The Sisterhood Tribe of Vancouver!

¡Hola! Vancouverites, forget about The Real Housewives of Vancouver (oh but wait, they don’t exist anymore) — there’s a new hip girl squad in town! This new squad is a more diverse, more real, more interesting group of Filipina-Canadian women juggling motherhood, high-powered careers, successful businesses, and relationships. This article is actually the second part of a previous story I’ve written, “The Benefits of Finding Your Sisterhood Tribe.”

The Sisterhood Tribe of Vancouver is composed of Babes Castro Newland, Liberty Kunimitsu, Malu Francisco, Michelle Carillo, Mylene Villanueva Lim, Tessa Rama Belland, and yours truly, Matte Laurel Zalko. The Sisterhood Tribe was formed on July 3, 2021 at Cincin Italian fine dining restaurant. That fateful evening was the start of what would be a most remarkable celebration of friendship over the next two years. 

The story of their friendship is truly one for the books. In a short span of time, they’ve shared the many ups and downs of each other and have been there for each other. As a Sisterhood Tribe, they’ve gone through COVID, a wedding, the birth of a grandson, celebrating each other’s birthdays, the progress of a new romantic relationship, and to this day, they continue to share the light and dark parts of their respective journeys in life.

The concept of the Sisterhood Tribe of Vancouver is all about women empowerment. These women are joined and united together through sincere and loyal friendship that gives support to one another, inspiring each other and  pushing each other to become the best and authentic versions of themselves. They continue to motivate each other to reach their highest potentials in life. Together, they also aim to give back to their community in their own ways or as a tribe. 

In alphabetical order, let’s get to know the “Sisterhood Tribe of Vancouver” which consists of 7 larger than life women with different personalities and backgrounds who share common interests, passions and friendship goals in life. Get inspired by their friendship and take a page out of their beauty and fashion books!

ABOUT BABES CASTRO NEWLAND 

Babes Castro Newland is a former foreign trade promotions officer for the embassies of Finland, Sweden and the Government of Quebec Trade Office in the Philippines for 22 years before relocating to Canada in 2006. Babes took up the Fashion Business Program at the John Casablancas Institute and she’s currently into fashion retailing and merchandising management roles for Kate Spade New York, a combined role which she’s had for 5 years now.

Prior to that, Babes held similar leadership positions for Melanie Lyn-Laura Canada, Anthropologie and Saks Off Fifth Avenue. Babes is a true Gemini where she also excels in various facets of creative arts like freelance writing, music, artist development and management, stage performance coaching, scriptwriting and stage production conceptualising and directing.

Babes’ all-time heroine for fashion design is hands down the late Vivienne Westwood, for her street culture of Punk with Seditionaries. And the indefatigable Iris Apfel is someone whom Babes aspires to be when she grows up! Babes is a melomaniac for Hip Hop R&B; she’s obsessed with Rosés and Proseccos with her savoury pairings of Italian dishes and delectable Spanish tapas. Babes is happily married for 21 years now to a wonderful man who was born and raised in Saskatchewan; she’s a mother to two fully grown beautiful daughters and a “glam-ma” to a teenage granddaughter and a 2-year old grandson.

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“To me it was a process of osmosis, really. Believe it or not, Malu Francisco and I met back in the Philippines during the mid-1980’s (our first real jobs after college) when she was working at the banquet sales of then Hyatt Regency Manila and I was the trade promotion officer for the Embassy of Finland. We met to discuss hotel accommodations for the biggest trade delegations from Finland to the Philippines at that time. And as fate would have it, Malu also moved to Canada many years later. Funny how she would be meeting Matte Laurel Zalko in Vancouver long before I could realise that myself. What a sweet (shocking) surprise finding Malu attending one of Matte’s posh birthday dinners at CinCin Restaurant!”

“Michelle Carillo and I also met back in the Philippines between 2001-2003. We then both moved to Canada a few years apart later after our respective marriages to Canadian men who eventually became co-workers at SNC Lavalin in Vancouver BC for the construction of Canada Line.”

 

“While visiting my happy place (I used to call Rustan’s Makati and EDSA Shangri-La the same way) in downtown Vancouver named Holt Renfrew, I chanced upon this statuesque Filipina named Tessa Rama Belland who works at the designer shoe section. And that’s how I coined-in a pet-name for her as Holt Renfrew’s “Shoe Con-TESSA”. From Tessa I met the beauteous writer of this column, Matte Laurel Zalko, who at that time was at the helm running day to day operations of a family restaurant business downtown. In hindsight, Matte worked at the Peninsula Manila back when I was still at the Embassy of Sweden right across her building as a regular patron of her hotel.”

“I introduced Tessa to Michelle — a certified fashionista and shoe “contessa” herself! While it was from Michelle that I met Liberty Kunimitsu. I met Mylene Villanueva Lim in one of the Filipino-Canadian community organisations where we were both active members back then. In turn, I introduced Mylene to the rest of the ladies. And that’s how our sisterhood tribe was formed.”

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe? 

“There is not one word to describe our sisterhood tribe. We just “know” we belong together and that’s one commonality. There are many various colours and textures in the tapestry of our friendship. We’re different in most ways than one. But one thing’s for sure, we love to savour great food, bubblies/wines and go on adventures TOGETHER. And we’re all hopeless romantics.”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“Each one of us is already a strong, unique and independent-minded woman. Together we become a force to reckon with. Having girlfriends whom you can trust and run to when the going gets rough is a blessing. Knowing that you have “sisters” who won’t judge you but uplift you in your moments of darkness is reassuring.”

What’s your fashion style?

“My fashion style — I go for casual chic and classic fashion styles. I love my pearls and blings. Anything that glitters in gold and silver. I’m obsessed with wearing “less is more” when it comes to accessories. I often wear bright coloured oversized blazers paired with wide legged pants or my vintage pair of Versace denims over plain crew neck t-shirts are my instant fixations.”

Please share your beauty secrets. 

