Thick-Faced

Those are most certainly words used to describe me. The number of times those two words have been used on me is indeed immeasurable. Yes, I am indeed the type of person who doesn’t mind doing things normally inebriated people do on stage. I’m that girl everyone requests to be the “bridge” for their question to be voiced in symposia. I’m that girl who sings out loud whilst walking just for sheer fun. Yeah, I really do have a plywood face!

I suppose I’ve always been Little Miss Confidence. Whilst most little girls shied away from their parents’ and aunts’ cameras, I gamely posed for them (Literally! I was doing model poses in shots when I was seven!). It was, then, further developed because of my consistent membership in my school’s theatre club. I was also a debater and orator in high school. So yes, basically, I spent many of my scholastic and childhood memories on stage.

I brought that thick-face over into real life, as well. I’ve always been known as an advocate of free, unadulterated (sometimes, loud) self-expression. I don’t mind saying what I mean (Anyway, it’s usually compliments!). I’m also one of the few people I know daring enough to wear earrings big enough to double as key
chains. I also possess a voice that makes people think I swallowed a megaphone ) and didn't bother to have it surgically removed (honed by theatre and public speaking). So yes, basically, call me shy, and everyone would guffaw.

And it is with that same bold, thick face I did my homework for Women in Media class. We were tasked to interview any young woman in the field of media and write an article about her. When I heard that task, something in my mind immediately raced to one person, Elisabeth Baumgart. I was such a huge fan of this columnist, reporter and blogger that my heart just had to scream into my mind to get her as a subject.

You think it’s simple? Oh no! For one thing, well, she’s from Cebu. The paper she writes in doesn’t really have an avid following here in Manila. What was an Alabang girl like me doing asking someone who lives in another island to be her subject in her project? And for another, I know how jam-packed her schedule is. Between organizing socio-civic events, writing for her Sun Star-Cebu column, and doing her work for her scholarship, how would she ever find the time to answer a questionnaire from some student from Manila?

But I did it. I put all my queries down and sent it to her e-mail, albeit with butterflies in my stomach. I really didn’t expect much. I even interviewed another person as back-up. Hey, even if she didn't respond, at least I tried. Whatever will be will be.

And then, I saw it. It was a response e-mail from one e.baumgart. Whist suppressing my squeals and jumping up and down like some madwoman, I read it. This is an excerpt of what it said:

“...I’m quite surprised to find that my “Inkblots” column has reached Manila! That makes you two readers of mine --- you and my mother.


If you need any help, just text me at _______________.

I’m sorry it took a while to answer your questions, but I hope it helps.

Lis”

*cue me squealing like a fan girl*

Yes, she responded to my e-mail. And all it took was a thick face and a little help from Charlie (to get her e-mail address. Huge, huge thanks are due you, frére âme!) to have someone I quite admire as a subject for my Women in Media article. Even I couldn’t believe it was that simple (Yes, I take back what I said earlier. It was, admittedly, simple.).

Com to think of it, many things we'd like to do that we deem very tough are pretty simple if only we decide to just go for it and take that plunge. Meeting a new friend is simple if only take that bold step of walking up to that interesting person and introducing yourself. Having a chance at winning that competition is fairly simple if only we decide to actually join. And yes, you actually meeting someone you admire is pretty simple if we have the courage to come up to them (whether in person or via the web) and pour out your looking up to them. It just takes a step from thick-faced you.

What? You have this itching desire to see if my face really is made of plywood? Go on then!