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Firstly, I appreciate the family seen in the photo below because they've been incredibly supportive and liberal for the seventeen years I've been on the planet. They've allowed me to chose what school I went to, what strand I took, they allowed me to start my own business and take major life decisions independently. Honestly, I couldn't ask for better parents and  better siblings.

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Secondly, I thank God for all the friends I have, who've always been there for me to turn to in the rare occasion that I have problems. I appreciate being able to go to concerts with them, festivals, fairs, movies, malls with them, at least pre COVID.

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Thirdly, and fourthly I appreciate all the talents and opportunities that God has given me. I have become a relatively successful debater, winning a championship, reaching the finals in an Asia wide competition and traveling to Yale University and bagging over thirty medals for myself, my family, Ateneo and God. I am so thankful for these opportunities because I know that despite there being billions of incredibly talented people in the world, I have been given the chance to maximize what I have.

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Five years ago, I was given the choice to go to Ateneo or Philippine Science High after passing both entrance tests, and despite being told by my then moderator that I couldn't hit the standards for the said schools and that I should just settle for a smaller, less competitive high school. Luckily, I made the right choice. Now that I am in Ateneo, I appreciate not only the quality of the education but also all the opportunities it has granted me, I have been to Malaysia and the United States competing for the school, and I've been to countless debate competitions carrying the "Ateneo" in my team name. Most importantly however, I appreciate the Catholic teachings we get from the school and I am grateful because this education has made me who I am today.

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I've been in debate since grade 8 now, and I've enjoyed every second of it. I appreciate all the amazing coaching that I've gotten from legends in the circuit but I know that there is still a lot to improve on, and a lot of championships left to win.

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I'm not failing anything (I think) but I find that my academics can still be improved by a lot. I've never was very good at Math and hopefully, despite the online setup, I'll be able to make sure that my grades are up to standard. Moreover, I haven't even been in the honor roll for a long time now, and I plan on changing that as soon as I possibly can.

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I'm not exactly "fat" but I'm not exactly fit either. I need to become more healthy and shed these extra pounds and fat because I know that if left unattended, these may have serious health consequences in the future.

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In 2018 and 2019, I along with dozens of Ateneans attended a competition called the World Scholars Cup, an academic decathlon which spans three rounds, the last being the "Tournament of Champions" in Yale University. I've had the privilege of competing in the ToC twice with Anton Abiera and Rapa Bengzon being my teammates, who are also in Brebeuf (see photo in column 1) and we've been pretty successful so far, but we intend to get back after the pandemic is over.

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My family is from Cebu but I spent my entire life in Manila, but we go to Cebu every year in April to visit my Lola for her birthday, she just turned 100 this year but unfortunately, the circumstances now prevented us from visiting them. I love Cebu for two things. Firstly, my family is there and hanging around them is really fun. Secondly, Cebu is just absolutely beautiful. It's both a city and a province all in one, and at one minute, you can be at the best malls in the country, but only after a short drive, you can experience some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

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A lot of people would write home about their experiences outside the country, but I would write home about a trip that we had closer to home in Christmas 2017. We spent the holiday season in one of the most beautiful and underrated places in our already beautiful country, we were away from 4G signals so accessing social media was very difficult, but luckily I was with my family and they were basically the best company I could ever ask for.

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I came into the school in 2016, a very worried and insecure man. I was constantly doubting my abilities but after short adjustment, I was easily able to find my place in the community. I will forever be thankful for all the amazing friends I've met along the way, for the education the school has given me, and for all the formatters who have gotten me to where I am today.

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Mr. De Leon was my arts teacher in grade 7 and 8, and there is no question that Sir is going to go down in my book as one of the most influential teachers I've ever met. Back in grade 7, Sir allowed me to feel welcomed in Ateneo, and as the year progressed I built a strong relationship with him because we'd always talk outside (and even in classes) about literally anything. Sir taught me to love myself, and accepting that there are people that are better that me in a few things, but what is important is that I love myself and exert the maximum effort in absolutely everything that I do. Although it is unfortunate that he is no longer with us on earth, I thank the Lord for allowing sir to come into my life.

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My mom and dad are weird, because they are unlike many Filipino parents I know. Many Filipino parents are known to be very firm, and limit their kids to what they can and cannot do, but I am incredibly thankful to my parents because they have been very liberal to me, not requiring me to say po and opo, allowing me to take big decisions by myself while still raising me in a household with a very good moral compass and strong faith in the Lord. I am thankful because every night, and when we aren't busy, we always find time to talk to each other, hang out and chat about literally anything that is on our mind.

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11 - Brebeuf has been super nice to me, and I wouldn't change them for anybody else. Everybody has been very welcoming, we're very open to each other, we always play video games together, we always hold calls on our discord at 4 a.m. and despite the online setting, we've managed to become very close to each other.

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Just like Sir, I see the Lord also as a friend and brother because there are times I feel alone, and the person I turn to is my friend and brother in Jesus. This is His image to me because especially now that we are in a pandemic, there are only a limited number of people we can talk to, and on my end, I speak to God to open up about the things that I go through, my goals and wishes, just like what I do with my friends in school.

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Me and my younger brother have an 8 year age gap, but this hasn't stopped us from being very close and hanging out all the time. He's taught me how to be a more loving person, who is attentive and understanding of his needs and I've cherished all the time we've spent playing video games, watching TV shows and hanging out.