“My Beauty Secrets — I wash my face regularly with SHU UEMURA FACIAL OIL CLEANSER. Followed by VITAMIN C SERUM. After which I just apply SPF 50 TINTED CC CREAM in lieu of liquid foundation then finish it off with LAURA MERCIER LOOSE POWDER. Since I’m already blessed with natural high cheekbones, I just dab them with shimmer highlights by CHARLOTTE TILBURY for definition. And their shimmery eye palette is topnotch. TOM FORD LIP BALM is one of my absolute faves to keep my lips supple and nourished. And finally, I wear scents by CREED.”

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“I’m actually a “Carrie” and a “Charlotte” rising. A “Carrie” in the sense that I’m a sucker for beauty, avant-garde fashion and styling. I can experiment on various wardrobing pieces (old and new) and whip up brand new looks any day by just simply using my creative brain. I can also recognise my flaws as an imperfect human. I don’t take qualms in asking for an apology in my quest to become a better version of myself.”

“But contrary to how Carrie can be self-absorbed as a friend, I’m a “Charlotte” in that department. I’m very sympathetic, protective and loyal to those who are wronged, abused and misjudged. I put my head on the chopping board just to defend a friend. Or even if it means I’d be the only one left to stand fighting.”

ABOUT LIBERTY KUNIMITSU 

Liberty Kunimitsu is a degree holder of a business management course from the Philippines. She’s a beautiful mix of Chinese-Japanese-Filipino blood. Her father is of Japanese descent while her mother is of Filipina-Chinese descent. She used to work as an Office Administrator for SNC Lavalin, one of the largest construction companies in Canada where she handled and managed 5 big projects which included the development and construction of Skytrain in Vancouver. 

Liberty also worked in the administration and sales department of one of the largest diamond retailers in Vancouver, the People’s Jewellers. As a single mom to her only son, John Michael — Liberty juggled with life as a single mom working various jobs at the same time in order to give her only son the best possible life here in Vancouver. She worked long hours to make sure she’s able to be the best provider to her son.

At 55 years old, she’s now enjoying a much deserved early retirement surrounded by love and care of her son John Michael and her other half, her loyal, dedicated and loving hubby, Daniel Joncas whom Liberty met more than twenty years ago. Liberty is now a certified lady of leisure enjoying her favourite outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, and snowshoeing. 

Liberty also enjoys travelling to different parts of the world — Asia, Europe, North America and the US with her other half, Danny or with her girlfriends. She also plays mahjong once or twice a week with other women of leisure! She enjoys going out with her sisterhood tribe for lunch, dinner or happy hour.

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I first met Michelle Carillo through her husband, Alain, because I worked with Alain at SNC Lavalin. We immediately clicked and got on like a house on fire and became BFF ever since! Through Michelle, I met Babes Castro Newland. Then through Babes, I met Tessa Rama Belland and Mylene Villanueva Lim. During one of Michelle’s dinners at her home, I met Matte Laurel Zalko who quickly became my Tequila BFF (a private term of endearment)! Through Matte, I met Malu Francisco during a dinner party hosted by Matte and her then fiancé, Ron Zalko. 

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I’m going to start with my BFF, Michelle Carillo — she’s extremely generous, she likes to spoil her loved ones; like I’ve mentioned, we get along so well, she loves cats, she’s a supportive mother to her four children; Michelle’s such a fashionista and she’s the Queen of the Kitchen! I love Michelle like she’s my blood sister. Michelle and I are like two peas in a pod. Next, Mylene Villanueva Lim is the financial advisor of our sisterhood tribe. If you want to ask anything about finance, especially concerning mortgages, Mylene is our go to person as she’s so knowledgeable about that subject. Mylene and I speak the same dialect which is Cebuano Visayan, but Mylene is a bit more placid compared to my funnier and wackier side, however, we do share the same passion for hiking.” 

“Malu Francisco on the other hand is the socialite in our tribe. Malu is full of glamour! She’s also funny and she definitely has no filter. She won’t shy away from discussing even the most taboo subjects including her sex life, but she’s only open to those she’s comfortable with (like us, her sisterhood tribe). Babes Newland is the most serious type in our tribe. Babes is the leader of our group — we all look up to her and mostly follow her lead because she’s like the eldest sister in our group. Like a typical older sister, she takes care of us, she supports us in every way she can!”

“Tessa Rama Belland is just like me — a happy go lucky type! She likes to enjoy life to the fullest, she doesn’t care for drama or conflicts. Tessa is also super fashionable, she’s always the first one to wear the latest designer pieces. We go to her when it comes to buying the latest designer shoes! Like me, she likes to enjoy good food, travel to different countries and loves hiking. With regard to Matte Laurel Zalko, she’s my beloved Tequila BFF which is again a private term of endearment that we call each other! We also get along so well! Matte is more reserved than the rest of the tribe. Matte never discusses her personal life to anyone. She’s extremely discreet and discerning. It takes a while for her to trust and open up to anyone. But Matte is so affectionate with everyone, she’s the first one to give us hugs, kisses and tells us how she loves us! And you can really feel her sincerity — her affection comes from the heart. Matte is also super generous and she’s always happy with us!”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“Our sisterhood tribe is so strong together because we stand together through good times and bad times. We’re always there for each other. We have so much respect and love for each other. We always try to be on the same page as much as possible. We try to understand each other and we always work things out if there’s ever any misunderstandings which is quite rare in our group. 

We like to lift each other’s spirits up and if one is not feeling good, we’re always there to make sure all will be well. It’s really a blessing to have your own tribe. You have a wonderful group of sisters to enjoy precious moments with. We laugh a lot whenever we’re together!”

What’s your fashion style?

“My fashion style is so simple. As a rule, I only wear clothes and shoes that fit me well. I make sure I’m super comfortable with what I wear. I usually combine both formal and casual pieces together to create a  one-of-a-kind look that is both comfortable and stylish.”

“I tend to opt for comfortable fabrics like cotton, linen, or denim. I choose clothing pieces that are easy to wear and allow for easy and flexible movement, such as relaxed-fit trousers with flowy tops, or midi dresses. I also love colours! I’m not afraid to mix and match colours. I pair warm tones with warm colours and cool tones with cool colours. I’m all about colours! My fashion style reflects my personality and I’m super colourful!”

