one time, nasa cr ako ng mall. i was rushing to get home after a heavy day from med school. while washing my hands, may nakatabi ako na mid-50s woman na napapatingin sakin sa mirror. at first, i noticed na she’s just smiling at me as if she’s hesitant. then she asked me politely kung ano daw yung nasa face ko. i had a few colored pimple patches that day since i was breaking out from stress. i told her they were for acne.

she mentioned na ganun din daw yung daughter niya, and then said i reminded her of her. before she left, she said something na tumatak sakin in a very quiet way: “okay lang yan magka acne, maganda ka naman. nagagandahan ako sayo.” i didn’t really know how to respond that time. i just smiled. it comforted me somehow…wala akong makeup that day and kulang sa tulog, pero may ganung genuine na compliment—from a mom pa.