For someone who is used to asking the questions, being on the receiving end was a different experience altogether. But her cool and carefree nature resulted to a profoundly flawless interview.
Patty Taboada, a woman of substance who exudes an irresistible appeal, has an exceptional way with words. You can find a lot of her work in the glossy pages of Cebu’s premier lifestyle and fashion magazine: ZEE Lifestyle. But before all the glitz, glamour and kitten heels, Patty found writing as a personal craft.
At an early age, Patty left little notes for her mother to find after work, and kept a diary that she religiously updated. It didn’t take a while for that ability to turn into a talent that has made her into the successful powerhouse that she is today. “It wasn't until third grade when I picked up a copy of Sun.Star Cebu, and I decided that one day I was going to write for that newspaper,” she said. With the goal in mind and the strong urge to fulfill it, Patty started working for her school papers up until college. The intelligence she possessed granted her to finish all her other required internships early. She was allowed one more though. That’s where her life with Sun.Star began, and as she puts it: “The rest is history.”
With the recent change of workplace, Patty found it rather easy to adjust from Sun.Star to Zee Lifestyle magazine. As if that isn’t enough, to be jumping from one company to the next, she finds the time to participate in plays as well. “I consider myself an accidental actress. I participated in school plays by taking small roles and was even part of a children's theater workshop for a year, but I never took it seriously until I saw a production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues in 2010. What appealed to me was promoting an advocacy through a form of entertainment and using talents. In the case of The Vagina Monologues, it's an effort to stop violence against women and children. I'm just so fortunate to know Sarah Mae Enclona, the artistic director of 2TinCans Philippines, who I not only share the same vision with but who's also incredibly patient to work with a theater newbie like me.” she states.Just this year, she ventured into doing her first musical: Emotional Creature, also by Eve Ensler and also for the same advocacy. This woman’s got a lot on her plate. It makes you think if she actually stole Hermione Granger’s time-turner.
But like everyone else, we all face personal dilemmas. For Patty, there was a situation that happened last year that troubled her deeply and affected her life quite dramatically. The circumstance got a bit out of hand that she resulted to asking her own father if he was disappointed in her. In which he replied, “No, I'm not, but it's how you're going to deal with it that's going to determine if I will be.” That struck a chord, but she took it as a challenge and handled her problem extraordinarily. She doesn’t deny that she’s made mistakes but she has actually learned from them. Patty has emerged a better person, despite all the obstacles that were thrown at her. As a matter of fact, at present, she is the best version of herself.
“I literally lost almost everything that I thought were important. And you know what, it made me realize that when you're down, there's no other way to go but up. Sure, it was a scary for a while, but it was a trip worth having because it definitely put my priorities in perspective and it taught me what—and who—really mattered. Living one day at a time definitely helped.” Patty on the struggles she faced.
Fun Facts
• Favorite color
Red.
• Designer label of choice
I'm not really into designer labels, but at the moment it would be Michael Kors. I love how he can put an edgy twist to classics.
• Pick one fashion item that you can't live without
Besides the classic little black dress, it would be a long black skirt. Instant formal wear when paired with anything.
• Men's clothing you can't resist
A well-tailored suit does it every single time. I don't really see a lot of men wearing that around here, so when I do, it definitely catches my attention.
• Best gift you've ever received so far
It's not fashion-related, but a very good friend of mine got me a self-defense weapon. I found it very thoughtful and awesome, because it showed that friend's concern by making sure I could take care of myself.
• Top 5 favorite books
In no particular order:
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Wasted by Marya Hornbacher
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Honorable mentions to Lucky by Alice Sebold and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. The latter was the first book to impress me in a long time.
• Top 3 writers that have inspired you to write
J.K. Rowling. It's amazing how she created the whole world of Harry Potter, and she's an inspiration because even though she started out being rejected by numerous publishers, she never gave up. Even now she's successful, you can see at the heart of it all, she's still very much a writer.
Mayette Tabada of Sun.Star Cebu. She was my teacher in Investigative Journalism, and she definitely made me into a writer I am now.
Lorenzo 'Insoy' Ninal, also of Sun.Star Cebu. While I've mostly read his English columns, I'm still amazed at how witty he can be. Definitely wish I could write half as good as he does.