“In order to look stylish, I buy timeless wardrobe staples. I wear clothes that are flattering in cuts and texture. I get rid of any clothing that’s outdated, shapeless and unflattering. I also check the weather forecast and put my day into account whether my outfit is suitable for the weather. Like I said, comfortable clothes are a must!”

“I’m also not afraid to go out of my comfort zone when it comes to dressing. I don’t believe in dressing up for your age. Not at all. Why restrict yourself in fashion? Even at my age, I still wear mini skirts and crop tops! Confidence is the key to dressing well. And when it comes to accessories, balance is important. You don’t want to look like a Christmas tree! Everything in moderation.”

Please share your beauty secrets. 

“At 55, I love enjoying life and my beauty secret lies in being genuinely happy with yourself and your life. I don’t take life seriously. I don’t waste my precious energy in getting angry or getting upset over anything. Rather than get upset, I always prefer to resolve things and find solutions to challenges. Life is so short which is why I live my life one day at a time.”

“I make sure I get enough sleep, I do a lot of physical activities on a daily basis. Even though I’m retired, I make sure I’m always on the move and always doing something every day. I take pride in how I look and how I feel. I’m meticulous when it comes to personal hygiene. I get my yearly medical check ups. I think that’s so important especially for women our age.”

“I also avoid getting stressed. To be truly beautiful, everything must come from within. You have to have inner peace. Real beauty comes from a place of self-acceptance, self-awareness, having compassion and empathy for others, and above all, always think positive and happy thoughts.”

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“Oh my, I’m 100 % Samantha Jones! I am so like her in so many ways. I’m extremely confident, I’m self-sufficient and I love sex! I’m so sensual and I’m not inhibited at all. I’m full of life, I’m so outspoken and straightforward. And yes, just like Samantha, I’m trysexual — I’ll try anything with my hubby, lol! On a more serious note, just like Samantha, I’m overly protective of the people I love. I will go over and beyond just to make sure the people I love are ok and feeling safe at all times.”

ABOUT MALU FRANCISCO 

Malu Francisco is the type of woman that when she enters a room, everyone stops and stares. This tall and willowy beauty is one of Manila’s popular and most sought after socialites. She is always the belle of the ball with her Filipino designer evening gowns. No one does glamour the way Malu does! And if one may add, no high society party in Manila is ever a success without the presence of this dusky beauty. She totally commands attention without even trying. Malu is naturally friendly, effervescent, and so charismatic that people easily gravitate towards her. She has such a magnetic personality. 

This stunning social butterfly has 15 years of solid marketing communication experience at Stores Specialists Inc., a leading specialty retailer in Manila. As Marketing Communications Manager, she handled and managed the accounts of 80 global lifestyle brands which ranged from high street fashion to luxury. She led her marketing communications team in developing, designing, and executing successful strategic campaigns for all 80 brands. 

Malu not only hit the jackpot in the looks department, she’s also one intelligent woman — having graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration in the prestigious University of the Philippines. She also has a certificate in Public Relations from Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies here in Vancouver. This makes her quite the eligible bachelorette and definitely quite a catch! 

At present, Malu works as a Team Assistant for the Ministry of Children and Family (a BC Provincial government department) where she helps support the Youth Services team in providing services to children and families in need. Malu lives a busy and fulfilling lifestyle surrounded by her two grown up children, her family relatives, and her tight circle of friends here in Vancouver. She is also a keen traveller making frequent trips to New York, Europe, and back home to the Philippines to visit her mom with whom she has such a close and loving relationship with. Malu is such a devoted daughter and sister to her brothers. 

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I’ve known Babes Castro Newland way back when we were young women fresh out of college and just starting out in our first jobs in Manila. We both moved in the same circle too. I would cross paths again with Babes decades later in a dinner party given by Matte Laurel Zalko and her other half, Ron Zalko here in Vancouver. I connected with Matte through Facebook because we have a lot of mutual friends in Manila. She then reached out to me and invited me to their dinner party. Through Matte’s dinner party, I met Michelle Carillo (with whom I shared common friends back in Manila), Liberty Kunimitsu, Mylene Villanueva Lim, and Tessa Rama Belland. That particular dinner party changed my life here in Vancouver. I finally met my Sisterhood Tribe, the ones I’m meant to belong with here in Vancouver.”

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe?

“Michelle is our Hostess with the Mostest. She spoils us with her delicious cooking, never ending supply of Prosecco or champagne, and great conversations! Tessa exudes an air of glamour and luxury, you can tell she works in a high end company. I also enjoy talking to Tessa about our shared interests in life. Babes is so articulate, she’s not afraid to say what she thinks or how she feels. Babes is like the leader of our tribe, the first to propose ideas on either get together or activities. As per Liberty, oh my gosh, I have no words to describe her, lol! Well, she’s really quite a firecracker. So much life and so much fun to be with, Liberty is full of character and quite a dynamic personality.” 

“With Mylene, I find her so intelligent and interesting to talk to. She’s thoughtful and always smiling and positive. I find her volunteer work for the Filipino community so inspiring. When I first met Matte, I really found her physically beautiful. And as I got to know her, I discovered that she’s a truly beautiful human being from the inside. Matte is really gracious, kindhearted and so generous. I’m really grateful I got to know that true side of her.”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“I so love my Sisterhood Tribe. I’m really blessed that I met all of them and formed a deep connection with each of them. I truly value our friendship. We are sisters by choice and we couldn’t have chosen better! Our Sisterhood Tribe is special because we’re so real with each other. Our sisterhood allows us to see the best of who we are in the eyes of one another. The affirmation and validation that comes from being truly valued, heard, and seen by each of us are what makes the sisterhood so incredibly powerful and meaningful. We really do appreciate each other.”

What’s your fashion style?

“In Manila, I’m always dressing up every week because of the different events and parties that I go to. I’m so lucky too that I have a lot of talented designer friends who create beautiful dresses and gowns for me. I like classic fashion. Now that I’m here in Vancouver and living a quieter lifestyle, I’ve packed all my party clothes in 4 huge suitcases and I even have an excel spreadsheet that details each clothing and the exact dates of when and where I wore them!”

