Ninang, I'm REALLY not on diet,
My skinny limbs are normal,
The doctor said so when we met.
Lola, please don't mind my acne,
It's not something to worry about,
(But don't comment when you see me!)
Tita, I'm not abnormally small,
I have average height, I've been told,
I just happen to have friends that are TALL.
You have NO NEED to worry.
I am fine, physically and mentally.
Just let me grow up peacefully.
Tala Gan is a fourteen year old homeschooler from the Philippines. She is very proud to be a Filipina. "I’m Not on Diet" and "Parol" are based on her personal experiences; "Parol" is a Christmas reflection on the effect the native lantern has on a passerby and its maker. "I’m Not on Diet" is a reaction to the challenges a Filipino kid has to face when someone comments about his or her body.
"empty plate" by stockcatalog is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
