Post by Clara Pagsisihan-del Rosario on Aug 24, 2012 10:46:18 GMT -5
CLARA MARICELA PAGSISIHAN-DEL ROSARIO
FULL NAME HERE Clara Maricela Pagsisihan-del Rosario
NICKNAMES Dalisay (her Tagalog name), Tinkercela (comes from her love of inventing and the end of her middle name), Piri
GENDER Female
AGE 15
GRADE 11th (Junior)
ETHNICITY Filipino
SPECIALTY
// ★ Computer hacking: Clara is an expert hacker and can get into any computer system without breaking a sweat. Banks, government systems, the FBI, you name it.
// ★ Weaponry and gadget creation: Clara is an inventor, and she has a real talent for it. She can make a multitude of gadgets for herself or other people out of almost anything.
// ★ Weapon-based martial arts: When it comes to combat, Clara specialises in Eskrima; a martial art that uses a mixture of hand to hand combat and weapon-based (bamboo poles) combat.
YOUR CHARACTER'S LIKES
// ✓ Technology: Clara's addicted to electronics and gadgets. She never goes anywhere without her phone, and is nearly always tweeting or browsing Facebook when she has the chance. Another passion that branches off from this is her love for inventing gadgets and tinkering with electronic items.
// ✓ Cooking: One of her favourite pass-times. Her cooking style is quite experimental; most of the time she tries to creat a fusion of Filipino and Spanish cuisine, due to her roots. She is a very good cook, actually.
// ✓ Food: Well, if you like cooking you must like eating too! She eats a lot, never missing a meal and having frequent snacks between. It must be some kind of miracle that she doesn’t put on weight. Some of her favourite foods are:
⇝ ✔ Mangos: In her opinion, the tastiest fruit in the world! She adores the rich colour and sweetness each mango has.
⇝ ✔Sinigang: A Filipino soup, made with Meat, vegetables, tamarind, fish sauce, onions, siling mahaba and tomatoes.
⇝ ✔ Adobo: Another delicious meal. It is meat or seafood marinated in a sauce of vinegar and garlic, browned in oil, and simmered in the marinade.
⇝ ✔ Puto: Sweet rice cakes that are served for desert or breakfast. They are often prepared in different sizes or colours to make them look more attractive.[/ul]// ✓ Dancing: More specifically, the Tinikling dance. It's great fun, even if it hurts occasionally when your ankles get caught in the poles. Really, though, she loves any kind of dancing as well, such as Cariñosa. Tinikling just happens to be her favourite.
// ✓ P-Pop: For Clara, Philippine pop music is one hundred times better than J-Pop, K-Pop or American pop! She loves to dance to it, and sometimes dances Tinikling to more modern music. She likes karaoke too. However, you'll never catch her singing in front of strangers. The only time you might hear her singing is when she’s in the shower or when she's doing karaoke with close friends or family, but otherwise she isn’t one for singing in front of people she doesn't know.
// ✓ Cleaning: Clara hates dirt, and seems to enjoy getting rid of it. She's a little obsessive when it comes to mess. Everything must be kept as clean as possible and she goes to great lengths to keep it that way (e.g. She forbids anyone to wear their shoes inside. They should have a pair of indoor and a pair of outdoor shoes so no unwanted mud is brought in).
// ✓ Languages: Clara is a bit of a linguist, and is fluent in Filipino, English and Spanish. Sometimes she'll casually flip between the three when taking. She's also learning Tagalog, Arabic and a few other regional Filipino languages.
// ✓ Flowers:When Clara was back home in the Philippines, she used to grow flowers and owned a rose garden. Jasmine is by far her favourite flower, and she wears Sampaguita Jasmine in her hair.
// ✓ Philippine Folklore: Clara still remembers all the myths she was told by her parents when she was younger. Those stories are special to her now, and although she won't admit it, she does believe in some of the magical creatures and entities.
// ✓ Family: Her family is one of the most important things to Clara, and she shows great respect to all her elders. She tends to be a more mothering type with her siblings, though.
// ✓ Dressing Up: Especially in the beautiful national dress of the Philippines; the Baro't saya. Clara really loves going over the top with her looks, usually when there is a festival or national holiday taking place. ║ ❀ ║ ❀ ║ ❀ ║
// ✓ Eskrima: Also known as Arnis and Kali. A weapon-based martial arts from the Philippines. Clara has been learning it for years now, and knows far more advanced techniques than other Filipino girls would. She may use a bamboo pole to defend herself, using any moves from Arnis. She prefers to watch it, though.
