Shaun Pelayo —PHOTO FROM BENCH
Along with his even, moreno complexion and muscular body, Shaun Pelayo lower a hanging determine when he strutted down the runway at Bench Vogue Week earlier this yr.
Except for the truth that he was styled in boxer briefs, a beaded neckpiece and an abbreviated grass skirt, he stood out due to the way in which he appeared and his many tattoos that lined his again and torso, and crept up his neck and down his arms.
In a sea awash with pale- and light-skinned fashions, this licensed island boy was really a refreshing sight. Pelayo, whose household hails from the island of Siquijor however who grew up in the UK, is again within the nation to make a reputation for himself and obtain a purpose he set.
Life within the UK molded him into somebody unafraid to place himself on the market. A couple of years in the past, he joined a actuality relationship present there the place he ended up taking residence half of the prize cash as a result of his accomplice—who was the grand winner—opted to separate it with him. The 2 dated however finally cut up up months later.
He can now name himself an actor after he auditioned for and was given a job within the film “5 Lbs of Strain,” starring Luke Evans, Rory Culkin and Alex Pettyfer.
READ: Manhunt Worldwide hunks speak Delight Month, cheer on MUPH queen Chelsea Manalo
On his socials, Pelayo posts clips of himself figuring out by the seaside, taking part in basketball with the locals, and even becoming a member of a daybreak procession in Siquijor throughout Holy Week. He’s vocal in expressing his love for island life, significantly the provision of recent, regionally grown fruit. In actual fact, in a number of clips that may be described as “thirst traps,” he tears right into a jackfruit—cave-man model—and punctures a coconut earlier than ingesting deeply.
Final week, in a sequence of Instagram tales, the 31-year-old talked about his causes for coming again to the nation, the stereotype he’s decided to interrupt, and why he identifies with cartoon panda Po of “Kung Fu Panda.”
“Life [in Siquijor] is less complicated, extra genuine. The climate is best and it’s protected,” Pelayo mentioned.
“The persons are pleased, and the meals and fruit are grown regionally. [There are] no strict guidelines or folks making an attempt to regulate you. You’ll be able to belief folks right here and everyone seems to be welcoming and loving. No loopy narratives coming from the above making an attempt to smash society, simply good and easy life.”
Requirements
Even after sustaining an damage, a small lower below his eye throughout a spirited sport of basketball just lately, he shrugged it off—slapping on a Band-Support and occurring his approach. He’s no stranger to those unavoidable nicks and bruises since he grew up taking part in soccer “like each different child within the UK.”
A number of years in the past, he started modeling “regular style stuff,” however when Bench got here calling, he jumped on the alternative. “Now you possibly can see pics of me in underwear throughout a number of shops right here.”
READ: Krishnah Gravidez joins Miss World Philippines 2024 after quitting Miss Allure
Pelayo is in contrast to many of the fashions working at this time. Though there could also be just a few dark-skinned fashions inserted within the lineups, the prevailing look is pale with a slight construct.
“The sweetness requirements right here … they promote whitening lotion, pale pores and skin, the Okay-pop stuff. In case you take a look at all of the billboards, you see guys are much less masculine, so I believed there’s an enormous gap available in the market for somebody like myself who’s moreno, darker, tatted up,” he mentioned.
“I’m proud, I’m robust, I’m Bisaya and I take care of my household. I wish to give the youthful youngsters a distinct different to look as much as versus those they’ve already bought.”
Turning tide
Pelayo has his “work” lower out for him. The truth that the Philippines’ guess to this yr’s Miss Universe pageant is dark-skinned Bulakena Chelsea Manalo, nonetheless, may imply the tide is lastly turning.
“I set a purpose right here after I visited—to attempt to change a complete magnificence normal. It’s an enormous process and I should be right here to attain it. I do know if I had been just a little moreno child right here, I might wish to see an enormous, robust tattooed moreno determine who’s doing effectively for me to look as much as, to aspire to be like. That’s the purpose,” he mentioned.
Shifting again to 1’s nation of start might be daunting for a lot of who’ve lived overseas for many years. That wasn’t the case for Pelayo who assimilated fairly simply and has retained his child-like marvel.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“You recognize when Po discovers his homeland for the primary time and all the pieces is sensible particularly as a result of he got here again because the Dragon Warrior? Think about this in actual life—that’s how straightforward it was.” INQ
