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Born with nothing but his mind and soul, he is constantly fighting against all odds, even just to survive, yet it didn’t stop him from putting up a wide smile for everyone.

He is Renato Panaligan, a 56-year-old man born in the late 60's in a small town near the City of Manila. He grew up in a big family who constantly struggled financially. At night, he would often stare at the kids playing in the street or the groups of men drinking their woes away. He would always wonder what made those people who they were. He knew he would possibly never know the answer though. If the day has been rough for him at school, he would just sit on their roof and get lost in the night sky and the stars hiding its shine, somehow waiting for a shooting star to cross his sight.

He grew up in a not well-off family but he had always been admired for his looks. People often say he looked like an American child with his light brown hair and pointed nose. He always receives praise for that, but what people never knew was how much he hated that. He doesn't like how he was being reduced to someone with just the pretty looks – but never that kid who works hard to get every accomplishment he desires in school. He hated how people were so easy to judge and discredit others over something entirely illogical. But he couldn't say a word - so he just stayed silent.

Growing up, he saw how justice became unreachable for the unprivileged like him. This drove him to his dream of becoming a lawyer someday. He studied well, spending all his time learning new things. Despite everyone’s disapproval, he still continued his studies. He started working to support his own dreams. He somehow made it when he graduated in high school. It was probably the happiest moment of his life as he saw his parents’ proud smiles for the first time. At last, he was able to offer them something that’s entirely from his hard work. Sadly, his happiness was put to an abrupt end when he failed to qualify for a college scholarship – his only remaining hope for his dream.

His failure caused him to lock himself out in the darkness. He could not even look at himself in the mirror for he’s afraid to finally realize how big of a disappointment he was. All he ever wanted was to hold that diploma after four years, but everything vanished in just a second. He got lost for quite some time, refusing to move a single muscle from his body. He didn’t know where to start picking the pieces of his shattered soul. It wasn’t until that day, as he was wandering in the middle of that cold night, he met the girl who fueled his spirit and melted the ice coating his heart. Then, he realized how it has always been him who’s causing his own rain. He started seeing light again because of this girl, it was as if she waved off all the clouds covering the sun. They got to know each other, problems were met but they always walked side by side, never letting go until it finally led to their own little family. This change in his life made him stand again. He felt like he found his new purpose.

He knew he had to hold new responsibilities as he faced a new chapter in his life. He was lucky enough to land a job in a local university nearby. Although the pay wasn’t that much, he had to make a living. He often takes extra jobs at night to further support his family’s needs. Often times he would wonder why he had to live such a hard life. He constantly asks himself whether he’s a good father and husband, he could not even give them what he dreamed for in the first place. But he never wants darkness to swallow him whole again. He’d constantly be reminded of his dream to be a lawyer, and how things might be different for his family if it weren’t for those unfortunate circumstances, but he knows there is a reason behind every fall. He will forever hold that aspiration to help those in need but everything that happened in his life made him realize that his dream is not contained in that title only. Yes, it was his dream to be called a lawyer, but more than that title is the heart and soul of a son, a brother, a friend, a father and a human who is willing to help whoever is in need – and he does it on his own little ways.

Currently, Renato still works in that local university. Who would have thought that that guy who lost all his belief in himself would be the reason for everybody else’s confidence? He became really famous in the university as he would always spread smile and positivity every day. Never letting his problems hinder his duty. During his break, he would often listen to the professors’ lecture even from afar. He said he likes to learn new things, even the little ones, so he will at least have something to teach his children someday. He likes to tell stories to people, encouraging them to continue fighting for what they like and what they think is their purpose. Oftentimes, he would be asked why he always has that smile on his face to which he would answer, “Sometimes, life hardens us to the point of vulnerability but we must not let it win over us. I believe life is filled with different colors, what you paint in the present will determine your future and will give meaning to your past. We only have one chance… we need to live wisely.”  Though he grew up with a different dream, he knows and feels he is living up to his purpose – to inspire, give love and spread happiness. He still has that habit of staring into nothingness, but this time, he does it with a smile because he knows life might have been dark behind but there's a huge amount of light waiting to be seen ahead.

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Probably she's that girl who prefers to be alone than to be with somebody, yet feel lonely.

Meet Hope Dela Cruz, an 18 year old girl who loves to read books, drink coffee and watch horror movies at 3 am in the morning. She lives with her 3 siblings together with her mother that is a nurse and her grandmother that has been with them since their father left them.

Yes it was hard for their mother to raise 4 kids alone but with God's help she was able to work for her children's need.

Hope is an industrious and an emphatic person. Being the eldest among her siblings, she is responsible enough to help their mother for the household chores and . She is cares whenever a family member is in pain. She has an initiative to help other and she believes that with hard work and perseverance can lead her to reach her dreams and support her family.

