Thalia Altura
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Self Love 2020 Edition
This has been the year of self revelation. Coming back home was an awakening of the senses, physically, emotionally, spiritually. The silver lining of this pandemic to me is the opportunity to stop and reflect on the trajectory of my life. Early this year after 5 years I decided to leave a company I was accustomed. It was time for a new adventure and I found it, out of sheer coincidence I got an opportunity to interview and eventually work for the best company I've ever worked with. Saks. It deserved it's own period. It stands on it's own, you might think it's so superficial to love Saks but just like Annette Bening's character on the movie 'The Women' "Nobody hates Saks". Ecstatic and slightly overwhelmed with a hint of imposter syndrome, I proudly accepted this new phase of my life. In a short period of time I made quite an impression through my undeniable fashion styling prowess and attitude. I even met one of my idols, Jann Arden serendipitously through her friend who I met randomly in the store looking for an outfit for the Junos. I mean how lucky am I! I made her happy ofcourse and Jann ended up becoming a client of mine. If you haven't seen her show on CTV yet you must, hilarious and super entertaining**. So what does this really reveal about myself? It's kindness. Kindness is everything. I've learned that through kindness my stars have somehow alligned. Not just kindness to others. That's very important but kindness to ourselves. The last five years was full of ups and downs. Mostly downs in a sense that most of it, I was in a closet. A dingy smelly metaphorical closet I hid in for a very long time due to fear. Needless to say it's suffering. Not being able to celebrate my uniqueness, it was exhausting. Looking back what made me decide to come out was because of a dear friend, Tuyaara. She's this super queer lovely person who just was her own and unapologetically authentic. She really inspired me to be just like that. So we went to a pub, had a few beers and I blurted it out loud and proud. "I am Trans". She instantly reacted in a way I expected, proud and loving. Told her my story and our friendship blossomed. It was the beginning of something amazing for my life. It's incredible how authenticity can really turn your life around. Little by little I find myself getting opportunities I've always dreamed of, being a part of The Factory Theatre Mechanicals, I mean it's such a privilege to train, perform and network. I've met incredibly talented Artists in Toronto and it also prepelled me in making connections now that I live in Calgary. I recently got cast in a new musical called 'Moon Legends' and now I am representing Canada at Miss Trans Global 2020. I mean how amazing. Physically I feel healthy. Emotionally and spiritually I'm climbing up and hopes to stay there. Nevertheless I am open to the universe's will for my life. Remembering to always lead with my heart, be kind and be courageous. The virtues I hope to inspire others to do for themselves and others. Based on experience it can really change your life for the better.
By Thalia Altura6 years ago in Motivation
Memoirs of a Trans Artist
Canada is one of the leading countries in advocating for the queer identity and our beloved Justin Trudeau made sure of that. Year after year the LGBTQIA+ community has been proud to walk the streets of Toronto in solidarity with each other and thousands of allies. A grand party protest that celebrates the life and struggles of the queer identity, but for myself, an actor, singer, musician, acceptance has been a lifelong fight. I first emerged as a budding musical theatre Artist at a very young age. Singing and dancing was my thing and even though I was growing up into a young woman inside, the boy outside was maligned. Having been forced to go through circumcision, a right of passage they say in a traditional Filipino culture, constant incessant bullying for my seemingly effeminate expressions, I emerged as a vibrant positively joyful young person. Much of this is attributed to my faith, having been exposed to the church life early on, I also aspired to live a religious life, role playing as the Virgin Mary herself. I found solace in the church, a concept I was denied of at home and at school. "Ibibitin kita ng patiwarik" (I'll hang you upside down) an often exclamation my father would use to threaten and control my actions, "I still feel the belt marks on my body". At school was never better, as I was the smartest in the class (Top 1) and also a little curvy, my cis male gender classmates would often grab me by the tits. I did however fought back numerous times with the help of my GLIMPSE barkada (bffs). Even from all the condemnation, I remarkably bounced back joyful and positive because of music. "I just loved singing", I joined singing competitions at school and won most of them. Werk!
By Thalia Altura6 years ago in Humans
