Sabi ni Ate

Read testimonials, tips, and advice from Ates across the country as they share the things they wish they had known when they were younger!

Ate star

If there’s anything to truly keep in mind—and this is easier said than done—it’s to NEVER compare yourself to other girls. You will definitely come across peers who look “more mature” than you—girls who have their personal styles and self-expression figured out. That doesn’t mean you should rush your own process of self-discovery because what works for them might not work for you! It’s common for young girls to want to grow up, but it’s important to remember you’ll eventually reach that stage in your life where you’re confident in your own skin and your own unique vibe! It makes me sad when I see younger girls try to appear like a grown-up because, believe me, there’s so much beauty in embracing the season you’re in right now. You have your whole life ahead to explore different styles, experiment, and evolve—so enjoy this chapter without feeling pressured to skip ahead.

Ate Sun

At a young age, I always felt ashamed about being a girl. Many people would often make comments saying how “girly” I was for liking certain things like the color pink, wearing dresses, and even makeup. I ended up forcing myself to try challenging these expectations of being a girl. I would wear pants, play video games and sports, and even spend more time with the boys in my family. Many people started calling me a tomboy, making me feel the same shame I did when people were judging me because I was a girl. Looking back, I wish I could hug my younger self and say It doesn’t matter how you look or act. The important thing is to be happy and confident in yourself. You can change your clothes, personality, hair, and even hobbies, but in the end, you can be an empowering woman aiding other women to stand up for themselves and love themselves.  

Ate Hanna

I guess one thing I wish I knew before going through puberty was that it was normal to feel confused when entering this new stage of life. In puberty we often feel a lot of changes whether physically or emotionally especially since it is a sign of growing up. It’s definitely hard to adjust to the changes within us but I realized now that it’s okay to take your time in discovering these new things that are happening and learn to embrace them rather that being ashamed. It’s normal to explore the new feelings we feel because as we go through this journey we naturally learn more things especially about ourselves. Of course there are moments that are challenging especially when we feel negative emotions or when self-doubt arises, but what matters is you learn how to work through them, remembering that you aren’t alone in this journey, and to never be afraid to ask for help or guidance.