This story is part of a CBC Saskatchewan series featuring four stories from the 18 pavilions that are part of Mosaic 2024. Visit the Mosaic homepage for more information.
Search the name “Alvin Pulga” on Google and you might get a few results showcasing Alvin Alfonso, a shirtless model hawking products in underwear and jeans.
The photos reflect Regina’s former glamorous days in the Philippines, when her father, a real estate agent, was a TV host, commercial model and TV personality.
“The media lifestyle in Manila, the most cosmopolitan city in the Philippines, was very energetic. It was a life of partying,” he said, laughing about his travels around the world for videos and photo shoots.
“I interviewed Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams,” he said, rattling off the celebrities. “It was surreal, to be honest with you. Surreal is the right word.”
WATCH: How a Regina graduate ended up traveling the world as a model and VJ
It all began in 2004, when Pulga was on a trip to Manila with his father. The then 22-year-old met an agent by chance, who asked him if he was interested in being a model or a TV host. That chance encounter set him on the path to fame, first as a model and then as a VJ for TV music networks around the world.
But as he approached 30, he said he felt a sense of emptiness.
As a VJ, Alvin Pulga (right) had the opportunity to interview big-name celebrities, including rapper Kanye West. (Courtesy of Alvin Pulga)
“I missed my family. I missed Regina. A lot of people don’t believe this but it’s true. I was born and raised in Regina and Regina is my home,” he said, adding that his strong ties with his Filipino family drew him back to Regina in 2013.
“Not being able to be with them and make those memories weighed heavy on my heart, so I moved back home.”
Pulga keeps several mementos from her time modelling in Asia, including this magazine cover. (Courtesy photo)
Though he’s no longer in the Philippines, he remains deeply involved in Filipino culture and is representing the country as one of the Philippine ambassadors at this year’s Mosaic Festival, a city that’s a far cry from the one he grew up in. Regina is just one of Saskatchewan’s cities experiencing an explosion in its Filipino population.
“There’s so much ‘Filipino-ness’ in Regina now, you can’t escape it. It’s incredible, and I’m so proud to be a part of it,” he said.
This growth may be one of the reasons why the Philippine Pavilion was one of Mosaic’s most visited pavilions in 2023, but Pulga said he also thinks the Philippine Pavilion is one of the most exciting locations.
Pulga (right) said he is proud to represent his country at Mosaic 2024. Pictured here with other Philippine Pavilion ambassadors: (From left): Chris Santa Maria, Mia Eisworth and April Imas. (Courtesy of Alvin Pulga)
“The atmosphere is warm. The atmosphere is laughter. The atmosphere is Titus and Titos pushing food. The atmosphere is festive,” he said.
He grew up living the party life as a VJ and model in his parents’ home country and said he was looking forward to keeping the party going at Mosaic this year.
“When you enter the Viterra Building in the Philippine Pavilion, you really feel like you’re walking through the Philippines,” he said. “You’re surrounded by Filipino culture, and that’s something you can’t experience anywhere else.”
