Unflinching Pursuit

Passing the entrance exams to CNSHS was–still is–a blessing for me. Attending school here was a huge sacrifice on my part.I needed to wake up early everyday so I won't be late for my classes. Eight hours of sleep suddenly seemed to be a miracle for me. And there were always projects and assignments due in consecutive days. 

But it was a worthwhile decision. 

To be able to say that I study in CNSHS is an honor. It is a prestigious school, after all. Academics is of utmost importance here. There are even elective subjects for additional knowledge.

I was in Grade 6 when one of my friends asked me if I would like to take the entrance exam of this school. I agreed, thinking that it would be a good opportunity. The next day, I had an application form in my hands. 

That was the first time I heard of CNSHS. 

I remember every screening: the nervousness within me, the anticipation. My other friends were very supportive, telling me I can pass the tests. Hearing those words of encouragement helped me, but there was still something gnawing at me. I didn't study for the exams. I wasn't prepared. 

I took the tests with fingers crossed. Every time the bell rang, I jumped in my seat. After the exams, I met up with my friend and chatted for a while before parting ways. Thankfully, we both passed the three screenings.

Looking back on it, I see we've come a long way.

I've been studying here for three years. It's not a walk in the park, but I manage–enough to keep on going. There's still one school year left for me until I graduate, and I'm sure I will continue my studies here. Being in this school has taught me a lot of things. I learned to speak up once in a while and to spend my time wisely. I learned to get along with people who are very, very different from me and put aside my unpleasant thoughts for the sake of cooperation. I faced the music in spite of my reservations. All these little things paid off, of course.

 Everything I learned in this institution will be helpful to me in the future, of that I am certain.

Fallen Heroes

44 police commandos went down in a fight.

They passed away trying to stop violence and devoted themselves to their jobs at a costly price. They knew they may never see their families one more time.

They went, anyway.

They risked their lives in an operation. Uncertainty made it more frightening, but they pushed through without hesitation. All that for the capture of one person.

It wasn't for nothing.  They put others before themselves, ensuring the safety of everyone else. They won't be forgotten, not when they have done honorable things for our country. They will always live on in the hearts of the Filipinos. 

Defying Authority

Students, for all their worth, aren't always so straight-laced. They violate school rules and regulation. Sometimes because they just feel like doing it, like they haven't got a care in the world. Other times they're just shockingly headstrong, desperate enough to do such offensive acts to get their way.

But what if they were caught?

They won't be so devil-may-care the next time, I'm sure.

In Dante's Inferno, there are nine circles for souls who had committed crime when they were still on Earth. Their punishments reflect their sins. They repent, but that isn't ever enough for them to get away with their crime.

Maybe if there were nine stations for violations, students would be set straight. They won't resort to shady acts. For once, there'd be order. Guilt won't weigh them down. Maybe then there'd be justice. Fairness.

I run through the different places of the school in my mind, and think of the possible violations of the students.

The gates of the school lead to the front of the principal's office. There, students who come late to school stay. They write their names on logbooks. If they're lucky enough, they won't miss their first period. Other students are there because of improper uniform. Females roll up their blouse sleeves. Some wear colored socks, while males have haircuts that aren't deemed appropriate.

The sidewalks are usually clean, but occasionally garbage lies on the way. Students pretend to be casual about it, throwing wrappers around. Few students pick up what they see. Sometimes they act like they don't see it and walk on.

During break time, students feel relieved to be out from the classroom. They talk boisterously. In the halls, the canteen - almost everywhere. Teachers tell them to be quiet, but to no avail.

Students sometimes feign illnesses just to get out of school. Worse, some stay in classrooms to skip classes, knowing they'll get a passing grade no matter what.  In truth, they go play computer games with their companions or go home to catch up on sleep.

In classes, students don't pass homework. They think they can make up for it by exerting more effort in other upcoming projects and activities. Just because they can, they will.

Students talk back to teachers or other figures of authority. They try to make their point clear in a disrespectful way. If it was really awful, they may get sent to the principal's office.

Students can cause harm to other students. They say words that hurt too much, that leave the victim with low self-esteem. They make the victim think of himself hatefully and carry those words for the rest of his life.

They can take what isn't theirs to keep, be it a simple notebook, pen, or Merlin forbid, a can of fizzing soda. A small thing to be mad about, but the thought is that you shouldn't take what isn't yours.

They can cheat, too. They copy other people's homework and brand it as their own. They take hard work for granted. They breeze through life easily and don't take things seriously - just for the sake of a passing grade. What's worse is that they get a higher grade than the ones who work hard and are honest.

They can get themselves suspended - or worse, expelled.

A Gratifying Experience

During his five-day stay in the Philippines, Pope Francis brought the Filipinos together and ignited a spark of hope. He was very down-to-earth and had an aura of simplicity. He always said  the things that would strike a chord in everyone.

Many of his words are memorable, but the one that stayed with me is, "So many of you have lost everything. I don't know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. All I can do is keep silence and walk with you all with my silent heart. And to each of you, to your heart, Christ responds with his heart from the cross."