// ✓ Festivals and Fiestas: There are some spectacular festivals in the Philippines, including Dinagyang and Kadayawan. Clara simply loves the celebrations and always goes to watch the parades and festivities.
// ✓ Reality TV and Soap Operas: Some of the popular reality shows in the Philippines are versions of famous shows from other countries, such as Pinoy Big Brother, Philippines' Next Top Model or Philippine Idol. Then of course, there are the day-time Teleserye (Philippine soap operas) and even K-Dramas she loves to indulge in. Some of the best Teleserye (in her opinion) are shows like Maging Sino Ka Man or Pangako sa ’Yo.
// ✓ Sipa: A native Philippine sport that is like a mix of volleyball and football. Clara enjoys playing this with her friends and siblings.
// ✓ Siestas: Yes, Clara is a little bit lazy, and often takes an afternoon nap after indulging on another large meal.
// ✓ Tarsiers: They are adorable! Clara has a cuddly toy tarsier which she calls Maganda.
// ✓ Shopping: Especially at the markets. She also enjoys haggling for prices. It's just something she finds exciting.
// ✓ Christmas: Well, quite honestly, who doesn't? In the Philippines, they've combined Spanish and American influence with Filipino culture to create a spectacular event each year, which Clara looks forward to without fail.
// ✓ Dogs: Clara loves dogs. Although they aren't usually popular choices as pets back home, she owns an askal called Bantay which she brought with her to asher... She doesn't know if she's really aloud him with her here, though. ║ ❖ ║
YOUR CHARACTER'S DISLIKES
// ✗ Traffic: There's terrible traffic where she comes from, and it gives her such a headache. This is usually what she blames her lateness on.
// ✗ "Are you a nurse?"; There's a stereotype that Filipino women are all nurses who immigrate to the USA, and Clara can't stand it. If anyone ever brings that up, she gives them a long lecture about how there are plenty of bankers, mechanics, teachers (etc) who are Filipino. She reacts the same way if anyone says anything about mail-order brides.
// ✗ Invading her Personal Bubble: Never invade her personal space unless you are family or a very, very close friend. If you do and you are not either of those things, Clara will hit you with a bamboo pole. If she doesn't have one with her, she'll just wait until she does and then she'll hit you!
// ✗ Deforestation: Why can't people leave the rainforest alone?! It really angers her to see so many plants and animals getting endangered by this.
// ✗ Glasses: Clara requires glasses, but can't stand wearing them. Usually she wears contact lenses. The only time she does wear her glasses is when she's busying herself with another invention.
// ✗ Her Height: Like the usual Asian stereotype, Clara is not very tall. She stands at 151.8 cm (4' 11.8"). One thing she can't stand is when people comment or tease her about the fact she is vertically challenged.
// ✗ Alcohol: She hasn't actually tried it yet, but she thinks it smells terrible. Besides, most of the people she know back home in the Philippines don't hold their alcohol well at all... It doesn't really look very pleasant, in her opinion.
// ✗ Expensive Things: People may call Clara cheap, but she doesn't care. All she cares about is if she can afford it, which is why she often haggles over prices when out shopping.
// ✗ Racism: People say that the Chinese treat Filipinos as second class citizens, and that really irritates Clara no end. If any Chinese student is going to disrespect her, she'll set Bantay on them.
// ✗ Disrespecting Family: Clara was brought up to be a very family-minded person. She feels sick when she sees people disrespecting or ignoring their family. Honestly, people should have much better family values!
// ✗ Mess: She may like cleaning, but that's only because she's getting rid of the mess. If anyone brings mud into the house or messes up a room, she'll hit the roof. Then, at least she'll enjoying the cleaning after.
// ✗ Animal Cruelty: Why would anyone hurt a dumb, helpless animal?! She can never tolerate that!
// ✗ Insects: The hot, humid weather in the Philippines means there are a lot of insects. Clara's not scared of them, but it's not pleasant when you find a huge bug in your house.
// ✗ Politics: The corrupt officials and crookedness she keeps hearing about is exhausting.
// ✗ People Interfering with her Work: Last time that happened one of her younger brothers broke her computer... That did not end well.
// ✗ Strangers: Although hospitable, Clara does not really like strangers. It might take a while for her to warm up to somebody new.
// ✗ Being Called a Gossip: Yes, Clara does like to hear stories and them pass them on, but that's not being a gossip! It's just... spreading important information(?).
