Pinoy hairstylist in L'Oreal tilt finals
07/21/2011
AMSTERDAM - Filipino hairstylist Jitty dela Cruz was one of the five finalists at the recently concluded semi-finals of the L’Oreal Color Trophy competition Netherlands.
L’Oreal Color Trophy is a prestigious annual event for hair stylists and colorists held in many countries around the world. Jitty, as he is fondly known in the Filipino community, bested hundreds of Dutch hair stylists and made it to the finals.
Dela Cruz now seeks the support of his kababayans all over the world to win the Public Award of the competition through online voting.
“Being in the finals, parang nanalo na din ako kasi not everybody reach this stage. But of course I want to win the major award so I can inspire more people with my work,” said Dela Cruz.
The challenges that Dela Cruz had to overcome on his way to becoming a famous hair stylist in the Netherlands are not for the faint-hearted. He started his salon at a garage in Parañaque and eventually moved to the upper floor where he started building loyal clientele.
His first formal study was under Filipino hair dresser Jun Encarnacion, in between sweeping salon floors and doing menial jobs.
When he got the chance to study abroad, Dela Cruz went to Allan International and Jingles and Complexion International in London and Institute National Coiffure de la Beaute in Paris to further his skills in make-up and hair dressing.
Because of his perseverance and dedication, success eventually followed. At the height of his career in the Philippines, Dela Cruz was already styling celebrities for both magazines and television programs, in addition to his regular clients.
Unfortunately, his love life has not been as successful as his career. His first Dutch partner fell ill with cancer and had to go back to the Netherlands for treatment. Dela Cruz left the Philippines at the height of his career to be at his partner's side until his dying days.
“Basically, I came here for love,” Dela Cruz joked while reliving memories of his departed partner.
In his early years in the Netherlands, Dela Cruz not only had to deal with being alone but also the difficulties of starting a life here without proper papers.
He endured all the challenges – from running from authorities and the constant worry of being arrested, to losing his self-confidence as a hair dresser while cleaning hotel rooms at Schipol airport.
Secrets to success
His kababayansin Holland helped Dela Cruz get back on his feet. He decided to practice his profession again through clients in the Filipino community.
He also took another shot at love and met another Dutchman, who encouraged him to put up a salon to accommodate his growing clientele. In 2002, Dela Cruz opened the first and only Filipino hair salon in Amsterdam.
When asked what drove him to persevere despite the hardships, Dela Cruz said he wanted to achieve his dreams.
“Hard work, determination and loving your work, I think those are the most key elements kaya ako nandito ngayon. You can achieve anything you want basta meron kang determination and you are willing to sacrifice anything just to fulfill your dreams,” he said.
Dela Cruz also said that having a definite plan and taking things step by step is as important as determination and perseverance.
“Hindi ka dapat magamadali when you want to achieve something, kelangan meron kang plan and the easiest way to reach a certain point is to establish a definite plan in reaching your goal.”
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