Ninong Ry on gaining self-confidence: ‘Piliin nating mahalin ang sarili natin’

Image: Facebook/Ninong Ry

Food vlogger Ninong Ry opened up about his struggles to gain self-confidence, how to deal with body-shaming in society, and constantly choosing to love himself despite everything.

“Buong buhay ko, nag-struggle ako sa mga bagay na isusuot ko. Ang hirap humanap e. Bilang isang lalaking mataba, wala gaanong choices talaga pag sa mall ka namimili,” he recalled last Monday via his Facebook page. “Ang sakit nung may makikita kang magandang damit only to find out na XL lang ang biggest size nila or yung XXL naman nila e maliit pa rin.”

(My whole life, I struggled with the clothes I need to wear. It is so hard to look for them. Being a guy who is fat, there really are not much choices when you buy in a mall. It hurts to see good clothes only to find out that extra large is already their biggest size, or when even their double extra large still does not fit me.)

The celebrity chef also cited challenges with body-shaming remarks and insensitivity from people.

“Dagdag mo pa ang walang katapusan na pangbobody shame sa ‘yo ng mundo. Minsan nakakahiya na lang lumabas kasi alam mong pinagtitinginan ka ng tao,” said Ninong Ry.

(Add the endless body-shaming from people. Sometimes, I feel embrassed to even go out, because you know you will be stared at.)

“Sa mga tropa kong matataba dyan, ramdam ko kayo. Puro patawa na lang tayo tungkol sa katabaan natin kasi di makuhang maging sensitive ng mga taong nakapaligid satin e,” he added. “Sakyan na lang. At least napatawa natin sila.”

(To my friends who are also fat, I feel you. Let us just poke fun at our situation because some people around us just could not be sensitive. Let us just ride it. At least we make them laugh.)

Offering words of comfort to those who can relate with him, Ninong Ry also stressed the importance of constantly choosing to love one’s self.

“Hindi ko kayang sabihin sayo kung saan makakakuha ng confidence. Hanggang ngayon paminsan-minsan hinahanap ko pa din yun e. Basta tol, ramdam kita,” he said. “For now, piliin na lang nating mahalin ang sarili natin. Siguro kasi, ang tunay na gwapo e yung hindi kailangang mang baba ng tao para umangat ang sarili nilang estado. Stay chubby, mga inaanak!”

(I cannot tell you how to gain confidence. Until now, sometimes, I myself still look for that. Just remember, I feel you, brother. For now, let us just choose to love ourselves. Maybe because the really handsome ones are those who do not need to pull down others to raise themselves up. Stay chubby, my godkids!) JB

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