As a little girl, I’ve always loved Cinderella. We all have our own favorite Disney princess and she has always been mine. I was five when I first read about her fairy tale story. From that time on, I’ve always known that there’s a Cinderella in me.
On a breezy Wednesday morning last February 15, I got to relive this feeling during the media launch of Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream Web Series. Bloggers, social media influencers and media representatives gathered together at Sugar Factory in Shangri – La, The Fort to witness the launch of this first-of-its-kind digital reality-series produced by Globe Studios in collaboration with Disney and Maker Studios.
In his welcome speech, Globe Telecom’s Chief Commercial Officer Albert De Larrazabal expressed his enthusiasm in presenting this remarkable project to the public.
“It’s been a one year journey to get to this point and we’ve learned so much in our interactions with Disney. I think Disney epitomizes the objectives that we have in terms of strategic relationships and we’re looking forward to not just this particular effort but many more to come.”, said De Larrazabal.
During the event, we were introduced to the six young Filipino girls chosen to be part of the said web series. Contestants namely Hya Leonardo, Sirach Catipay, Liana San Diego, Jaden Narvios, Stephanie Jordan, and Alexi Tan have stayed together in a house where they have been mentored to reach their dreams. All the girls exuded charm, wit and charisma as they shared their life-long aspirations and goals.
Just like in fairy tales, these young modern-day princesses have been guided by a team of awesome “fairy god mentors” consists of experts in the field that they’ve chosen, popular vlogger and host Janina Vela and no other than the Disney legend herself, Lea Salonga.
In her beautiful message to the girls, Lea emphasized how Disney had been a great part of her journey and how excited she is for what awaits them as they embark on their own magical endeavor. As one of their mentors, she’s proud that they don’t feel the need to fit in a mold and how they embrace their unique qualities along the way.
She has nothing but sweet words to them.
“I would just like to say that I’ve been there. Don’t give up because you have to see the light at the end of the tunnel, head in to that direction.”, said Lea.
The little girl in me was smiling big while listening to Lea’s beautiful speech about “What makes a Disney princess?”
“You have all these wonderful princesses that don’t fit any mold but they’re still heroes to a lot of young women. For me, what makes a Disney princess is that she’s unique. She’s brave. She’s strong and outspoken, opinionated and smart and all of these amazing things… Don’t fit in a mold. If you figure out what your true passion is, what you really want to do and what you want to contribute to the world….then that what makes you special and unique.”
The girls’ journey to the fulfillment of their dreams will be aired on Globe Telecom’s YouTube channel and on www.idaretodream.ph. The finale will happen through an upcoming live concert starring Lea Salonga and a star-studded lineup of other Filipino music artists and featuring songs from Disney Princess movies on March 22 at the SM MOA Arena.
The Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream web series is truly an exciting and magical offering from Globe Studios and Disney that will inspire a lot of young kids to dream big. And for those who are young at heart, it will surely bring out the inner child in us. It will remind us that once upon a time we were little girls/boys with big dreams that we promised we’d make real one day. We could all use a dose of inspiration from these six young girls to never give up and not disappoint ourselves.
Repeat after me: “I dare to dream!”
