Intoday’s hyper-aware, multi-screen, and meta-verse environment, there is a newmovement towards going back to purpose, of leading a life that is conscious of theconnections between everything. Jasmine Curtis-Smith is one of those who isembracing this fully—she is keenly aware of herself and what’s happening aroundher.

Thisis something we’ve always noticed about Jasmine. Wise beyond her years, shematured fairly early because of the roles that she has to play as an actress. She was Nikain the psychological thriller Puti (2012),Yael, an Israel-Filipino child who faced deportation in Israel for Transit (2013), and Alex, a lesbian whofalls for her best friend in Baka Bukas (2016).All these happened evenbefore Jasmine was 23.

Havingrecently celebrated her 28th birthday this month, she’s taken a new perspectivein knowing what’simportant.

“Iwent to Davao with my family—my mom, my boyfriend, my ate, my niece Dahlia—wespent a few days at the beach,” she shares. “We had a sunset cruise, and evenif it was raining a bit, we still decided we would enjoy it,” she said.

“Ithink that was my birthday gift. I spent for myself, by having a trip foreveryone.” It was a rare moment to have her entire family there. In fact, shehad not seen her mom for two years prior to March, and the two would just spendtime on video calls, but clearly, it’s not the same.

Thisyear marks something different for Jasmine, who is also celebrating her 10thyear in cinema. While she has been seen on television much longer, the body ofwork that speaks to her most, and is more connected to who she is as a person,is really her films.

Beingpurposeful with her films

“Iused to think my acting awards were my greatest achievements, but I now thinkit’s choosing the right projects and the right scripts, scripts with a purpose.Projects with a purpose,” she says.

“I’vealways been vocal about choosing the right films,” she adds. “Because we havethe liberty (to choose) for film, I really choose the message that I send outfor the films that I do. When you’re able to cater to a market that needs to beheard, or an audience that needs to be heard, I feel like I’ve achieved whatthat medium is made for,” she explains.

“It’snot made for me to live and act and fulfill my dreams,” she explains, putting aside the notion of thepersonal self for cinema.

Instead,she is steadfast in what her medium is for: “Film and television are made forconveying a message to a large audience that may need to hear it,” she says. “Ifwe want to spark change, I think that’s the greatest achievement—choosingsomething to be part of,” she says.

“Iwant to be known as an intentional actress. One who chooses purpose all the time. Someone whois very involved in the community, and among other actors, too.”

Indeed,she has been very discerning in her roles for cinema. Even in the genre ofrom-com, in 2017’s I’m Drunk, I Love You (2017), she goes against stereotype to be the film’sromantic antagonist, as a foil to co-actors Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino.

Inthat same year, she made waves as Abi in Paul Soriano’s Siargao, even becoming some sort of town hero for the surfers andcommunity in Siargao even after the film finished its theater run. Here, shealso won Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival, a feat, considering she was against theater heavyweights and more senior actresses thatyear.

Thisyear will be even more special for Jasmine, having finished filming severalprojects, one with Piolo Pascual titled RealLife Fiction, and she’s poised to do another film starting next month withJohn Lloyd Cruz. There’s also another independent film in the wings, which shecan’t disclose namesyet.

“It’spretty exciting—I’m working with the biggest names in the industry,the most sought-after leading men of my generation. These are names that peoplein my generation would wish to work with,” she says.

Making a change

Thepandemic might have slowed down things for many, but for Jasmine, it enabledher to be on her feet and focus on her other endeavors—her businesses, and herfuture projects.

Herboutique hotel in La Union is doing well, even throughout the pandemic. “Wewere able to copeand remodel the business a bit,” she shares, maximizing her kitchen for fooddelivery services instead. Now, things have gone back to normal, and her resortis back on the grind, she has her eyes set on other projects.

“Forthis year, my goal or plan for myself would probably be focused on investingmore,” she says. Working out her finances is something that she wants to do forherself. “So that I could find ways to relax when things are not so busy withmy work as an actress,” she shares.

Somuch has changed for her as well—but the process relates to digging deep insideherself.