// ✗ Gambling: Clara just can't understand why you'd want to risk losing your money on a card game. It's total stupidity, in her opinion.
// ✗ Chillies: She doesn't really use them much in cooking, because they're a little spicy for her.
// ✗ Dull Colours: Things should be bright and cheery! Not drab and boring.
FEARS
// ✖ Aswang: A vampire in Philippine folklore that has always terrified Clara, since she was a young girl. People in the Philippines believe that when people go missing, Aswang is to blame. To this day, she fears that Aswang might come and get her in the night!
// ✖ The Dark: A fear that spanned from her fear of Aswang. When she was much younger, she always thought Aswang was hiding under her bed in the dark where she wouldn't see it... Now she can't stand the dark.
// ✖ Missing a Meal: Just... don't ask. It's ridiculous, but true.
// ✖ Bagyo: Better known as tropical cyclones or typhoons. They're pretty common in the Philippines, but the cause so much damage that Clara will never get used to them and will always be terrified when it's announced one is coming.
// ✖ Lindol: Earthquakes; another natural disaster that affects the Philippines and, again, terrifies Clara no end.
// ✖ Tikbalang, Tiyanak and Multo: Horse-men, demon vampire babies and ghosts are all pretty terrifying. All are part of Philippine folklore and, although they don't scare Clara as much as Aswang, they are pretty scary.
// ✖ Getting Groped: Clara has huge personal space issues, and would be petrified is someone tried fondling her. Besides, it's disgusting!
// ✖ Lack of Personal Space: As mentioned above, Clara has a personal bubble and it freaks her out if people come into it. She also has claustrophobia, and cannot stand small, enclosed spaces.
// ✖ Failing: Being a perfectionist, failing is never an option! She might have a panic attack if she does.
// ✖ Horror Movies: They're terrifying! Why do people go to see a film to scare themselves?! Clara can't stand them.
QUIRKS/ODDITIES
╰☆╮ Lateness: Clara never arrives on time for anything. Even she doesn't know why, but if you want to meet up with her be sure to arrange much earlier than when you really intend.
╰☆╮ Clothing: If she's not wearing the school uniform, Clara tends to wear a patadyong casually. Of course, it's a little strange as it's not something people wear regularly on a day-to-day basis... ♥
╰☆╮ Skirts: Linked to the above quirk, but Clara will never, ever wear trousers. Only skirts or dresses for this girl.
╰☆╮ Verbal Ticks: Whenever she wants to get someone's attention, Clara won't say "excuse me". She says "Hoy!" or "Psst!". Also, she might end her sentences with "eh" when nervous.
╰☆╮ Hair style: Clara always wears three sampaguita (Arabian Jasmine) flowers on the left side of her head. Usually it is tied back in a side ponytail, especially when she's working. But the flowers must always been in her hair.
╰☆╮ Eating: Clara never once misses a meal or the opportunity to eat. She always has some kind of snack on her, just in case she gets hungry.
╰☆╮ Languages: When she's speaking, sometimes Clara tends to switch between English, Filipino and Spanish for no apparent reason.
╰☆╮Technology: She's one of those technology addicts who never leaves home without her mobile or iPod. She spends way too much time on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, gaming (etc).
╰☆╮ Inventing: Clara tends to find lots of random things (like old wires or even things like plastic bags) and spends days transforming them into new gadgets to add to her collection.
╰☆╮ Maganda and Bantay: These two go everywhere with her, Maganda usually hidden in her bag though. Bantay follows her everywhere. If you don't like it, fine, but Clara will refuse to associate with you.
OVERALL PERSONALITY
Clara Maricela Pagsisihan-del Rosario is probably the sort of person most people would describe as weird or an odd-ball. She prefers being classified as an eccentric, however. And eccentric she certainly is.
When you first meet Clara, it would be easy to mistake her as socially awkward. Although polite and usually hospitable with strangers, she comes across as incredibly shy. If she’s with someone she has just met, she will not speak unless spoken to and even then, it is quite obvious she is uncomfortable. Also, she can be rather suspicious of people she has just met. She does her best to hide it, but it is pretty obvious that she remains wary of strangers. However, she does do her best to make a guest feel at home, no matter how uncomfortable it makes her. It will take a while for Clara to get used to new people before she can fully trust them, accept them as a friend and open up to them. Even then, Clara would describe most of her friends as acquaintances.
