Arlene Cris Damot —CONTRIBUTED photo
She may not have clinched the title of Mrs. Universe 2023 at the pageant held last October, but the country’s bet, Arlene Cris Damot, was part of the winning circle as second runner up. It was her first to join in any pageant and she did quite well considering she is also the CEO of Royal Aesthetics, a skin clinic, as well as a wife and mother of two boys.
That she joined a beauty pageant was a logical route given her line of business but she told Entertainment in an email interview that her focus as the country’s Mrs. Universe is to empower women and advance gender equality.
“Since my success at last year’s pageant, I’ve dedicated myself to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting women’s rights, offering education and assistance to those in need, and championing equal opportunities across all aspects of society,” Arlene said. She also plans to work closely with like-minded groups and individuals “to enact concrete changes and increase awareness surrounding these crucial matters.”
As International Women’s Month draws to a close, she shared tips for women who have to juggle multiple roles at home and in their professional lives.
Realistic expectations
“Firstly, it’s important to prioritize and set realistic expectations for yourself. Communicate openly with your family and employer about your commitments and limitations. Delegate tasks whenever possible and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed,” Arlene said.
“Take care of yourself both physically and mentally, and remember that it’s okay to take breaks and prioritize self-care. Lastly, find a support system of friends, family, or colleagues who understand your challenges and can offer support and encouragement along the way.”
Arlene and her husband David Jayabalan own Royal Aesthetics, a skin clinic they put up in 2018. At their first branch in Parañaque, they initially offered basic treatments like nail services and facials. They now have six branches and plan to expand their services to include “lunchtime” procedures that require little or no downtime.
Earlier this month, Royal Aesthetics received two plaques at the Galderma Aesthetics Diamond Awards: the Blue Diamond Excellence award and the Breakthrough award.