time," she enthused.

While she chooses to stay silent about the yet-to-be-released controversial film on the late sexy star Pepsi Paloma, whom she portrays in Darryl Yap's movie, Bustamante instead spoke about an upcoming TV5 series in which she will play a young Ryza Cenon.

Unable to escape questions about the Pepsi Paloma film all the same, Bustamante allowed herself to talk about the public scrutiny she has lately endured, and only that.

Learning to handle the negativity with grace and wisdom, she shared, "Someone once told me, 'No matter what people say about you, as long as you know you're not doing anything wrong or stepping on anyone, you're doing great.' So whenever I read or hear something negative about me, I don't mind it. I'd rather focus on helping others than paying attention to those things."

Indeed, this resilient mindset and positive outlook have not only guided Bustamante through her latest challenges but also made her an inspiring figure. So much so that her genuine and down-to-earth personality made her an ideal choice as brand ambassador for Dear Face. Her journey of self-growth and perseverance aligns with the brand's core values, making her a natural fit for the role.

Nevertheless, Dear Face CEO Jonah Sison-Ramos shared that selecting Bustamante was not an overnight decision but a carefully considered choice.

Sharing how she personally relate to Bustamante's determination, Sison-Ramos said, "One thing I like about Rhed is her resilience. She doesn't let life defeat her."

"But, of course, another very important reason she is a great fit for Dear Face is that she is a real user of Beauty Milk. All our past and present ambassadors genuinely use Dear Face Beauty Milk, so they're really honest about their endorsements," she added.

As a longtime fan of the brand, Bustamante expressed her excitement about joining the Dear Face family. She confirmed she had been an avid user of their products long before this project came through, making the collaboration even more meaningful.

"I'm very grateful because I've known Dear Face for a long time and have been using it even before. I love the original melon flavor, and now I like the matcha. Their flavors are all great and perfect whether for a daytime or nighttime routine," Bustamante enthused.

Finally, for the young talent, beauty goes beyond mere physical appearance. She believes that true beauty comes from within and is a reflection of one's well-being and outlook in life.

"Beauty, for me, means being healthy, happy, loved, grateful, and thankful," Bustamante enumerated. And it's everything she is today.