Karen Davila on the Glory and Gory of the Years
At 46, Calyxta’s March Cover Girl ought to be called Cover Woman. Veteran journalist, style maven, and mom-of-two Karen Davila isn’t girlish at all. She’s feminine, yes, and proud of it. She looks youthful because she’s fit and trim. But girlish? That she isn’t. She’s all woman—from how she enters a room with confidence, how she talks with humor and intelligence, and how she gets her way.
Our Calyxta cover shoot, for example, was supposed to be about this look and that style. When we presented our ideas to Karen, she took over the meeting and laid down what she wanted. And we found ourselves agreeing to everything she said not because she was bossy or bratty, but because she knew what she wanted. No need for whining or tantrums—immature ways to get what one wants. Karen simply directed us to her way of thinking and made us do it enthusiastically—that’s how confident and sure of herself she was. That’s a woman to be reckoned with!
Confidence like that comes from years of experience. Years, of course, means age. Older women have a quiet power that young girls don’t have. While girls rely on youth and cuteness, women have cunning, humor, intuition, and self-assurance to navigate their way in the world. Karen Davila has all that and more, and she shares with us how to age gracefully in this exclusive Calyxta interview.
Take care of yourself
You look amazing even though you insisted at our shoot that you’re no longer young. What’s your attitude towards aging?
Accept it and take care of yourself.
What about being in your mid-40s do you appreciate and what has happened to your body that you are dismayed about? How do you deal with these?
I gain weight much faster unfortunately! Well, you have to embrace what it is. Then eat healthier and exercise more. I feel I’m getting wider without much effort—the waistline and a bit of the wings part.
Nothing beats a happy spirit
How do you keep yourself seemingly unaffected by the stress of your job?
I’m affected, believe me. But I really try to keep myself happy!
What are your best tips to look and feel young throughout the years?
Exercise and look natural. Don’t be addicted to cosmetic surgery. I’ve seen women whose faces have changed. It looks awful. Perhaps a little help here and there, fine, but nothing beats a happy spirit, a quiet life, rest, good vibes, and lots of water.
Say your age
Please give advice to Calyxta girls on how to be proud of your age. A lot of young girls now stop revealing their age at 25!
Seriously? That’s awful! I’d advise them this: “The more you lie about your age, the older you’ll appear.” Better to say your age and have this reaction, “Oh wow, I wouldn’t think!”
Next week, our March Calyxta Cover Girl Karen Davila talks about her beauty secrets.
Text: FRANCES SALES
Photography: JOSEPH PASCUAL
Makeup: JIGS MAYUGA
Hair: MACKY HILARIO
Styling: BC STYLE STUDIO
On Karen: BLACK TOP WITH PLEATED DETAIL, LAFAYETTE 148;
BLACK TROUSERS, JESSICA (AVAILABLE AT RUSTAN’S MAKATI,
SHANGRI-LA PLAZA MALL, ESTANCIA, PODIUM MALL);
MULTIMEDIA NECKLACE, BEA VALDES; WHITE SLEEVELESS TURTLENECK,
TAHARI; WHITE PANTS, ADOLFO DOMINGUEZ. LAFAYETTE 148,
TAHARI & ADOLFO DOMINGUEZ AVAILABLE AT RUSTAN’S
