From Manila model to Regina Realtor, Philippines ambassador to Mosaic has done it all

This story is part of a series from CBC Saskatchewan, featuring four stories from the 18 pavilions that are part of Mosaic 2024. For more, visit our Mosaic home page. 

If you Google the name Alvin Pulga, your search results might yield a few hits showcasing Alvin Alfonso, a shirtless model hawking products in his underwear and jeans.

Those pictures reflect his formerly heady days in the Philippines, when the Regina father and Realtor agent was a TV host, commercial model and television personality.

"The lifestyle of being part of the media in Manila and in the most cosmopolitan city in the Philippines was high energy. There was a lot of partying," he said, laughing about his travels throughout the world doing video and photo shoots.

"I interviewed Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell Williams," he said, rattling off a who's who of celebrity names. "It was just surreal, to tell you the honest truth. That's the perfect word — surreal."

WATCH: How one Regina graduate ended up travelling the world as a model and VJ

It all began in 2004, when Pulga was on a trip to Manila with his father. Pulga, then 22 years old, happened to run into an agent who asked him if he would be interested in modelling or TV presenting. That chance encounter set him on a collision course with fame, allowing him to model and then to crisscross the world as a VJ for a TV music network.

But as he approached 30, he says, he felt a void.

Alvin Pulga, right, had a chance to interview major celebrities in his role as a VJ, including rapper Kanye West. (Submitted by Alvin Pulga)

"I missed my family. I missed Regina. A lot of people don't believe that, but it's true. I was born and raised in Regina and Regina's home," he said, noting his Filipino family is close-knit and drew him back to Regina in 2013.

"That was heavy on my heart, not being able to be there with them and making memories like that. So I came back home."

Pulga has kept some memorabilia from his time modelling in Asia, including this magazine cover. (Submitted photo)

And while he's no longer in the Philippines, he's still enmeshed in Filipino culture, representing the country as one of its ambassadors for this year's Mosaic festival. It's a far cry from the city he grew up in, with Regina just one of the Saskatchewan cities seeing explosive growth of the Filipino population.

"Now there's so much 'Filipino-ness' in Regina, you can't get away from it. It's incredible. And I'm so proud to be part of that," he said.

That growth may be part of the reason that the Filipino pavilion was one of Mosaic's most visited pavilions in 2023, but Pulga also says he thinks it's one of the most exciting places as well.

Pulga, right, says he's proud to represent his country at Mosaic 2024. He's pictured here with other Philippine pavilion ambassadors. From left: Chris Sta. Maria, Mia Eiswirth and April Ymas. (Submitted by Alvin Pulga)

"The vibe is warmth. The vibe is laughter. The vibe is titas and titos forcing food on you. The vibe is fiesta," he said.

He may have left a party lifestyle as a VJ and model in his parents' home country, but he said he's looking forward to the party continuing at this year's Mosaic.

"When you walk into the Viterra building for the Filipino pavilion, it really, truly feels like you're walking in the Philippines," he said. "You're surrounded by Filipino culture and you can't get that anywhere else."