“I love the old Hollywood style glamour. I love the 50’s kind of dresses. I’m into silk, velvet, satin, lace, furs, leather. There’s nothing quite like donning a fine silk number on a cool romantic night. The reason why I’m attracted to the old Hollywood glamour style is because it has the feeling of sheer luxury and it makes me feel great!”

“I love dressing up at work. I love wearing berets and hats. I love wearing costumes on special occasions like Halloween or during themed parties. But I’m also into comfortable dressing. I love wearing tailored trousers and pairing it with a chic chiffon blouse. I also love wearing floral feminine skirts and silky tops. I love colourful outfits. I’m also into black outfits and polka dots. Oh, and I love to accessorise with pearls.”

Please share your beauty secrets.

“My beauty secret is all about always finding something to be grateful for in my life. When a woman is truly grateful, she radiates this light aura which is really beautiful. How we think, how we act towards others makes us beautiful. When we’re happy, we smile and laugh a lot and that makes anyone so attractive. I’m also prayerful and every time I pray, I always pray for thanksgiving. When I’m happy, I feel good. When I feel good, I know I look good!”

“I keep myself feeling and looking young by being physically active. I work out at home. I have my mini gym in the corner of my condo. In the summer, I do a lot of cycling around the parks. I also watch what I eat carefully. And I think I’m blessed to have inherited my Mom’s genes. My Mom looks beautiful even at her golden age! I hope to be like her when I reach her age.”

“I love taking care of myself. I love the feeling of looking good. I’m not averse to having lash extensions. I love good old pampering, be it a spa session or a trip to the salon. I’m also cautious when it comes to the beauty products that I use on my face, body and hair. I’m also particular with hygiene. I love the feeling of being clean not just with myself but with my surroundings especially my home.”

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“There’s no one particular Sex and the City character that stands out to me because I’ve been all of them in different stages in my life. I’ve been Samantha, I’ve been Carrie, I’ve been Charlotte and I’ve been Miranda at some point and time in my life.”

ABOUT MICHELLE CARILLO 

Michelle Carillo has it all — beauty, brains, talent, a kind heart and a loving family. Michelle is an Italian Interpreter and she used to work for the Italian embassy back in Manila and also in an Italian luxury fashion company, Linea Italia. Here in Vancouver, she used to do public relations work for Hemp Pure, a line of beauty products made of hemp. At present, she takes care of their youngest daughter who is a future Olympic gymnast driving her daughter to and from her practices.  Michelle also travels with her daughter to provide moral support during her daughter’s various competitions all over Canada. Michelle is also active in sports — she is an expert hiker, skier and snowboarder. She frequently goes to Whistler or Grouse Mountain to indulge in snowboarding. 

Michelle is also the best Chef in our sisterhood tribe! Her specialty ranges from mouth watering ribs (the best ribs in the whole of Vancouver!) to her delicious pastas, to creating the best Osso bucco with Gremolata and risotto and she prepares the most flavourful crabs in town! She’s great in Italian, Malaysian, Singaporean, Filipino and Canadian cuisine. Michelle is the ultimate Hostess with the Mostest — her lovely and grand home is always open and welcoming to her friends. Both her and her handsome husband Alain are generous to a fault!

Michelle also has the biggest walk-in closet amongst the sisterhood tribe. She’s the absolute fashionista who collects Chanel bags, Hermès Birkins, Lady Dior bags to name a few. Her shoe collection can rival that of Heart Evangelista’s! Her clothes are an eclectic mixture of high end and high street brands. She also has drawers and drawers of glittering accessories and jewellery. Hers is a charmed life indeed. Perhaps she’s been so blessed because she is such a blessing to others. She has a giving heart and she is always there ready to help those who are in need. 

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“Babes Newland and I go a long way, we’ve been close friends for 23 years now! I met Babes in Manila in the early 2000’s since we both moved in the same social circle; we continued our friendship here in Vancouver because we’re married to two Canadian men. Also, our husbands work in the same company that built Canada Line. I met Liberty Kinumitsu through my husband because she worked with my husband at SNC Lavalin. Liberty and I became close BFFs right away!”

“Through Babes, I met Tessa Rama Belland. I became Tessa’s client at Holts Renfrew as well. Through Tessa, I met Matte Laurel Zalko in 2015 during a ladies lunch. Again through Babes, I met Mylene Villanueva Lim. Matte introduced Malu Francisco to the group when she and her then fiancé Ron Zalko hosted a dinner party in 2021. Ironically, Malu and I had mutual friends back in Manila but we didn’t meet until she moved here in Vancouver. Thus, the Sisterhood Tribe was born!” 

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I’m going to start with my BFF Liberty: she’s crazy, funny, hilarious, and wild! I have so much fun with her all the time. With her there’s never a dull moment. She’s really quite an energetic and entertaining companion. I do a lot of travelling with her; we often indulge in ladies’ weekend getaway; we enjoy happy hours together and just hanging around with each other. I really trust her with everything. She’s the type of friend who will be there for you no matter what. Our friendship is tried and tested — one time, my car got stuck in Kelowna (at least a 4-hour drive from Vancouver) and I called her and she said: “I’m on my way to pick you up from Vancouver!” I’m really lucky to have her.” 

“With Babes, I’m also close to her because like I said, we go way back. I also enjoy her company. I know she’s the type who will defend me from those who talk bad about me. I’m also the godmother of her grandson, Matteo. Tessa is my favourite classy, funny, no drama close friend. Tessa doesn’t dwell on anything negative. I enjoy spending time and doing activities with her like skiing and shopping! Malu is a super fashionable, funny, bubbly, modern and independent woman. I enjoy talking to her about her love life and dating experiences.”

