Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson Contest Winners

I had so much fun going through all the entries you sent in for the Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson book!!

I especially loved the ones with accompanying stories of how they were once bullied when they were younger and how they took control of the situation and made a comeback. Here are my favorite before and after photos.

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Janine Armie Palomo formerly known as “Golden Buddha” or the most original insult ever: “baboy”

HOT MO, GIRL!!

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Roxanne Diana Figuerroa: “Boys in class teased me because I was such a weakling. They would block my way and push me around. Once a seatmate who was one of the achievers in class put earwax in my notebook just ’cause I can’t multiply numbers.”

She ended up being the batch salutatorian and 3 of her bullies ended up courting her.

Ang say ko: ANYARE, BOYS?! Roxanne Diana, wag mo silang sasagutin pleeeeeease.

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Ricardo Fernandez‘s before and after photo

Panalo ka sana kaya lang walang kasamang anecdote nang pagka-bully sayo.. Pero oh my gosh GWAPO MO. And you’re fighting against HPV. Love it!

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Jessica Orense was a lot like me in grade school. Both nerds except she’s good at Math, ako pang English at Reading lang. She won this medal at an international Math competition held in Lucknow, India. How very Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls)!

“Boys in our class would also compare me to other smarter, thinner, prettier girls and [they] would tell me that the only thing I’m good for is studying… and that nobody would ever like me. The sad part is it really got to me and I always walked around with my head down, avoiding stares.”

“I’m in fourth year high school now, and I’m happy to say I know better. I’m comfortable in my own skin, and although I still get insecure from time to time, I definitely love who I am and I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.”

Work it, girl! She said this photo was taken after their class had a Gossip Girl-themed fashion show and she was Jenny Humphrey. I think you’re way hotter than little J ;)

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Marie Paulyn dela Cruz. She stopped tying her hair back when she was 9 because of classmates making fun of her big ears.

She’s 16 now and she obviously outgrew her classmates and realized they were being so immature!

She puts her hair up in a ponytail and is thankful to God for giving her bigger ears. She now considers them a blessing rather than a curse :)

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Nilo Reyes sent me his “evolution” through the years!

Keri!

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Cindhee Lopez didn’t want to look at herself in the mirror because she was always being teased about the burn on the side of her face :(

“I realized that I need to accept first myself so that others will do too.” And you should totally be proud of who you are because whenever I see you at gigs you have one of the most pleasant faces in the crowd <3

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I love Marie Lyzette Cuenca‘s transformation!

You make that head gear look so chic, I’m not even kidding. You look so calm and cool in this picture! But I do sympathize with you and the fact that your childhood “friends” used to call you Bangus, Tilapia, Golden Teeth and Palakol because of your teeth, dark skin and small build.

BUT LOOK AT YOU NOW! Akala ko nga si Kylie Padilla.

I’m sure the taunts from your bullies (who are for sure ugly today because nagmamanifest ang sama ng ugali sa itsura ng tao) helped you become the confident sociable person you are today!

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Cutie pie Chino Matienzo sent in his before and after photos with this message, “Treasure your haters. They are the very trophies that show people that you use your freedom to do what you want to do and you enjoy it. Haters gonna hate!”

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Jerlie Driza Baruiz used to get bullied all the time because of her glasses, uneven teeth and boy-cut hair.

Her father passed away towards the end of 6th grade and this made her think of her two younger siblings. She knew she had to stand up to her bullies to protect herself and her siblings as well.

“I’m very proud to say that I have changed a lot not only physically but as well mentally and emotionally. And guess what, those boys that use to bully me are now my admirers! :P” I’m sure, sexy!

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Gell-o Conferido was bullied because he was sexually confused at a very young age. Name calling, emotional abuse and even violence (damn you, Marco, whoever you are!!) were used to bring him down.

“Now, I’m FIERCE, in college and at the same time working in the fashion industry, fit-er than ever, more successful than those guys who bullied me before and damn more confident of myself and my sexuality! But somehow, I thank them for doing that to me, coz I wouldn’t be this strong if it wasn’t for them. I wouldn’t be as tough as a rock when someone tries to make fun of me. Instead of swallowing my pride, I’d just go up to them and say ‘God bless you’ :)”

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Ira Giorgetti was your typical high school nerd (in my opinion a very cute nerd)

He didn’t include a story about his experience with bullies but I think this photo taken by Regine David speaks a lot about the issue at hand.

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FINALLY! The two winners (I wish I had more copies of the book to give to all of you huhuhu):

MICO TALAN was called Kirara and Horseshit when he was studying in an all boys school where being gay automatically makes you a target for these insecure/confused/probably-gay-themselves teenage boys. One time Mico helped a classmate who, instead of thanking him, pushed him because he didn’t want to be associated with Mico. He actually broke his arm and ended up in the hospital because of that incident (which was dismissed as an accident and the boy was not punished – what the heck, Don Bosco…).

He studied Air Transportation in college and was also bullied by his college classmates. He turned “Nita Negrita” into “Ms. Angola” and embraced his dark skin and sexuality! His school gave him his own plane to fly and it came in pink!! LOVE IT!

JEFFREY IMUTAN was bullied in grade school and he joined on behalf of his daughter who loves Lady Gaga. This is his only before photo because their house burned down :(

He sent in this picture to prove his now oozing confidence.

Don’t know what’s up with all the shoes and that logo on your thigh but that pose is golden. Your daughter’s lucky to have you!

Congratulations! The two of you may claim your books at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street beginning tomorrow, just show a valid ID.