Being able to live a luxurious and glamorous life is everybody’s dream. Having your own car, house, personal assistant, driver, and branded clothes, I mean who does not want to have those? But Andi Eigenmann who used to live such life, did not hesitate to leave everything in exchange to having a simpler and peaceful life.

Before moving to Siargao, Eigenmann first moved in to Baler, where she said she was close to the people living there.

During the press conference of her movie “The Maid in London” (where she was awarded as Best Actress in International Film Festivals in Manhattan), she shared how her life became so different when she moved to Baler.

“I sold everything that I felt was an idea of luxury that I didn’t need–I don’t own cars any designer clothes, bags–lahat ng mga pang-artistang ‘yan, make-up lahat ‘yan wala na. Kahit mga kasama sa bahay–yaya, driver, wala na lahat, talagang simple life,” she said.

During her interview in Magandang Buhay, she was asked about the most important thing she had learned in life. She answered “self-love” is important.

"I'm really happy now and yung kung nasa'n ako sa buhay ko, kuntentong kuntento ako kasi natutunan ko nang tanggapin yung sarili ko—natutunan kong mahalin yung sarili ko at ibigay yung dapat para sa akin." Eigenmann said.

"Kahit na anong mangyari sa buhay ko, kahit na hindi perfect yung life, okay lang." She added.

Andi's Magandang Buhay interview:

How Andi met her surfer husband Philmar

Andi shared how she has been a fan of surfing even when she was still living in the metro, that’s why during her free time, she always goes to Baler—the surfing capital of Philippines, to go surfing.

In her Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA) interview, she shared how she and Philmar met.

“We’ve been friends for a while kasi pabalik-balik talaga ako sa Siargao, and nung first time ko siyang na-meet, nilapitan ko siya (at) nagpa-picture ako kasi siya yung number one sa Philippine Surfing last year." The actress said.

"Hindi ko in-expect talaga, Tito Boy kasi tatanong (tinatanong) pa ba yun, ang sarap-sarap ma-inlove kapag nasa paradise ka." She added.

"Isa siyang simpleng tao na lumaki sa isla who's so humble and so kind and who has the biggest heart I know na nakakahawang maging mabait." Andi said when asked about Philmar.

Here's the video of Andi's TWBA interview:

Andi and Philmar’s “Happy Islanders” Youtube channel

In their first vlog, Andi documented her simple island life in Siargao and also a sneak peak of their unfinished house. In the first part of the video, she, together with her family was traveling from Manila to Siargao. Andi excitedly said “We’re finally here! We’re so happy to be home for christmas!” as they landed in Siargao.  The vlog showed a series of shots of how the family happily bonded and played back in Siargao.

Happy Islanders contains vlogs of Andi and her family’s daily life in Siargao—how going to the beach became their daily habit, and also how they always have “boodle fight” with their usual freshly-picked and cooked foods such as ginataang payaw, eggplant salad, and puto pulanghoy or steamed rice cakes.

In one of her vlogs, she also shared Lilo’s (Andi and Philmar’s 10 month-old daughter) first dip in the ocean.

Leaving the luxurious life she once enjoyed, Andi indeed had a brave heart for making such decision. There is nothing wrong in aspiring to have everything in life, but one day you’ll get into a point in your life that you will realize how living your life just to fill up the expectations of others upon you, or working so hard just to impress people who surround you will bring you nowhere.

Pursuing and choosing a simple life, and leaving the busy and congested urban life to enjoy a plain, laid-back yet fun-filled provincial life will always be a bold and better decision as you choose genuine happiness.

Banner photos from: https://www.instagram.com/andieigengirl/