“Mylene and I also enjoy bonding together either hiking, eating or snowboarding and skiing. I find Mylene so dependable, so real and someone who is easy to get along with. Oh another thing I love about Mylene: she’s absolutely crazy over my crabs! She devours it, lol! Matte has the sweetest personality and she’s also so thoughtful. I love how she always checks on me and asks how I’m feeling or if I need anything. She’s also so affectionate and the first one to always say she loves me and misses me. She’s big on hugging too. I also admire Matte’s fashion style — she’s so Audrey Hepburn-esque! I love her black outfits with pearls!”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“There’s really nothing quite like the closeness and special bond that my Sisterhood Tribe and I enjoy. We are so open and transparent with each other and yet we always maintain this deep, deep respect and admiration for each other. We’ve formed deep emotional connections with each other. Even if we don’t see each other, we’re constantly chatting with each other in our special chat group on WhatsApp! We share so much laughter when we’re together or even when we’re just chatting. Our Sisterhood Tribe is about mutual understanding and caring for each other. We’re not sisters by blood, but by choice. We chose to have each other in our lives.”

What’s your fashion style?

“My fashion style is all over the place really! It all depends on my mood. Depending on the occasion, I dress accordingly. I can dress sexily, classy, conservative, edgy, or feminine. It all depends on how I feel. I dress based on my emotions!”

“I love to mix luxury brands with high street brands. I can wear anything from $1000 outfits to $60 dresses. I choose my outfit on whether it suits me and flatters my figure. I’m also partial to colourful outfits. I love the colour purple, I love sparkly dresses and short flirty dresses.”

“I also love rompers and jumpsuits. I also like to pair my outfits with comfortable sneakers. I love blings on my shoes. I like to invest in great quality clothing and shoes. I also invest in luxury bags.”

Please share your beauty secrets. 

“I have a simple and straightforward beauty routine — I always apply sunscreen even if I’m just staying at home! The sun is so bad for our skin and hair. I also put a lot of moisturiser on my face and body lotion all over my body especially my legs to keep it silky smooth. Every time I shower, I use a body brush all over my body to exfoliate. It’s also good for blood circulation and getting rid of dead skin. I also take great care of my long hair as it is one of my precious assets! I use Oribe gold lust repair and restore shampoo and conditioner. I use its hair masque as well. For blow drying, I only use Dyson.”

“For my face, I’m a huge fan of microdermabrasion. I find that this helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also gets rid of hyperpigmentation and age spots. It’s also great for removing blackheads and swollen pores. It’s a non-invasive treatment which is why I do it once a month. It helps improve my skin texture and gives me that lit-from-within glow which I really love!”

“For me, my biggest beauty secret is about being genuinely happy with myself and my life. I have so much to be grateful for that I don’t take anything for granted. I’m always thankful! I love taking care of the people I love and hold dear in my life. I love taking care of my cats! I think when a woman is kind and caring, that makes her beautiful. It’s not the clothes, shoes or makeup. It’s what’s in her heart that makes her attractive.”

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“The Sex and the City character I can relate to is Charlotte. Like her, she has a stable family life and she’s a good wife and mom which I think I am too! I can identify with Charlotte’s optimism and supportive attitude towards her family and friends. I relate to her outlook in life which can be traditional. And just like her, I always see the best in people and above all, I never give up on life. I’m strong that way!”

ABOUT MYLENE VILLANUEVA LIM

Mylene Villanueva Lim is first and foremost a mother to two beautiful grown up children who are the apples of her eye! She is also happily married to a successful Filipino-Chinese businessman, Sherwin Lim with whom she recently celebrated 41 years of marriage — that’s a whopping two thirds of her life! This Alice Dixon dead ringer is not only gorgeous, but she’s with brains too! A proud alumni of University of the Philippines, Mylene is a hugely successful mortgage broker in Vancouver.

Her work as a mortgage broker allows her to help the Filipino community to be able to purchase their own homes. Mylene has generously assisted a lot of her Filipino compatriots by giving them advice on the different options that would best suit them in attaining their dream home without going into massive debt. Mylene is also active in volunteering either as a host or major sponsor in various social fundraising events in the Filipino community here in Vancouver. Because of her generosity and kindness, she’s widely recognized and respected by many Filipino-Canadians.

This bubbly petite is also keen on sports activities — she’s a scuba diver, she loves skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and power walking. Mylene is also passionate about eating crabs, her favourite are the ones that our fellow sisterhood tribe Michelle Carillo cooks for the tribe during our dinner get-togethers, lol! 

Mylene is also a certified globetrotter! She loves travelling to many different places either with her family or her sisterhood tribe. Her latest travel escapade brought her to beautiful Portugal and the sunny side of Spain. She also visits the Philippines frequently and indulges in her favourite sports while back home. 

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I love my sisterhood tribe! I first met Babes Castro Newland in one of the social events in the Filipino community. Babes and I immediately clicked and became close right away. Then, through Babes, I met Matte Laurel Zalko, Michelle Carillo and Tessa Rama Belland through a birthday dinner that Babes hosted for Matte. During one of the dinners at Michelle’s home, I met and quickly bonded with Liberty Kunimitsu. I met Malu Francisco during a dinner hosted by Matte and her then fiancé, Ron Zalko.”

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I’ll start with Babes whom I shall describe as so avant-garde! She is so artistic and creative and she’s not afraid to experiment with innovative ideas especially when she directs or produces a show for the Filipino community. Babes is also extremely generous when it comes to helping out with the Filipino community. She devotes her talent and energy to any project she has. Next, I’d describe Michelle Carillo as big hearted and so giving. She loves to cook all these delicious meals for her loved ones and my goodness, she loves spoiling her sisterhood tribe.”

“With Liberty Kunimitsu, she’s eccentric and gregarious! She’s so much fun to be with and she has no filter at all! It’s always fun and laughs with her. As per Tessa Rama Belland, she’s so calm, so zen and she exudes inner peace. Tessa shies away from any form of confrontation and she is fiercely loyal towards us, her sisterhood tribe. Tessa refuses to hear any bad mouthing when it comes to us. She’s so protective of her sisterhood tribe.”

“Malu Francisco is the high society social butterfly of our tribe. She’s super glamorous and is an excellent conversationalist. She can discuss any topic under the sun. She’s also hilarious and fun to be with. With Matte Laurel Zalko, she always has this warmhearted readiness to always give to others. Matte is kindhearted and so affectionate towards us, her sisterhood tribe. She’s always happy and upbeat with us. She’s a positive and a wonderful friend to have around.”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“We all have different personalities and characteristics but despite our differences, we still get along well because of our shared interests and values in life. Our sisterhood tribe is so empowering — our strong bond and support for each other helps us feel that we’re all essential; that what we say, feel, and think matters. More importantly, there’s no room for drama, egos, and bullying in our tribe. We are all naturally confident in ourselves that we don’t feel the need to compete with each other. Instead, we lift up each other.”

