Cover image via Postimage
Say hello to 25-year-old globetrotter superwoman, founder and president of the well-respected travel agency in the country, Access Travel and Tours: [Angely Dub] (http://says.com/ph/kulture/filipina-photographers-on-instagram-that-you-should-follow-right-now)!
[Access Travel and Tours] (http://www.travelwithaccess.com/home1.html), or simply put *Access Travel*, caters specially curated tour packages for anyone who would love to visit their dream destinations. Most Filipino celebrities like Marian Rivera, [Bea Alonzo] (http://says.com/ph/showbiz/here-s-what-celebrities-wore-for-halloween), [Solenn Heussaff] (http://says.com/ph/showbiz/solenn-heussaff-and-nico-bolzico-are-finally-married), [Nadine Lustre] (http://says.com/ph/showbiz/5-times-jadine-proved-that-they-truly-love-each-other-it-was-kilig-at-its-best), and [James Reid] (http://says.com/ph/showbiz/jadine-shared-their-thoughts-on-otwol-and-till-i-met-you-characters) among others have partnered with the agency to plan their getaways and it has been getting a lot of great reviews since its establishment!
Apart from managing her own company at a young age, Angely is also an amateur photographer and an inspirational youth speaker advocating for entrepreneurship, education and even poverty issues in the country
So imagine how humbled and privileged we felt when Angely agreed to be interviewed despite her busy schedule — we can't sit still on our seats!
From lessons about globetrotting and photography to living minimally and valuing every moment spent with her family, Angely deserves the "Everyone's Role Model" crown!
Whether you're an aspiring photographer, world traveler, or just looking for a role model, you'll surely learn and get tons of inspiration from the stories of this kind, strong, and independent woman whom we look up to!
P.S. If you'll ask us what Angely cannot do — we'll never be able to answer that even after knowing a lot about her from this interview.
Here's how the (wee hours of the morning email exchange) interview went:
SAYS: Can you share a personal mantra that pushes you to get out of bed in the morning?
My mantra every day is simple. I am a minimalistic person. I don't like too much drama and happenings. So, I wake up every morning saying thank you to the man above.
I believe every day is a new day to make something great. I always want to do atleast one good deed to a stranger, smile to everyone, talk to people whenever there's a chance and finish all my errands (I keep a list on my planner of my daily errands, it's insane, sometimes I reach like 147 errands haha).
I love productive days, as much as I can I only rest on Sundays. **You never know if you will wake tomorrow. Always finish what you started.** I don't have a habit of leaving things for tomorrow. I am more of a right now person.
SAYS: If you could go back in time, what would tell your younger self?
Thank you to this young strong woman who sacrificed her youth to be the person I am today. She did not party, did not get a tattoo, get piercings, did not watch movies while all kids of her age were enjoying life. She was at the office working 8a.m. to 3a.m. non-stop. She shut down her life from everything to be the person she is today. She focused on one goal: to become successful at 25 that she doesn't have to introduce herself anymore and she will just get her calling card to tell people who she is.
She did not date anyone; she got stuck with the man she was not even sure if she was really in love with or what. She forgot to keep in touch with her siblings' life, she forgot to enjoy what really it means to be in 20s. She forgot to workout that made her from 50kg to 70kg because of stress. She forgot to go to the beach every summer and get that perfect tan.
In short, **I sacrificed in a good way all those things to be the person I am today, and I am telling you those five years feel nothing compared to the life I am living now that made on my own, with my hard work, patience and kindness to everyone I met.** This girl is just amazing. She was too strong and I don't even know how she survived all those on her own at age of 19 or 20 up to 24. Thank you to this girl for securing my future, thank you to this girl for showing no matter how bad life is I will always be okay with or without anyone. So, whenever people will be like, "*Wow, sarap buhay ah walang ginagawa*" I just hurst because they do not know what I've been through when they were all drunk the next morning after partying so hard last night.
SAYS: We noticed that you're passionate about photography. What do you love about the craft?
Love is not even a word to describe the feeling I get everytime I know I was able to take a nice photo. Photography is something I just never get tired of doing.
I remember in college there was a time when SLR became a fad and almost everyone had it haha. Fast forwarding to 9 years after, I am one of those few people who are still into it. That's the thing: people always buy things to call themselves, let's say, *photographers*.
I never called myself (a photographer) because I don't want to ever disrespect the real ones. I know how hard it is to become a real one, my respect for these people (the real photographers) is just unimaginable. Before I will be able to call myself a legit Photographer, I know I still have a long way and I am willing to work hard for it. All I can is I have improved a lot in fifteen years, but I am not yet a photographer of any kind.
