Katrina Mae Santos doesn’t like her name. She thinks “Katrina,” “Mae,” and “Santos” are all far too common, like “Cruz” and “Lovely” and “Jane.” Just ask Lord Google. Run a search for “Katrina Mae Santos,” and you’ll see she’s hardly among the top results. She harbors a special hatred for “Mae.”
There are other things Katrina Mae Santos doesn’t like. The way she seldom speaks up in class, for example, for fear of saying something dumb. The way it takes her forever to finish writing her novels-in-progress. The way she can’t squeeze into those damn 24-inch jeans. The way she doesn’t seem to attract boyfriend material. The way she can’t afford to fly to Japan and meet the love of her life. Katrina Mae Santos doesn’t like what all these, and more, make her feel—that is, mediocre… and average… and, uh, fuck! Where the hell is that fucking thesaurus?!
Well, you get the picture.
So Katrina Mae Santos goes by other names, names that conjure a falling star and a sunset in a bottle, or a dinosaur in ninja gear. And when she writes, her protagonists are often ordinary girls, not too pretty and not very smart, often stupid really, their only merit their perseverance despite their awkwardness, their in-your-face, foot-in-mouth attitude to drawbacks and shame.
Often, Katrina Mae Santos finds herself wishing that she were smart, wishing that she were a good writer, that she were beautiful, and rich, and loved. See, Katrina Mae Santos just wants to be special. But what she actually is, is a weirdo. Because what Katrina Mae Santos doesn’t seem to realize is that she already is all these—except maybe for the “rich” part, but hey at least she’s got an iPhone.
Katrina Mae Santos may not be at the top of her class, but she can argue about gender and discourse, the politics of privilege, and the marginalization of the Third World, which is beyond some die-hard GCs out there. She writes stories that make one weep and laugh and sigh and see, again and again, the beauty in the pain of falling in love. Katrina Mae Santos has a face that would put a Super Dollfie ball-jointed doll to shame and a voice that could sing it to life. And she has friends that see all these about her, as well as her flaws, her insecurities, and still love her, and love her well.
Because, you see, Katrina Mae Santos may say she’s just an average, ordinary girl, and write about other average, ordinary girls, but one soon realizes that she, like her characters, sparks with life and dreams and so much love. Katrina Mae Santos may have a name common to so many else, but this Katrina Mae Santos? She is one very special cookie.
-- Tine
Getting to know Katrina is like falling in love with a whirlwind of adventure. It takes you anywhere, you end up nowhere, and it's all over way too soon. Fun while it lasted though.
-- Karl
She is entropy. Organized chaos in its most beautiful form. Define her if you must but be prepared to fail.
-- Lezzie
Her voice reminds you of cosmic vibes and beats that range from soulful head nodding to slamming. This astral phenomenon resonates and burrows itself into your head and stays there until you bury yourself alive.
fleeting images above cityskylines
leave me wondering about headlights
gleaming at a branded
face beside pillows and
a cake; tonight,
your beauty deserves a
billboard sign.
-- Tim
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