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Points on the matter

12:11 AM


I received some e-mails regarding my "experience" post about the styling stint that I did for a major footwear brand runway show. Some of the messages were positive and the rest were otherwise. You see, no matter what other people say (good or bad), I would always strive to stay true to myself, to what I believe in and to what I think is right. Having said that, I would like to point out a few things:

1) The entry is more than just a "rant". I wanted to call your attention; "you" my dear reader and tell you that in whatever industry you'd like to be in, it would always be tough. Not all the time, you'll meet people who'll treat you well and you should always prepare to pick your self up and deal with the real world when it gets as harsh as it can be. And in my experience, I've seen that behind the catwalk wasn't all beauty and glamor.

2) I apologize if I have placed the brand in the bad light but I firmly believe that I made it clear that I was referring to a "few people" both behind the brand and the production. Never have I included "everyone" in the story I narrated. I believe that the people I referred to should have been fully aware of what they represent (whether it's a brand, a corporation, an event, a production) so they should be more conscious of their words and actions.

3) You cannot just tell me to "suck it up" and not do anything about it because my principles reject the idea. I do know how to follow who's in charge given the situation; I do recognize authority and I have so much reverence for people in power with experience.

On the job, I've done my best to be professional but here in my blog, I chose to share the experience because I know someone out there (never estimate the power of one) can probably relate and/or get the message across. Hopefully, that entry will be one of the few little steps that can possibly if not change radically, shake up the system at the very least.

4) Writing that post doesn't mean I'm ungrateful. I thank the Almighty for the whole experience because it has made me realize and reflect, it has exposed me, it has taught me a lot and it has left me memories (good and bad) to smile at and look back to.

I'm overwhelmingly thankful for:
  • Aisa because of the opportunity that she has widely opened for me and Ana.
  • The friendship that I naturally and genuinely share with Ana and Aisa without pushing ourselves too hard.
  • Argie for being nice and helpful during the whole course of the event.
  • Ms. Ayet of Accessorize, including GB5 store manager Cheeni for letting us pull out accessories that saved our styling in a major way.
  • The cooperative dressers and models at the back stage.
  • Designer Dave Ocampo who touched our hearts when he humbly took the time to to acknowledge us and our work.
  • The other people behind the scenes who have been pleasing to work with.
  • Ana's dad, to Mich, to JR, to a bunch of Aisa's friends from FIP, our friends and family who are proud of us and all those who I forgot to express my gratitude to.
5) Though it saddens me if the entry would cost me some haters, I remain accountable for blogging something that's important to me. On a deeper level, the entry is a campaign for humility; an advocacy of kindness - to deal with people with respect, whether they are on top or at the bottom of the pyramid. This campaign is me plainly saying, "I am against people up the ranks who think highly of themselves; so high that they treat, talk and behave roughly to those below them."

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17 comments

  1. I will forever look up to you Melai for knowing and standing firm on what you believe in.
    I'm here for you always, love you forever! :)

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  2. I salute you, Melai! I read your post 2days ago and thought it was really brave. If you had not written about them in your blog, who would have dared?
    A person's status in life/industry does not excuse him from "constructive" criticism. ;)

    Good job, Melai! And you do not owe anyone an explanation. :)

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  3. i love how you speak your mind, melai. few people are like that now since they care more about what others might think of them. Keep this up :)

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  4. What is all this crap with these haters?? They only want to read the things that they agree with. Not taking in to consideration that people don't always think the same. Feel free to click the X button on the right side of the screen.

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  5. I actually admire you melai for always being true to yourself and for standing up for what you believe in. Just like what writer Cyril Conolly said, "Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.", it was admirable that you were honest about your opinions and that you didn't lose yourself 'coz "you HAD to sing their praises" when some of them didn't even treat you with the respect that you deserved. Continue to inspire us, your readers, by your honest words/posts melai! :) xoxo

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  6. Ang galing mo magsulat, Melai! :) Super proud ako sa'yo! And true, napakasayang tignan ng fashion world pero nakakatakot. Pero as long as there'll be people like the three of you sa mundo ng fashown, for sure mas maraming makaka-enjoy pa din nun kahit na may mga taong sadyang nagpa-power trip. :)

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  7. I told you how I feel about the censorship and rude treatment that seems to go hand in hand with bloggers on styling/press gigs. I think you should continue to speak your mind and professionalism does NOT mean sucking up to big brands and industry "experts". Rock on, Melai.

    Arianne from A + B in the Sea

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  8. I'm glad you wrote about the experience of styling. It's real and it's what counts. Also, it sounded to me that you were still pretty grateful for the experience. God knows how many styling gigs I've had that weren't positive experiences..I'm still thinking about addressing those in my own blog because I want to help out other stylists who are just starting like myself. I think so long as you remain positive as well as honest, there's always something worth learning in your posts. Keep cool ;)

    --Alex
    http://www.reluctantstylista.com

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  9. im glad that you stood up for youself girl ! i thought your styling was brilliant !!
    haters should really think about of what they say before they actually say it to you !

    im very proud of you dear ;)

    glisters and blisters

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  10. This post is really inspiring Melai the words and the point taken is such a great thing. I will forever keep this in mind you are so brave yet humble enough to make this post...something not all bloggers do...

    That is why I love your blog because you are a REAL person and does not kiss ass in so many ways...what is the point of having a blog right???

    Kisses
    Sweet
    PensandLens

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  11. you truly spoke your heart out. this is nice, just ignore the haters. they are everywhere. dont be distracted about it. you are you and people adore you for that :) take care. and kudos!

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  12. I've read your blog about the subject, and I think it very admiring of you to speak up on what you really feel and think..:) I'm proud of your Melai! :) I'm here to support! <3

    Love,
    Mickey

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  13. parang 'magkaribal' pala yung atmosphere sa backstage?hehe. just trying to make you smile here...:D

    wow, i've missed a lot on your blog..i've been really busy that i've been behind on replying to comments and checking out other blogs talaga...so glad i've caught up with your posts na.

    so about the 'controversial' post...well, although in real life we do have to suck it up and go with the flow, it is definitely not a reason to look down on people and not give respect due to them...way to go for writing what you feel and being true to yourself!

    ♥ vanilla ice cream ♥

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  14. I definitely agree with you here..

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I appreciate anything you have to say. Thanks for dropping by. It means so much to me. Love, Melai

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