stebeieee

[stebeieee]

Once was trapped in a cocoon, is now a fully grown butterfly and when it flaps it's wings it releases rainbow glitters!!!

I know I was always this very shy young man who always keeps everything to himself, won't approach unless is needed, and will do anything to avoid interaction but oh well. In all honestly, It was all just a facade--just like a caterpillar, whom we thought is just a worm but once it will undergo metamorphosis would turn into a butterfly. Thus, Drag was my metamorphosis. It took me places where I didn't know was possible, until now as I'm writing this doing drag really shaped me-- transformed me into this magnificent creature, who's courageous, humble, and is the definition of a bad b!!

This story started back in late August 2024, we just finished the opening for PABEBO week (ABE department event), and this senior approached us and asked if there was someone interested doing an event for DINAGYAW (College of Agriculture Event), and there was me standing there without second thought voluntarily joined cause he said that it would just be like impersonating an musical artist-- I was so down because I thought this would the time to get out of my comfort zone and enjoy my college days, and my gut was telling me to do so. Now the day of the performance had come, after a week of preparation, the planning of what to perform, and all the challenges that we experienced. It was time to show what we've got. So we planned to perform as the following artists: Niki Minaj, Jesse Jay, and Arianna Grande (Bonus: Cardi B and Lady Gaga), It's pretty obvious on what we were planning to perform as, which is the Iconic Bang-Bang that was created back during 2010s. My seniors would perform as Jessi Jay by Al-masher and Niki Minaj by Bj, and me? I was gonna perform as Arianna— which I was fond of cause I'm a huge fan. So yeah, during preparation we got glammed up and dressed up as our persona, doing that filled the void inside of me, like it was the only thing that was missing— it was the wings i needed to fly. I still remember being so nervous and excited at the same time, I felt very confident that time, and very woman! Aside from the tucking part, which was uncomfortable, overall It was great. Fast forward, when we were back stage I was shaking uncontrollably due to my social anxiety, but everyone was there for me they comforted me and boosted-up my confidence. So before stepping out to the stage I shouted and reminded myself that I don't have to be nervous about anything because there were the people who supported me sitting on the bleachers waiting to watch me perform. So BOOM! everything fall into place I got out of my cocoon and the butterfly performed that stage-- I showed them it was my stage, gave it my best, and enjoyed my moment on that stage. I still hear the crowd going wild and crazy after my entrance, the loud thuds of the bleacher due to them jumping uncontrollably of excitement and enjoyment. So as expected, we won as a champion of that event. We ate that competition up!! not to be boastful, I mean it wasn't even close JUST KIDDING!! Anyways, there it was, the butterfly who spread it's wings showing them how it is done.

All I can say is that, I still can't believe that in the past years I was just going being a boring caterpillar but now I'm a fully grown butterfly that is spreading it's wings leaving trails of glitters behind me. Where I actually embraced my queerness and I'm so proud of myself. Furthermore, the advice that I can give is that and what I've learned with this experiences are that remember that opportunities will come for you-- trust your gut instincts go and take that chance, just don't forget to be always humble!

Calulot, Aj Steve C. GEC102 - 1.1 M

(ps: Thank you to the people who were involve with this experience. I love you guyss, I truly value y'alls existence <3)