I was around four or five years old, just a curious little girl endlessly flipping through the channels of our TV remote, hoping to find something that would catch my attention. One day, I stumbled upon an anime on a local station. It was unlike anything I had seen before - a whole new world, much like that feeling you get when you open a book and lose yourself in its pages. While I can’t exactly remember what it was, the first one that comes to mind is Sailor Moon. That was my introduction to the magical realm of anime. Shortly after I discovered Guyferd, another unique show that left an impression. I wonder if anyone here has seen it, too?
That encounter marked the beginning of my deep fascination with stories, characters, and the limitless possibilities the media could offer. Little did I know, that early exposure would eventually inspire my journey into digital product creation and shape the path I walk today.
As years passed by and with more exposure to Japanese media, I developed a profound respect and admiration for the country and its rich heritage. It wasn’t just about watching anime, tokusatsu or JDorama anymore; I also started diving into documentaries and travel shows, whether international or local, to learn more about their culture and values. Because of Japan I became disciplined, setting high standards in everything I do. I wanted my every work to reflect the same level of quality I admired in them.
Everything I watched back then was either in Filipino or English. It wasn’t until high school that I was able to watch Japanese media in its original language. That’s when I started imitating the characters and even began singing their original soundtracks through printed romaji lyrics I searched on the Internet. It was a full immersion into the language and culture - one that continues to influence my creative journey to this day.
When I started working, a friend who was studying Chinese through the Extramural Classes at the University of the Philippines - Diliman invited me to enroll in their Japanese class. I had been wanting to learn the language for a long time, and so in that moment I knew the time has finally come. I did well, by the end of my first year I was able to pass the JLPT N5 I took in December 2019. But then the pandemic hit in 2020, and everything went downhill. We had to shift to online classes, and I struggled to stay motivated. There were times I even considered throwing in the towel.
But thankfully I listened to that still, small voice inside of me. I pushed through despite all the uncertainties during that time. And when I took that leap of faith in July 2023, I passed JLPT N3. I didn’t take JLPT N4 on purpose because I wanted to take the risk and see how far I could go. And all my hard work finally paid off.
Passing JLPT N3 truly opened up a lot of wonderful opportunities for me. I was able to land a bilingual role at work where I could apply my language skills, and it felt incredibly rewarding. As a result, I’ve been receiving a lot of questions from people asking where and how to start their Japanese language journey. That’s when the idea struck me: since I've always been enthusiastic about editing (I do with photos and even videos), why not use that to create digital products that could help others who share the same interests and aspirations as I do? It felt like the perfect way to combine my knowledge and passion while giving back to my community.
I've always had this dream as well of launching my own line - something that, when people hear it, they’ll instantly recognize as uniquely "me". I live in a country with no distinct four seasons so when I first saw cherry blossoms in Cardcaptor Sakura (another childhood anime), I fell in love right away. The delicate beauty of that season, its fleeting yet powerful symbolism of renewal and hope has touched my heart, and I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate that into my brand.
My name is Jacklyn Mae, which, when translated to Japanese becomes "Jakkurin Mei". There’s a character in Cardcaptor Sakura named Meiling, and for some reason her name has always resonated with me. Inspired by her, I playfully combined it with my own, and that's how I came up with "Maelyn" (Meirin in Japanese).
That gave life to "Bloomeirin" - a fusion of "bloom" and "Meirin". Much like the cherry blossoms that bloom every spring, it symbolizes the beauty of new beginnings, the idea of constantly evolving, and the hope that with every season, we can grow into something even more beautiful.
Bloomeirin represents more than just a label - it encapsulates my journey, values, and vision. It’s a path filled with challenges, growth, and moments of self-discovery. Embarking on this adventure serves as a constant reminder of how far I've become - from being a learner to becoming someone who could create meaningful, valuable products that I can share with the world. And because of that, I just know that the younger me is incredibly proud I didn't give up.
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