Lucia Gabriel Gutierrez: Looking good while tumbling through life

The winning gymnast shares tips on balancing life—and looking glam through it all

“Whether I’m flipping across the floor in gymnastics or hitting sharp stunts in cheerleading for UA&P, one thing stays constant: Presentation matters.”

In a fast-paced world and with an even faster-paced life, Lucia Gabriel Gutierrez lives hers with discipline, passion, and drive. Despite being only 20 years old, she has numerous accolades and experiences to show for it—traveling the world representing the Philippines, honing her skills, and even winning gold in the Southeast Asian Games in 2022. Other notable accolades and highlights in both her gymnastics and cheerleading career include the Batang Pinoy in 2015 and 2016, the Milo Little Olympics in 2016, Palarong Pambansa in 2017, Philippine National Games in 2018, and the Chiu Wai Chung Cup in 2019, but she believes the 2022 SEA Games was the highlight.

Gutierrez, despite all the accolades, has a humility about her as she speaks of her journey towards gold. It would be easy for someone at her age to believe they were on top of the world, and act accordingly. But Gutierrez remains introspective and humble. She honors her hard work, but finds just as much joy and pride in the person she is today after it all.

She also had words of encouragement and advice for young athletes: To every young athlete out there chasing a dream, keep going. The road won’t always be easy. There will be early mornings, disappointments that sting, and moments when you’ll question if it’s all worth it. But trust me, it is, she says. “Every drop of sweat, every setback, every small win—it’s all shaping you into the person you’re meant to become.”

For some, cheerleading may seem like a far cry from her time in gymnastics. But Gutierrez notes how appreciative she is to learn from her time as a gymnast, and what lessons she’s come to face since joining cheerleading. Having learned so much from both sports, she finds that her path forward is a lot more solid, having absorbed so much from her time doing both.

We sat her down to chat about her journey from gymnastics to cheerleading, where she’s going, and how the athlete manages to look great through it all:

How long have you been doing gymnastics and cheerleading?

I’ve been flipping, tumbling, and leaping through life for the past 17 years. My journey in artistic gymnastics began when I was just 3 years old, training first with the St. Paul Pasig Gymnastics Team and later with Club Gymnastica Pasig. These early years laid the foundation for a competitive career that took me to both national and international arenas.

Though I officially retired from competitive gymnastics about a year ago, the sport continues to shape who I am. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of pushing through even when things get tough—lessons that extend far beyond the mat and into every part of my life.

Cheerleading came into my life during my first year of college, almost like a natural extension of my gymnastics roots. I joined the UA&P Firestarters, and have been cheering with them for two years. It’s been an exhilarating ride.

How did it feel to win gold for the country?

Winning gold for the Philippines was nothing short of magical—one of the most unforgettable and emotional moments of my life. It was a dream I had been chasing since I was a little girl, and even now, it feels surreal. To God be the glory. That moment was a testament to His grace, strength, and faithfulness throughout my journey.

Standing on that podium, hearing our national anthem play and watching the Philippine flag rise, I felt a wave of gratitude and pride. It wasn’t just about the medal—it was about everything it represented: the years of hard work, the people who believed in me, and the honor of representing my country.

But once the excitement settled, I found myself reflecting on what it all truly meant. I realized that success isn’t just about standing on a podium. It’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard. It’s about believing in yourself when no one’s watching. And most of all, it’s about using your story to lift others up. If my journey can inspire even one young athlete to keep going, to keep dreaming, then every sacrifice was worth it.

Believe in your journey, even when it gets hard. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. And never forget to ground yourself in something greater than the sport—whether it’s faith, family, or purpose. Because medals fade, but the person you become in the process—that’s what truly lasts.

Now that you’re also doing cheerleading for UA&P, how is it different from competing in gymnastics?

When people hear “gymnastics” and “cheerleading,” they often think they’re worlds apart—and in many ways, they are. But for me, transitioning from competitive gymnastics to cheerleading for UA&P wasn’t just a change in sport. It was a transformation in how I saw myself, my team, and the power of movement.

Gymnastics taught me discipline, precision, and personal accountability. Cheerleading, on the other hand, introduced me to a different kind of strength—one rooted in collaboration.