What’s your fashion style?

“First of all, I hate shopping! I can’t stand it. I don’t like crowds and I get dizzy around malls! I work mostly from home so I wear comfortable clothing like jeans, leggings, t-shirts or sweaters depending on the weather. When it comes to fashion, for me it has to be all about comfort.”

“However, I do love to dress up too, especially when I go to events and dinner parties. I prefer dresses that are a nice fit for me. I don’t like loose and baggy clothing. I’m so petite so I look better with tight clothes that help accentuate my figure. I’m not brand conscious either.”

“I love colours and prints too. I love floral dresses and anything that’s feminine and soft. I find that feminine pieces add texture to any wardrobe. I also love to accessorise with dainty pearls and other precious trinkets.”

Please share your beauty secrets. 

“My beauty lies in the fact that I don’t dwell on problems or challenges. I don’t waste my energy on the bad stuff. I don’t let negativity affect me and my health. I’m naturally a happy person, I just love being happy. I love to laugh and I just want to enjoy my life to the fullest. I believe in what will be, will be. Que sera sera.”

“I do practise a strict beauty regimen. I use a Retin-A cream daily to help prevent unwanted wrinkles and age spots. I don’t go out of the house without sunscreen. I avoid the sun which can be damaging to our skin. I use a lot of moisturiser on my face and body. I gravitate towards Korean beauty products because I find their ingredients suitable for me and my skin, face and body.”

“I also indulge in skin laser treatments every now and then. I find that these treatments are effective for treating wrinkles, deep facial lines, sunspots and age spots. Also laser treatment helps improve uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, scarring and melasma.”

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“I can totally relate to Miranda’s character from Sex and the City. I identify with her personality which are: being witty, individualistic, confident, her strong work ethic, and her being a grounded, realistic friend who just seems to know better and has no delusions in life. I can relate to her total self-awareness. Just like Miranda, I’m conscious of where I am in my life. I’m alert about my coping mechanisms in life and I’m confident on how others perceive me. With me, what you see is what you get. I have no pretensions at all.”

ABOUT TESSA RAMA BELLAND 

Tessa Rama Belland is a striking beauty of Filipina-Spanish-Chinese descent. Her maternal side is of Filipino-Spanish and her paternal side is of Filipino-Chinese heritage. The Ramas of Cebu are well known and respected in the political scene — her brother Michael Rama is the current Mayor of Cebu. This tall beauty was a former successful fashion, ramp, commercial and print model in the Philippines during the late 70’s and early 80’s. Tessa is a mom to an equally beautiful daughter, Shardé. 

Tessa works for the prestigious Holt Renfrew in Vancouver (Canada’s equivalent to Harrods) and she handles the accounts of Holt’s top VVIP clients and takes care of their needs in the luxury designer shoes department. In her free time, Tessa loves to travel with her significant other, Ric and her girlfriends. She’s active in hiking, walking, surfing and skiing. She is also a savvy businesswoman having invested wisely in the Vancouver real estate market — she owns two high-end properties in the city. 

Tessa is living her dream life right now; she’s thriving in her career, in her family life (she’s about to become a first-time “glam-ma”), and she’s in a new committed loving relationship with her handsome beau and lived-in partner, Ric, whom she had known as a friend in their 20’s in Manila before reuniting a year ago and embarking on a serendipitous romantic relationship. Talk about a real love story straight out of a Hallmark movie! 

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“I met Babes Castro Newland at my work at Holt Renfrew. Through Babes, I also met Michelle Carillo who also became my client at Holts. I met Matte Laurel Zalko through her mother who is my client at Holts. I’m a long-time family friend of Matte and her family. I met Mylene Villanueva Lim through Babes in one of our get-togethers. I met Liberty Kunimitsu through Michelle at one of her dinner parties. I met Malu Francisco through Matte during a dinner she hosted with her husband in 2021.”

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe? 

“Let me start with Michelle Carillo — she’s stylish, fashionable and the best chef in our tribe! Babes Castro Newland is the boss or the leader of our group, she’s the brain behind our sisterhood tribe. Liberty Kunimitsu has lots of energy, she likes to talk a lot! Malu Francisco is also classy and a refined lady, so chic. While Mylene Villanueva Lim is so active, smart and so down to earth. Matte Laurel Zalko is so sophisticated, elegant and extremely ladylike.”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“Our sisterhood tribe is strong, genuine and unique because we support each other. We always have fun every time we see each other. We like to go out to dinners or happy hours. Sometimes, I travel with some of them, depending on who’s available. We love and truly enjoy each other’s company. There’s no drama in our group, there’s a strong sense of belonging and togetherness. We just like to always be positive with each other and understanding of each other.”

“We also are there for each other during life’s highs and lows, hurts and happiness. Our sisterhood tribe share a common purpose: to encourage each other to achieve the best versions of ourselves. We do not compete with each other because we’re all confident in our own skins, we have no insecurities and personal hang ups. We’re happy for each other. We celebrate each other’s success and we aspire to reach greater heights and exceed expectations together. We confide in each other and there’s enormous trust between us.”

What’s your fashion style?

“My fashion style is chic and classic. Fashion has always been a big part of my life. I’ve always worked in the fashion industry. I used to be a fashion and commercial model. When I came to Canada, I started working for the most luxurious fashion retailer, Holt Renfrew and my career in fashion has been an instrument for shaping my fashion style through the years. Although I tend to stick to classic style in clothing, at the same time, I’m also pretty adventurous when it comes to fashion, I can be edgy and a true fashion forward woman.  I also love to mix and match my clothes in terms of colours and textures.”

“I enjoy the art of dressing up when I go out to dinners or during special occasions. But I’m also big on dressing up comfortably on a daily basis. I’m so blessed that my work allows me to showcase my fashion sense during work week! I love shoes from the likes of Roger Vivier, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu to name a few of my go-to powerhouse brands. When it comes to accessories, I favour handbags from Bottega Veneta especially the Jodie bag and I have quite a few signature evening purses too.”