In some ways, she likes to remain quite distant from people, both physically and mentally. Mentally distant because of the fact she is usually quiet with people she does not consider a friend and rather secretive. She tries to keep her emotions hidden to others, but she doesn’t do a very good job at it. One of her major issues that would make people consider her “socially awkward” is the fact Clara has issues about her personal space. She becomes fidgety and uncomfortable if someone “invades her personal bubble”. This is most likely due to her shyness. She would rather keep a distance between herself and others. The only people she allows into her bubble are her close, long-standing friends and family.
Clara is intelligent, and she knows it. Logic and her intellectuality are her major strengths. School is not something she finds difficult at all. In fact, she appears to enjoy studying more than socialising with strangers (accept of course, when there’s a festival of some sort- then she’s the first person out into the street for the parades). She would be classified by many people as a classical “boffin”; hard working when it comes to study and a perfectionist. In fact, a perfectionist to the extreme. Clara is the sort of person who would over-work herself for exam if she’d got a B or lower on the previous test. She tends to beat herself up over tiny mistakes, and won’t let them go until she’s fixed the problem and reached “perfection”.
This perfectionist attitude is similar to another trait Clara has. She can be obsessive over certain things, for example cleaning. She will hit the roof if anything is messed up in the house; be it some dirt from outside getting brought in or a spillage of milk. Knowing Clara and her neurotic manner, she is the type of person who would literally cry over spilt milk. Especially after she’s just cleaned the table.
All of these things contribute to the first, overall impression that Clara is odd.
If you are patient, are lucky enough to be considered a friend and can get past the initial timid side of Clara, you’ll see the more outgoing, easy-going Filipino. Although still as up-tight over school and cleaning, Clara does let her hair down around those she considers close. Ask any of her closest friends, and instantly they would describe Clara as optimistic and fun. Yes, she does know how to have fun! Life’s not all work and no play. This Filipino does enjoy a good sing-song, game of sport or dance during her free time. And who better to spend it with than your friends?
Cheerfulness is one of the more becoming attributes Clara has. She’s not the sort of person to get stroppy over nothing (unless you’ve irritated her in some way by hugging her or breaking something). She’s not one to be pessimistic about life. Usually, she does her best to “always look on the bright side”. Although, she’s only human, and there are times when Clara finds this difficult.
Another one of Clara’s “strengths” is the fact she is incredibly polite. She was always brought up to be hospitable and has impeccable manners. This is something she prides herself in. Also, Clara is incredibly respectful, especially to her elders. She will never speak out of line to anyone who she feels should be treated correctly. Another thing she was brought up to be is family-minded. Being the oldest of her generation in her family, she sees herself as a mothering figure to her younger siblings and cousins. Family is always close to her heart, and most of the things she does is for their best interests.
Another thing that is close to her heart is food. She has a ridiculous, extreme love for food of any kind. Some people may consider her to be greedy because of this, but Clara will always deny that vehemently. Really though, it is true. She does love to stuff her face. Her family think it’s a miracle she doesn’t put on any weight. Clara may also appear to be quite selfish sometimes, especially over her stuff. She doesn’t like people borrowing her things, as she constantly worries that they will break them. Ok... maybe she’s a little paranoid too. But she’s not any of these things in a malicious way. It’s just the way she is.
Surprisingly, with those who are closest to her, Clara is very chatty. As a matter of fact, she’s a gossip. Again, not in a malicious way. She just loves to hear and tell interesting stories about other people’s lives. So long as it doesn’t get back to them, no harm done, eh?
Overall, Clara Maricela Pagsisihan-del Rosario is the sort of person who many would describe as having lots of layers. When you think you see something, there’s actually another completely different side to that underneath. It just takes a while to find it, sometimes.
Clara was completely speechless. In fact, it was more like dumbstruck. How could she of all people get a detention?! She knew very well that she was a straight A student. So how on earth had she ended up frozen in her seat in a detention hall?! All she wanted to do was become invisible and slip out. Shame her powers didn't seem to work in this room. The one time when they would actually come in useful...
This was humiliating. If her family found out Clara had got a detention on her first week at a new school, it would not end well for her. They would shun her or something terrible like that for months! OK, maybe that was a bit of an over-reaction but Clara couldn't help it! She really wasn't used to getting into trouble.
It was a ridiculous reason why she was even there in the first place. The Filipino had turned up to class late. Really, that wasn't anything new. Clara was notorious for never arriving on time. She was even late to detention! Anyway, it seemed that her teacher wasn't very forgiving about her little quirk, and had sent her straight to the detention hall when class was finished. And so, she was stuck here, silently and miserably sulking about the situation she'd gotten herself into. Plus, it was so boring here! There wasn't anything to do! Just sitting there in total silence. Now, Clara wasn't exactly one for socialising that much but even she really felt the need to talk to someone.
