Gracing our very first digital cover, Ellen Adarna Ramsay gives a look into the balanced life she has found beyond the limelight
The Ellen Adarna Ramsay we’ve all known is no stranger to the headlines. In her younger years, they captured her rapid ascent to fame as a model and actress, and her alluring persona as a natural charmer and unabashed spirit. Recently, however, they have covered more of the transitional and momentous chapters of her life, from her blissful marriage to actor Derek Ramsay since 2021, her journey of motherhood with four-year-old Elias, and ultimately her choice to remain in an indefinite hiatus from the show business.
Read more: Match Made in Heaven: Inside Derek Ramsay and Ellen Adarna’s Wedding
Celebrity was a double-edged sword, and Ellen learned that early on. Bashers, nitpickers, and naysayers riddled her prominent career; even her personal life was subject to public microscopy. While she admits that these affected her back then, she has since learned to be “bulletproof”, as she puts it. “I’m an open book,” she quips between takes while shooting Tatler’s inaugural digital cover. “[I don’t have any regrets] because I felt free. I never felt like I had to put on a face or be someone I’m not. [The criticism] was just the price of my freedom.”
Above Ellen wears a vest by Chris Nick (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
Ellen wears a vest by Chris Nick (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
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Beneath all this, she grappled with bigger challenges because the entertainment industry necessitated a lifestyle and environment that was tireless and unforgiving. “There was a time that I didn’t see myself doing [soaps] forever,” she shares. “Now, I’ve stopped already, and it’s because of that. I find that area very toxic.” Keeping up with the harsh demands of the industry took a toll on her overall health, firstly through a lack of vital rest and then eventually through a stint of depression. She recounts trying out antidepressants and therapy but finding neither to work for her. It wasn’t until a friend recommended a mental health training programme at Pondok Taksu Bali that things began to take a positive turn.
“I learned so much…I never thought I could achieve that peace in my life,” she reveals of her time on the island, where she could fully disconnect from the busy confines of her career to look inward at a holistic scale. “This is what I learned there: for a person to be in harmony—[be] a complete, happy individual—your mind, body, and soul must be aligned. So to take care of your mind, you set goals and keep your promises to yourself. [It can be] small things; you have to start slow and sure. When you keep those promises, you start trusting yourself.”
Above The cover star dons a cutout blazer by Patrick Galang, a skirt from Victoria Beckham at Univers and a choker from Loewe (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
Above Ellen in a dress by Marc Rancy (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
The cover star dons a cutout blazer by Patrick Galang, a skirt from Victoria Beckham at Univers and a choker from Loewe (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
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That was nearly three years ago, and nowadays, it only takes a scroll through Ellen's social media to find that things have fallen in place for the star and that her priorities in time have significantly changed. As she spends more time beyond the limelight, she constantly evolves into a devoted mum and wife, all without failing to take care of her fitness and health.
“Being able to balance everything makes me empowered,” she shares that she’s still adjusting to married life, caring for a son in his formative years, and trying not to lose herself amidst it all. Since training in Bali and spending most of the pandemic at home, she would often wake up at 6am to exercise and finish her work by lunchtime to have the rest of the day with her family. “I think now people will be surprised when I tell them I’m a homebody,” she joyfully adds.
See also: Derek Ramsay On Fatherhood, Marriage To Ellen Adarna, Philanthropy, And More
Above Ellen poses in a dress by Ulysses Caragayan (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
Ellen poses in a dress by Ulysses Caragayan (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
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The last few years of domestic life have also led her to what she calls a genuine passion project: a life brand called E11even, which purveys a range of curated wellness solutions that Ellen personally uses and adores.
“They’re products that I believe in, which I can use in every phase of my life,” she enthuses. Among their first standout offerings is the E11ven Glutathione, packed with marine collagen and chamomile to benefit the skin and hair while promoting good sleep, reducing stress and boosting immunity. While plans to expand the brand’s range are still on the horizon, Ellen expresses how she’s beyond elated that they have sold out in their first month and can’t wait to see this project grow.
Her dedication to self-care extends beyond this, too; she believes that taking care of yourself encompasses feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. That's why she's thrilled to be the newest face of Ultherapy®, a non-invasive treatment that is all about enhancing one's natural beauty. Unlike other procedures that alter one's appearance, Ultherapy® uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production, resulting in a subtle yet noticeable lift. With this partnership, Adarna sends a message that taking care of yourself doesn't have to involve drastic measures. Instead, it's about amplifying what you already have to the most authentic version of yourself.
Read more: No bad takes: Ellen Adarna-Ramsay on her journey of family life, self-love and Ultherapy®
Above Ellen in a black ensemble by Chris Nick (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
Ellen in a black ensemble by Chris Nick (Photo by Mark Nicdao)
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It’s certainly easy to dwell on the heady haze of glamour and allure around a figure of Ellen's status. But just as evinced we were in our recent sit-down conversation with the star, there’s always more than meets the eye. Her discernable authenticity and infectious energy make her all the more endearing and relatable. In a world where celebrities are often put on an exorbitant pedestal, she exemplifies how staying true to oneself and discovering what truly matters allows one to thrive in myriad forms.
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In cover photo: Ellen wears a printed pajama top from Serie Nuit and trousers by Chris Nick
Credits
Photography: Mark Nicdao
Styling: Rain Dagala and EM Millan
Stylist's Assistant: Rioliza Camantigue
Hair: Renz Pangilinan
Make-Up: Mickey See
Jewellery: Sep Vergara
Location: Admiral Hotel
Production: Isabel Martel Francisco, Dorynna Untivero
Topics
Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
