Proud to be a Chaster

It is amazing how one girl with a big voice can bring strangers together.  People from different backgrounds and different cultures just chat along and meet up in cyberspace to talk about a specific topic… CHARICE. Admittedly, I was a bit hesitant to admit that I am a CHASTER. I have never been a big fan of a music artist before. I listen to music… yes. But it would be because of the music… not the artist. I also have this negative notion about “groupies” or fan clubs.  I’ve seen them shouting at shows like there is no tomorrow, and that can sometimes be distracting for the other fans. Also,  I’ve seen them do the most “fanatic” and humiliating things. I never thought I’d be one of those. I never thought I would be a big fan of a music artist.

It all started with a Charice video… “And I am Telling You, I’m not going”. When I accidentally stumbled upon that video on YouTube at my parent’s house in Iloilo City, I felt like what you’ve all felt at that time. It sent shivers down my spine. I watched video after video until I got so addicted.  Every time I turn my laptop on, I will immediately search for more new videos of hers. But of course, I was in the denial stage at that time. I still could not admit to myself that I am indeed a Chaddict. I could not even tell my family and friends what I was doing because I knew that they would laugh at me. I know for a fact that they are not going to be totally supportive so I kept telling myself that this is just one of the phases in my life that I have to go through.

But this type of secret can’t be kept hidden for that long. No matter how we try to hide it, it will just spill itself out. I know most of us try to maneuver or find ways on how to keep this “Chaddiction” a secret. Some would make sure that they have logged off on allCharice’s websites and YouTube videos before they leave their laptop on the table just in case someone would use it. Some would raise banners and shout during major shows but would strategically use their specialized maneuvering skills to make sure their faces are hidden from the camera. Some of us would make fake excuses to our family and friends when we go to a Chaster meet and greet because some people will just raise their eyebrows.

A couple of times, I left my laptop on with all Charice’s videos and website opened on the screen. And when one of my colleagues used it, they were all shocked with what appeared there.  And there was this time when I appeared on TV. My sister posted it in her Face Book and that brought a lot comments from our family and friends within seconds.  I told them I was going to buy some groceries even though my intention was to watch the mall show with some Chasters. I told them I was multi-tasking. The grocery store, after all, is located inside the mall.  They all laughed and my reputation was down the drain after that. LOL

Eventually though, I started to infect them with my Chaddiction and some of them started asking me if I could have their CDs signed. It just goes to show that there are a lot of hidden Chasters out there. They just don’t want to admit it. Someone once posted a very good article here a few months back, “What can you do forCharice Today”.  Well the most basic way to promote her is to start within ourselves. I realized that I should not be shy about being a fan ofCharice, because there are more of us than we actually think.

I have seen her a few times after the SMX concert (My first time to see her upclose after one year of just watching her in YT). She is always gracious with her fans. Even if she is tired after her gigs, she would always make time for her fans even just to say a simple hello. And she recognizes usernames. She recognized my username when I asked her to personalized her autograph on my DFF CD. She said “Ikaw pala si Tintol?” and then she giggled (I dunno why but I think its because she thought I was a guy like other newbie chasters, LOL). That single line made me forget how long I have to travel just to get to that mall. I really wanted to see her that time since I was going back to Iloilo within that same week.

After seeing Chasters in action, uniting and helping one another as seen in Ms. Twitterworld, with Kuya Uno, and especially the Operation Smile Fruitcake Campaign, I believe that there is nothing that Chasters cannot do when we put our minds and efforts together.  And I realized that there is nothing wrong with being a Chaddict. I have to admit that it was embarassing at first when everyone I know found out about it. But if being a HUGE fan for a music artist happens only once in a lifetime, I am glad it happened to me and I am glad it was with Charice. Because now, after seeing Chasters’ Power and meeting the talented and humble Charice, I can more than say that “I AM PROUD TO BE A CHASTER, I AM PROUD OF CHARICE”.