April 15, 2008, I got a text message from my unit leader asking me to meet her at the CFC Head Office at 7 PM to give a hand at the “She’s All That” (SAT) preparation. I had no idea what SAT is but since that would be an opportunity to bond with my unit head, I readily said yes.
When I got to the CFC Center, I saw a few unfamiliar faces discussing on a table at the tiny nook of the SFC corner. Immediately after saying my hellos and good evenings, I was asked “What kind of princess are you?” I was momentarily shocked as I thought that I was hearing a prelude to a reprimand for I came late until somebody continued “Cinderella, Snow White, Pocahontas….sino pa kilala mo?” That’s when I knew that they were just collecting names of Princesses that will be used on SAT as it is aptly titled Princess Diary. I was still speechless at that time for I am not a fan of cartoons and fiction stories.
Hours went by as the full-time workers briefed us on what’s going to happen on SAT and assign us our duties. I landed on the documentation team…something that I was happy about, because that meant no stress on me and that practically, I would just be watching the entire thing unfold….while taking pictures and videos, of course.
April 27 came soon enough. I arrived early at Miriam College Auditorium to set up my camera. I found a very secluded area at the balcony. In fact, I was the only one there! The lights at the balcony were not even turned on and I was just using the glimmer of light coming from the lower section. I was walking really slowly as I looked for the electrical socket to plug my camera. I would not want to be flying from the second floor just because I missed a step!
As the title implies, SAT this year is all about different stories of our sisters – how they triumphed over the difficulties in their lives and how being in the community encouraged them to turn their lives around. As they mentioned, we are all Princesses with different stories to tell. Indeed, the conference was able to feature different kinds of women and their tales.
Being alone on the second floor (with occasional visits from the guard and two sisters from my chapter) I had all the serenity to contemplate and digest the talks and sharings. But sometimes, I also felt lonely as parts of the speakers’ talk entailed saying “You are beautiful, Captivating, etc.” to your seatmates and I had none! (except if the two sisters were there at that time).
In the last part of the conference, the speaker gave out TIARAS to EVERYONE, including Miriam College’s Bag Inspector! It was such a fairy tale ambiance. Everybody was feeling Princessy as they wore their Tiaras and had their pictures taken. It seemed that the entire auditorium was converted into a palace that was about to have a grand ball! All the sisters were beaming with their royal smiles….except the one on the second floor who was packing her camera and getting ready to leave (ahhhh!) Just when I was about to close my camera bag, a lady in pink suddenly popped up in front of me. NO, it was not a lady ghost who flies around scaring people to death nor was it a by-product of my not-so-imaginative mind. She was real and she was holding a shiny silver thing on her hand. My heart was pounding as I focused on her face. She looked very familiar, I said to myself, as I immediately recalled that she was one of the speakers! With a big smile on her face she uttered, “I will not let you leave without your Tiara!” as she handed me that silver crown that everybody was wearing. I was so stunned with overflowing happiness as I reached for the Tiara and all I could say was just a very big “THANK YOU!” with a beaming smile.
I was so overwhelmed and ecstatic with her gesture. How could she possibly have known that somebody was upstairs? Could she have seen me from the stage? But whatever means was used to detect my presence at that vast balcony, I’d like to give this BIIIIG HUUUG to you for truly making me feel like a PRINCESS on that very special day!
My lesson for the day?....You Don’t need a castle to be a princess. All you need is somebody to make to you feel special…and that somebody can be me or you expressing our love for others and transforming an ordinary person into a royalty.