Shaun Pelayo's journey from a modest upbringing in the UK to making waves in the Philippine fashion and entertainment industries is nothing short of inspiring. Born to a Filipino mother who immigrated after marrying his father, Shaun's early life was shaped by resilience and determination. Growing up in a small flat, he shared a bunk bed with his older brother and was profoundly influenced by the grit and success of professional athletes and superstars he admired on television. This drive propelled him forward, guiding his remarkable journey back to his roots in the Philippines, where he now aims to redefine beauty standards and cultural perceptions through his unique presence in modeling and acting. In this exclusive interview, Shaun opens up about his early life, career inspirations, and the profound impact of his Filipino heritage on his identity and aspirations.
Shaun, can you tell us about your early life and how growing up in the UK influenced you?
I come from humble beginnings, with my mother immigrating to the UK after marrying my father. Growing up in a tiny flat, I shared a bunk bed with my older brother. Despite my dad being on benefits my whole life, I found inspiration in the determination and success of professional athletes and superstars that I would watch on TV.
What inspired you to return to the Philippines and pursue a career here?
I am very goal-oriented and constantly need something to work towards to feel content. Guided by faith, I believe the opportunity to move to the Philippines presented itself at the perfect time. Having completed all my goals in my industry in the UK, I was ready for a new challenge. Visiting the Philippines in 2023 for the first time in ten years opened my eyes, and I knew I had to be here to make an impact.
How has your family background, especially your roots in Siquijor, shaped your identity and career?
I was raised very close to my mother and the Filipino community in the UK. As a boy, we visited the Philippines every year, staying in Cebu, where my mother is from, and Siquijor, which became our second home. My best childhood memories are deeply embedded in those islands. I have always been proud to be Filipino, a trait shared by many Filipinos who are known for their pride and support for one another. The culture, the people, the food, and the energy have always been a significant part of my life. These influences shape how I carry myself and treat others every day.
What was it like walking the runway at Bench Fashion Week, and how did you prepare for it?
If I am being 100 percent honest, I was not as prepared as I should have been. Despite modeling for over seven years, my experience has mainly been in commercial, editorial, and regular fashion modeling. Walking in a fashion show in underwear was outside my comfort zone. However, I am grateful for the opportunity, especially as the only model covered in tattoos with a moreno complexion.
Can you describe the significance of your tattoos and how they reflect your personality or experiences?
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be covered in tattoos. Everyone I looked up to had them. The more I researched, the more I learned about the history of tattoos among our people. The Spaniards named us "Las Islas de los Pintados," meaning "The Island of the Painted Ones," when they first arrived in Cebu. At university, I did a major research project on tattoos and discovered our living national treasure, Apo Whang Od. Getting a tattoo from her was a dream come true. My tattoos are a significant part of my image, each with its own meaning.
In a predominantly pale-skinned modeling industry, how do you feel about being a trailblazer with your moreno complexion?
The fact that a prestigious magazine like yours is asking me this question is evidence enough that I am being recognized. As I mentioned earlier, I believe I am guided by fate. It was meant for me to come to the Philippines at this point in my life and start making a difference, and I am ready for the challenge. I want all the little Moreno boys to see me in the big leagues of the industry and know that they can have this complexion, be strong, masculine, and still be recognized.
How did you transition from modeling to acting, and what drew you to this new field?
I believe it's a natural progression for many models to transition into acting. It often begins with commercials, then music videos, and gradually you gain confidence in acting. For models, this transition can be easier since we are already accustomed to long days on set and understanding camera angles. However, this path isn't for everyone. Being very goal-oriented, once I achieved my modeling goals, I sought a new purpose. As a student of the acting world, I absolutely love being on set and learning.
What are some of the challenges you faced in the acting industry, and how did you overcome them?
So far, my tattoos have been a significant factor. They often typecast me into "bad boy" roles, which helps me secure smaller roles frequently. However, I've faced challenges landing bigger roles with more diverse characters. I'm not upset or angry about this; I genuinely enjoy portraying the bad boy persona. One of the beautiful things about the acting industry is that there's no age limit, unlike modeling. Additionally, it's challenging for me to start acting in the Philippines because I don't speak Tagalog at all. I grew up around Bisaya-speaking Filipinos, so I never learned Tagalog.
