He may be the guy sitting next to you along the SEC Walk benches. He may be the guy next in line as you buy lunch. He may even be a friend. Then again, it doesn’t matter. He isn’t likely to reveal his identity very soon.
He identifies himself only as James*, the moderator of GoodJobGod, a Blogspot account that serves as a collection of write-ups on physically attractive girls on campus. Starting from last summer, it has reached over 25,000 page views and counting. It is James’s own way of appreciating beauty – cyber-chronicling girls in secret.
When it comes to the perception of body image it seems, everyone has his or her own opinions.
Spotting in cyberspace
“I didn’t really expect the blog to explode and take flight the way it did,” says James, talking about the inexplicable instant popularity of his blog. “I just really wanted a place where I can just express what I really feel.”
The place just happened to be the World Wide Web. In one entry, for example, James writes about a junior Communication Technology Management major, “Like a holy chariot charging from the highest heavens, here [came] the cutest most beautiful lady these eyes laid upon that day!”
When asked if he seeks permission from his subjects, he says, “No I don’t. I know it’s proper to ask someone before even writing about them, but doing so will render this blog useless.”
Beauty for James is two-part. He believes that there are the “obviously pretty” girls – those who fix themselves up a lot and dress well – and girls who are not “instant hits” but are able to grab his attention.
What then makes a girl “pretty”? “More than anything, I think confidence plays a huge role,” says James. “You may not be the prettiest girl according to the masses, but if you carry yourself without self-doubt, then that’s good enough for me.”
As of press time, James has decided to delete all blog entries from GoodJobGod, for a reason he won’t disclose.
Whether the blog was a hit for its secrecy or its bizarre stalker appeal, readers’ comments are primarily about the girls and James’s criteria on whom to blog about. “It’s really subjective,” he says. “Not all my readers agree with my taste, as proven by some derogatory comments.”
Big girl you are beautiful
Madel Ching (III AB PoS) describes herself as “pleasantly plump.”
Ever since childhood, Madel has had her fair share of attention – positive and negative, expectant and accepting. She feels that although she may not fall under the conventionally pretty standard, she resorts to other avenues where she can shine. In theater, for example, it’s a different kind of attention.
“One of the reasons why I joined theater is because everyone’s accepted [there],” Madel says in Filipino. “There are different roles [to take on] and not everyone has to be pretty. I like to go into theatre to show people that I can excel in something.”
She recently got the part of Tracy Turnblad in an upcoming rendition of Hairspray, a Broadway musical to be staged by Atlantis Productions at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The character of Tracy Turnblad has become synonymous with embracing one’s self, without having to dull one’s shine because of other people. “I’m really her,” says Madel. In Hairspray, Madel feels that she will be able to convey an important message. For her, taking on the role is a step closer to encouraging people to accept their bodies.
“Turn your insecurities into something positive,” says Madel. “Avoid thinking, ‘I wish I had this…’ because you can always work on what you have.”
Health and fitness columnist Cory Quirino supports Madel’s positive attitude. “The ideal body image is, as experts say, one that is positive and wholesome,” says Quirino. “For it is only when we look at ourselves in a positive light that we can begin to love ourselves [and] do things for [ourselves] that will uplift, nourish, and strengthen [us].”
Ready to commit?
“I wanted to be bigger because I used to be a skinny guy,” says Alfred Crespo (II BS Mgt), who has been regularly working out at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Complex for two and a half years.
Alfred works out thrice during school weeks, and four times on breaks. He limits eating unhealthy foods and strays from fast food. His diet: “I just see to it that I [am able to] consume sufficient protein, carbs, and fruits or vegetables daily.”
“I hope Filipino men won’t need that wake up call anymore, [to be] more conscious [with fitness],” says Men’s Health Philippines Editor in Chief Agu Paiso, attesting to Alfred’s lead.
“If you know that you’re eating right [and] you do what you can to be fit, you’d be more confident. You’d be in a better mood. [You’d] handle stress better,” says Paiso. “That in itself emanates across your whole lifestyle.”
Alfred happened to pass by a gym one day when he decided to talk to a personal trainer there. From then on, physical fitness became one of his priorities. True enough, Paiso says that before one decides to be a fitness buff like Alfred, it has to be a year-long commitment. He says, “It has to be a conscious lifestyle change.”
Identity check
Paiso says that there’s a growing awareness in terms of how body image is perceived. With the omnipresence of billboards showcasing muscle men and underwear models, he cites media as the spurring example. “All these factors, may be subconsciously [giving] you awareness on body image,” he says, “It’s fine, it’s part of being self-aware. But you also have to be realistic and not give [yourself] false promises and false hopes.”
Quirino agrees, saying that the “perfect size” is still constantly being bought by the Filipino public today. “But if [you] refuse to follow the dictates of fashion trend setters, [you] will most likely be comfortable with who [you] truly are,” she says. “Question is, do you really know yourself?”
*Name has been changed to protect the individual.