Aldo she experience hardships and trials she doesn't forget to pray and thank God for everything that they have.

Now that she is in the University, another chapter of her life will start and things to struggles to overcome. Being an introvert it was quite hard for her to start a new friendship but with her sense of humor and cool interest she has able to find 2 good influences that has been with her though the ups and downs of her life.

Things change when both of them failed the Departmental examination that made them transfer to another school.

"Alone again, naturally" Hope sighed as she sat down at the side of the hallway, puts her earphones on and open the pages of her favorite book. Never noticing the noise that surrounding. Reading a book and listening to a really good music makes her forget the sad things that happen to her for a while.

Suddenly,  at midst of sadness and longing for friendship, one student stopped for a while and ask a favor if she can be photographed for a school activity. She just nod her head  and said "Sure"

"People come and people go" Hope smiled.

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Post the picture and your essay-caption on the same thread. DO NOT POST YOUR OUTPUTS IN THE COMMENT BOX OR ANYWHERE. You have to make your own thread. It's like posting on Facebook.

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Let's meet John Ray Eslawan a 20-year-old student from Manila University. He was born raised in Toledo City,Cebu and went here in Manila just to continue his study. At the age of 5, his father died. That's why his mother worked as a domestic helper in abroad to support their financial needs. He is the eldest among his four siblings. And at the very young age, he knew his responsibility in his family.

Growing up without a parents by your side is really hard.There were times that I ask God, if it is his plan for me to have this kind of life. But whenever I think all my mother's work and sacrifices, it answers all my questions. That maybe God test me to become strong and responsible in each circumstances. Our situation leads me to work hard in my studies. I graduated Highschool as a salutatorian and now, I'm running as a Magna Cumlaude in the field of Accountancy. This award is dedicated to my Mom who sacrifices a lot in abroad just to fulfill all our needs. Thankyou Mom! It was all worth it. -John Ray Eslawan, Magna Cumlaude at Manila University.

This kind of journey really inspire us a lot to work hard for our dreams. Sometimes it's easy to believe everything is important. But, in reality, some things just are more important than others. If you tend to think everything is important, it will be very difficult to prioritize. If you find yourself living in the Crisis category most of the time, your productivity will weaken and you will quite simply just burn out. It's unsustainable. The only way out is to focus on what you can do to plan for, prepare and prevent the kinds of things that force you to operate in a crisis. When the crisis does occur, you'll be equipped to handle it and move on much more easily.

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Nilda Paco, a 40 year old woman who is currently working in a university as one of the utility person. She was born in Manila with a family that has a meager income. She did not finished her high school due to financial constraints. Her mother is a housekeeper while her father is a carpenter. With that condition, she tried everything to earn for a living. At the age of 15 she became a vendor in a bakery and sell “balot” at night just to feed her family. Everyday she sees life as a wonderful gift from God that has to be enjoyed and be grateful for. Her greatest joy is her family. Through those hard journeys that she encountered too young, she became passionate and optimistic in life.
At the age of 25 she got pregnant with her first child, after being with this guy that he met in a canteen where she had worked and got to live in together, but after three years of being together, they got married. Having a family of her own was not an easy task for her. But loving her own family still was her greatest joy. She has to managed her time being a working mom. After 10 years she had four children in all. With the big burdens laid in her shoulders, she wants more to accomplish in life. To give a good education for her children and someday to own a house for her family. She wants a small business that will be an extra income for her family because her husband died just recently due to an incurable disease.
Right now, she’s pursuing hard to give a good life for her children. Being a utility personnel, she is tirelessly doing her job passionately without complaining or tantrums eventhough it is very hard to maintain a clean comfort room. She always have her earpiece for she really loves listening to music. She feels comfortable and relaxed while cleaning the comfort room with an earpiece on.
She really loves what she’s doing now and really passionate about it. She’s a woman to admire of. Struggling in life yet continues to pursue what she really wants. Despite challenges and hindrances she’s pretty sure that one day all her dreams would come true.
An inspiration to many ; showing the true essence of passion and commitment in every aspect of life.

