Credits:

Photography: Filbert Kung | @filbert_kung

Project Director and Feature Writer: Beverly Vergel | @beverlyvergel

Beauty Director and Styling: Joel Sebastian | @joelstylst

Make-up: Arci Muñoz | @ramonathornes

Joel Sebastian | @joelstylst

Hair Stylist: Bong Buan | @bong2buan

Wardrobe: Oliver Tolentino Atelier of Beverly Hills | @theolivertolentino

Arci Munoz was a never-ever girl. She never dreamt of being an actress. She never planned a career in the entertainment industry. She never saw herself as a celebrity, a model, a successful public figure, or an influencer. This was because Muñoz had always been a shy girl. She was timid and sheltered, that her life plan was simply to get married after high school, settle down and live happily ever after. Ah yes, the fairy tale stories where dreams are made. Cinderella marries her prince charming and lives happily ever after.

TEASED, PAINFULLY SHY AND SHELTERED

Ramona Cecilia “ARCI” MUNOZ (33 years old) born January 12, 1989, in Quezon City, Philippines, to Manuel Muñoz, a manager at an exclusive sports club and a businessman who was also into trading. Her mother, Yolanda Muñoz, was a homemaker who dabbled in real estate. Muñoz is the third to the youngest brood of four. She has two older sisters and a brother. She grew up in a traditional household where the family ate lunch and dinner together. Sunday was church day.

Muñoz spent her grade school at Dominican College and high school at Siena College, both private schools for girls. She was teased for being skinny, long, too white and with big eyes like a “butiki,” a white lizard commonly found in the Philippine. Muñoz is fair skin, also known as “mestiza,” denoting Spanish or European blood lineage. This made her stand-out when in the company of darker skin toned Filipinos.

Life was family-centered, and her world was home, school and church. Oh, and of course, the internet and video games were part of daily life. This millennial is a self-confessed video game addict.

SICKLY AND ACCIDENT-PRONE

Muñoz was a thin and sickly kid. She recalls often being hospitalized. She was also accident-prone. She was a restless kid with an adventurous spirit. She remembers falling off a tree, often having wounds, scratches, and bumps on the head. Her dad eventually allowed her to try all sorts of sports at the member’s only facility where he works, so that he could keep a watchful eye on his daughter. In her teens, she poured her energy into martial arts, Kung Fu and Taekwondo.

UNKNOWINGLY NURTURING THE ARTIST WITHIN

At an early age and to this day, Muñoz loves cartoons. The fantasy world, which nurtures the creative and “outside the box” mindset. She grew-up drawing colorful anime characters. Years later, Muñoz became her own make-up artist, creating various glam to character looks. She sang in church choirs which, served as a good foundation for voice training, constant practice and singing in public.

TUNING IN TO HERSELF

In high school, Muñoz was invited to join as lead vocalist, “rakista” (rock singer) in the “Battle of the Bands” competition. Though timid, her adventurous spirit would make her to try new things at least once.

OH NO, WHY COLLEGE?

In the Philippines, it is the norm for children to finish a college first and then get a job after.

At fifteen years old, Muñoz did not want to go to college because she was too shy. Again, she repeated her wish of a simple life and settling down. The only reason why she dared to study at a huge university was because her big sister was studying there. Muñoz felt that, she would not be alone and, therefore, would not be so shy. But, as fate would have it, of the many courses at the University, her sister was enrolled in “Theatre Arts”! Huh! A real in the face challenge for shy person. Muñoz said she had no plans of being an actress! Never, ever! All she wants was to go to college where her sister is, get her diploma and make her parents happy. That’s all, and that’s it! At the University, she was culture-shocked to see different kinds of people who were liberated, wild, and free. She never did alcohol and never smoked. Her parents took her to school. At sixteen years old, she began to join friends, but was chaperoned by her sister or her mom.

“18” THE MAGICAL NUMBER

Muñoz was eighteen years old when she graduated with a Certificate in Theatre Arts at the University of the Philippines. She was also 18 years old when Muñoz formed her band, “Philia”, which is originally a Greek term to mean fondness. Slipkot, Korn, and Sepultura are just some of the bands she listened to. This private school catholic raised girl found her love for rock music.

Muñoz was also 18 years old when she was invited to audition for “STARSTRUCK,” a reality TV show in the Philippines produced by GMA 7 television network. The show was in search of new faces and talents. The winner gets a cash prize and guaranteed TV projects. The shy but adventurous Muñoz attended the audition with a classmate “just” to give it a try. Thousands of dreamers auditioned to have a crack at stardom. Muñoz landed at the top 6th spot in the final round. She was shocked, not because she did not win, but because she was too shy to even make it to top 6.

