By Von-der By
Nothing—this is how Ana Mae Alipayo, or Mai-Mai as many people call her, describes herself if surfing is removed in the picture. The ocean has obviously been running in her veins anywhere she goes in the world, but there is so much more to Mai-Mai than the pro-surfer that we all admire and praise her for. Behind all her wins, there is a woman radiating with self-confidence that is difficult to wipe-out by any waves.
The journey to the Mai-Mai that we know now has a strong foundation that can be rooted from her childhood. She has a simple life in the island of Siargao growing up and wanted nothing more than the vegetables that they grow on their farm and the fish that they catch when she was still young.
The concept of self-confidence tied with simplicity has already been instilled in Mai-Mai's head by her lolo without her knowing it. Back then, she would put pulbo (baby powder) on her face, and her lolo would react saying, "No matter what you do, your face will be the same." This may have moved her feelings as a young girl, but eventually, she realized that what her lolo said actually makes sense. It dawned on her that although eyeshadows and baby powders may improve one's look, not putting them on the face does not make one any less of a beaut. In fact, just like what Mai-mai always stresses out, simplicity is enough.
Acceptance is the Key
Living in Siargao her entire life has made her love the "natural" in all of its forms—from the organic food in her childhood to the raw beauty that is innately present in every person she meets.
The island has its way of stripping off any adornments from people, making them the bare human being that they are, making them equal at the end of the day. This is what Mai-Mai loves about Siargao. It makes people discover who they genuinely are without the societal expectation and pressure that are more prevalent in the city life. She can walk barefoot in bars and shops. She can just stare at the sunset from Catangnan Bridge and be enlightened by its spiritual experience. The island itself played a big role in her pursuit to self-confidence.
You don't need anything to be beautiful. To be pretty, all you need is to accept that life is more than being pretty. Life is more than just how you look. Being pretty is not enough. You have to discover other things like self-confidence, emotional intelligence, friendships, etc. We have to teach the new generations that being simple is enough because if not, they will soon develop insecurities.
For me, it's really courage ... I think it was 90 percent no and 10 percent yes. I just listen to that 10 percent despite the other part of me (fear) that says no,no.
Even until this day, Mai-Mai admits that the little inner saboteur still knocks on the doors of her mind trying to distract her. But just like in surfing, she just has to look forward, use her peripherals to sense the waves, and not get distracted, and when she already feels the momentum, she will stand up and start doing a 360 or a tube ride. Knowing Mai-Mai, this will not cost a sweat to her.
