Vlad Bunoan

Joan Gudito is the owner of Selene's Glow Up Lounge in Laguna. Handout

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176801156618610012026 combo 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Joan Gudito is the owner of Selene&#x27;s Glow Up Lounge in Laguna. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>The word “kikay” has long been burdened with negative connotations, shaped by expectations of how women are supposed to behave. But for Calamba-based businesswoman Joan Gudito, it instead speaks to confidence and self-awareness.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>After years of trying to prove that there is money in sass, Gudito has built a brand that allows her to completely express her creativity and &quot;kakikayan,&quot; which others may consider &quot;too much.&quot;<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>A proud “kikay,” Gudito shared with ABS-CBN News, “I grew up modeling at a young age and was constantly exposed to makeup, photoshoots, stage performances, and even singing lessons. Those early experiences shaped me into a kikay girl who loves self-expression and presenting myself well. It’s something that’s always been part of me.”</p><p>Gudito&#x27;s Selene&#x27;s Glow Up Lounge, which caters to beauty fanatics, is one of the more well-known nail and lash salons in Calamba today.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768011519705image2.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Selene’s Glow Up Lounge caters to beauty fanatics in Calamba. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>It officially debuted in 2020, with an initial focus on lash extensions. It now serves women in Calamba and throughout Laguna, with a focus on UV Gel Lash Technology.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial" id="isPasted"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>“Through Selene’s, we offer UV Gel Lash Extensions designed for career women with active lifestyles—lashes that are strong, resilient, and able to withstand time, movement, and weather,” she said.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>Describing the market, she added, “Women in Calamba are very open to innovative beauty trends. They’re kikay, fast-paced, and always on the go, which is why they appreciate services that last long, survive gym sessions, sports, business days, and errand-filled routines. The market here is warm, supportive, and very strong in word-of-mouth — something we are extremely grateful for.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768011500103image3.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>For Gudito, nails are a symbol of strength.  “My nails are like my claws: they may be polished and refined, but they carry strength — so don’t mistake softness for weakness,” she said.</p><p>“I’ve always loved lash extensions, nail artistry, and anything related to brow grooming. I’m a very busy person who interacts with many clients daily, so looking polished has always been a priority. I tried many salons before, but because I’m naturally perfectionistic and very particular with standards, I felt called to build my own beauty lounge — one that reflects the level of quality I personally look for.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>Going further, the 30-year entrepreneur explained that it&#x27;s more than just having perfect brows and stylish nails; it&#x27;s also about spiritual and emotional hygiene.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>“But beyond physical beauty, nothing is more important than spiritual and emotional hygiene. Part of self-care is learning to walk away from people who make you feel like you have to shrink to be accepted, who make you question your worth, or who leave you uncertain about where you stand. Trust your instincts — they were given to us for a reason. Choosing peace is choosing yourself,” she pointed out.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>Going personal, Gudito revealed that she was betrayed by someone she loved and trusted, which she believes is worth sharing, while also advising women to be their own armors.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768011418420image4.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Joan Gudito shares lessons in business. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span>“I see myself as my own responsibility. Every day is a choice, and I choose to take care of myself physically, energetically, emotionally, and spiritually. I am my own armor — just glammed,” she said.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>She continued by offering business advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs who, like her, possess sass.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is knowing your brand. If you’re unsure about what you stand for or what you want to communicate, the market will struggle to understand you too. I built Selene’s around what feels authentic to me — my voice, my standards, my vision. I know what outcome I want and what we’re offering, and I think that clarity is essential for any brand to resonate and succeed,” Gudito told ABS-CBN News.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>Encouraging women to express themselves authentically without fear, she added, “I love seeing women feel empowered when they enhance themselves from the outside. True beauty doesn’t require excess — it begins with understanding your features and honoring what already exists. Never be afraid to express that beauty through your nails, your lashes, or whatever form of self-expression feels true to you.”</div>

<p>The founder of Selene’s Glow Up Lounge reflects on kikay culture, self-care beyond beauty, and the clarity it takes to build a brand that feels true — and lasts.</p>

The founder of Selene’s Glow Up Lounge reflects on kikay culture, self-care beyond beauty, and the clarity it takes to build a brand that feels true — and lasts.

‘Kikay’ is power: A Pinay entrepreneur’s beauty business blueprint

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Health, Beauty, and Fashion

‘Kikay’ is power: A Pinay entrepreneur’s beauty business blueprint

Josh Mercado

Published Jan 10, 2026 10:21 AM PHT

Read More:

Joan Gudito

nail salon

lash salon

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.