Mevolution

MeVOLUTION

Angel Kaye
Batayola

I was welcomed into the world on April 06, 2003. My mom
craved lots of buko juice when she was pregnant with me.

Probably the reason why I look like a coconut!

I was a smiling kid. When taking photos, I always lean my
head to the side. Who I look like most is starting to show (my

grandma!) I learned how to crawl, sit, etc. Also, my chubby
cheeks are well-taken care of.

Now in daycare! I was Miss Glow during Nutrition Month.
I was always showered with compliments as a kid, so I

was never conscious with how I present myself.

In my elementary days, I was one of the tallest girls in
my class. During this time, I was more aware on the

difference between girls and boys (and I always try to
steer clear from them.)

I was carefree and didn't care what other people thought of
me. Around 11 years old, I had my first crush, it was Percy

Jackson. This was also the time I noticed some changes in my
body.

When I stepped foot in high school, I gained weight (due
to hormonal changes.) I was self-conscious and my
insecurities started to develop.

During 8th grade, I regained confidence little by little. It
was a hard journey but I learned to love parts of me I

disliked before.

I continued to discover parts of myself I did not or did
love. I also had a bad habit of biting the inside of my

cheeks due to anxiety. In 10th grade, I developed
romantic feelings for my senior.

Since I was a STEM student, I got dark circles because of staying
up all night studying. I didn't know how to manage my time that

well, so I was never in serious romantic relationships.

During the pandemic, my self-love deteriorated because of
my acne. Fortunately, it went away after a year. I also lost

weight, and I started wearing a lot of bikinis (the beach,
when restrictions was lifted, became my best friend)

Stepping into adulthood, people said I was "blooming".
I slowly discovered my aesthetic, I learned how to
enhance my features and natural beauty.

19! I am comfortable in my own body and capabilities. I also
grew to love my baby face. As for my sexual views, I have an

open mind.

What significant changes have you seen in yourself
while growing up? What makes these changes
significant? Please explain.

With every year that passed, I feel more satisfied with
the vessel I use to navigate the world. I am more sure
of my views, values, and beliefs. These changes are
significant because while going through each physical
transformation, I grew wary and conscious with how
other people might think of me before, an example of
this is my round face and mild rosacea. Fortunately, I
learned how to live with it and be confident in my own
skin.

In your opinion, what are the major factors that
contributed to those significant changes while growing
up? Explain.

Genetics played a huge role in my physical
development. Social platforms such as Tumblr and
Pinterest mostly influenced how I present myself.

As for my sexual views, the media I consumed
influenced my opinions on issues from the LGBTQ+
sector. Not only that, the environment I live in is very
closed off from the topic of romance and sex. I never
got the birds and the bees talk from my family.

Considering how you look now, is there anything you
wish to change? Why & Why not?

Not really. I wouldn't change anything about myself.
My physical features are fragments of my family. I got
my nose, and cheeks from my dad. My stature and
black silky hair from my mom. My eyes and eyebrows
are my grandma's, and my lips and mannerisms are
from my grandpa.

It comforts me when I look in the mirror that I realize I
carry them in every step I take with me.