More Than One Step Higher

  Becoming a better person takes desire and willingness to look at yourself with brutal honesty. The start of the journey may be bumpy at times, but the results can be very rewarding.

         Entering high school life is not as easy as you think. And I belonged to the people who have passed off a lot of undeniably challenging trials in my life. Looking forward, I have learned to try new things for nothing”s wrong, right? I have even learnt how to eliminate fears and anxiety. It’s a fact that we should “expect the unexpected”.

        Throughout the years, I never did forget how our General Science told us that nobody starts at the finish line — a quotation taht caused me to realize you really can learn from your experiences.Direct your subconscious mind to create success and happiness through self-confidence.

      ” The hardest battle is the battle within yourself ” is my inspiration that I take hold even from years before. It is my strength when I am weak. I gained from it. But there is one catch. You have to believe, without a doubt , that you can and will achieve your goals and life ambitions. Change your thinking to immediately open opportunities and get rid of negative thinking. This is where most people get tripped up. We are programmed to do certain things regardless of what we really want. I know, it’s easier said than done.

       Sometimes I encounter underestimation, difficulties, despair and even quitting but God had shown me to become strong and not lack courage on whatever I do. He helped me change for the better. The real thing is, hardships push us to move forward and bring us to attain the top. Many people feel that all they have to do is to say some positive remarks — affirmations — and life will magically change. Ta-da! Well, that doesn’t right away.

      Now, I started doing things that allow me to succeed. Nothing is going to change unless you take proper action. I accept my own imperfections. It has come –the final hour– for me to dethrone myself from the pedestal I built and start to appreciate things. I am not better or worse from others, but surely I am unique just like any other people are. Don;t tend to waver in life without clear direction. Let’s open our hearts and stop overwhelming.

     ” Putting an end to struggling once and for all. Getting more than in less time. Creating new self-talk patterns that lead to success “.

Posted on 25/11/2011

THE DIARY (Sophomore Days)

   It has been a year since I started studying here in Divine Grace and now here I am again creating moments that last with my classmates along with our teachers.

           I know this school year we haven’t much new classmates so we already knew each other very well.  As time passed by, we’re even closer! I’m so happy about it, (pretty well working! Whoa!) ever. Do you still remember my wish about “Bestfriends” during my freshmen year? Actually, it had come true. I joined a group (we’re eight!) named “Projects”, as in P.R.O.J.E.C.T.S!  Although we do not totally knew each other, we call everyone “Bes”.

          Days, months. I noticed and I once asked myself, “Is anyone of them soon to become my very BFF?” Who knows. Maybe all of them. Many activities passed on our ways. Though it’s not the easy-going thing as you may think, we find those as an exciting and roller coaster games. Many challenges, priorities, chances and circumstances that being a sophomore experiences is hardly encouraging to fun with, I mean hardly because it stays within us forever. Gladly, I’m proud and happy for I became part of this family.

          Whatever I uttered on our previous school year about my transferation of school thing, reject it. Laugh out loud! I gave out an I-never-gonna-leave-you sigh with relief to everyone because I love you for life! Duh! Are you insane? Smile. And, if ever I had really the chance to fast backward the wasted hours, I’ll sure I do just to be with sophies. You know what will I do if that happens? I’ll stare at everyone and look at them in a mocking and curious way individually so that you’ll mark here in my heart to stay forever and ever.

Our batch became stronger and powerful. Sometimes quarrels, misunderstandings and troubles enter, nevertheless those are not hindrances for us to continue what we have. The bondings, outings, craziness, laugh trips and everyday parties.

           Even if people says, “anyways, you’re the worst class!” oftentimes, we always take those words positively. The fact that we also say to them that, “by the way, we’re the most unified class!” and “we’re enjoying each other!”

          Whoosh. Last march 15, I began using a cell phone. That very first day I was to realize how much we stick together. The word too much isn’t enough to describe, maybe forever will do. That very first day we start forwarding group messages, most of all, that very first day that we didn’t see each other again. Lastly, that very first day that we begin being so much emotional!

          Others even say, wisdom text messages? Worse goodbye? No way. Never. Those little and big things sophomores share on each one which also most of us lead to confession to the highest level! Even some forward thank you messages? Wow. I feel the completeness inside me the magic.

          You know what makes me cry? My heart always search “them”. What makes me not forget are these what we call sophomores and laughing times.

          I missed those hard-headed sophomores. I missed those times! I missed the headstrong phoenix looking as one.

          I swear to you and from the depths of my soul, I love you forever, Guys!

Never Say Never

With these amazing role, how can I resist? No matter what, I’m sure I can handle it. More than you expect.

