The funky blog name (which I love) speaks for itself. Katrina is the sexy plus size fasyon mudra (slang for fashionable mom) behind it and reading her witty and sincere answers to our interview questions really made us happy because she is living out our advocacy! It just goes to show that embracing one's self truly does wonders to anyone. Read The Plump Pinay's interview with Katrina and know more about her journey towards body acceptance!
**********
Have you always been plump? Why? Yes, even at my slimmest I always had the sort of body type that's malaman. Because of this I felt fat all my life - when now I want to go and shake my 15-year-old self and say "You're crazy!" The funny thing is that I only really started getting big in my mid-twenties. I tried to head it off by being on a strict South Beach Diet regimen for more than two years and rigorously exercising. I'd always feel dizzy (came close to fainting a couple of times), my hair was lank and thin and my skin was grayish - but despite all that I was still 15, 20 pounds overweight! At that time I read a study published in the New York Times about how people who are genetically predisposed to be fat need to work twice as hard to achieve weight loss - in fact, they needed to maintain their bodies at starvation mode. At first I was hesitant to accept what I read because it seemed like the excuse of "I'm not fat, I'm just big boned" or "It's my genes" and I always thought "Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough." Finally I decided enough was enough, I didn't want to go through life dizzy and hungry! So I started to accept my body for the way it truly is. Instead of killing myself at the gym I only did things I enjoyed, like futsal and yoga, and I didn't deprive myself of carbs anymore. I realized that the Lord must have a good reason for giving me this body, and besides, He gave me good health, so why was I trying to challenge His purpose?
Have you ever been bullied/verbally abused/discouraged because of your weight? If yes, how did you react? What did you do about it? I think I struggled the most with this in elementary - especially those awkward tween years (age 10-12). I would be called baboy, Ms. Piggy, all the usual stuff. I actually starved myself then. I remember eating nothing but sampalok candy and a small glass of Coke the whole day and obsessively playing that garter game ten-twenty so I would lose weight. I regret that now because I think that's the reason why I didn't get as tall as my siblings! It took a long time for me to come to terms with my weight, but I can say that my college years helped me immensely. I was lucky to be in an org that celebrated each others' differences and encouraged each other to be as fierce as possible, and that helped me to embrace and celebrate who I am, extra pounds and all.
Who is your style icon? I like women whose stylishness doesn't depend on following trends or looking perfect but just having this innate charisma about them. Charlotte Gainsbourg has that and Alison Mossheart of The Kills and Dead Weather is another. I adore Diana Vreeland and I wish she were my lola but I think she'd put me on a diet, haha! Before she became thin I liked Kelly Osbourne. Don't get me wrong - I think she looks great - but she dressed with more verve when she was heavier.
Favorite store? Can't beat SM Department Store and Landmark for basics. Bayo is one of the few stores that carry my size and I really like their aesthetic. Forever 21 for trendy items. B Club surprisingly has sturdy, fashionable footwear. When I get the chance to go abroad I also head to H&M and Old Navy.
Favorite pieces of clothing to wear? Right now I'm into skirts, opaque hose, vests, my husband's giant polo shirts.
How do you want people to see your style? Classic, neutral, fuss-free but with a teeny dash of rock and roll. :P
Where do you get your confidence from?
The realization that being thin isn't the be-all and end-all of my existence - it won't make me smarter, nicer or a better person. I have so much more to offer the world and that gives me confidence.
How important are other people’s perception of you to you? It used to matter A LOT. When people would comment on my size, or compare me to my slim sister and mom, I'd feel very hurt. But as time went on I realized that I can't control what people think or say about me but I can control how I react to them. And reacting negatively or feeling hurt is just baggage that I don't need. So I just shrug it off. The funny thing is that when I adopted this attitude, I don't know, maybe my aura became happier or more confident so I rarely get negative comments anymore. Or maybe I'm just friends with great people, haha!
Message to other Plump Pinays: Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and hair textures! Celebrate what makes you different, own what makes you unique.
Fill in the blank: A true Plump Pinay is FIERCE.
**********
Keep loving yourself,
Stacy