Please share your beauty secrets. 

“My beauty secret lies in this philosophy: you are what you eat. I’m extremely disciplined in what I eat and put in my body. I follow a strict keto diet which means I eat foods that have a high fat intake, moderate protein consumption and a low carbohydrate intake. I avoid pasta, rice and sweets in general. I nourish myself with really good and healthy food!”

“I do a lot of exercise. I go hiking whenever I can with my significant other and girlfriends. I go skiing during winter. I move around a lot. Thankfully, my work requires me to be on my feet and always walking and moving around for 8 hours a day so that definitely keeps me fit.”

“I also live a balanced lifestyle. I’m always happy, upbeat and positive. I don’t like negativity and I stay away from negative people. I avoid drama and conflicts. I’m extremely chill and I stay cool all the time. I don’t get flustered. I don’t sweat the small stuff. And you know what, when you’re truly happy, it radiates from within. You become more beautiful when you’re happy and content. My clients love that I always smile!”

“I’m also a huge fan of having a great skincare routine since I was 15 years old. I used to favour Clinique and now that I’m older, I use Sisley products and La Mer products. I take good care of my skin daily. I’m into moisturiser and eye serums.”

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“I’m definitely a cross between Charlotte and Carrie! I can totally relate to Carrie’s optimism and non-judgmental character which makes her a great friend to everyone. I can also relate to Charlotte’s friendly and happy nature. Charlotte and I share the same taste in clothes and shoes! 

ABOUT MATTE LAUREL ZALKO

Matte Laurel Zalko at age 55 is a proud mother and a happy wife. Matte spent her teenage years and early 20’s living and studying in London, England having attended Marymount International School for girls in high school and Lucie Clayton Academy in college; she is a former restaurateur and hotelier; a health and wellness aficionado; a food, wine and champagne enthusiast; a dog-lover; she currently assists her husband in managing and running his Fitness and Yoga club, as well as, handling the overall fitness club membership sales of his club; and, she’s also a lifestyle columnist exclusively for her column, “Maria in Vancouver” for Canada’s largest Filipino-Canadian news website and newspaper, Philippine Canadian Inquirer.

How did you meet each other and became Vancouver’s Sisterhood Tribe? 

“Before meeting my Sisterhood Tribe in Vancouver, I kept to myself and I neither went out nor had any friends during my first seven years in Vancouver — since arriving in 2007 up to 2014. As a single mom at that time, I didn’t socialise and I was just focused on raising my son on my own. In 2015, I was introduced to the Sisterhood Tribe through our long-time family friend, Tessa Rama Belland.  She introduced me first to Babes Castro Newland and Michelle Carillo during lunch at Four Seasons Hotel.”

“Then, Babes introduced me to Mylene Villanueva Lim during a birthday lunch Babes held in my honour. Later on, Michelle introduced me to Liberty Kunimitsu during a dinner party that Michelle hosted at their lovely home. I connected with Malu Francisco via Facebook and then introduced her to the whole Sisterhood Tribe at a dinner party that my husband and I hosted two summers ago in 2021, but I believe Babes and Malu already knew each other way back in Manila. And the same goes for Babes and Michelle — they also knew each other from Manila.” 

In your own words can you please describe each of your girlfriends from your Sisterhood Tribe? 

“Obviously, they’re all beautiful inside and out and over all, kind, and classy but they also have their own unique qualities. Below in Alphabetical order, I’d like to share their rare qualities:

Babes Castro Newland: Creative beauty with brains, huge contributor in the Filipino community, has a big and caring heart, eloquent, transparent, not afraid to speak her mind and a super supportive friend 

Liberty Kunimitsu: My Tequila BFF and ride or die, great sense of humour, so much fun to be with, sexy, confident, brave, she’ll be with you through thick or thin, and so genuine

Malu Francisco: Lovable high society girl, life of the party, she could easily land a part in any Broadway musical (this lady can sing), charismatic, glamorous, stunning, intelligent, and a loyal friend

Michelle Carillo: Hostess with the mostest, the most talented chef ever, drop dead gorgeous, generous, chic, empathetic, and has the biggest walk-in wardrobe closet 

Mylene Villanueva Lim: Sporty, athletic and successful mortgage broker, an inspiring woman and well respected in the Filipino community, sweet, extremely thoughtful and considerate 

Tessa Rama Belland: Fashionably elegant, down to earth, exquisite model with lustrous hair, allergic to anything negative and avoids drama, graceful, extremely wise and so sophisticated 

I value and love them all for their authentic selves.”

What makes your tribe strong, genuine and unique? 

“We cherish, respect, understand and love each other without conditions. Our sisterhood tribe is a strong bond that goes beyond family. We foster deep connections with each other as we allow each one of us to thrive in so many ways by giving each other inspirational pep talks and by being each other’s cheerleaders! Our sisterhood tribe provides a safe space and environment for our authentic selves to flourish. Above all, we don’t talk behind each other’s backs, instead, we got each other’s backs.” 

What’s your fashion style?

“My fashion style is understated and simple. I don’t wear outfits with loud and flashy designer logos. I only wear black and on rare occasions that I do not wear black, I mostly wear white and earthy colours. With regard to clothes, I like to stick to timeless and classic pieces that are made from high quality materials such as cashmere, 100% cotton, mulberry silk, and Merino wool. I don’t follow trends. My fashion style is greatly influenced by the late Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.” 

“I’m a self-confessed “bagaholic” so I will talk at length about my passion for handbags. When it comes to accessories like handbags, don’t buy dupes or fakes. Save your money over the years so you can afford to buy the real thing. High-end luxury bags retain their worth and even increase their value over the years. Because of my Mom’s influence when it comes to brands, I’ve been trained at an early age to determine authentic brands from dupes or fakes. It’s all about the smell of the leather and the number of stitches on the bag! Avoid buying from unknown sources, it is best to buy directly from the designers’ main stores.”

