Just last March, the Philippines’ #1 teen magazine — Candy — celebrated its 13th anniversary!

Next, next month, I’ll be celebrating a decade of being a loyal reader.  Yes!  It was in July 2002 and I was in my sophomore year in high school when I first became a Candy Girl. 😉

And then six years after that, I made my teenage dream come true when I was given the chance to be one of its contributing writers (as well as appear in the magazine itself from time to time!) 😀

It started in the year 2008, I was 18, and I just graduated from college.  And even though I decided to have some sort of a “gap year” by focusing on my Master’s Degree and not diving into the corporate world head-on, Candy gave me a sense of self-worth by helping me develop my writing skills, gain a new and once-in-a-lifetime experience, while getting paid all at the same time!  So you can say that my “glory days/years” were those when I was still with Candy. 🙂

Anyway, even though almost two years have passed since my last article was published, I still continue to be a very loyal Candy Girl. 😛  And just today, I finally got my last charm for my Candy bracelet!  Hahaha!

Why PERSONALIZED?  Simply because during my Council of Cool days, Candy happened to celebrate its 10th anniversary (2009).  And that year, they also gave away a free charm bracelet.  You can say that for the past three years, I’ve been wearing my own Candy charm bracelet — which included acquiring my own charms, apart from the free ones.  And knowing me, each charm has its own meaning.  Haha!

The “C” (middle) was the very first charm I had.  It represents the Candy logo.  And well, it doesn’t hurt that my surname starts with this letter too!

The Mini Cooper with the Union Jack (top left) represents…  err…  my Anglophilia. 😛  It was also my niece’s Christmas gift to me, so that makes it extra special!

The Cross (top right) represents my faith.  Roman Catholic all the way, AMEN.

The Heart with the Universal Studios Singapore logo (bottom left) represents my family.  I bought it during a family trip to Singapore, and the heart shape just says it all.

The “Keep Calm Candy Girl” (bottom right) represents my two loves: the U.K. (Keep Calm and Carry On, anyone?) and of course, Candy!!!

For those who collected, collect, and will collect the Candy charm bracelet, you may ask what happened to the other bracelet and charms?  Well don’t worry!  I’ve been keeping them…

…and I’ve been planning to give them to somebody.
(I still just don’t know WHO!  HA HA HA)

So TEN YEARS, huh?  Well, I can truly say that it was the sweetest decade of my life!  It just amazes me to think how one simple form of media can affect not just my life, but the lives of many Filipino teenagers!  And I know that some of you may say that I’m already too old for THIS…  you’re right.  After all, Candy‘s main market is girls aged 13-21.  But for someone like me who actually grew up with the magazine, it’s a whole different story.

Yes, I’m 22.  And yes, I’m still very much proud of being a loyal Candy Girl.  In fact, I think that if there’s one thing Candy has taught me, it’s loyalty — loyalty to my family, loyalty to my friends…  but most of all, loyalty to myself.  And as cliche as it may sound, you can’t deny it: it always pays to be true to who you are.  And for that, I’ll forever be grateful.  Grateful for Candy for being my best-est friend for the past sweet ten years…  and for the many years to come.  May you continue to inspire the current and the next generation of Filipino teenagers!  More power to you!  And of course, Happy 13th Anniversary again!!!

Having said that, know that The Lady was, is, and will forever be a Candy Girl.  I, thank you. ♥