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Submitted by Gellie Abogado
Hi girls!
First of all, I'm glad I got into blogging and then I saw your blog. You have definitely inspired a lot of plump women from all over the Philippines to not let their shape/weight define who they are and who they can be. Looking back at how I struggled to be who I am today just proves that a person's success is not defined by his/her physical appearance. Okay, I'm not THAT successful; but for someone in my age, I think I'm doing great. I have been plump ever since and I really did want to lose weight. The reason behind this is not because I was bullied by other people; but I am bullied at home.
My tita calls me "bob" (I guess you already know why) and my parents often tell me to lose weight because I may have a pretty face, but my shape/weight is pulling me down. Some of my other relatives often make fun of my weight/shape during reunions and other family gatherings. No one bullied me in school because I managed to keep my confidence and I excelled in a lot of things. I didn't mean to brag but I am just proud of the things I can do. I've had tons of praises from everyone at school from elementary up until college. No one thought of my being "fat" as a hindrance to my success in school.
I know I did not just get lucky; but I managed to get the jobs I have always wanted. I submitted some of my pictures of what I do at my last work. I organize events, host them, do guestings on TV and stuff. I also got freelance event hosting projects and now I'm a beauty blogger and an online entrepreneur; plus I'd soon be starting my next full-time job as a Publication Associate [Note: We received an email from her sharing that we already started! Congratulations, Gellie!]. These are proofs that I did not let my shape/size stop me from doing what I want to do. We've all experienced that whenever you'd walk somewhere, someone would just call you "taba," "baboy" or whatever words they can think of which should offend you. At one point, it almost made me feel ugly; but come to think of it, I have done a lot of things and my shape never stopped me so why care?
We shouldn't let anyone stop us from what we love doing whatever shape or size or color we have. I believed in myself and continued despite of the the negative comments about my shape. I didn't let those words eat up my confidence. My confidence ate those negative words long time ago. They never affect me anymore.
Once again, thanks Stacy and Danah for the wonderful blog you have. I will continue supporting your advocacy and I will continue loving my body.
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Gellie, your fierce spirit and self-confidence is very inspiring! Thank you for letting girls who also experience being bullied at home because of their weight or size know about the importance of valuing your own opinion more than others in becoming who you want to be. :)
Before I end this post, let me leave you with a quote that I've posted as a verbatim before but I am posting it again because I think it's a great reminder for all of us. :D
Before I end this post, let me leave you with a quote that I've posted as a verbatim before but I am posting it again because I think it's a great reminder for all of us. :D
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
--Marianne Williamson
Keep loving your bodies,
Stacy