The Asian girl let out a soft groan as she sank into her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. Coco-brown eyes stared dully as the teacher began pacing down the rows of seats, glaring at the students with a disapproving scowl. Clara couldn't help but shrink back a bit into her chair. She really wasn't used to getting into trouble, and that teacher was really scary looking!
All of a sudden, the painfully deathly silence was interrupted by a loud voice with a German-sounding accent speaking up.
"If only I was good at getting them marks. Could've gotten golden marks, really."
Clara felt her ears prick up with interest. Marks? As in grades? Oh, Clara was good at school work! Maybe she could help the girl who had spoken up. She did enjoy passing on knowledge, after all.
The Pinoy girl gave a tiny smile as she shifted round in her seat, cocking her head back to see the girl behind her. The other student's eyes seemed to be fixated on something. Just as Clara was about to open her mouth to reply, she spotted what the other female was staring at. It flashed a little, just in the corner of her eye. Interest peaking up, she briefly glanced at the teacher as she passed her, just in time to see the gold bracelet. That was what the girl was staring at?
Then it hit her! Mark wasn't a grade, was it? No... wasn't it some kind of slang...? She scrunched up her brow in thought, trying to remember where she heard it before.
That's it! Something about stealing! Yes, now she remembered. Although Clara hated to admit it, she used to be quite the pick-pocket when she was younger and looking for things she could use to build one of her many inventions. Maybe she could still be of some help to the other student. But, why would she want to steal a teachers bracelet? Surely that would just get them into more trouble.
"I'm good at getting marks," Clara replied softly as she turned to face the silver haired student. "Can I help you at all?"
This was humiliating. If her family found out Clara had got a detention on her first week at a new school, it would not end well for her. They would shun her or something terrible like that for months! OK, maybe that was a bit of an over-reaction but Clara couldn't help it! She really wasn't used to getting into trouble.
It was a ridiculous reason why she was even there in the first place. The Filipino had turned up to class late. Really, that wasn't anything new. Clara was notorious for never arriving on time. She was even late to detention! Anyway, it seemed that her teacher wasn't very forgiving about her little quirk, and had sent her straight to the detention hall when class was finished. And so, she was stuck here, silently and miserably sulking about the situation she'd gotten herself into. Plus, it was so boring here! There wasn't anything to do! Just sitting there in total silence. Now, Clara wasn't exactly one for socialising that much but even she really felt the need to talk to someone.
The Asian girl let out a soft groan as she sank into her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. Coco-brown eyes stared dully as the teacher began pacing down the rows of seats, glaring at the students with a disapproving scowl. Clara couldn't help but shrink back a bit into her chair. She really wasn't used to getting into trouble, and that teacher was really scary looking!
All of a sudden, the painfully deathly silence was interrupted by a loud voice with a German-sounding accent speaking up.
"If only I was good at getting them marks. Could've gotten golden marks, really."
Clara felt her ears prick up with interest. Marks? As in grades? Oh, Clara was good at school work! Maybe she could help the girl who had spoken up. She did enjoy passing on knowledge, after all.
The Pinoy girl gave a tiny smile as she shifted round in her seat, cocking her head back to see the girl behind her. The other student's eyes seemed to be fixated on something. Just as Clara was about to open her mouth to reply, she spotted what the other female was staring at. It flashed a little, just in the corner of her eye. Interest peaking up, she briefly glanced at the teacher as she passed her, just in time to see the gold bracelet. That was what the girl was staring at?
Then it hit her! Mark wasn't a grade, was it? No... wasn't it some kind of slang...? She scrunched up her brow in thought, trying to remember where she heard it before.
That's it! Something about stealing! Yes, now she remembered. Although Clara hated to admit it, she used to be quite the pick-pocket when she was younger and looking for things she could use to build one of her many inventions. Maybe she could still be of some help to the other student. But, why would she want to steal a teachers bracelet? Surely that would just get them into more trouble.
"I'm good at getting marks," Clara replied softly as she turned to face the silver haired student. "Can I help you at all?"
YOUR NAME OR ALIAS Berry
WHERE CAN WE CONTACT YOU? PM's or c-box
WHERE DID YOU FIND US? Hetalia En Passant[/size]