“In general, I tend to go for smaller and medium size bags even with totes (no ludicrously capacious  bags for me) because these smaller bags are so versatile that they can easily be used from daytime to evening. I also prefer top-handle bags. Because I only wear black outfits, my handbags have to be colourful so there’s a pop of bright, lively colour.” 

“Over the last few years, I’ve gone so madly and deeply in love with the bags from Aspinal of London. Quality wise — Aspinal of London is in the same category of the Holy Trinity of bags (Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton) but without the exorbitant price (not yet anyway). For now, its French counterparts are Polène, Toteme and Jacquemus, but it wouldn’t surprise me that in a few more  years, it has the huge potential to be in the same luxury category as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès.”

“Aspinal of London is known for being the number one for quality and exudes a quiet luxury vibe without the vulgar and loud monogrammed logos! Their leather goods are designed for longevity, they create with the view that the bags will be passed down through generations and each piece is delicately handcrafted by a talented team of designers at the Aspinal of London HQ in the heart of the South Downs National Park.”

“Aspinal of London is the next biggest thing when it comes to handbags and leather goods — I suggest investing in their stylish woven leather Paris bags which comes in an array of summer colours (my number 1 favourite of all the Aspinal signature bags); their fun leather croc effect Hat box bags (my second favourite); their classic Mayfair bags (my third favourite); their elegant lizard skin Hepburn bags; their exceptional Trunk top-handle bags; and their chic London Tote bags. I’ve already invested in one of each!”

“Aspinal of London is available at Harrods and through their own website. The new Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton and her sister Pippa own quite a few of the Aspinal bags and so does the Queen Consort Camilla and Zara Philips, the daughter of the Princess Royal. Perhaps, the best thing about Aspinal of London bags, there are no dupes or replicated versions, hopefully not ever!”

“For an even more affordable luxury, I’ve also started collecting novelty bags from Kate Spade as I read that novelty bags from Kate Spade will be a collector’s item in the not so distant future. Oh by the way, Kate Spade does not repeat their novelty designs! The designers of Kate Spade purses are former designers of bigger name brands like Gucci and Balenciaga  which is why it’s worth investing in the novelty bags of Kate Spade. And just like Aspinal of London bags, there are no dupes or replicas of Kate Spade bags!”

“For shoes, I tend to favour the same styles I’ve had throughout the years: during autumn and winter, I love wearing tall riding boots; for spring and summer, I favour the classic ballet flats, sling backs and the low heel pumps. For evening shoes, I favour my Louboutins and I have these really comfortable high heels from Browns in the same style but in different colours which I wear when I go out.” 

“For jewellery, I wear minimal jewellery — only real pearls, my eternity wedding ring and my aquamarine engagement ring which has so much special meaning and which my husband had custom made from my favourite jewellery store (hint: Audrey Hepburn had breakfast there)! I am also so obsessed with real pearls from the Philippines and Japan. I’m not a diamond or gold and silver kind of woman. I don’t wear any watches or other blings.”

Please share your beauty secrets. 

“For me, a woman is beautiful because she radiates kindness, happiness, inner peace, strength, positivity, and authenticity from within. You can only be positive and be your best version if you surround yourself with the right people. Surrounding yourself with the wrong people only brings out the worst in you. For my emotional health and inner peace, I’ve learned to avoid and let go of toxic bullies and manipulative relationships — I stay away from those who are not good for my emotional well being.”

“Also, beauty equates to good health. I drink lots of water, at least 2 litres a day! On the weekdays, I only eat leafy salads, vegetable soup with lots of tofu and broccoli. I cheat a little bit on the weekends by eating meat but I still watch what I eat and everything in moderation. I avoid sugar and carbs as much as possible. I do the 16:8 Intermittent fasting six days a week — I only eat between 12pm to 8pm. I work out at my husband’s fitness club by doing lots of cardio exercises in the evenings. I like to maintain my current weight which is 116 lbs. and that requires a lot of discipline and self control. I have to give due credit to my husband for being such a positive influence on me when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.”

“I sleep around 7-8 hours a day on weekdays and longer during weekends (8-10 hours of sleep on weekends — must be my age, lol). As per guilty pleasures, it would be my love for bubbly or champagne although I do follow a strict rule. I don’t drink on weekdays, only on Saturday evenings, or on special occasions and never on Sundays because I have to work the following day. Every year, I also make it a point to have my medical checkup, blood work, mammogram and Pap smear. I have my teeth cleaned and polished every four months.”

“I don’t do Botox, fillers or facelifts — I don’t believe in these unnatural cosmetic treatments because you can’t really fight gravity! We all age and I’m super comfortable with ageing, it’s a blessing to grow old! I also don’t go for facials. Not at all. I keep it simple.  For skincare, I avoid the sun and I cleanse, tone and moisturise my face on a daily basis, twice a day with Clinique skincare — a brand I’ve used since my teenage years. I wear minimal makeup. I don’t wear foundation, only Chanel CC cream tinted and with strong SPF, concealer and lipstick. For perfume, Chanel numero cinq (Chanel no. 5) will only do for me.” 

Your Sisterhood Tribe has so many commonalities with the lead female characters from the hit HBO series “Sex And the City” and its reboot show, “And Just Like That.” Which of the four lead characters can you totally relate to and why?

“I see myself as a combination of Carrie, Charlotte, and a touch of Samantha. I strongly identify with Carrie as a writer, a bag and shoe lover, and someone who is so incredibly flawed. I share Samantha’s naughty sense of humour! I strongly relate with Charlotte when it comes to her fashion sense, demeanour and lifestyle as a wife to a loving and kind Jewish gentleman — my husband is a much respected and well known Israeli-Canadian businessman in Vancouver.”

“Whilst Charlotte is a protective mom of two daughters, I’m also a fiercely protective mother to my unico hijo and a supportive stepmom to my husband’s son and his wife. For me, my core family and my chosen Sisterhood Tribe are my most precious loved ones in my life. I can honestly say that I’m living my best life now — I am at my happiest and most content and for this, I’m truly grateful.”

And there you have it — the Sisterhood Tribe of Vancouver! May their tribe inspire other women to build and form their own sisterhood groups where they push each other to be the best they can be while creating an open space to be celebrated for their individuality as empowered women.