Uncovering a Gem

Discovering a hidden gem in GK Libmanan, Camarines Sur. Photo by Dan Bercasio.

Trissia Joy Aldave, 16 years old, from GK Libmanan village in Camarines Sur joined and won the Miss Libmanan pageant in Camarines Sur, beating 20 official candidates from 75 barangays. The Miss Libmanan contest is the highlight of the celebration of the town fiesta held on July 23, 2010.

Trissia grew up thinking she was ugly because of the color of her skin. The offspring of an African-American father and a Filipina mother, Trissia grew up in the poor area of Bagong Silang, Caloocan city where she experienced being ridiculed by her playmates, teasing her for having dark skin. The teasing made her feel insecure, resulting in her lack of self-worth and low self-esteem.

"Kapag sinasabi kong maganda siya, hindi sya naniniwala. Sabi nya kasi nanay nya ako kaya sinasabi ko yun. Nasasaktan ako pag mababa ang tingin nya sa sarili nya," shared Josephine Aldavia, Trissia's mother. (When I tell her she is beautiful, she doesn't believe me. She says I say it because I am her mother. I feel hurt when she thinks so lowly of herself.) In tears, Mrs. Aldavia related how happy she is that her daughter won Ms. Libmanan since now she would believe in herself because other people were affirming her that she was indeed beautiful.

As a single parent, Josephine brought her daughter to Libmanan when she was 11 years old after suffering from all the teasing from their former community. Having no home of their own, they became beneficiaries of GK Libmanan where they now reside.

Beautiful Trissia. Photo by Dan Bercasio.

Trissia, who is an excellent singer, was discovered by a talent manager and a Singles for Christ member Jerick Moral who saw her potential when he saw her joining a singing contest. He took her under his wing, trained her and encouraged her to join the Miss Libmanan contest.

Now standing tall at 5"8, and loving herself, Trissia credits the activities she joined in GK as a member of GK SIGA youth group which helped build her confidence. She realized that she is a valuable and precious daugther of God.

"Based on my experiences from the past, I learned not to listen to negative comments and to keep on dreaming," Trissia said, thankful for joining GK activities that restored her self-esteem.

Trissia, now represents the hidden beauty of GK Libmanan, whose poor residents have been restored in dignity and worth. Many more beautiful poor people are waiting to be discovered in many slum communities. Let us continue in our mission of restoring God's original design of beauty and abundance, restoring the dignity of our people and being proud of the beautiful brown color of our skin.