When was your ugly duckling moment?

Have you ever felt like an ugly duckling? I’m sure most of us can relate to a question like this because there must have been some moment in our lives when we felt less than beautiful. For most of us our ugly duckling moments happened at a certain stage in our lives – usually an awkward period. The good thing about it is that once we are passed that stage, we turn into beautiful swans.

For this week we asked some of the cast members of Honk, a musical based on the story of the Ugly Duckling, and other personalities about what they felt was their most ugly duckling moment. Honk runs until September 7 at the Meralco Theater. For inquiries call Trumpets office at 633-4387 or 636-2842.

RYAN VILLA-REAL, model: During my teenage years, I used to pig out a lot. I was ignorant of what I ate and how many pounds I gained. In short, I wasn’t the health conscious person that I am today. I even remember how people teased me and called me names. I remembered that they called me "Boy Cha-cha." But let’s look at the bright side, I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for that ugly duckling experience.

ANTONETTE ENCISO-OCAMPO, model: When I was in Grade 5, everybody else was getting invited to all the soirees and nobody seemed to notice me. All that time I didn’t take that seriously and I didn’t let it bother me. Instead I got into sports. When I reached high school an agent from Define modeling agency approached me to ask if I was interested in coming out in commercials. A few days later through my agency I had my first VTR in McCann-Erickson for a Coca Cola commercial which was my first commercial.

CARLA MARTINEZ, veteran actress, singer: They called me Negrita of the Mountain until I was 18 to 19 years old. But as years went by I began to have a little more confidence in myself and my capabilities. After a while, my father would introduce me and say "Carla here used to be my duckling." But when I received the Lord and asked Him to help me He told me that I was beautiful and I believed in Him. Now I live a graceful life knowing that all I have to do is to please God. The greatest lesson I learned as an ugly duckling is if you really look inside me, God has made me different and unique. And that’s what we should always remember. People will always label you and they are not always correct. God transforms weaknesses into strengths.

AUDIEGEMORA, stage actor: Growing up in school I was lousy at both academics and sports. I hid in the library and art room during breaks because I had no friends to hang out with. I performed in a school production in my junior year. Theater transformed me from being a nobody to a campus celebrity overnight! No wonder I could never seem to fit in with the other ducklings in the school pond. I was an artist destined to fly beyond the mundane.

MIRIAM QUIAMBAO, beauty queen, TV host, product endorser: Being dark and skinny, I had little of what it took to be a Bb. Pilipinas candidate. And even when I won the title, I still did not believe I was beautiful because no one really treated me in a special way after the pageant.

In fact, at the Manila International Airport, upon departing for the Miss Universe 1999 competition, none of my agents, pageant organizers nor airport officials took notice of me. As in I was not allowed any extra baggage allowance nor given VIP treatment, there were no well-wishers, nothing. When I came back from the Miss Universe pageant, it was a different story. There were bouquets of flowers waiting for me, media coverage, the works! So even if I did not win the Miss Universe crown, having been crowned 2nd runner up, I realized that I was actually beautiful.

PIA GUANIO, TV host: I grew up in a family of boys fathers, brothers, uncles. My world was made up of shorts and basketball. I was so out of touch with all the girly stuff. They called me a tomboy – a late bloomer. So now when they ask me to be the cover of a glamour and fashion magazine, I really want to ask them – Are you sure?

OGIE ALCASID, singer, TV host: There was no star quality in me except my voice. I was short and had curly hair. I survived on sheer luck, talent and determination! On my first concert, I couldn’t believe how many people came. And then I was paired with showbiz people left and right. Of course, some of my movies flopped but that’s OK. Through the years, after every appreciative audience in a concert, after all the albums I sold, I’m still an ugly duckling but looking at my beautiful family and my blessed career, I realized I have been given so much. I have survived the phase of one ugly duckling.

CARLO OROSA, singer, theater actor, marketing practitioner: I distinctly remember being skinny and envious of all the other guys in school. I was the epitome of an insecure adolescent even when I joined the Kundirana. In my struggle to find my place under the sun, I realized that I had to know myself so I wouldn’t get carried away by what other people said.

Now, when I am performing and giving praise to God, I know that I am a work of God in progress. And I will do all I can to turn into the perfect being that He has created me to be.

AGOT ISIDRO, singer, TV host: If you look at my sisters and brothers they are all fairer than I am. Chances are, they sing better than I do,too. Few people know that my sisters and I were back-up singers of Sharon Cuneta. But as fate would have it, it was I who was given a break to host Sa Linggo nAPO Sila. So from the darkest, simplest sibling, I responded to the challenge to evolve into a businesswoman, a columnist, a wife, an artist and a singer.