Last May 2016, I went to Sydney for a month because I was feeling lost about what else I want to do in life aside from Access Travel, then answer has been always photography and it's still photography, apparently. One place where I always practice my photography skills is Iceland. I believe this is the only place on the planet where everything is worth a click of your camera. I spent two weeks with a friend who is married to a very famous photographer, he taught me how to shoot the Aurora and now I am very inspired to pursue this dream of mine further to finally call myself a Photographer by next year maybe (2017), again I am willing to work very hard for that title. **Let's do this!! Nothing is impossible, I've worked 5 years to finally call myself President of Access Travel, now Photographer is the next goal.**
**SAYS: As an aspiring photographer, everyone's curious to know your favorite camera model (LOL)**
I currently use Canon 5D Mark III with 16-35mm, 24-105mm and 50mm lenses. I think these are my favorite lenses for traveling. I always bring a back up camera with me which is the Fujifilm x-t1 with 35mm. And iPhone is always a must for emergencies.
SAYS: What's your advice to aspiring photographers?
Photography is something we do not do for the sake of social media, I've been into this since I was 10. My love for photography is just getting deeper and deeper as I grow old. I always get questions like what camera do I use! I feel so sad when people think I can only produce these photos because of the camera I use and they can do the same. What they don't understand is it's about knowing your device, how to use it, how to love it as your baby and how to master it in the long run, and to keep things interesting with your device. Always learn how to do new techniques with it.
It is never about what camera you use. People are not aware but 30% of my photos on my Instagram are taken with my iPhone.
Photography is about having an eye, love for what you do. I had to stand in the middle of nowhere for two hours under -2C just to take photos of the Aurora. Photography is also about sacrifices you make to produce these work of arts. My photos are always without filters, I use very minimal editing (I dont know how to use Photoshop hahaha). I want to show people the real picture of what I see when I travel, I have nothing against filters but they just change everything you see in real life. I am a person who is 101% genuine and real, I have allergies to anything fake and unrealistic (LOL).
Photos are your work of art. Having thousands of followers, using hundreds of hashtags are nonsense. You do it for yourself, for your satisfaction, not for the sake of other people's likes. Have a competition with yourself to improve every time to get a chance and just stop comparing your work to anyone. We may have the same cameras with millions of people around the world, but always remember it's just you who can produce that photo. Be proud of your work! 🙂
SAYS: If today is your last day on earth, who would you photograph and why?
I am living this happy, free spirited, independent and amazing life because I was blessed to call my Mom as my Mother who raised me the woman I am today who wants to see and feel good about everything in life. We are always a product of our parents' hard work in raising us as good human beings, I owe every single little thing to my Mom who never gave up on my dreams and who never stopped believing in me that I can do something great everyday on my own without relying on anyone.
At the end of the day, we want to become good people by sharing and loving others. But with your happiness and success, it's you who is responsible to achieve that. Never expect anyone to give any sort of happiness in any way, it's your actions that will lead you to a happy life.
She's my hero, I am nothing without her and, if given a chance, I would love to spend my whole life with her by my side. I don't know how she raised me so strong that I always dream of becoming like her in the future when I become a mother. **For now, I am giving to my Mom by being good to everyone I encounter in my life. It's just the best thing ever: talking to people, saying thank you and please and being nice to everyone. Those are just the simple things that could make anyone's day without me even trying.**
Image via Facebook
My Mother — she is my soulmate, believe it or not. I love her more than anything in this world. I don't know how people make it without being close to their parents, she just gives me so much energy, inspiration, strength to go on with this life. I know whenever I will feel low just the thought of having her as my **Mom will give me the power to stand up, go on with this hard life where surviving as a happy person can be very difficult in a world where people are becoming robots of material things, negativity, and jealousy.**
It's my Mom who always reminds me to always be simple as simple. Life is about people, memories, love, positivity and trust. We are all equal and all of us when we die we will be buried in soil and become soi,l apparently, if that makes any sense.
SAYS: Lastly, can you tell us how many countries you have visited already?
Angely: 47, making it 50 this year, hopefully. 🙂
In the spirit of traveling and almost-season of giving, Access Travel wants you to WIN a roundtrip ticket to Puerto Princesa, Bohol, or Cebu by simply sharing your most memorable trip with us!
Follow the contest details on our [Facebook page] (https://www.facebook.com/SaysPhilippines/photos/a.372889739433452.88065.371927962862963/1126287004093718/?type=3&theater)!
Image via SAYS PH
