Sassa Gurl: 'OK lang naman mag mukhang plain lugaw'

What a refreshing conversation between Sassa Gurl and journalist Malou Mangahas, indeed.

The latest episode of The Mangahas Interviews featured the seasoned journalist and the influencer speaking for nearly an hour about various things, including how Sassa became the Number 2 influencer in the Philippines on TikTok, using her platform to normalize keeping it real in social media, and landing a prime hosting job like "Drag Den Philippines."

Sassa observed how influencers tend to look too perfect — "kailangan fresh na fresh ka every day," she said — which is why she wants to normalize looking regular and keeping it real.

"OK lang naman mag-mukhang plain lugaw 'di 'ba? OK lang naman ipakita imperfections mo," she said.

Drawing attention to the gap between her two front teeth, Sassa said, "yung ngipin ko po, hindi kagandahan. At least napu-push ko maging proud and confident sa mga flaws ko. Kahit hindi ka conventionally beautiful, kahit yung standards ng beauty mo, hindi nagko-conform sa society, kaya mo. Kaya mo i-push yung sarili mo na bumida."

"Na-realize ko, marami masyadong pa-sosyal sa social media. Hindi ini-own up yung pagiging kanal-kanal nila," Sassa observed.

That gave her the idea of focusing on "mga kanal at mga situation na pa-gangster sa school" — essentially, her real-life experiences.

"Iyon yung community na nabilang ako at yon din yung gusto ko i-represent."

Keeping it real worked like magic for Sassa. Apart from becoming TikTok's number 2 influencer in the Philippines, she has also penetrated the mainstream, landing in covers of fashion magazines, getting invited to large parties like GMA's Halloween Ball, and landing big projects like the upcoming "Drag Den Philippines."

If any of you are looking for ways to go about your business, your life, or your relationships, let Sassa Gurl inspire you to stay true to yourself and keep it real. — LA, GMA Integrated News