READ: Jessy Mendiola, a proud 'pata girl'
Actress Jessy Mendiola posted a powerful message on Instagram against body shaming.
According to FHM's Sexiest Woman in 2016, she felt bullied by people and body shamed despite her efforts to achieve a sexy body.
She posted, “It felt good, I was happy. When I won FHM’s sexiest woman in 2016, I thought... finally, people appreciate my efforts and my body. But I was wrong. I was bullied, body shamed with bashers calling me names like “pata, baboy, taba, etc.”
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The girlfriend of TV host Luis Manzano went on to say that she hated herself and got depressed. Jessy also admitted that her career got affected. She turned down roles because she didn't feel confident enough to appear in front of the camera.
“I started hating myself, at times even thinking I was a bad person for having “thunder thighs”. I stopped working out, I got depressed, binge ate my feelings off and started gaining more weight than I should. I didn’t even want to be seen on TV anymore, I started turning down roles and it affected my work.”
But she soon realized that she didn't have to feel bad about her body. Jessy added that she's a proud “pata girl” and just needed to change her perspective about being sexy.
“Then I realized, why should I feel so bad about myself when I loved myself even before i was called “sexiest”. I thought of myself as sexy, strong ang beautiful in my own way. I started building myself up again despite what other people say (until now they call me names) and have lost 15 lbs since. I learned to eat moderately and exercise to feel good, to be energized rather than by punishing myself for eating chocolates or that blueberry muffin.
“I still see myself as the “pata girl” and it’s okay, it is just a matter of perspective. When I decided to shift perspective, everything started falling into place. I may not be the sexiest for others, but I am sexy and beautiful for myself, that alone is enough. Shout out to every “pata girl” out there, just keep going. Love yourself, love your body and it will love you back. TRUST ME. #thunderthighs #patagirl #pataislife #pataforevs”