Many beauty experts focus only on surface-level aesthetics. However, Hajie Alejandro is different. As the creative force behind Onze Studio, he understands that true artistry begins in the heart. Beyond applying makeup, he builds entire worlds through his camera lens. Before his cinematic success, he was simply a young man dreaming of a better life. He did not just want to work; he wanted to excel. He wanted to create a legacy.
The Spark of Survival
Initially, Hajie did not have a camera or professional tools. Growing up, he lacked the money for expensive gear, so he turned to simpler art forms to survive and create with whatever he had.
Instead of taking photos, he drew what he saw. While others focused on limitations, he saw a canvas in his everyday surroundings. This resourcefulness defined his journey from a very young age.
“My artistic spark grew from a deep eagerness to survive, thrive, and make something meaningful out of my own resources and hustle.”
Although he loved art, he sketched and painted on paper long before he held a camera. That practice trained his eye to see the potential and emotion in every subject he sees. Those early years shaped his vision as a photographer long before he held a lens.
The People Who Believed
Hajie did not walk this path alone. Instead, he credits his early success to mentors who saw his light. His high school teachers recognized his talent during his formative years. Later, Janet Wen of Makeup Madness Philippines supported his growth and helped him build structure as a creative.
“I was blessed with people who believed in me more than I believed in myself. Ms. Janet Wen of Makeup Madness Philippines changed my life by sponsoring my scholarship to makeup school, helping formalize my artistry, and giving me the foundation I needed to grow into the creative I am today.”
That foundation carried him forward when he stepped behind the camera.
From the Brush to the Lens
Eventually, Hajie realized that makeup alone was not enough to tell the whole story he wanted to share. As a content creator, he documented his work for social media, but short phone clips felt limiting. He wanted intention. He wanted control. He wanted clarity.
Photography gave him all three.
When he picked up the camera, Hajie found a way to fully express his creative vision, shaping the mood, atmosphere, and feeling of each image. It allowed him to tell stories not through transformation, but through the presence and composition of his subjects.
“I didn’t just want to create looks, he explains. “I wanted to capture the story behind them.”
As his confidence behind the lens grew, so did his range of skills. Photography became a space where he could work with other people, capturing their presence and personality with the same care he gave his own concepts. His images began to stand on their own, defined by emotion, intention, and visual creativity.
This transition led to his major professional milestones, including photographing Miss Philippines Earth 2025, Joy Barcoma, for her Maiden Feature in PIPOL mgZn. This showed his evolution from makeup chair to capturing real people through his lens.
“I don’t just create beauty—I build an entire world around it.”
Today, at Onze Studio, his photography is defined by depth, intention, and the belief that every detail matters.
Breaking Stereotypes
Being a man in the beauty and creative industry was not always easy. Hajie faced judgment and stereotyping, but he turned honesty into his strength. By sharing his journey openly, he transformed challenges into inspiration.
“People judged me for how I looked and often stereotyped me because of my gender. Being a man in makeup wasn’t always accepted, and breaking through those perceptions became one of my toughest battles.”
He chose honesty as his weapon. By sharing his journey and struggles openly, he turned his battles into a beacon of hope for others.
A Year Through Hajie’s Lens
In 2025, Hajie became a husband and a father. These new roles gave his photography a deeper meaning and a new heartbeat. He no longer chases perfection. Instead, he focuses on capturing genuine, emotional moments full of life.
“Becoming a father has been the most fulfilling moment of all. It made me realize my deeper purpose in life—not just as an artist, but as a person. Marriage and fatherhood grounded me, gave me clarity, and strengthened my ‘why’.” Hajie shares
Fatherhood taught him patience, a quality that now shapes every photograph he takes. He refuses to use filters, choosing to show the world precisely as it is: honest, raw, and beautiful.
A Message to the Dreamers
When asked what he would say to the younger version of himself, the boy who felt small and uncertain, Hajie’s words are a powerful reminder to every aspiring creative.
“I would tell him that he’s doing amazing, and he should never feel small because of what he has or where he comes from. His talents and skills will take him farther than he ever imagined. I’d remind him to stay brave, stay patient, and stay true to himself. One day, people will look to him for inspiration, and his story will touch so many lives. He just has to keep going.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Hajie steps forward with renewed vision and purpose. His photography will capture life with greater meaning, telling stories that move people and inspire the next generation of dreamers to see the world through his lens.
The PIPOL Team
Publisher: Richard de Quina & John Luke Chica Managing Director: Inyi Yruma Editor-in-Chief: John Luke Chica Sales and Marketing Manager: Regino Rubi Communications & Partnership Manager: Kyra Custodio- Alberto Creative Manager: Devon May Seron Senior Writer: Beatrice Ulibarri Multimedia & Digital Head: Sachii Del Mundo Executive Assistant: Dreamboy Dubria Finance Head: Mylene Dela Reyna Words by: Denice Alvarez
Photo: Raven Rafael Studio: Onze Studio Gaffer: Juda Manjares & Jonathan Iglesia Assisted by: Friz Baradan Makeup by: Arjohn Conge Hair by: Petra Hispano
Denice is a storyteller who brings heart and purpose to entertainment and lifestyle writing, capturing culture, creativity, and the stories that connect people. Her work reflects the voice of today’s generation, blending authenticity and insight in every story she tells.
Denice is a storyteller who brings heart and purpose to entertainment and lifestyle writing, capturing culture, creativity, and the stories that connect people. Her work reflects the voice of today's generation, blending authenticity and insight in every story she tells.
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