Sisterhood can encompass being related—just ask content creators Alem Garcia and Kim Charlie Cruz.

After meeting each other through a blogging event, these two hit it off and over time, became each other’s pillars in life and love. While they’re not family in the literal sense, their friendship has evolved into something profound and beautiful. Having each other to turn to in times of struggles and supporting each other’s hopes and dreams, they’re as close as sisters can be.

Explore the dynamics of these blogger besties with their fun Q&A and discover just how in tune they are with each other.

Describe each other.

ALEM: All I can say is we’re both honest and genuine. Kim and I have arrived at a point where we no longer sugarcoat things. When we want to make each other understand, we communicate it directly. We have been through the ups and downs of each other’s lives, and there’s no need to go in circles—that for me is the basis why I think our friendship is real.

KIM: Alem is not so sophisticated pero domesticated type of person siya. Char! Seriously, She doesn’t depend on others and is a strong independent type of woman. We may not see that much lately but we tap each other’s backs like mangumusta, or just chat with each other. For me, friendship gets stronger when two friends just click.

When and how did you meet each other? What were your first impressions of the other?

ALEM: We first met through the Cebu Bloggers Society. At that time, I was fairly new to the blogging industry. I wasn’t close to him. At first, I thought feeling gwapa siya. But when I got the chance to know him more, ayyy, feeling gwapa gyud diay. Charot! Kidding aside, Kim is good-natured. He is kind, and he always means well even if someone is not really close to him. That for me was one of the reasons why I thought of him as someone possible to be included in my circle.

KIM: I first saw her during our blogging photoshoot. It was all fun, I found her dili managad basta dili kaau niya kaila dili man siya snob but when I noticed nga tabi-an siya nya kalog man diay, that’s the time I know a true friendship started. Wala’y charst!

How did your sisterly dynamics develop?

ALEM: I think it was the time when I really got heartbroken in 2019 [laughs], and I really needed a friend to lean on. I was in desperate need of someone who could lend me an ear without any judgment, and Kim was there to help me get back on track. Also, when I transferred to Manila to pursue a dream, he was always a phone call away even when he was so busy with work. Time is so expensive for people and I really treasured him more when he made time for me despite his busy schedule. Kim has experienced so much in life that made him synthesize a perspective worth sharing with others. Through time, our friendship developed even if we don’t get to see each other every day. I think that’s the magic of connection.

KIM: Through time; it didn’t happen right away. It was when I was at the gym, and she went there mura’g na broken siya ato nga time. I know she wasn’t a heavy drinker, but that night mura’g gusto niyang makalimutan ang mga masasakit na sandal charst! I knew and felt something was bothering her. I was willing to listen, and through time I became her number two fan (wala ko kibaw kinsa ang number 1) but I’m grateful that she’s trusting me with her struggles in life.

What is your relationship like currently? How often do you see each other, and what are some of the things that you like to do together?

ALEM: Well I can say Kimmy is someone I can consider a sister. Hence, we call each other “seszy”. He is already family to me—considering all that we’ve been through, I guess family seems to be an understatement. Since we’re both juggling a lot of things during weekdays, we see each other on weekends. Whenever we get the chance to, we bond by eating at fancy restaurants and shopping because aside from the Instagrammable photos we capture, we also get to experience the excerpt of the alta lifestyle—even just for a few hours [laughs].

KIM: I feel like I have a younger sister, though Alem is more mature than I am. We call each other “seszy.” I’m comfortable telling her updates on my life, my anxieties, and problems. When we’re together I also give her advice sa life, given I’m older than her. Lately, I’ve been busy with my full-time work; we manage to chat and make “seszy” time worthwhile. We sometimes shop, eat out, go to places—mabuhi ra mi ug kaming duha, okay na kaayo na.

What makes you consider the other to be your sister in all ways but blood? What makes your bond different from other friendships?

ALEM: I consider Kim to be my sister because of our undeniable connection —something that can’t be faked by social media engagements. Kim and I met because of social media. While the industry can be untrue to some extent, I can say that we are 100% true to each other. And despite how blinding the social media spotlight is, we have remained who we are when we are with each other. That makes our bond different from other friendships.

We are true to each other and the connection is real. I can be myself with Alem, she’s honest to me. It’s a friendship that is genuine and has no pretentions. We are open to one another. Her success is also my success, her heartbreak is also my heartache. I treat her as a family, not just a friend.

Kim Charlie

If you have other siblings, what makes the other different from them? / If you’re an only child, how is it like to have a sister in the other?

I had a sister before and I lost her. For the longest time, I’ve been searching for the bond that we’ve had. While what I and my late sister have had remains to be incomparable, I am happy that I found a bond that somehow reminds me that I can still find a sister in another person. Not the same. But, uniquely different and beautiful!

Alem Garcia

KIM: I have two siblings, but being with Alem like is having a sister. It’s nice. It’s like having a kalog sister who understands you. What she desires and aspires for, I want to be there supporting her 100%.

How do you support each other in life and love?

ALEM: We’re brutally honest with each other; no inhibitions and no barriers! And although we can be obnoxious as to how we talk to each other, we have arrived at a point wherein we can just laugh it off—all because we know at the end of the day, regardless of how painful our words are, we only are very concerned with each other.

KIM: We’re very open to each other, like brutally honest, no pretensions. That’s what siblings do. We comfort each other, but at the end of the day, we just laugh at everything. Also kana gani kalog nga mga ideas, mga imagination nga wala diri didto, hawd kaau mi ana.

What are your hopes for each other as individual people?

ALEM: Life doesn’t give us all the things that we ask for and sometimes, our efforts are not reciprocated. So I hope we maintain our grit and keep an accepting heart that no matter what happens, we still come to realize that redirections are beautiful too. Above all else, whatever road we take, we remain friends no matter what.

KIM: Sometimes the people you meet in life may make or break you, but when you met someone who reciprocates your energy and loves you, you know for sure that’s for keeps. Whatever her decisions in life I’ll be there for her.

What’s the best thing about each other?

ALEM: Our humor! [laughs] I think that we can have the best sitcom in the world because our wits just match and the fun we create is contagious!

KIM: Our laughter, humor, and honesty.

What piece of advice would you give each other at the current stage of your lives?

ALEM: “Everything has a reason.” Where we are placed right now is no accident. We are where we are because there’s a purpose. So dili mag una-una ug dili magdali, and I thank yoooooooou!

KIM: “Trust the process.” If life doesn’t provide what your heart desires, the universe will redirect you to something that is more than what you hope for in perfect timing.