Dustin Yu: Calm Is His Currency

At exactly eight in the morning on shoot day, before the coffee brewed and lights in the studio were fully rigged, Dustin Yu already arrived: pressed shirt, black jacket, clean-cut demeanor, and a calm confidence that filled the space before he even spoke a word. He walked in with intention, shook hands with everyone from the Allure Philippines team to the makeup artists and crew, and introduced himself politely with an attentive, respectful tone. Among a sea of busy bodies, Yu’s punctuality and quiet composure spoke volumes. 

That early bird energy isn’t just for show. Long before he became known as Kenneth Sy Chan in Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune or won New Movie Actor of the Year for Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme, Yu was already immersed in the grind. “I started working around 17 or 18,” he shares, reminiscing about his days as a sideline photographer. By his early twenties, he had launched a fried chicken stall in Intramuros. By 23, he opened Eraya, a sleek fusion restaurant in San Juan that he designed and managed himself, down to sourcing tiles and hiring chefs.

Borgy Angeles

Born and raised in Quezon City, he grew up in a Chinese-Filipino household where he learned early on the value of self-discipline. He describes himself as the “middle child, not the favorite,” but says that independence became his greatest asset. “Growing up, serious talaga ako. Very focused on the future,” he reflects. “But I’m also fun, when it’s time to be.”

Inside the Pinoy Big Brother house, where he became a familiar face to millions, Yu showed another layer of who he is: someone who finds strength in stillness.

For Yu, wellness inside the house meant morning meditation, quick workouts in the garden (when Kuya allowed free time), and setting limits with junk food. But beyond the routines, it was the mindset that carried him through. There were times he missed his family, felt homesick, and anxious. “On the other hand, I [found] a new family inside the house. That helped lessen the homesickness,” he says candidly. 

Perhaps what’s most admirable about Yu isn’t just his discipline, but his ability to stay calm and positive in an industry that thrives on noise. He doesn’t read hate comments. He barely uses his phone. “I can’t control everything,” he says. In his career or even in life, he understood that people won’t always love you for who you are. “It’s normal,” he says. “At the end of the day, what’s important is you have a genuine heart.”

When asked how he decompresses after long workdays or intense moments, Yu offers something rare in a digital-first generation: “Disconnecting.” He tries not to use his phone too much. He spends time with his family. “I still make sure we still get to have dinners together,” he shares. 

The version of Yu today is steady and self-aware–mentally, physically, and spiritually. “My mental health is stable because I have my family and my supporters,” he proudly says. “Even if there are negative things, I would say I’m really happy,” he genuinely shares. “I received a lot of blessings.” Physically, he’s back to working out and eating well. Spiritually, he’s even more connected to God now than before.

He admits he’s often misunderstood as intimidating, maybe because of how direct he is or the way he carries himself. But Yu knows himself better. “And as long as there’s one or two people who trust me, [I’m okay],” he says.

That mindset carries over into how he approaches his business. With Eraya, he didn’t just invest money. He poured in time, creativity, and intention. “I did everything from scratch. I created the business plan, designed the interiors, and found the right chef.”

Borgy Angeles

Despite everything he’s achieved at only 24, Yu remains rooted in one truth: to live well is to live honestly. “Before you love anyone else, you have to love yourself first,” he says. He does that by investing in himself like working out, eating good food, buying himself clothes, and more.

He doesn’t try to please everyone. He doesn’t perform positivity—he chooses it. Yu stands out by simply staying grounded. In the glam room, as other housemates begin to trickle in, he remains centered, engaged in quiet conversation, flashing warm smiles, present in the moment. He’s not the loudest in the room, but when he speaks, people listen. That’s the kind of presence that can’t be faked. It’s earned.

Production design: Justine Arcega-Bumanlag
Photographer’s assistants: Rojan Maguyon and Pao Mendoza
Grooming: Mickey See 
Hair: Bryan Eusebio 
Styling: Joy Bernardo and Jolo Bayoneta of StyLIZed Studio, assisted by Jethro Barrietta, Ayi Custodio , Ashley Jamlang, Beatrize Lagco, and Stephanie Satorre
Art direction: Nicole Almero
Beauty direction: Trina Epilepsia Boutain
Writers: Leira Aquino and Lia Cruz
Special thanks to Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition and Sparkle GMA Artist Center