Your social media showcases your love for island life. How does living in Siquijor compare to your life in the UK?
I was genetically designed to live on the island. My DNA, physical, and mental well-being thrive when I am there. The lifestyle, the people, the organically fresh foods, and being surrounded by the ocean and fresh water waterfalls are incomparable. Although I am grateful for being raised in the UK for the education and opportunities it provided, now that I have moved to the island, I cannot see myself ever living in the Western world again.
What does your daily fitness routine look like, and how do you stay in shape?
I work out five days a week, usually for about an hour, and I aim to train intensely. Since moving to the Philippines, I have lost some size as I adjust to training in the heat and sweating more. However, my physique has improved due to the organic, fresh foods here compared to the processed, expensive, and less healthy options in the UK. I spend a lot of time in the sea free diving, playing basketball with the locals, and recently, I've developed a habit of playing beach volleyball every day.
Can you tell us more about your passion for fresh, locally grown fruit and how it ties into your lifestyle?
Growing up in the UK, fruit was quite expensive. For example, buying avocados or even banana shakes costs around six to seven times more than in the Philippines. So, having access to such tasty, healthy fruits here is exciting to me. Additionally, I found that many of my followers enjoy watching me eat and taste different fruits, especially coconuts.
How do you see your work influencing beauty standards and cultural perceptions in the Philippines?
If I continue on the path I've set with the same trajectory, I hope to make a permanent impact on beauty standards here. For someone on the outside looking in, it was confusing to see the lack of representation for the beautiful moreno complexion of the Filipinos I grew up with on the island. It wasn't until I visited the cities and saw the movies that I realized darker skin tones weren't being represented. This realization made it clear that I needed to be part of the change.
I've already signed with one of the biggest agencies and brands, been featured on shop fronts and posters in big stores, and walked in fashion week. Some of my posts on this topic have gone viral, garnering thousands of supportive messages and gratitude for the representation. I just pray I continue to manifest larger opportunities to make an even bigger impact.
What local traditions and activities are you most passionate about participating in?
Basketball and local fiestas are central to the community on my island. There's always a fiesta happening in different areas, and everyone is so inviting. I love the food and I love my people.
How do you stay connected with the local community in Siquijor, and what initiatives are you involved in?
I have made some incredible connections and friends. While I don't have a specific way of staying connected to all the events, I am close to many people who are directly involved with everything on my island. They often message me about events I should attend and that I would enjoy. I love my island, and I will do all I can to represent it. This also involves charitable events I can volunteer at a contributions.
What are your future aspirations in both the modeling and acting industries?
I want to be on a big billboard in Manila and sign with a drinks company that aligns with my branding. I would also love to become the official face of my island through modeling. In regards to acting, I hope to continue my journey here in the Philippines. An action movie would be a dream, but I understand I need to start with smaller supporting roles before I get my big break in the industry.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about and can share with us?
I don't like to jinx anything or speak to soon, so for now, you'll just have to keep following the journey.
How do you envision your career evolving in the next five years?
In the next five years, I hope to be landing leading roles in movies. I also want to build a gym here in Siquijor at one point.
What’s your favorite spot in Siquijor and why?
This is a tough question because there are so many great spots to choose from. However, if I had to pick, my favorite spot would be my local beach in Sandugan. It's rarely visited by tourists; you mostly see local fishermen and friends there. It's peaceful and empty compared to other beaches near tourist attractions. I can walk down to the beach with my dogs and just sit and think.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you recently?
The TV series 'Vikings' tells the story of a farmer who becomes king and questions everything. The stoic mindset and theme of conquering were very inspiring and relatable to watch and learn from.
If you could collaborate with any designer or director in the future, who would it be and why?
I want to do a Lapu-Lapu themed shoot. I would leave the creative aspect to the production team, but I believe we could create something truly epic.
Shaun Pelayo: https://www.instagram.com/shaun_pelayo/
Photo by Kim Hardy https://www.instagram.com/kimhardyphotography/
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