Art by Jobelle Adan
With the holidays right around the corner, the parties, events, and gatherings that most people look forward to take center stage. Whether it’s shopping for presents, putting up decorations, buying puto bumbong, or attending parties and simbang gabi, the holidays certainly draw out excitement.
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Holiday preparations are, indeed, a major part of Filipino culture. The delicious ham, fruit salad, bread and queso de bola, are only some of the staples of a typical Filipino noche buena. On top of everything else are the mandatory family gatherings -- that big day reuniting us with the rest of our clan, usually filled with food, drinks, and merry beer-tinted conversations.
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During these times, however, gifts are not the only things we tend to receive. While some look forward to giving out presents and receiving gifts, there are those who gain pleasure from teasing.
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When your aunt tells you, “Sweetheart, tumaba ka!” you just smile it off and hug her. When your uncle asks, “Uy, tumaba ka ata?”, you walk away and pretend you didn’t hear him. But finally, when your little cousin says it, it makes you want to shake him. In a culture known for having polite, respectful and hospitable people, it’s ironic to think that a fat-shaming culture still exists to this day.
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This obsession with a perfect body image makes it seem like being fat is such a big sin. Lose some and you’re lovely, gain some and it turns you into this big horrid freak. It’s funny to think that the same people who usually tell you to embrace your skin color, the “natural you,” are the ones who tell you to lose weight. Who are they to tell
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A guilt-free merry Christmas!
Alyanna Chio
you what’s good for your body? As long as you are physically healthy, a few more pounds shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, a little more weight isn’t always a bad thing, just like how losing some doesn’t automatically mean getting “sexier”.
The next time some relative tells you to cut down on that crema de fruita or that your cheeks are starting to look like the Christmas hamonado, tell them “May pinagmanahan po!”
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Ditch the silence, smile, and try saying these lines: “I feel happy and good about myself! Thank you!” “It feels good to be healthy.” “Life is good! Therefore, I have a lot of money to buy food!” or if they are really getting into your nerves, a sassy “Mataba ka rin!” “Like your opinion matters,” or my classic favorite, “ At least maganda ako” should put them in the right place.
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Yes, being fat-shamed can be difficult. As much as you want to ignore others, there will be times when these remarks will eat at you.
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So the next time you experience fat-shaming or when you simply can’t get over your feelings, try remembering this: If it’s the taba that makes the Christmas lechon so juicy and tasty, or any ulam flavorful for that matter, then why should the same taba stop you from being fabulous?
Sexiness is just about having the right attitude.
Being sexy isn’t always about having the perfect hourglass figure or having an Instagram-worthy bikini body. Most of the time, sexiness is just about having the right attitude--acknowledging your flaws, yet staying comfortable in your own skin.