Jojo Bragais pursues Hollywood dream

Jojo Bragais (right) with ‘Emily in Paris’ actor Kevin Dias/JOJO BRAGAIS PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Many people dream of breaking into Hollywood, the global entertainment capital in the United States where many A-list celebrities started their careers. Filipino shoe empresario Jojo Bragais revealed he, too, wants to take a piece of the success offered in Tinseltown.

But he will not be acting in front of the camera anytime soon. The Bicolano shoemaker said he would want to someday see his products worn by Hollywood denizens. “That is the dream. Our goal is to showcase globally. It will take long, around three to five years, but there’s no harm in dreaming,” Bragais told the Inquirer in an online interview.

He had earlier revealed that his ultimate dream then as a shoemaker was to sponsor the Miss Universe pageant. But when that transpired earlier than he thought it would, and in two editions at that, Bragais said he felt lost. “I have already achieved my dream, so what’s there to work for?” he said.

But as it appears, Bragais has found a new goal to pursue after his global exposure as the official competition shoe provider of the 69th and 71st editions of the Miss Universe pageant.

After the recent competition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the US in January, he flew to California to get a feel of the Hollywood atmosphere. He was seen mingling with actors in Hollywood, including Kevin Dias of the hugely successful Netflix series “Emily in Paris.”

But while Bragais may be navigating his way to a future he aspires for his brand, he is still not forgetting to look back on his past. As a way of giving back after amassing global success, he is once again conducting an online contest that offers a cash prize of P20,000.

“Every year I always want to do something to give back to pageant fans. They make the pageant world so much fun. Without the fans, no queens or pageant will be successful. And I wanna do something also that pageant fans could enjoy such as this simple online contest,” Bragais said.

To join, aspirants are invited to create a TikTok video, 30 to 60 seconds long, introducing themselves pageant style (stating the name, age, and location), and showcasing their runway walk wearing Bragais Shoes. Interested individuals have until Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, to send their entries.

“Bragais Brand understands the feelings of the pageant fans, and we appreciate them—their creativity, the passion, the love and efforts they are giving in the pageant world in general,” he explained.

The winner, he said, will also be a part of the next ad campaign. “I want the fans to be represented. I want the winner to have a glimpse inside the real happenings in the pageant scene not just what they see on social media or TV. There is nothing more fulfilling to a fan that to meet their idols in the industry. I will find ways to make this possible,” he said.

Bragais had some introspection after his Miss Universe experience, where he found a new meaning of what success truly is. “I just wanna be able to give more meaning in the products that we will be releasing moving forward,” he said.

“I want to make an impact on the lives of people, most especially those who will wear my creations. I want the inspirations behind the creations to uplift people and represent them, making them feel like they are seen and understood in ways I could,” Bragais continued. EDV

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