ISSUE 1: KIKO IPAPO, MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

If you tried googling Kiko Ipapo two months ago, chances are, your search engine will give you very little information about this probinsyano lad. Now, barely eight weeks with #TEAMSUPER and you’ll see him with numerous photoshoots done by big-named photographers. Kiko was able to collaborate with well-known stylists and designers as well. He has already shot a telecom commercial, signed for three brand ambassadorships and will be participating in a major league modelling search this year. Not to mention that he was able to trail-blaze his mark on instagram. From 0 followers, he is now about to hit his 50K followers, all organic. All these in just 2 months. So many little successes in a little time. But for this phenom, this is part of a long process. He is learning as much as he can so that he can give his best and give back to all the people that believe in him, most specially to his family.

“This is hard work. And hopefully, I’ll be able to provide soon.” says Kiko.

The 19 year old Bulaceno actually tried joining several modeling gigs before. Everything was going his way when he figured in an accident and the bike that he was riding collided with a motorcycle. He had to stop everything, his projects, his school, working out, and he had to recuperate because his arms and parts of his face were badly affected by the mishap. Those were trying times and the only thing that kept him going was his faith. Here’s an interesting fact, Kiko used be in a seminary before. “I was a seminarian. I studied theology. I had to stop now because of financial reasons. I have to help and provide for my family. “ says Kiko.

It’s certainly more than what meets the eye for this teenager. He is a man of few words, but if you get to know him more you’ll find out that he has a lot of things to offer. By joining #TEAMSUPER he is hoping that this will pave him the way to practice all his talents. More than being in front of the camera, he is also very interested to be the one behind it. He wants to be a director. He constantly shoots a lot of videos from Vlogs to short films and uploads them regularly in his YouTube account. “Tahimik lang ako. Pero sa youtube saka sa mga Video ko, mas makikilala nila ako.” tells Kiko.

For this interview, we also required Kiko to answer the Proust Questionnaire. The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature. Read through his answers and we’re sure that you’ll be able to read between the lines. This lad opened up and we got to know how sincere, how emotional, how big of a heart this influencer has. And that sets Kiko Ipapo ahead of a mile from the rest.

THE PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

TS: What is your idea of perfect happiness? KIKO: My idea of happiness is when you’re able to accept and to look beyond imperfection. TS: What is your greatest fear? KIKO: Hmmm… my greatest fear is to have regrets and for not doing the best that I could in my life and be capable of it while I still can. Rather than be on my death bed and I’m not able to do it anymore. TS: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? KIKO: My weakness. Because this is the trait that I am very vulnerable at, This can manifest in my feelings, through my words, etc. TS: What is the trait you most deplore in others? KIKO: I deplore fake people. Those that will only use you… and the backstabber.

TS: Which living person do you most admire? KIKO: With all humility, I would like to say that I admire myself now. Specially because of all the things that have happened in my life. You can only imagine, I’ve been through the ups and downs. My adaptability, flexibility, determination and being strong enough is what kept me to survive. If I gave up on myself before, then I am not here right now, ready to conquer all my goals. TS: What is your greatest extravagance? KIKO: I guess I don't have because I always spend my money wisely.

TS: What is your current state of mind? KIKO: I am Calm, Contented, Happy, Ambitious, Open-minded. TS: What do you consider the most overrated virtue? KIKO: Patience. TS: On what occasion do you lie? KIKO: White lies. When I need it the most and for the greater good of a situation. TS: What do you most dislike about your appearance? KIKO: None. I love the way God created me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.(Psalm 139:14)

TS: Which living person do you most despise? KIKO: Murderers, Rapists, Perverts.

TS: What is the quality you most like in a man? KIKO: Respectful, Gentleman, Wise, Critical Thinker, Serious, Patient, Independent. TS: What is the quality you most like in a woman? KIKO: Respectful, Fearless, Smart, Fierce, Independent. TS: Which words or phrases do you most overuse? KIKO: Bro, Pre, Repa. TS: What or who is the greatest love of your life? KIKO: My daugther, my wife, my mother and my grandmother. TS: When and where were you happiest? KIKO: I am happiest when I am with my whole family, having a gathering or when I’m on a vacation and I see them happy. We tend to forget about the negativity for awhile.

TS: Which talent would you most like to have? KIKO: Singing because you can express your emotions through that anytime and wherever you are. TS: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? KIKO: I don't want to change anything about me. I love what I am and the way I am. This is me. If I change something, then it's not Kiko Ipapo (me) anymore. TS: What do you consider your greatest achievement? KIKO: That I was able to surpass all of my challenges in my life before. It made me what I am right now, By being so, I’m able to inspire other people for being me.

TS: If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? KIKO: I want to be Kiko Ipapo again. Over and over again. I want to be me, only me, to continue my journey and establish a legacy. Someday I want to be remembered in this great way. TS: Where would you most like to live? KIKO: In the province but not far from city, where it is peaceful, simple and safe. TS: What is your most treasured possession? KIKO: Letters and the gifts that I've received. TS: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? KIKO: When we refuse God in our lives.

TS: What is your favorite occupation? KIKO: I am a Gamer, Actor, Photographer and a Videographer. TS: What is your most marked characteristic? KIKO: My most marked characteristic would be my seriousness TS: What do you most value in your friends? KIKO: Being real and honest whatever has happened or will happen. TS: Who are your favorite writers? KIKO: Dan Brown.

TS: Who is your hero of fiction? KIKO: Izuku, Midorya (Deku) - Even though he didn't have super powers he still pursued to have it someday. He never gave up with his goals. And after attaining his power, he realized that with great power comes great responsibility. In real life even though we don't have superpowers, we can still achieve our goals. We just have to constantly pursue it in the right way until we achieve it. TS: Which historical figure do you most identify with? KIKO: Charlie Chaplin because he managed to make his audience laugh without saying a word. TS: Who are your heroes in real life? KIKO: My parents and grandmother.

TS: What are your favorite names? KIKO: None. TS: What is it that you most dislike? KIKO: Being fake and dishonest. TS: What is your greatest regret? KIKO: None, I don't have regrets. I feel that it will just waste my time and energy thinking about it. I do my best to move on asap. TS: How would you like to die? KIKO: To die old. But if it's our time, then it's time. I trust God's perfect plan and time. TS: What is your motto? KIKO: Our mind is like a parachute it only works when it's open.

CREDITS:

Photography by Marr Medel

IG: medelmarr

BTS Shot by Denjo Yukito

IG: iamdenjo

Follow Kiko Ipapo

IG: Kiko.ipapo

FB and Twitter: Kiko Ipapo

FB Page: Kiko TV

Youtube: Kiko TV