Why Travel Beyond
Travel has been a big part of my life ever since I was a young girl. Through my many explorations, I have met the most amazing people and created the most incredible memories. Working at Travel Beyond gives me the opportunity to share those experiences and also the joy of immersing yourself in a new culture and environment. There is something truly special about going out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown. Not only will you create amazing memories when you travel, but you learn so many things about yourself too.
It is also rewarding to be part of a company that cares for its clients from the moment they inquire about their travel to their return. I pride myself on delivering the highest quality of service with my work and know that at Travel Beyond, I will be able to do just that.
Destinations Visited
Southeast Asia: Thailand (visited 5 times)
Additional countries: Singapore, Philippines (born and raised), Hong Kong, various states within the United States (California, Minnesota, Florida, Tennessee, Nevada).
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, 2011
Master Makeup Program certification, Cinema Makeup School, Los Angeles, CA, 2015
Cosmetology Certification, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, 2017
Career History
For 12 years, I have worked as a makeup artist doing beauty and special effects in different areas of the world. I started this career when I was in college in the Philippines and feel so fortunate that the profession allowed me to study and eventually work in the United States.
For years, I was part of a production company based in Los Angeles, California. While here, I traveled to many different parts of the country, assisting with the creation of thriller/horror movies. In addition to doing the makeup and special effects, I also wrote scripts and dealt with pre-production (research, location scouting, planning, organizing). Additionally, I have years of retail experience within the health, beauty, and wellness industries in particular, and I edit videos involving fitness, travel, and beauty for promotional, creative and entertainment purposes.
Where I’ve Lived Abroad
Yes! I am, in fact, currently living abroad, as I am thousands of miles away from where I was born (Manila, Philippines). While in the US, I have lived in Los Angeles, CA (2014-2021) and now live in Minneapolis, MN.
Most Memorable Travel Experience
In 2018, I was able to explore my home country of the Philippines with my (now) husband. Together, we spent a couple of months enjoying the culture, the food, and the amazing islands of the Philippines (we have more than 7,000!). We were able to go island hopping in El Nido, Palawan, a destination voted to be most beautiful in the world in recent years.
During this trip, we also visited Bangkok, Thailand. We were able to go shopping, enjoy the street food, and visit the amazing Buddhist temples. I have been to Thailand many times but experiencing the culture alongside my husband, who was there for the first time, was very memorable. Southeast Asia is spectacular, and, with its many cuisines and cultures, is a region everyone should visit in their lifetime.
My Most Recent Trip
In April of 2023, I spent two weeks exploring Thailand with my husband on our belated honeymoon and every region we visited offered something truly extraordinary. In Bangkok, going on a midnight Tuk Tuk food tour was incredible. I have been to Thailand four times before, but only ever seen the temples during the day. Experiencing them at night was really fascinating. In the evening, as the temperatures cool, Bangkok comes alive, with so many different markets popping up. In one such market, we visited a small, one Michelin star restaurant that offered a dish made only with five ingredients (we even got to visit the kitchen and see how it was cooked). It was so simple yet so delicious! Our stay in Pa Sak Tong in Chiang Rai was also very memorable; they offered top-notch luxury service and activities in the area that really immersed us in the local culture. The highlight of our stay here was our private visit to a local elephant sanctuary where each elephant is treated like part of the family (the owner of the sanctuary even calls the two elephants his “kids”). We were able to learn about, observe, feed, and bathe the elephants which was such an unforgettable experience!
Favorite Properties
Pa Sak Tong– Chiang Rai, Thailand
Located just 20 minutes from Chiang Rai airport, this property has two villas – the Baan Sak Tong (Thai Chalet) and Khum Sak Tong (Luxurious Longhouse)- for exclusive-use only, meaning that when staying here you have total privacy and access to the entire estate. Pa Sak Tong has a team of butlers, chefs, and therapists available for you whenever you need anything, and they also have an in-house restaurant that serves high quality, locally-sourced, traditional Northern Thailand cuisine. It is a perfect escape for those wanting to experience total privacy and immerse themselves in the local culture of Chiang Rai.
Trisara– Phuket, Thailand
Trisara features private pool villas and suites, as well as residential villas overlooking the ocean. They have two restaurants on-site, one of which is ‘Pru’, Thailand’s first Michelin Green star restaurant, an award given to those establishments with both great food and incredible sustainability practices. The property offers a lot of water activities and cruises to the nearby islands for those that want an adventure, although it is also perfect for those who want to relax at their villa. Trisara also has a massive 8-bedroom, 16-bathroom residence complete with indoor and outdoor spaces, three pools, a gym, spa, and private access to the beach for those in bigger parties who want top luxury accommodations.