        Follow the beautiful trails. Aim high, make way and change lives. Believe in miracles and achieve dreams. You may not have to see it to believe it, but you may have to believe it to see it.

        What was your very first thought hearing the magical and powerful sound of an “editor-in-chief”? Impressive. One of my best friends defined it this way, “Full of responsibilities. High quality of leadership. Sense of success.” I agree. But I prefer to say it in just a word, twister. In reality, editor-in-chief does not edits articles only but encounters far more than you see and more than you feel it, the roller-coaster twists. In gratitude for your own good fortune, you must render in return some sacrifice of your life for other life.

        People have different intensities of faith, different levels of trust that things will turn out as they were meant to be. The hope that sets the invisible feels the intangible and reaches the impossible.

      Reality challenges me. In fact, the role made my heart pound. I will never quit, then. I will never say NO, for I believe that very so soon, this is my destiny.

Change for the Better

      “It’s easier said than done”. Before anything else, I knew what Divine Grace is, aside from being a Montessori school, it is an institution who builds UP students to become wiser, responsible and intelligent, to grow up what we’re supposed to be and what to do. I do respect this society a lot. And tell me, you want to ask why? It’s simply because of the change which was influenced by the people associating and managing the campus. Thanks to them. 

       As a matter of fact, within the past three school years accomplished missions, I proudly say we really rule the east! It is undeniable, wherever you are, whenever it takes, we don’t doubt on it, hearing Divine Grace being the headline then people will say, “That’s the school who already achieved a lot, an institution of excellent students as well as teachers.” Aside from these, we do have manners.

      I do believe that this school year’s achievement will gain more. Attending outside events like seminars of press conference and other related curriculums. Remember we are the best among all. We never tried giving up to anything. With regards of clubs or organizations. I expect leaders updating reports, looking forward for the upcoming events and activities upon the subject in a very organized way. Academic contestants must know their responsibilities hoping for their fullest efforts and whole heartedly attentions. Having their trainings well practiced by their respective coaches.

     Though somehow we take these as a very tough work, I know it’s for everyone benefits especially for us graduating students who already experienced a very indescribable tasks, just take this as a challenge.

      Graceans. Our journey ways to be a long travel. I bet, it just have been started. Let our positive outlooks and perspectives conquer us all as we climb the peak of success!

THROWBACKS

It was Monday, October 21st, year 2013, the day when God planned me to see the wonders of His creation and live here on earth and most especially one of the most precious days when my parents had, for my mom gave birth to me on this date. For me, this was not just any ordinary day but I regard this as a highlight of my 18 years of existence. I had my debut. There was no wearing of formal attires; I was in my plain orange shirt and a jumpsuit but around me where people whom I call as my “second family”, “my sisters and brothers in Christ”—my church mates. They surprised me through singing a happy birthday song and for that, I feel secured and contented more than any other day of my life.

Afterwards, we rode a boat and for the first time I appreciated more how beautiful our nature is and how wonderful and great our God is upon creating such fascinations like Caliraya Resort. Going there, experiencing unusual activities and spirit-filled encounter with God were gifts I never have imagined to get and deserve. EVERTHING WAS A BLESSING!

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After passing the UPCAT, deciding what to take up and where university to go in college was hard for me. But more than the decisions I made, realizing that I wasn’t able to attain my ever dream since childhood to become an accountant someday seemed like my life was on a roll, even useless. For once and for all, my urge to study suddenly went down. The feeling wasn’t 'mutual' and the same like before whenever I think about it—imagining myself working in field of accounting or even in a bank wearing in an office suit every single day looked blurry in my sight and inconceivable in my mind.

My purpose was meaningless for me, at this point. But the thing is, as years went by, God impressed to me little by little that He did not really designed me to serve the people through accountancy but for His greater and better purpose. Maybe, that is the mere reason why I am currently taking up BS Civil Engineering. Indeed, I aspired being an accountant to be inspired becoming one of the best, equipped and effective engineers in the near future.

Some things are just bound to happen in one’s life. Whatever point that is, finest or lowest—they are meant to achieve the stepping stones ahead of us.

