F R E E D O M FROM DISCERNMENT FRANK SALMO SHARES THE STORY OF HIS CONQUEST AND VICTORY Interview and Article by: Jan-Rhenz Castrillo Photographs by: Yuan Lee
" I R E A C H E D T H E P O I N T I N M Y L I F E W H E R E I N I A S K M Y S E L F I F I A M S O M E O N E W H O I S D E S T I N E D T O C L A P O N S O M E O N E E L S E ' S V I C T O R Y . " rank Salmo, a 26 year old lad from Tarlac, is fond of joining male pageantries and modelling Fcompetitions. "Ever since a kid, I always wanted to join in-school pageant competitions, however, I always get unpicked since my looks are contradictory to the usual "heart-rob" classification." This is his statement when I asked him how did his desire popped out of the balloon. Frank is a victim of bullying due to his complexion and unusual height. "They always call me "Kapre" (Tree giant) or sometimes "Taong Putik" (Mudman). I had this experience before that I don't talk to anyone in school since I am in the perception that they will only tease me." When Frank reached his youthful stage, he managed to overcome his fears by brave-heartedly joining a local male pageant in Tarlac. "I don't know, I think I just woke up one day telling myself that I should not feel bad about how I look. Since this is a God-Given archipelago, and I should be able to use it to express power and greatness." "I joined my first local pageant with butterflies in my stomach." "I even felt almost vomiting by the time my name was called due to extreme nerve breakdown. But whenever I have that sentiment, I always think that my dreams are bigger than my mini heart attacks." "But guess what, I wasn't able to grab even a single award when I joined that pageant." "But I know, on that point, I promised myself that I will someday sit on a throne, with a crown and sash on me, and I think that is self-rewarding on my part since on that very moment I had the ambition." From that event, Frank didn't stopped joining pageants. What happened differently this time is he always gets placed; either 3rd, 2nd, or 1st runner up. For him, that is already an achievement - but that believing didn't last for a long time. "One day during the announcement of winners on a pageant that I joined, Only 2 of us are left standing in the stage. By that time I feel no pressure, no butterflies, not even pain, or anything. I stared blankly on the crowd. As the host blabbered on the mic "The name that I am going to call is the 1st Runner Up." , an yup, just as expected, I landed first runner up. " "Then voices on my head started to appear. Questioning my capabilities, my humanity and all. From there, I reached the point in my life wherein I ask myself if I am someone who is destined to clap on someone else's victory." Frank took a rest from joining pageantries by that time and decided to spend his time on personality development classes. Thus, leading him to join Star Magic Workshops which he stands as a Level 2 Trainee. (more on the next page) INFINITE MAGAZINE |PAGE 15
Change language