After, Not Before

April 30, 2007

I grew up thinking I was ugly. I was dark and my hair was thick and curly. I had eyes that were too big and a nose that was too flat. I used to be tall for my age until I stopped growing by Sixth Grade; by then I became another average-height Filipina, skinny, gangly and awkward.

 

It didn't help that my brother had all the physical characteristics that made him look like an artista—fair skin, high-bridged nose, long eyelashes, height. When we were younger and my mom would introduce us to her officemates, they'd always exclaim, "ang guwapo naman ng anak mong lalaki! Artistahin ang dating!". What I'd get is: "naku Beth mukhang matalino itong anak mong babae ha?" Very nice.

 

(more…)