A Cebuana's fair share of thoughts and love for DIVA...

Never did I support a single Cebuano/Cebuana who is trying to pursue a career in Showbiz. Everytime kase na napapanood ko sila, I’m feeling uncomfortable and awkward. Then my Aunt who is a solid Kapuso told me that a girl named DIVA MONTELABA ay nakapasok sa Final 14 ng Starstruck. My reaction was just “Ah, okay.” Still my Aunt kept on telling me how great she was and asked me to vote for her kase nga daw she’s from our place, Minglanilla. “Ah, ganun” was still my reaction. Until the time came while I was attending a mass and before it ended, the priest announced that a Minglanillahanon needs our support and he asked the people to help her through voting. It was mysterious.

I felt something I hardly can describe that made me want to see this girl and watch StarStruck. It was during their dancing test that I was able to watch them. And surely, I was amazed on how Diva made her moves. I love dancing that’s why I am confident to say na super galing ni Diva sumayaw. But then it wasn’t just on the way she do the stepsnor on how she rocks the dancefloor, there is really something sa pagsayaw niya that made the spotlight focused on her. I guess, it’s the love of doing it, and may be also because she had this determination – determination to reach this certain goal – this goal that drove her in giving out her best.

From then on, I started supporting her. I can’t help but smile every time I see her on T.V. She is so freaking cool. I don’t know! I always felt how sincere she is and how genuine her intentions in all the things she does. Hindi lahat ng tao have the same view with me. It really brought me heartaches pag may nababasa akong insults and judgments towards Diva. I may not know her that much pero based on my knowledge of her, she does not deserve those things.

Knowing how she was before StarStruck, made me become more of a Divaholic. As the competition went on, di maiwasan na lumabas ang mga flaws ng isang tao. I saw Diva’s flaws but it never made me turn my back on her. It even made me smile and somehow proud to say that DIVA is IMPERFECT! Yet, her IMPERFECTIONS made her PERFECT! The competition was tough and somehow dirty in my own view. I really wanted her to win cause I know na worth it ang panalo niya kase may patutunguhan talaga ito. I did my part. I saved my allowance to be able to vote for her. My Aunt also had her share. I know it wasn’t enough but God is so good that He completed it in his own ways.

I know that by any time pwede ma-eliminate si DIVA, not because she failed the tests or what, but because I sensed na there were evil actions/works behind this competition. Hindi ako mapakali every elimination night. I always pray to God! Nakakagat ko na nga ang aking arms dahil sa sobrang kaba. I always tell God na if she will be eliminated, I hope that He has prepared something far better for her than this. Diva never fails us every time she performs. She always sees to it na naibibigay niya ang kanyang best and that made me love DIVA so much.

Yes, she did not win the title and it made feel a little bit of sad pero seeing Diva na parang fulfilled siya despite of not winning, nasabi ko na hindi naman siya natalo ah… She won our hearts! And hindi niya sinayang ang lahat ng effort niya at lahat ng mga tao, kase on at that Final Night she shines so brightly and make every people see na She is the DIVA!

My support for her never ended as the competion stopped. Nakasama ko na siya twice. On our first meeting, nakita ko how kulit Diva is. She is priceless! The second time was so overwhelming. She acknowledged me in front of all the people present that time. If you only knew how it feels to be mentioned by Diva... It was really… wow! I’m speechless, really! So unexpected!

I realized after all my experienced with her, na she just want a simple life with her family and friends. Showbiz is no simple! You are judge by people who don’t even try to look the deeper you. But Diva still is trying to act the same way kung sino at ano siya. Yun ang isa sa nagustuhan ko sa kanya, totoong tao siya!

I also witnessed kung gaano niya kamahal ang family and friends niya. I know in their hearts na she will always be the “Hya” they know. Another thing that will make you love Diva is that she knows what is important and what is not. Alam nya kung ano ang dapat uunahin at hindi. For a teenager like her, having an amount of money that can afford to buy the things you want like laptop will really make you spend for it. Inuuna niya ang mga needs ng family niya and what calls for that actual moment of her life. She also helps her relatives and definitely she has this great vision for her family. I really cant’t find those exact words to describe Diva. Iba siya! Kaya nga I felt sad pag may nanghuhusga sa kanya cause alam ko na hindi siya ganun. Malalim lang yan si Diva but if you will just swim deep then you will see the beauty of that deepness. I am proud to say that I am one of those who are already swimming towards that beauty. I must say na I won’t let go of Diva. The tests and the swim still go on. Nauubusan man ng hangin while swimming deeply but I know that Diva will provide the air that we need through giving her best sa lahat in order for us to reach that destination.

Divaholics will always fight and defend! Dai Hya, hindi ka naming iiwan! We trust you! Alam naming na malayo pa ang mararating mo. Just don’t forget that God will always be there. Stay the same but change for the best. Always remember that Divaholics supported you kung ano ka and will always support you on what you will become. We love you DIVA DIVA DIVA MONTELABA!

by: lexpielago