The shift between these two worlds wasn’t easy. I had to unlearn the instinct to go it alone and embrace the beauty of synchronized unity. What I’ve come to appreciate is that neither sport is better than the other. They simply reflect different values. Gymnastics celebrates individual mastery; cheerleading celebrates team synergy. One taught me how to push my limits alone, the other taught me how to rise together.

This journey has taught me that growth doesn’t always come from winning—it comes from evolving. And I’m excited for what’s next.

Since competing in gymnastics and cheerleading require being made up, how would you describe your beauty routine or regimen?

My beauty routine is efficient, performance-proof, and empowering.

Confidence begins with skincare. I believe great makeup starts with healthy skin, so I never skip this step. A gentle cleanser clears away impurities, a hydrating toner refreshes, and a lightweight moisturizer keeps my skin balanced and smooth. This routine creates a clean canvas for everything that follows—both in beauty and in mindset.

To streamline my routine, I’ve learned to prep and plan ahead. I keep a competition kit packed with travel-size essentials, and I lay out my products the night before to avoid any last-minute stress. I also rely on multi-tasking products—like a tinted moisturizer with SPF and lip-and- cheek tints—to save time while still looking polished.

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For someone living an active lifestyle, Gutierrez has had to find ways to create a beauty routine that works.

Her look has been maximized for her features on the competition floor. She cites her go-to look as “bold yet clean: eyes defined with a soft shimmer, a strong lip color that stays put, and just enough blush and contour to pop under the stage lights.” She emphasizes the importance of looking neat and uniform with the rest of your team. Though athletes in cheerleading don’t get judged on their makeup per se, they are judged on their overall appearance, hair and makeup included. Because cheerleading and gymnastics are sports based on performance and artistry, a no-nonsense routine and look ensures top athletes like Gutierrez are always on their A-game for competition days.

For those who are always on the go and need tips on how to make their makeup last, here are some tips from Gutierrez and her makeup artist for this shoot care of Beauty Bar:

HAIR

1. “Hair must be uniform across the team. I stick to easy-to-secure styles, like slicked-back ponytails or braids that stay put through flips and stunts.”
2. “Use strong-hold gel or spray to tame flyaways.”
3. “I always keep extra ties, bobby pins, and a mini brush in my bag for quick fixes.”
4. “Accessories are minimal and safe to meet competition standards”

MAKEUP

1. “A long-wearing primer is my secret weapon against sweat and movement.”
2. “A quick spritz of fixing spray locks everything in and gives me that final boost of confidence.”
3. “After every performance, I make it a point to remove all my makeup thoroughly—no shortcuts.”
4. “I follow up with soothing products like aloe gel or a calming mask to help my skin breathe and recover. This post-performance care is just as important as the prep. It’s about balance—staying performance-ready while caring for the skin underneath it all.”

Some key products used during this shoot include:

• Moisturizer/Primer: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré – preps the skin and gives a hydrated, smooth base
• Eyes: Makeup Academy’s Soft Nude Eyeshadow Collection –neutral shades to define the eyes softly
• Lips: Smashbox Be Legendary Prime & Plush Lipstick – gives a natural tint and enhances the color of lips

Tips for effectively utilizing makeup for competition days:

• Use multipurpose products –products that are versatile such as lip-and-cheek tints, or a stick you can use for blush, lips, and eyes
• Prepare the night before – Do some skin care routines the night before so you will have great skin the next day. Great skin saves time for skin preparations and lessens the need for cover ups.
• Choose your key areas – Groomed brows, even skin, and a pop of blush can go a long way. Know your face well and choose which areas you would like to emphasize.
• Layer wisely – Use thin layers when applying the base. Apply all cream and liquid products first before setting with powder.
• Use waterproof or sweat-proof makeup – to ensure minimal touch-ups throughout hectic days
• Intensify the eyes – Add darker shades of eyeshadow and darken the liner. Wear lashes and mascara if able.
• Touch up on blush and contour – Reapply a bit darker blush and contour on the face to add more color to the face, making you look photo-ready.
• Bolder shade of lipstick – Retouch your lipstick with a vibrant color, depending on the whole look.

Good luck to athletes and cheerleaders this season! We hope that these insights and tips from athlete Lucia Gabriel Gutierrez empower you throughout your competitions.

Photography Wilmark Alindon

Styling Luis Carlo San Juan

Makeup Jilliene Tan

Hairstyle Red Echavia