Why I'm beautiful

I've been a magazine editor for 6 years and one of the fabulous perks of the job is getting free products and treatments from beauty brands, spas and clinics. But when people ask me if it gets to my head, all the perks and how people treat me with adoration, I just laugh and say, "If you only knew!"

Here are just some of the stuff I've been told:

1. "You don't need breast enhancement. You need liposuction. Two lipos actually--upper and lower abdomens."
2. "Ang nipis ng buhok mo, teh. Kalbo ka na nga halos! Try mo yung treatment namin!"
3. "Your dark eye circles are so bad. May wrinkles pa! This cream will fix that."
4. "Wow. I can count your lashes. They're so few and sparse. Try this mascara!"
5. "You seriously need our slimming treatments. Mommies really get so fat!"
6. "Kelan ka huling nagpa-foot spa? Kasi parang pang-kabayo na yung heels mo. Try our paraffin treatment."
7. "Manage your acne? Actually, you need Botox."
8. "You look good in that dress but better if you use Spank." (I think she meant Spanx)
9. "You gained so much weight na! Hirap to lose the pregnancy pounds, no? Want to try our new gym classes?"
10. "Yes, the treatment can even your skin tone but I suggest this other treatment kasi uka-uka na ang mukha mo."

Now tell me, seriously, with all that thrown at your face on a regular basis, do you think I can possibly think I'm perfect?!

My family is my beauty secret!

It's a good thing I don't have low self-esteem. Imagine having to hear those awful things regularly! It's no wonder a lot of girls are spending obscene amounts of money and time "perfecting" themselves! Now, I have no issues with using products and getting treatments. I have no problem with cosmetic surgery either. But I do believe that these should be done for fun and out of self-love, not self-loathing.

I think I'm a pretty girl. Above average, sure, but nothing special, looks-wise. But I'm aware that a lot of people think I'm beautiful despite the big tummy, thin hair, dark eye circles, sparse lashes, flab, zits, and acne scars. I believe the beauty that people see in me is the happiness, confidence and peace I radiate. I may not be physically perfect but my life is pretty darn close to perfect. I work hard on my relationships, my career and my mind, and the work paid off. My life is beyond beautiful. And no beauty product or procedure did that!