THANK YOU!

It's been five days since this beautiful article (yeah, I'm biased) was published, but I still can't wipe this modest smile on my face. I still can't believe that this writer found us and our advocacy through a mutual friend's timeline (mostly photos of the recently-concluded Glam Tales) and found it news-worthy. Fast-forward today: there are 143 shares of the article on Facebook and 34 tweets (as of 18:25 today). I could only hope that there are 177 plus size Pinays who got inspired to unleash the goddess within after reading it. Or 177 persons who opted to rethink about fat people and their lifestyle. Again, thank you for the support!

Speaking of support, here's what my proud momma posted on her timeline. Kaka-touch!

Reading the article for the first time reminded me of our dreams. When Ali asked us how many followers do we already have, my partner Mitch and I exchanged blank looks. We have no idea. Then she asked how many followers would we like to have. To my relief, Mitch echoed that we prefer quality over quantity. We prefer to reach out to women who currently battle with insecurities, we prefer to meet living role models of body acceptance and we'd love to make them all interact and support each other. We prefer to meet supportive men, too. But we don't wish to attract voyeurs. Figures don't matter to us. After all, we're hoping to create a positive community.

This interview also made us look ahead and reflect on how else we are going to achieve our idealistic goals. We're actually flattered that this news feature arrived quite early; the last time I checked, it's not listed in our timetable. We imagined to spread our advocacy through word of mouth. Perhaps media exposure will come when we've done something massive, like organizing the first Philippine Fatshion Week or something. Needless to say, I can't help but feel eager for our upcoming first anniversary in November. We're definitely cooking up something fun and fab. We're crossing our fingers to see old sisters and meet new ones in the event.

At this point, I can't contain my happiness for this blessing. No amount of words can capture my gratitude and excitement. Again, THANK YOU!!!

Obtained here.

EDIT: 30.09.2013

As if this feature were not enough, we got featured again on POC! Check this article out and spread the good news! 

[Accidental] WORLD PREMIERE: That Red T-Shirt

After yesterday's ABS-CBN - World Trade Center - Nolboo Korean Restaurant - NAIA itinerary, I decided to crash and spend the rest of the wee hours in my aunt's place in Malate. Sounds like a wise move as Manila is nearer to today's destination called ISIS International in Quezon City compared to my residence in Bacoor, Cavite. Besides, I left there a backpack-ful of used clothes, toiletries and still-drenched sneakers.

Speaking of stuff, I was grateful for packing an extra capri pants. Otherwise, I would have done a fruitless search in my cousins' closet. Isn't it nice when being indecisive turned out to be the best decision for the day?

But this relief was short-lived. I have no extra t-shirt nor blouse to wear for the Beyond Romance commune! It will also be my first time to meet the facilitator who I first met in the happiest place on the Internet called GratitudeLog in 2009. I should look sweet and fresh today!

Luckily, Tita Minda just made a business trip in Divisoria to buy new ready-to-wear clothes to sell. Among the rack of leftovers, I picked two red tops (how typical!) and pondered hard which one to purchase.

Option # 1: Red t-shirt

How can you say no to this cottony feel and light fabric? I'm NOT into heart designs, but I find the twist quite irresistible.

Front view of the red tee. Check out Irma from The Incredibles!


Back view: the wings


Option # 2: Red tank top


Back view of the tank top

Don't you just love the flashy "bib" and the flirty back design? However, I felt uncomfortable with my exposed bra straps and I had a feeling it will be freezing cold during the workshop. But it was hard to put it down. It would be a great beachwear!

The best decision of the day, you ask? I bought both of them! Yippee! Yahoo! Yehey!

Tita's sandals

And my sneakers remained wet, wet, wet! After borrowing Tita's black sandals yesterday, I wanted something more flattering. She lent me this cute pair that concealed my flat, wide feet also dubbed as pinikpikang luya by my own mother. Uhm, those are NOT French tips.

***

My learnings from the commune probably deserves a separate blog entry. But I can't contain to share how refreshing to be told to feel the past hurts and other negative feelings as they are, no need to rationalize why we experience them. I felt angst and revengeful thoughts swell up from my chest and, in the succeeding meditations, re-realize how useful those anger-inducing scenarios that changed me for how accepting and enlightened I am right now. And I am grateful again.

Energy exchange with the fellow students of life


The mandatory class picture. Wee!


My "grand" EB with Claire! Finally!

Have I told you Claire is probably the most active Pinay member on GratitudeLog? Her posts had inspired me to take time and be more expressive of my gratitude. After all, good vibes always, always begin with being thankful for our blessings big or small.

Also, Claire introduced me to the existence of the raw food community here in the Philippines. I vividly remember her GratitudeLog post involving raw ice cream that made use of avocado. Like they say, the rest is history.

***

I shall leave you with this uplifting video that our class saw during the commune. It was my first time to see it and I'm sure you, too, would nod away upon seeing it.

You ARE beautiful, fellow plumpies. Don't be the last to know!



Workshop photos were lifted from Beyond Romance.