Vanidosa

I just had a party.

I prepared in my usual manner. I curled my hair, I put on my make-up, I got dressed, I spritz perfume on myself and then went over to the mirror to check myself out.

I am suddenly transported back into time when for some reason or other, I was in a car with Tito Tony and he looked at me and said..."Manang-mana ka sa Mommy mo...Vanidosa."

That was the first time I heard the word and had asked him to explain. He simply said "Vanity."

I understood.

No arguments there...

" I yam what I yam" says Popeye the sailor man

...as do I.

After all, I come from a long line of vain women.

Mama used to cover her face with Ponds cold cream or Johnson's baby oil. When we would kiss her goodnight, her face would already be glimmering and shiny and she would stoop down so we could kiss either her head or her neck instead of her cheek. A century later, her skin may be sagging a little but it is soft and line free. Her nurses still put Ponds cold cream on her face nighty.

I remember staying overnight in Mandaluyong and very early in the morning Tita Virgie would sit on a stool and face her mirror. She had creams, pencils, and compacts. There was one very distinct shiny red bowl that sat on top of her table. I was always fascinated by it. It had a shiny red cover and it contained white powder and a large feathery powder puff. It always reminded me of an old show where the host yells "MAKEUP!" and someone hits him with a large puff full of white powder. I actually remember hittling Joann's face with it one morning. "Makeup!!" I had yelled.

My Tita Maya literally made vanity her business as she managed her own beauty salon. She used to tell me to learn how to put on my own make-up so I do not spend money having to go to the parlor every day just to put my face on. She said this because, at that time, Mom did. (After all, why not? Why bother with it when you can force your expert younger sister to do it for you.)

Mom of course...well....hmmmm....you know?

Let's just say ...Tito Tony wasn't wrong.

Vanity in me started fairly early. As witnessed by Dad who wrote this comment in my baby book...

(double click on the picture to see it bigger)

Yup... don't know where I got it from

(Hi Mom! wink wink).

Really I don't.