A bond so beautiful

Jennifer and Jasmin Weigel-Sarmiento celebrate twin lives so unique yet similar

By Deneb Batucan

 

LIKE most twin sisters, the pretty and petite Jennifer and Jasmin Weigel-Sarmiento look similar, but they are not the same type of awesome. Each twin is unique, and each has something special to offer.

Jen and Jas, as they are commonly called, grew up as the best of friends. They wore the same clothes, played the same computer games, and had the same sets of friends. “Everything was the same. We didn’t have our own identity. It was always Jen and Jas,” said Jasmin.

But as they grew older, their diverse personalities became more evident. They started having different interests. They grew into their own identities even more during college when Jasmin had to transfer to Manila to study at the Ateneo de Manila University, taking up management with a minor in information technology, while Jennifer stayed in Cebu as she took up business administration at the Centre for International Education.

“We were separated for four years. We’d call each other every day. It was a bit sad. Whenever I could come home, I’d be so happy that I could spend some time with her,” Jasmin said.

Even when they were apart, their “twin connection” was very strong. Though differences and arguments arise, their bond is unbreakable. “When Jas got sick six to seven years ago, I woke up all of a sudden and thought of her. I called her at 4 a.m. asking what was wrong because I felt that something was wrong,” Jennifer said.

Partners

When they graduated from college, Jennifer decided to put up a business. As children, they were already exposed to proper skin care since their dad was very particular about taking care of their skin. After taking up several courses in skin care and had training in La Manille School of Esthetics, Jennifer decided to open Beauty and Beyond, a skin center that offers facial and slimming treatments, in 2011.

But in 2013, Jennifer was about to close it down due to lack of customers since they didn’t have a good location for the business. Jasmin decided to help her sister and took over the operations. Today, Beauty and Beyond is loving its new location at Streetscape Mall, Banilad, and is now a partnership between the twins — a twin business as they say.

Working together in the business was tough at first. As they are different people, they had different ways of dealing with work. “Jen is nicer and more understanding towards employees. I’m very strict and

straightforward and want things to be done the way I want it to, no excuses,” Jasmin said.

But Jennifer stresses that they actually balance each other out. “We’re like two peas in a pod. Jas does the business and expansion side, while I take the esthetician and training side of the company,” Jennifer said.

“Working with Jen is great because we work as a team,” said Jasmin.

Unconditionally theirs

Aside from their business, Jen and Jas have various interests as well. Jennifer is making a name for herself as a DJ, booking gigs from all over Cebu and the Philippines. Jasmin is an avid photographer, a self-confessed computer geek and also a baker.

Both of them are coming to terms with their individual selves and people have stopped looking at them as one person but as two separate people rolled into one awesome team.

But despite their differences and long tirades and arguments, Jen and Jas both agree upon one thing: they unconditionally love each other.

“She may not know this because I don’t really show my emotions a lot unless we fight, but I really do look up to Jasmin. She’s not just a sister but my best friend and identical twin. So that’s even stronger than any bond you can imagine. We may have our differences and arguments, but at the end of the day, no matter what, I love her to death. She’s my partner in crime,” Jennifer said.

“Believe it or not, Jen and I are the best of friends and the worst enemies. But she means the world to me. I’m very protective of her. She knows this. Whenever she feels sad, I always want to make sure why. Let’s just say words aren’t enough to express my love for my sister. That’s how important she is,” Jasmin said.

Photos: Alfred Gregory E. Bartolome
Make-up Artist: Carlo Damolo
Hair Stylist: Jerwin Bastatas