Renz Pangilinan on Friendship, Fantasy, and the Freedom to Create
Whether working with beauty queens or viral brides, Pangilinan styles hair like sculpture—and queerness like a quiet kind of superpower.
For the past decade, Renz Pangilinan has been making mane dreams come true. From content creator Zeinab Harake’s viral princess-style hair to Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo’s sculptural curls, Pangilinan’s signature style blends art, fashion, and beauty. Today, he’s the man behind the crowning glory of some of Manila’s most stylish stars, including celebrities Liza Soberano, Karylle, Lovi Poe, Coleen Garcia, and Chie Filomeno.
He talks us through some of his proudest moments and shares why his relationship with his star clients go beyond beauty.
Renz Pangilinan and Zeinab Harake. Courtesy of subject.
Can you tell us about a moment in your career when you felt truly seen or recognized for your work?
This happened very recently with Zeinab’s wedding. I wanted to make her dream hair come true and make her feel like a princess, and it went viral! Since then, a lot of hairstylists and brides tag me and tell me they were inspired by her hair, which makes me very happy and flattered.
Another moment from this year was our Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo’s swimsuit competition hair look. I wanted to make her look like a living Barbie with a full head of bouncy and thick curls, and she worked it!
How has your identity shaped your artistry and the way you show up in your work?
My first love has always been art and fashion. So with that, I look at hair as art or as a sculpture. Through both lenses, I’m able to create and complete a look and deliver a unique vibe.
What has been the most meaningful project in your career so far and why?
There’s a lot, which I’m very proud of. Before I would just see my work on billboards along EDSA. Now, I see them everywhere along with magazine features and these have become a testament to all the work that I’ve done.
Above all, it’s the relationship with my muses and every creative person that I’ve met in my career that make the work more meaningful.
What does Pride mean to you, not just in the context of June but every day?
Pride for me is being proud of who you are no matter what, and having no shame or fear of expressing yourself. There’s something so beautiful about that.
What is your vision for the next generation of queer creatives hoping to break into beauty or entertainment?
For the next generation of queer creatives: be more fearless. I’m already seeing it.
