Nobody, Nobody But Me

As a kid, the only way that I get to be the center of attention is when I'm required to perform on stage, either as a dancer, singer, actress or declaimer (I was that talented, I swear) or when someone puts a "I farted." sign on my back. Or when someone depants me in the middle of a class recitation or in the middle of the game, rock-paper-scissors (I'm not even sure if depantsing is somehow a part of that game). Or when someone throws a pint of ice cream on my back. Or when a moron of a snatcher doesn't look where he's going and bumps into yours truly, sending me sprawling in the land of cigarettes and candy, courtesy of the friendly and very safe neighborhood of Recto, Manila, Philippines.

I never intentionally look for attention and for some reason, I occasionally become the center of it. I guess having a giraffe-like height and a gorgeous, model-like body (I believe, therefore I am..is my new motto) might be a factor but I just probably have this knack of being the right place, at the right time, with the right kind of people. For instance, our annual reunion that just took place a few hours ago.

For reasons that baffles me, my uncles and aunties have always find me hilarious and wants me to do something in front of the camera, relatives, family and friends that would make me look like a total moron. It doesn't matter if I'm missing a shoe, I didn't take a bath, I'm not in the mood or even if I have a knife against my neck while shouting, "Don't come any closer or I'll kill myself!!" No, they are oblivious to the fact that I may not be comfortable showing off my well-polished skills in front of everyone nor do they mind if I spit or throw curses at them. They always think I'm joking, I'm just kidding and I don't mind looking like a gigantic ass in different places, in front of dozens of other people, some of them I might work with and will have no respect for me someday, just as long as they can have a hearty laugh, record it and have a solid remembrance of that day. I don't think they are aware that I feel embarrass sometimes, that there might be some limits to what I'm willing to do and that I am not paid to do whatever it is that they "ask" of me to do. I doubt it if they can associate me with the words, "shy" and "quiet" and I think, I think, they'll find it outrageously funny if I suddenly announce that I'm going to be a nun or something remotely related to a person of solemn dignity and a respectful stance, one who can't quite literally be pushed by four grown man in front of the camera, with all living and irritating relatives shouting to dance "nobody, nobody but you" alone, on my own, solo.

Yes, I did it, I did the dance but it was out of respect for the elders. And the whole tribe of the Tucay family who looked quite determined enough to see a half Tucay/ half Ensomo clan member dancing to a hit korean pop song. And besides, I managed to round up a few of my relatives to dance it with me so I wasn't the only one looking like a drugged-up addict wearing a cute outfit with an edgy hair style, thank God.

Officemates might find me a very reserve, very timid and most of the time, a very serious person but with my relatives on the side of my mother, the Tucay Clan, I am one of the ever funny, ever hilarious, ever enthusiastic, ever enlivening, one of the life of the party (I'm far from an energizer battery, good thing my relatives have a couple of reinforcements) ,ever sexy, talented, smart and beautiful creature from Cavite. Fine, scratch talented, I might have exaggerated things..delete..no I think that's it.

Happy New Year again everyone! Hope we'll all have a grand time for years and years to come!

:D