Black Beauty
I've been told I'm beautiful a lot of times already. This should have been a major boost to my ego and contributed significantly to my reservoir of arrogance but the compliment fails to impress me. For whenever people refer to my aesthetic qualities, I'm not just beautiful. In fact, I don't recall ever being called pretty. I belong to a specific breed of beauty. Black Beauty. Thanks.
Just last week, I was at Photoline to claim prints. The woman standing beside me said, "Excuse me. " As a reflex, my head automatically turned to the source of voice. The woman was giving me an assessing look that went up my figure, down, and up again to my face. She asked me outright, "Nagmo-model ka ba?" Come on. I felt like neighing with supressed laughter. My smile was sheepish as I answered "Umm, hindi eh."
Not that I totally mind being labelled as a black beauty. I never had the illusion that I'm particularly good-looking so it is kind of flattering. After all, beauty is still beauty, even if it comes in a darker package. I just have to credit the people who think I'm attractive with a temporary lack of sanity.
I don't give any weight to positive comments about my annual yearbook picture either. We all know everybody's supposed to look good there. In fact it's almost every graduate's dream to make up for a 20-year track record of looking bad in front of the camera. I can think of several cases. Bad hair day. Worst possible angle shot, like a full face frontal when your cheeks are looking at its chubbiest best and your T-zone is having another of its shining moments. Fat lips day. Exam week. All documented, when all you wanted was to shy away from the camera.
The reason I have never warmed up to the idea that I have the potential of beauty is that my looks get me into odd situations. There's the unwanted flirting from taxi & jeepney drivers, total strangers getting all friendly with me, unexpected comments from parloristas, amorous foreigners and impassioned greetings from idiots on foot or in passing vehicles. I just know that a striking personality couldn't have been the reason why these people were drawn towards me. I shared nothing more than perfunctory yes, nos and polite replies to the conversational masterpieces dealt out by those who dared to talk to me so I figured it must be my features which did them in.
It's not too bad being morena. At least I can boast of a summer skin tone all year round. The only problem is, this fact doesn't make me unique at all in this country where a great majority of the people have a tanned complexion. Now, if only I can find a way to transport myself to a frigid country where I can be called a more stylish term for black beauty-- a tropical beauty...
posted by lovefool @ 9:05 PM
3 Comments:
At 9:30 PM,
Corsarius said…
That's the apt term -- tropical beauty ;P
But seriously, I can understand the woman you met at Photoline. You do look like a model! Especially when you flash a smile (hala, nang-flatter na raw). So, will you take up the woman's offer? ;) Balitaan mo ako, hehe!
At 11:18 AM,
lovefool said…
Phillip, you're totally crazy!!
thanks for the compliment. I totally appreciate it but it doesn't mean I have to believe it..=D
tell you what, i'll contact her and refer this cute friend of mine who writes well and whose looks remind his friends of a certain artista.. hahaha =P
At 11:52 AM,
Corsarius said…
ay, di ako pinaniwalaan? people nowadays...o tempora, o mores! :P
eherm eherm...who's that friend of yours? (looks around) ay naku, palabiro ka talaga. ;)
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