“Iwould say, as a personal achievement, it’s finding peace within myself and inwork. I’ve made very big changes and I’ve actually changed the circles around me recently,” she shares. Perhaps part of those changes is her move to another talent management group. “I have exposed myself to other people, trying out new things, in terms of partnerships and work, so I’m trying to be more fearless,” she says.

“It’seasy to say that I’ll be braver this year, I’ll take on more challenges, butwhen the challenges are there, it’s difficult, you’ll find yourselfsaying—maybe next year,” she says with determination. This won’t be the caseagain this year.

“Idefinitely think that my achievement is allowing myself to experience thechange and make it already.”

Everything is connected

Perhapsthat realization stems from the very values that Jasmine holds dear: she has afirm sense of connectedness.

“Everythingis connected with the clothes you wear, the products you buy, the food youconsume, also, so I’ve definitely been more aware about how to purchase myclothes, my shoes, where to buy it form also. Just do a bit more research, howthey also produce these things. Because it shouldn’t just start and stop whenyou’re in the shop, you should know what’s happening behind the scenes,” sheshares.

“Becauseyou, as a person, you want to have a good working environment that’s healthy,beneficial to the environment, to the community. We can make demands frompeople around us—from our bosses. The same goes for everything: The clothes wewear, the things we consume, the products we buy,” she adds.

Whichis why this special sustainability campaign with Metro is so close to herheart. For this cover, Jasmine wears clothes from COS Spring/Summer 2022. COSis known for its dedication to sustainability and a circular economy, as 92% ofthe collection is sustainably sourced.

ForJasmine, more than being part of an organization for sustainability, shebelieves it’s more important for the individual to make a difference.

Andit actually starts with little things. Closest to her heart is beachclean-up—something she has actuallydone in Siargao in 2019. She was there to promote the different projects of thelocals that they’ve been implementing—simple things like trash bin segregation,or taking care of sea creatures, knowing where it’s okay to swim, and where todo beach clean-ups regularly.

“Youshould also be doing it on your own. You should be thinking of finding ways tosupport the environment,” she says. It’s important to find ways to becomesustainable, and transform the way we live, the way we approach our systems andthe laws we have in place, she adds.

Living with awareness and letting go

Oneof the most important things that she has learned in showbiz is actually fromher sister, Anne Curtis-Smith.

“It’sthe art of dedma,” she says,referring to the the art of only caring about the essential things. Hersister has always reminded her of this.

“Whateverthey say—good, bad, you should still know who you are. You shouldn’t base whoyou are on the praises that you receive. You don’t base who you are on thecriticism that you receive. You can just keep improving, you can just keepgetting better,” she says.

Otherwise,it will get to your head.

“Youcan lead yourself to a world where you believe: I’m the best, and I’ve figured itout, because I keep hearing how awesome I am at work, and how accomplished Iam. But once you go home, it’s just you. You don’t have those people there, andyou don’t hear those anymore. Sometimes, you look for [their validation] and itmesses up with your self-love,self-care, confidence, everything you need to take care of yourselfwithout all the noise that comes with your work. That has been the mostimportant thing,” she shares.

Andfinally, the one lesson that she still keeps to this day, is also from hersister, Anne.

“Doeverything with your heart. Because that’s when people will really know thatyou’re enjoying it, you’re doing what you love, and you won’t be bothered withanything. You’ll have struggles but you won’t let that get in the way if you put yourheart into what you’re doing.”

Sittings editor: Geolette Esguerra

Photography by Rxandy Capinpin

Creative direction by Randz Manucom

Styling by Cath Sobrevega with Riri Verano and Jem Arboleda

Makeup by Gela Laurel

Hairstyling by Brent Sales

Shoot assistant: Carla Buyo

Videography by Pat Buenaobra

Shoot coordination by Red Dimaandal

Shot on location at City of Dreams Manila

Special thanks to: Peachy Bautista (CRWN Management), Faith Fernandez-Mondejar and Heather Vecta (Buensalido), Romina Gervacio and Charisse Chiudan (City of Dreams)