Hearing the words of Pope Francis reminds me that I am not alone in this dreary time. Sometimes, my life seems so bleak, so dark. When I'm alone, I have too much time to think. Too much time that I remember past mistakes, the way things turned out for the worse, and find myself in the viselike grip of grief and regret. Things will work out, I think. Maybe not now, but one day. I know that I'll be better than I am now. 

Our Pope is a man chosen by God to spread peace and love throughout the world. He knows exactly what to do, and I believe he will bless more people in the future. He can put troubled hearts at ease with a few words of comfort, his gentle gaze and genuine smile. His compassion inspires me to lead a better life. His words give me relief from throes of despondency. 

I wish I had seen him in person, but I am thankful that he had come to the Philippines to soothe our case of blues. Pope Francis is plainly and unarguably a blessing to us all.

Opportunities

INSTRUCTIONS: In expressing your views, see to it that you make use of infinitives correctly. (The infinitives are underlined.)

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There are many job opportunities in the Philippines.

Sadly, some people think the salary is not cut out for them. In most cases, workers have families to feed and provide necessities for, and sometimes they have a hard time fulfilling their responsibilities.

So they try to apply for jobs in other countries. In the US, Europe, or other Asian countries.

That's fine, really. After all, they're just doing their duties to their families. With the higher wages that other countries have to offer, people can send money to their families with change to spare. Though they are not close to their families and they do not know what challenges they'll face, they plunge head-on. They endure. That has to be one of the hardest things to experience. Still, the OFW's have no qualms about what they are doing.

In the Philippines, there are less job opportunities (not that I am belittling our country, but that is the truth). On occasion, the workers work overtime for the sake of having extra money. I guess that says a lot about the state of our country.

Here, to have a high salary, you need to be a college graduate with a degree. And unfortunately, some people can't afford that. As a result, they end up as blue-collar workers.

I think if you are looking for something more, trying to attain something that cannot be reached here, it is fine to go abroad. It is your life, after all.

Just don't forget where you came from.

The Endgame

(ROMEO kisses JULIET and takes out the poison)
Come, bitter poison, come, unsavory guide! You desperate pilot, let’s crash this sea-weary ship into the rocks! Here’s to my love.

FRIAR LAWRENCE: Romeo! What on earth are you doing here?

ROMEO drops the poison in surprise.

ROMEO: I am here to gaze upon my sweet wife, Juliet. I heard from Balthasar that she has died and rushed here to see her one last time.

FRIAR LAWRENCE: Ah. I fear I have kept you in the dark. Come quickly, I do not have time to explain here. Go, bring Juliet with you.

WATCHMEN and PARIS’s PAGE enter.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

(coming to the PAGE) Which way shall we go?

FRIAR LAWRENCE: There are men arriving. We have to be fast.

PAGE: This is it. Let us split and find the ones who are responsible for this troublesome event.Go wake the Prince. 

The CHIEF WATCHMAN leaves. The PAGE hears noise from the tomb as he enters it.

(to those in the tomb) Lower your weapons! Do not make a single move, or I shall end your life.

PRINCE ESCALUS enters.

(sees JULIET, ROMEO, and FRIAR LAWRENCE) You are all under arrest and to be questioned later. I do not want you to cause more trouble.

Walk This Way With Me

In all my years as a student, I know I've changed a lot. Back when I was young, I was a very timid student. I rarely participated in class activities in fear of humiliation and I always doubted myself. In my mind, teachers were scary, imposing figures of authority. Sometimes they scowled, but other times they smiled. And while some of them were very welcoming and encouraging, I preferred keeping to myself instead of talking.

Despite being a recluse of sorts, I did my homework and studied all the time. My marks were good, but my teachers said that if I participated in recitations, my grades would be higher. That was something I've heard a lot of times, and I told myself that I'd really do it - raise my hand and speak up - but whenever the dreaded time came, I got cold feet and I'd sink lower into my seat - wishing, just wishing that I had enough confidence to raise my hand.

I'm not too fond of speaking in front of people. The scrutinizing gazes made my skin prickle with discomfort and I often glanced at the floor or the ceiling, anything but the people watching me. It was a never-ending cycle: I'd tell myself to go ahead and take a chance - what was the worst that could happen? - but once I see the number of people in front of me, I lose my so-called bravado and clench my hands in a futile attempt to calm my nerves.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that any form of encouragement means so much to me. Maybe a smile, a nod of acknowledgement, or an "Okay," would be fine. I'm so used to second-guessing myself that I'm pretty sure I don't have an ounce of confidence in my body. Harsh criticism, failure... Those are things I experienced numerous times yet I'm still not used to. They make me feel raw and exposed.

I remember, when I was in elementary, one of my teachers told me to believe in myself. Needless to say, I was thankful for that.

Teachers do so much more than educating. They instill values, inspire, and dedicate themselves to their students. And someway, somehow, it worked.

They may give countless tirades and harangues, but come the end of the day, I'll realize that they were only trying to help. Sure, these are trying times, but I know that with the right people, I'll get through just fine.

In the end, I'll look back on these years and think it's been the best journey anyone could ask for. No matter how things turn up, I will always be thankful for what they've done.

After all, sometimes, all we need is a push in the right direction.