Colors Of The Wind

Hi. My name is Ruff, I’m a Bettyaholic, and I need help.

It was said that the steps crucial to initiating a change process are to (1) admit the existence of a problem, (2) accept your inability to change that problem, and (3) eliminate behaviors of denial. And I guess, this is me… exactly doing that.

The last weekend was crazy. I spent more time watching Ugly Betty, all 23 episodes and special features of it, than making something more productive like pottery or something. This little Betty addiction of mine has been outlandish and I need to purge it out of my system. Or maybe not.



I have professed my undying devotion to Betty in my last Emmy Forecast post and I’m hitting myself in the head for not *watching the Colombian Yo Soy Betty La Fea telenovela when it was shown almost a decade ago in Philippine TV. It was said that this Betty remake was the farthest version from the original but I still want to watch the original one for comparison’s sakes. *Tears tears.

Anyways, I am soo loving this Americanized Ugly Betty. Most of you might already be familiar with the story so I won’t blabber too much information here. I just want to say this simple truth with my simple post; Everything I needed to know about life, I’ve learned it in Ugly Betty.

From Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), Betty’s uber-yummy boss and confidante. Not really my type of guy, but his arrogance and boyish charm is soo appealing.



Nobody’s perfect. Behind everyone’s perfect façade lies a flawed interior. No amount of cover-up, concealer, or arrogance will disguise the fact that people needs other people in order to survive. And too much of something is always dangerous a thing.



From Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romijn), Daniel’s dead brother who turned out to be a post-op transsexual. This lady is gorgeous. Need I say more?


What you don’t see is hidden under the skin and it may be more important than physical beauty. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who are hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.



From Justin Suarez (Mark Indelicato), Betty’s nephew. Watching this little boy reminds me of myself—both of us are passionate with our desires and won’t accept being second best.


Follow your heart’s desires. Do what makes you happy, because in the end, the only person you are answerable for is yourself. Be steadfast in your convictions. Do not let other people define the real you. You are fabulous. Deal with it.



From Marc St. James (Michael Urie), Wilhelmina Slater’s Assistant. Marc is flamboyance personified and I know that most women, and some gay men, could definitely relate to his character.



Be true to yourself. Protecting someone with deceit does not make you a hero, but a liar. Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, and write them on the tablet of your heart.




From Amanda Tanen (Becki Newton), Mode’s receptionist. If ever I become a straight man again, I will definitely look for this gorgeous woman in NY or somewhere. She is sooo my type of girl!


Looks could be deceiving. Do not dismiss a person just by his/her appearance, first impressions, or what you can get from him/her. Self-respect is important, and so is a healthy insight about yourself. Life is short, so pop up that bottle and sip the champagne.



From Henry Grubstick (Christopher Gorham), Betty’s officemate and love interest. This guy breathes new life into the show—a nerdy, geeky guy who shares the same interest with Betty—I so so love this guy even when he was still Jake 2.0 or Dr. Miles McCabe from Medical Investigations. I’m glad to see him back on the TV scene.


Honesty is always the best policy. Fight for someone you really love. Don’t let that person slips by your grasp. Holding on is sometimes more important than letting go.



From Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams), Daniel & Betty’s archnemesis.

As (1) the first African-American woman to win Miss America, (2) a prolific singer-actress who should have won the Grammy's for singing Pocahontas’ Colors of the Wind, and (3) an uber-lovely woman whose fashion style I adore and worship, this lady epitomized John Keats’s saying “truth is beauty… beauty, truth. That is all ‘ye know on earth, and all ‘ye need to know.” No need to explain that. Vanessa Williams, you are my hero. You are true beauty personified! Exquisite, rare, delicate…

From Betty Suarez (America Ferrera). Daniel Meade’s loyal assistant and true friend and confidante. And of course, the show’s heroine.



Intelligence is power and personality is *everything. People don’t care whether you are beautiful or not, what matters is what’s inside your head and your heart. A true woman never frets about her place in the world, but just slides into it by the gravitation of her nature, and swings there as easily as a star.



Ugly Betty is definitely a feel-good dramedy series that evolves around the concept of beauty, friendship, loyalty, honesty, love and acceptance, amidst the world of superficiality, deception and lies. There is something in each of the main characters that makes them worth imitable, and even the worst nemeses possess intrinsic goodness that balances their evil sides. The outstanding ensemble of characters and a light, but exciting storyline will definitely crave a Betty fan more and more of this hearty and jovial series.

And to borrow Betty's mantra (repeat after me, if you may) “I am an attractive, intelligent, confident businessman/businesswoman,” and I am beautiful, if I might add.

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Originally I wanted to post a separate entry about my *new icon and heroine, but whattheheck, since we’re/I'm in this Ugly Betty phenomena, I want to publicly profess my renewed love and dedication to the most beautiful Miss America that ever graced our TV screens—my current obsession—Vanessa Williams.



Vanessa Williams became the first African-American woman to win the coveted crown of Miss America 1984 on September 18, 1983 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In July 1984, she had to relinquish her crown due to previous nude pictures of her that were published in Penthouse magazine. After the pageant controversies, Williams rebounded by launching consecutive album deals, theatrical and film roles, and television career; topped by performing the Grammy-Award Winning song from Pocahontas, “Colors of the Wind,” and her Emmy Nominated portrayal of Wilhelmina Slater, Betty and Daniel’s nemesis in Ugly Betty.

All I can say is that, this woman is pretty pretty pretty!!! I could not get over with my Williams obsession. In a span of a week, my iTunes list are topped by her songs “Colors of the Wind,” “The Sweetest Days,” and “Save The Best For Last” among others. The list does go on.


She also launched a Christmas album, to which the preview can be heard here. (Too bad I couldn't find a free download.)

And here are my most-loved songs from this gorgeous lady:

The Sweetest Days
The Sweetest Days (1994)

Her voice in this song is soo crystal-clear—unmistakably Vanessa Williams’. Just perfect for the melancholic mood the song exudes. (She even looks like Tyra Banks in some shots.)

Save The Best For Last
The Comfort Zone (1992)

Oooh, Vanessa’s signature song that propelled her to stardom. Love love this one. It was said that this song covertly retells her life post Miss America-Penthouse controversy and was noted to be teeming with redemptive undertones. Notice the words: “all I did was wish,” “not the way I hoped or how I planned,” “when I thought our chance had passed” among others?

Colors Of The Wind
Pocahontas Soundtrack

This is Vanessa at her finest, prettiest and most stunning. That face, my friends, is beauty personified. This music video makes me want to get my grandma’s shawl and sashay in a jungle/zoo, wear animal hides, or something. Timeless and enduring, this song marked William’s status as a brilliant artist-performer in US R&B history.

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Yeah, I know that my Wilhelmina Slater/Vanessa Williams obsession shall pass, but for now, allow me to indulge my sweetest days trying to paint the colors of my wind as I save the best for last. Okay that was too Williams-ish. Totally uncalled for.

Do not be surprised if my header transforms into Vanessa William’s images and my blogger name turns into Vanessa, Wilhelmina or Pocahontas. This is just a phase, Ruff. You’ll pull through this. This “corniness” must stop. But then again, maybe not.

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Sorry if this post is so senseless and narcissistic. I just need an outlet for my Betty obsession or else I might become insane or something. Images from Wikipedia, ABC.com, and some random Vanessa Williams fan sites.