We’re always hearing phrases like “never give up” or “fight for what’s right.” And sometimes this is easy.  You know, like if the cook at a restaurant makes a mistake with your order and you have to send it back.  And sometimes it’s hard.  Like, sticking up for someone who is getting bullied.  Or sticking up for yourself when someone is trying to bring you down.  Or knowing that something is so important and helpful – life changing maybe – but a lot of work, and pursuing it anyway.

Last year I was a part of something big and amazing.  The Lotus Project!  (See my other posts under my Contributors page for more details on this.)  And I worked with some of the most beautiful women in the process.  We learned from each other, we listened to each other, and we loved the sisterhood of this adventure.  And this year, I was going to take a break.  Not because ther wasn’t a need for my program, but because it was very hard to balance it within my own life.

Many of my girls asked if we’d be doing anything for the program this year.  We did a couple of small things to touch base with one another.  But one beautiful young lad y was very persistent.  And it wasn’t because she was worried about herself or wanted to get out of class.  It was because she saw a need in the new freshman class. She saw herself in a lot of these ladies and knew they needed the Lotus Project.  And with a lot of persistence she got me on board.  And tomorrow, we are leading 115  young ladies through some empowering morning activities and a live video chat with Nigel in the afternoon.

So, being persistent does pay off!  So, if you know something is truly important, don’t give up.  And fight for what’s right.  Even if it’s easier said than done =)

March 5, 2012

I've been worrying (again – will it ever stop?) about my students.  The past few years I have seeing more abuse in the hallways.  And not just the bullying – that's a story for a different day.  But, an increase in dating violence.  And it makes me want to scream and shake people! (I know, not a beautiful trait and violent as well!)  Violence in dating can be physical, verbal and sexual.  And I've seen it and heard of it more and more these past few years – and experienced some things when I was a teen. One of my Lotus Project girls from last year to do mini-sessions for more girls this spring.  So, one of the topics will be "Healthy Relationships" and as luck would have it…drum roll please… my school needed someone to fill a spot TOMORROW for between 300-400 students and asked me to "whip something together."  (No, I'm not stressed or busy…)

So, many hours and one heck of a power point later, my "Healthy Relationships" presentation is a GO.  What is a healthy relationsip? Abusive? Consent? Text/Sexting? Media stereotypes? How to get help?  And of course, with lots of embedded videos and music. 

I'm also including a clip from the mind-opening documentary "Miss Representation".  This documentary is fantastic and earned a lot of buzz at Sundance last year.  The clip I'm showing is about social media and how it effects women's self image AND men's image of women.  I hope it's as mind opening for my freshmen as it was for me.  The male view is something I'm having a hard time finding and I hope this does it justice.  (And if anyone out there can help me with that "male angle" I would really appreciate it.)

Be well,

LaRissa

The Beauty Equation … A very Inspiring work Written by A World Famous Model & Fashion Photographer Mr. Nigel Barker. Who unknowingly wrote another Story about four Friends, four Manila Girls with the same Passion and love for Him. And, a life long friendship for the four of us. Before Nigel & His Team landed in Manila for the book signing, the BE face book page was already buzzing with fans like myself excited to meet him at last. I started posting whatever was in my Mind at the very moment. And, gotten loads of likes and comments of LET’S MEET UP! from fellow fans. But there were 3 young ladies who got my attention. Quesa Caidic, Vanessa Del Carmen & Supercalifragilistic Expialidocious… These three young ladies whom I was excited the most of meeting. By the end of the night, we ruled the page with full of comments. We had fun like we’ve known each other for ages. Since they were far away from greenbelt, we never gotten a chance to meet up. I went to Greenbelt ; they went the next day to Trinoma.

Last April 14, 2011 Greenbelt Book Signing that was supposed to start at 6pm I was there by 2:30pm. I never left the venue. I had to buy Another Book for the Book Signing. So, all I the patience’s was rewarded when I got more than I what I thought I would which is Mr. Barker Remembering my Face & My Name. As I got home and excitedly posted photos, it was the three of them who were the first to congratulate, commented and cheered for me. In returned telling them to get there early and looking forward to their photos. While the BE page was exploding from Photos & thankful fans the friendship of the four of us grew. It was been almost five months since Nigel Left Manila … some fans went silent but the four of us never did. We still communicate, we text, we comment on each others face book accounts or even call each other. Just recently after endless attempts of adding myself into Nigel’s authentic face book account, I met a new friend and one of the contributors of BE ONE. Whom I fondly call Mommy Chrissy Varey. Who told me not to stop trying. A day after she told me this on a Monday morning, Friend request accepted! And again, my Sisters cheered for me. Took a chance and FRIEND SUGGESTED them to Nigel’s account. And just yesterday when I got home from work opened my face book and found loads of cheerful sisters thanking me and of course Nigel because Nigel added them. I was so happy, I treated them like my younger sisters since I’m older than them, I didn’t want to leave them. I just had to take a chance and again as I always say, PATIENCES IS A VIRTUE. Nigel, you made a book and a story of friendship. You will always be the center of this friendship. You will always be our DADA NIGEL. Thank you! We are looking forward to your next visit in manila. And hopefully by then you will meet the four of us all at the same time.