Some love stories feel destined from the very beginning. For content creators Hajie Alejandro and Lenie Aycardo, their love story was not only written in the stars, but it was also retold to a larger audience when the drama anthology show Maalaala Mo Kaya relived their journey into a drama that touched millions.
Watching their own story play out on screen by Kai Montinola as Lenie and Kyle Echarri as Hajie was surreal for the couple, who are better known to fans as Team HaNie.
“When we watched the episode, all the memories came back. We realized how we started, and it made us appreciate the support even more,” Hajie told Manila Standard Entertainment in a sideline interview of local cosmetic brand GRWM’s masterclass event at this year’s Beautycon.
Their love story began when they were in high school, but it was during the pandemic when they started sharing makeup videos online. What started as a hobby soon snowballed into viral fame.
“At first we were just excited to receive free products. Now, we get invited to events and collaborate with big brands. We are overwhelmed and thankful—our hearts are full,” he continued.
Hajie quickly earned attention for his artistry, turning Lenie into different characters with just a few brushstrokes. The transformations were so striking that fans began calling Lenie the “Queen of TikTok Transformation,” a title she admitted took her by surprise.
“I’m happy they see me that way, but honestly I don’t really think of myself as a queen. We’re just enjoying what we do, and it makes me proud that people appreciate it,” Lenie shared.
Aside from doing makeup challenges and trends, Hajie had also helped shift old views about men in makeup.
“Parents even tag me and say, ‘This is my future Hajie.’ People see it differently now. There’s nothing wrong with men wearing makeup, as long as you’re happy and growing,” he explained.
The couple also shared how grateful they were to finally work with Mae Layug, GRWM’s owner and founder.
“We’ve really been fans of Ate Mae. From the very start, I dreamed of working with her,” Lenie said.
Hajie agreed, adding, “Ate Mae is so inspiring. We saw how she started, and now we get to join her at events. We’re truly so happy.”
For Lenie, being with Hajie didn’t just change her looks but had also helped her in building the confidence she couldn’t have.
“I used to avoid makeup completely, not even fixing my brows. I had no self-confidence. But through him, I learned how to take care of myself and believe in who I am. For me, beauty now is about confidence,” she said.
Today, Hajie and Lenie continue to create content, attend beauty events, and inspire their growing community of followers. But behind the filters and transformations, their lives have also taken on a new chapter.
The couple tied the knot in January, and just two months later, they welcomed their baby boy—a milestone that has made their journey even more meaningful.
“Right now, we make sure to rest, spend time as a family, and only create content that truly excites us. If we’re not feeling it, we won’t force it. It has to be real, and it has to reflect who we are,” Haji shared.
Their MMK episode may have told their beginnings, but the real highlight is the life they’re now creating with their son.
