Around GMA

Unang Hirit Livestream: December 17, 2025
Dawn fire razes 7 houses in Estancia, Iloilo
Japanese lifestyle brand unveils limited edition 'Evangelion' merch collection

Article Inside Page

Showbiz News

See Pinay illustrator Soleil Ignacio's fierce and empowering illustrations of women from the 'Speak Up, Girl' event and find out how she reacted when Ariana Grande followed her on Instagram HERE:

Filipina illustrator Soleil Ignacio is one of the female artists who collaborated with women's brand pH Care for the Speak Up, Girl event, held last March 5 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. The event held an art gallery and panel discussion in celebration of Women's Month.

In an interview with GMANetwork.com, Soleil talked about her artworks and the powerful messages behind each of them.

Cellulites are normal

Soleil's first illustration shows a woman proudly wearing a bra top and short shorts, not bothered that her cellulites are on full display.

Women have long been made to believe that cellulites are imperfections and that they should be hidden since they are considered an eyesore.

Soleil aims to change this mentality. She explained, “We, women, are always put on a microscope whenever we have these flaws. Cellulites aren't flaws. They're just also another regular part of our anatomy and everyone has them.”

Know Your Body

Soleil's second artwork is about women's sexual and reproductive health. Many women still feel shy about discussing their concerns about their vagina. And through her illustration, Soleil wants to encourage women to open up more about their vagina or their sexual and reproductive health, in general.

“One of my artworks is about checking yourself regularly, you know, checking your vagina and having no shame about it. Your vagina is just another regular body part and it shouldn't be something to be ashamed of.”

Change the norm

The third artwork of Soleil wants to reassure women that it's okay to deviate from the norms that society has set for women. She wants women to live their lives on their own terms and be unapologetically themselves.

“My last artwork is about just expressing yourself however you want. If you want to dress up weirdly or you want to have a very out-there loud makeup, do it. I have a lot of tattoos and people look differently on women having tattoos. Don't be afraid to express yourself however you want.”

Women supporting women

Soleil has a lot of followers on Instagram, some are actual friends and acquaintances, while others are fans of her artworks. And speaking of fans, there's an international superstar that's been following her on the gram: Ariana Grande!

When asked about how she reacted when she found out Ari was following her on IG, Soleil said, “I was very surprised when I saw her name (on Instagram) following me. I don't know. Maybe that's the power of the Internet and Instagram. I think she just really loves illustrators. I'm very thankful to her and maybe we can do a project soon. Joke!”

It's undeniable that women are lovely and powerful beings. And there's nothing more beautiful than to see women embracing their femininity as their superpower, and uplifting other women by supporting one another. Take a cue from Soleil Ignacio - and Ariana Grande - on how to be a truly beautiful, confident, fierce, and fabulous woman. Happy Women's Month, everyone!