Geronimo describes the pressure caused by social media as “tremendous.”
At a time when hatred and negativity proliferate online, pop superstar Sarah Geronimo makes it a point not to be too hard on herself, or “it will only drive me crazy.”
In May last year, the “Popstar Royalty” broke down during a concert in Las Vegas; she became emotional and suddenly exited the stage.
People attributed this to burnout since she had been on tour for two straight months to celebrate her 15th anniversary.
“It’s very important to remind everybody, especially young girls, to be true to themselves. Let’s not feel too pressured by what we see in magazines and on Instagram,” she told the Inquirer during a brief chat before the launch of her own makeup line, Pop Studio, at Kia Theatre in Quezon City.
“It’s OK to have people as ‘pegs’ for our look or our OOTD (outfit of the day). But what’s really important is that we have inner peace and that we love ourselves,” added Sarah, when we asked what she thought of other celebrities promoting #bodypositivity and #selfcare on Instagram by posting unfiltered photographs of themselves.
The singer-actress admitted that this was easier said than done. “I always have to remind myself that, ‘Sarah, you are you. Be grateful with what you have. You are created and loved by God. You have nothing more to ask for,’” she said.
Sarah also admitted that she would often feel unworthy of the adulation of her supporters. “That’s part of my personality,” she confessed. “On the other hand, I also make sure that all these compliments and admiration don’t go to my head. I treat them as a pat on the back to say I did a good job, that I’m doing the right thing. If you allow these things to get to you, nakaka-krung-krung (crazy) kasi ’yon.”
Sarah observed: “The pressure caused by social media to people, especially the young ones, is tremendous. They feel that they have to be perfect all the time.”
Sarah said she made sure her first makeup line reflected her personality. “It’s both for the simple Sarah and the glammed-up Sarah, or the one you see performing onstage,” she explained. “When performing, I know I have to stand out. That’s when I get adventurous and playful with my look. The line caters to those two looks—daytime and nighttime.”
Sarah Geronimo
Sarah joined the biz at age 14, when she won the talent search “Star for a Night” in 2003. She admitted that it took a while before she finally felt “credible and knowledgeable” enough to come up with her makeup brand. “It’s better late than never. Ngayon lang kasi nagkalakas ng loob,” she explained. “I guess it’s because I now have the knowledge and credibility. I can say it’s high time.”
At the launch on May 31, Sarah, who performed two song numbers, was joined by other talents from her management company, Viva Entertainment. The performers were Marion Aunor, Janine Teñoso, PPop Generation Groups 1 and 2, Nitro, After 5, J-Queens and Via Ortega.