Liham Para Kay Rizal

Pinakamamahal naming Rizal,

            Isang malaking pribiliheyo na makapagbigay sayo ng mensahe hinggil sa aking kuro-kuro at paniniwala. Bilang kabataan at iskolar ng bayan, batid ko at sariwa pa sa aking isipan ang kataga mong “Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan”, na siya namang naging lakas-loob at inspirasyon ko sa kabila ng hirap hindi lamang sa pag-aaral ngunit sa pakikibaka sa buhay. Wala akong karapatan na ipaalam sayo ang hinaing na ito sapagkat sa aking pagbabalik-tanaw sa nangyari noong Ika-19 dantaon, ang nakalipas na yaon ay puno ng kasakitan, pagmamalabis at pang-aalipin. Hindi ko man nasilayan ang mga ito, nakita ko ang pagbabagong naidulot mo sa pagbangon ng ating Inang Bayan at ang mithiing ‘kalayaan’ laban sa mapang-abusong Espanya. Hindi ko sukat akalain na ito rin ang nagbunsad sa akin bilang Pilipino na mas hangaan ka hindi bilang pambansang bayani ngunit bilang Pilipino na nagsumikap at nanindigan sa iyong prinsipyo na hinulma ng lipunan, ng iyong pamilya, pamamalagi sa Europa at lalong lalo na sa pang-edukasyon na aspeto.

            Huwaran ka, makata at nakilala sa loob at labas ng bansa. Isang mag-aaral na bagama’t nahirapan nung simula ay nagpatuloy magsumikap maging dalubhasa. Pinakita mo na bagama’t nagpapakadalubhasa ka sa medisina ay hindi parin naialis sayo ang pagiging makabayan. Isa kang imahe ng tunay na Pilipino na hindi naghangad ng himagsikan o gumamit ng dahas para sa kapayapaan ng bayan. Nahimok ang mga kapwa-literado bagamat nakaranas ng paninira sa ibang kapwa-pilipino. Karamihan sa amin ay mga estudyante, ang naniniwalang ikaw Rizal ang nagsilbi para mamulat ang mga Pilipino sa mga maling hakbangin ng mga mananakop at naging daan para malaman ng sambayanan ang maling pamamalakad nito. Ipinakita mo rin na higit sa lahat ng bagay, ay ang makapagsilbi sa iyong bayang hinirang. Ang malaki mong ambag sa bayan ang nagbigay dito ng tunay na kalayaan.

Minsang bumaling sa aking isipan, kung may eleksyon at pamumunong maari kang gampanan upang wari’y mas maipakita ang pagnanais na baguhin ang bulok na sistema, kakandidato ka kayang pangulo? Mas palalawakin mo kaya ang koneksyong meron ka? O pipiliin mong pag-ibayuhin ang ‘pagkakaisa’? Sa pagpasok ng bagong henerasyon, kapansin-pansin ang tatak at impluwensiyang iniwan mo. Sa pamamagitan ng iyong buhay, natuto kami ng mga bagay na kailanman ay hindi maituturo ng agham, matematika o literatura. Ang iyong naiwang pangaral ang aking pundasyon upang makatulong sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng kasalukuyan. Hindi ko man matatapatan ang iyong nagawa para sa ating bayan, alam kong may kaya akong gawin sa aking sariling pamamaraan.

Ikaw ang nagbukas sa isip ng bawat kabataan upang magkaroon ng layuning maabot hindi lamang ang mga simple at pang sariling pangarap kundi pati na rin ang mga pangarap na nauukol sa ikauunlad ng bansa. Nakatulong ka sa amin sa pagkakaroon ng kamalayang huwag tumigil sa kung anumang mayroon kami at linangin pa kung anumang larangan aming kinalalagyan. Isa pa, ang pagbukas mo sa mas malalim na pagtingin sa estado ng ating bansa, hindi lamang sa panlabas nitong kaanyuan tulad ng katayuan ng ekonomiya kundi pati na rin sa kaisipan ng tao ukol sa bansa. Ang maselan mong pagtingin sa mga kamalayang ito ang nagturo samin na ang pag-aaral at pakikibaka ay mahalaga.

 Panahon ay lumipas, pangalan mo ay di kumupas. Sa iyong pagkamatay, itinuring kang ‘panginoon’ ng ilan, idolo at naging “pamantayan” ng totoong BAYANI. Sinamba at pinuri ng maraming taon at bagamat magpahanggang ngayon, hindi lingid sa aking kaalaman na nararapat mong makamtan yaong mga paggawa subalit ‘labis-labis’ , ‘hindi tugma’ at ‘baldado’ na sa aking henerasyon. Nais na naming tumigil sa paglingon sa nakaraan ng may utang na loob sayo dahil naniniwala ako na panahon na nang pag-usbong ng mga bagong bayani na mamamatnubay sa pagsulong para sa kompiyansa ng ating kinabukasan.

Nagmamahal,

Arguelles, Menneth Ann

Bautista, Lorie Mae F.

De Los Reyes, Romnick

Galang, Avi Nelisse

Marquez, Jerome