HER MANY FIRSTS

Muñoz has a list of many first. She is the Philippines’ first most successful and popular female rock star in her generation (millennial). Despite landing in the 6th spot of the “STARSTRUCK” search for a star competition, Muñoz was the first in that batch to have a TV show because of an audition tape with the TV network’s prime-time actress. She was the millennial first female rock star to transition to a successful acting career. Muñoz is also the first woman to undergo military training in her profession (actor, rock singer). She is Sergeant Muñoz of the Philippine Air Force.

WHEN FATE AND DESTINY ALIGN

Mythographer Michael Meade, describes, “fate has to do with the way a person’s soul is seeded and shaped from within, like a story trying to unfold and become known…. while destiny is the inner arc and arrow of one’s life.” Muñoz did not know it, but all roads led her to “STARDOM.” Being shy did not hinder her success. By being “open to try new things” and having a supportive family, her fate and destiny aligned. Muñoz is exactly where she is meant to be… “a star.”

The beauty. The sickly, awkwardly shy and accident-prone kid blossomed to a tall stunner with flawless white skin, long shapely figure and big expressive eyes accents her beautiful face. Oh, and she definitely oozes with sex appeal and presence when she walks in a room.

The singer. Her vocal training in church choirs and finding her niche as a female rock star brought out the unique and authentic artist.

The actress. Muñoz has performed in 12 films and 42 television programs (drama series, fantasy, reality TV) from 2005-to 2021. She has portrayed both antagonist and protagonist in lead roles.

Martial arts, sports and military training. All these are assets in acting. Muñoz was also into car racing and sky diving.

The make-up artist. From drawing anime on paper, Muñoz began using her face and make-up palette to create different looks and characters for herself.

Huge fan base. Muñoz has 4.5 million followers on IG, 500K subscribers on YT, 3.8 million on FB and 450K on Tiktok and growing.

All these are proof that when fate and destiny align, a deep sense of fulfillment and success follows.

For Muñoz, life can never be boring. She is unique, authentic, free spirited, loud, fun, playful, creative, adventurous, colorful, intense, flexible, adaptable and smart. She thrives in an unpredictable environment like show business.

Strong family support. Her parents supported her as she tried new things, took risks, faced challenges, failed, made mistakes, got hurt, failed again, dusted herself off, got up, and moved on. That goes for her career as well as her love life. With her family as her backbone and strength, there is no limit to how far and how high she can soar and fly.

HER LOVE AND LIFE

Yes, Muñoz has been linked to sons of royalty and high-profile political figures. However, she admits to being a late bloomer. She fell deeply in love at 25 years old and has had her share of heartbreaks, but she remains to be a dreamer, a child at heart, and she still believes in fairy tales.

Despite being a big star, Muñoz remains grounded and honors her feelings. She has no qualms screaming on social media her about being a huge BTS fan. She travelled the world like, New York, Japan, Los Angeles just to watch the BTS concerts up close.

Muñoz describes herself as optimistic, always happy, and appreciative of minor things. Contented with what she has and that everything else is a bonus. Her parents taught her about giving back and being grateful. She gets along with everyone.

Despite what Muñoz has achieved, she never acted like a “Diva”. She is grateful for the fortune from a successful career. She enjoys the VIP treatment and the perks of fame, but Muñoz continuous to be humble and approachable. Though she portrayed many lead villain roles, being a “mean girl” was not in her.

Now at 33 years old, Muñoz is the epitome of millennials. Achievement-oriented, collaborative, tech-savvy, impact-oriented, desiring meaningful work, civic-duty oriented and fun. She wants to inspire people to believe that “you can be whoever you wanna be”.

LA VIBE

In 2021, Muñoz toured America and settled in Los Angeles for many months. The lifestyle, culture and vibe fit her unique persona. LA based personalities welcomed her to grace events and gatherings with Hollywood personalities.

Muñoz was stunning in a black cocktail dress when she sauntered down the Hollywood Red Carpet event for the film “Jack Ass Forever”.

She’s been spotted partying and in photos with Hollywood celebrities and entertainment personalities like Filipino-American rapper, singer, record producer and member of the hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas Apl.de.Ap, and the group’s new singer J. Rey Soul, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and drummer Anderson .Paak, rapper, actor and entrepreneur 50cent, singer, songwriter, actress and television personality Ylona Garcia, Christopher Steven Brown, co-founder of furthermusic.co, an artist development and promotions company.

Muñoz also appeared as the lady love in the music video “Let Me Hold You”, by artists King Tomoro of Tomoro and Sean Kingston available on YT.

A celebrity is expected to maintain her glam, so while vacationing in Los Angeles, Muñoz goes to iSkin Med Spa in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood. iSkin Med Spa is a high-end destination spa frequented by local and international celebrities for beauty treatments, weight management and immune boost,

ARCI MUÑOZ is eternally on fire and she is ready for her next adventure. HELLO, HOLLYWOOD! •