MADAME TALKS: WOMEN-EMPOWERING-WOMEN
Harilyn Baluyot-Reario
Hotelier/Australia-Based Expat
A feature interview with Ms. Harilyn, a hotelier of luxury & Forbes-listed hotels in the Philippines. She also co-founded USANA QC, as an Independent Distributor with her husband, Mr. Ton Reario.
IN PHOTO: Ms. Harilyn at Brisbane. QLD, Australia
GET TO KNOW HER
I’ve been in the Hospitality industry for the past seven years and have been working with luxury and Forbes-listed hotels in the Philippines and abroad. Then, I took the entrepreneurial route when I was 24 with USANA, a NYSE listed company that promotes health and wellness through high-rated supplementation and lifestyle modification.
The path I took made me passionate in reconnecting with diverse people and culture that gave me the opportunity to travel, establish network, and feel empowered as a woman.
IN PHOTO: Ms. Harilyn travelling in stylewearing a casual coordinates from Madame PH.
How do you envision yourself in 5-10 years?
Well, I came from a big and traditional Filipino family. Therefore, I envision myself 5 years from
now, having kids and enjoying slow mornings with my family. To me, family is everything!I have big hopes and dreams that I will still be travelling to new countries despite getting older, as long as I and my husband still can. We will be travelling and exploring to learn even more. We always believed of seizing every moment. That’s why we have each other’s back because we share the same principles and values in life, business, marriage, and personal growth.
In the near future, we plan to own a home in Australia, pursue our Australian citizenship, having in mind of giving back to our loved ones, community, and helping more Filipinos.
Share your personal tips about SELF- LOVE & SELF-CARE in empowering yourself and the women around you.
Health is wealth. It starts with feeding your mind & body with the right nutrition. Be conscious when purchasing skincare products. Stay hydrated and opt for sustainable options. I’ve also learned to be picky and more intentional with the kind of people I surround with, the value of setting goals, priorities, and making quality time to what matters most.
Most importantly, practice GRATTITUDE! Be thankful always to God for each day you wake up. Let’s count our blessings no matter how big or small, rather than our pains and problems.
What qualities or fashion sense/style do you have that aligns to MADAME PH Brand?
In terms of fashion sense & style, I gravitate to
Madame PH’s brand of embracing femininity
without needing extra effort to look and feel good.
I have worn their collections of casual clothing
and handcrafted jewelry. There are select items I
bring with me here in Australia. Surprisingly, I
get compliments from colleagues & random
strangers, expressing in awe that I’m wearing
locally-made products with grace and pride.On a personal level, I find it inspiring to wear
Filipino-made brands in a foreign soil. It’s like
bringing your flag, heritage and story!
In a world of quick shift to mass- produced economy and the challenges of colonial mentality, what do you think are the initiatives or mindset change need to be made so we can encourage Filipinos on mindful purchasing by supporting local brands and sustainable local products?
Nowadays, consumers are savvy. We really
need to introduce high-quality local brands,
focusing on giving value, communicating in a
language they understand so people will have
a sense of connection, not just familiarity.I’m pretty sure people buy for experience, not
just for the product itself. From there, make
your product as a meaningful souvenir! Let it
be your brand that can be seen, heard, and
felt. This is a timeless lesson I’ve learned in
the hospitality industry. It never gets old!
IN PHOTO: Ms. Harilyn wearing a white
Margareth dress in embossed local-fabric
& Glamourosa earrings from Madame PH.
All products are handmade by local artisans and
craftsmen in many parts of the Philippines.
A celebration of Gawang Pinoy,
Galing ng Pinoy!
Why is it still important to celebrate the Filipino artistry and craftsmanship, despite the modern era we live in today?
We should proudly celebrate Filipino artistry
and craftsmanship despite of modern era &
trends today. We have many talented artistsand entrepreneurs who can bring us to new-
level of discovery and experiences. Filipinosare talented, that’s no doubt! Sadly, they lack
support and opportunities, which needs a
holistic approach, programs, networks, and
advocacies. What’s important is we start to
take action NOW! As the saying; “Great
things are not done by impulse, but by a
series of small things brought together.”This too, can make an impact!