Awakened, Gratitude, Alignment, and Manifestation. These are the four words that describe the path of Roxanne Barcelo’s pregnancy – and the supporting visions that made her otherworldly maternity photoshoot come alive.
At nine months pregnant and just about ready to pop, the actress had a vibe-inspired shoot to introduce her biggest role yet: mom.
It started with a playlist. With the 36-year old actress used to connecting through music, she sent out a customized tracklist to the creative team for them to see Roxanne behind the screen – and into her soul.
“I didn’t want to send artist pegs because music really is more my language,” Roxanne shared with Mega Entertainment.
From then on, with the collective effort from the team composed of Boggy Diaz, Jerick Sanchez, Renz Pangilinan, Lyn Alumno, and Aren Dale Santos, Roxanne soon found the vision for the maternity shoot of her dreams.
“I named each look and vibe expressing the different phases of my pregnancy, specifically: awakened, gratitude, alignment, and manifestation. Collectively, I called it the Path to Selfhood, and it really visualizes the sounds of my mood and this new season of my life.”
The shoot took place at The New Monarq Manila studio on April 30th with proper safety protocols in place.
“I was officially 37 weeks pregnant, which is just crazy to imagine.”
Roxanne also recalled that the schedule may have cut it close to her delivery date, but it was ultimately the best choice given the output.
“Since my dear friend, Boggy was the one who initiated the maternity shoot, I was feeling a lot of gratitude. Especially, how everyone just said yes to the project,” she added.
With the concept initially consisting of three layouts, the creative team eventually saw it blossom into a 7-piece spread.
“I guess that’s part of the process in shoots especially when the team’s overflowing with ideas and the muse is also up for it,” shared stylist and NYLON MANILA Beauty and Fashion Editor, Lyn Alumno. “I was surprised that Roxanne didn’t take any breaks in between except for lunch even if before we started shooting, she was experiencing contractions. She’s so dope.”
It was also Lyn’s first time to style a maternity shoot but it proved to be a relief since Roxanne’s overall vibe wasn’t so different from the crew.
“After the shoot, I jokingly said, ‘MILF in the making’ because I know I’m not the only one who’ll say this when you see the photos,” Lyn added.
For Roxanne’s part, just getting glammed up and feeling herself glow up was enough for the expecting mother.
“I was thrilled to be back in the makeup chair! I hadn’t been properly glammed up throughout my pregnancy so it was such a cool feeling to ‘werq’ again,” she recalled.
“Mostly rocking biker shorts and oversized sweaters or pajamas so it felt awesome to exert an effort to finally look gorgeous for once during this pandemic.”
“My mood the whole shoot was like ‘YAAAAASSSS’ all throughout. No lie,” she enthused. “It felt so good to feel confidently beautiful with a bump!”
True enough, Roxanne’s maternity shoot oozes with the positivity and vibration that only a blooming mom can manifest. The Path of Selfhood may be Roxanne’s theme, but it’s a clear mantra for an upcoming journey brimming with purpose, intention, and authenticity.
Photographer: JERICK SANCHEZ assisted by DAN FUGRAD
Makeup: BOGGY DIAZ
Hair: RENZ PANGILINAN
Styling: LYN ALUMNO
Production Design: AREN DALE SANTOS