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This girl standing right in front of you is Andrea Alarin, an 18 yr old college student residing at Caloocan City. A lady with family that is not that rich but know how to manage their wealth very well. She is just a typical girl that you can see around the hall of your school having a very long shiny hair, with some make up on her face and likes to wear high heeled shoes. Some people may judge her based on her aura but as soon as you get to know everything about her, you will surely like all of her. She love to hang out with her friends and likes to play with her pet. She doesn't like to go otside without someone with her because she was used to be guarded with her cousins. Aside from this, whenever her grandparents will visit them in their home, she always felt an extreme excitement because her grandparents are the ones who took care of her since she was young. She always remember her happiest moments with her grandparents like sending her to school everyday. She also remembers how she cried whenever her grandparents will leave her inside the classroom and for her that is the embarrasing but memorable moments with them. She really miss those moments and asking if she could go back to her childhood where she thinks nothing but to play and cried for anything she wants.
Now that she is already a college student, her grandparents are still there to support her in everything. Her parents wanted her to be a teacher to follow their legacy but since she has a stand and wants to become whom she really wants, she decide to take business course to become a business woman and help her grandparents in managing their mini poultry in their province. That is why, she always strive to be the best in their class to equip all the characteristics and attitudes of a successful business woman and to prove to her parents that she can achieve the dream that she want. Back when she was a child since she grew up with her grandparents, she always wants to be the one who will take the orders and payments of their customers and that also triggers her to take this kind of course. After class, she always go to their library to read more about their topics, and if you can't see her in the library, probably she's with her friends. Andrea really love her course even though her parents are not that supportive to her studies. She's currently working in a well known fastfood chain for her to send herself to school and to buy all her needs. For her, no matter how hard her work is, no one can stop her to chase her dreams and also to prove to her parents that she can be whatever she wanted to be. Sometimes she felt very tired that she even tried to skip her class for her to have enough sleep, she even tried to borrow money to her classmates to support her studies because she doesn't want to ask for her parents and she also doesn't want to tell her grandparents about her relationship with her parents for them not to worry about her. But after all the struggles and hardship that she had been encountered, she still believe in herself that no problem will stop her from anything unless you don't want to fight for all the reasons why you started.

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Hi, I am Shane Castaneda, I am 23 years old and was  born on August 8, 1996 on my father's province, Orani Bataan.
If you were going to ask me how was my life  way back then, I would honestly tell you it was hard, really hard. Our family was so simple, I went to school from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, since that was the set-up of classes in provinces. I was just a simple girl even up until now. I am not one of those students who standout academically but I can say that I am one of the reliable and responsible student in our class. You know why? Because I love to lead people,  I dreamt of becoming a president of our country someday. I think that's what makes me happy, to lead other people and to help them succeed to the path they will take.
I can still remember the day I was elected as a president to one of our organizations in the university, It was one of my happiest moments in life. I feel like I already won as the president of the Philippines which is my ultimate dream.
My life is so simple, I dreamt to be one of the greatest leader of our country. Despite having that tough dream, I still know how to enjoy life itself.
Whenever I have free time, I usually do some charity works in our community. Yes, I know you think I am so weird to treat charity works as my past time but it's true. It didn't makes me feel tired but rather it adds fuel to my burning desire to pursue my dream.
This April of the current year, I will be able to take the next step towards my dream, I will be able to get my diploma. I am hoping and praying that this same year, I will be able to work on my ideal work place with my ideal work mates.

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This lady started her day with a smile. Let me introduce you to Pyper Clementine Cruz. She is a 19 year old active and goal digger college student. She was well raised from a small family. She received great support and guidance from the people around her. She got her positive mindset from her mother and her impulsive side from her father.
There is nothing special with her besides her braided hair but her inside is enigmatic and that what makes her interesting. With the help of her 7 close friends, she managed to survive in college. They love each other like family. Sky, her dog was her vitamins because everytime that she's having a bad day, she can just play with him and her mood will change. He was a ball of sunshine. Unfortunately Sky died, she was so devastated because her vitamins is no longer there to energize her and that made her realized that she wanted to become a veterinarian because she failed to save him. During those sad days she started reading books that her friends and family gave. It was placed in her book shelves but she never touch them. Because of that she became a book worm. Every after school you can find her inside the book store, buying new books. She don't care about the price because she knows that it will be worth it. One thing that triggered her love for books was her childhood dream, she wanted to become a book writer before, but she thought that she was not capable of being one. That's her main problem she never believe herself. She has a good memory because she can still remember things from the past but one thing that she will never forget was when she met her childhood crush, his  name is Blue. The way he smile, laugh and cry is still fresh in her mind. She wanted to meet him again but she was not sure whether he can still remember her. She spend her free time with her 7 friends and they always visit museums near their city. She is an independent girl so she's doing a part time job, she is currently working at a cafe shop every weekends although it is not the best job she had, she still treasures her workmates because they are all so kind to her. One time while she was working she accidentally discovered her hidden talent. She can open a bottled soda using her teeth. Yes, sometimes she's weird but that makes her unique. Coco Chanel once said that " in order to be irreplaceable one should be different."

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He is Ariel Deguzman, a 28 years old man. He was born on September 16, 1991 in Cagayan De Oro. Together with his family, he enjoyed living in a simple house which they inherited from his grandfather. His family was struggling in financial problem which made Ariel and his siblings stop going to school. He is the youngest among his five siblings. All his siblings did not finished their study, instead, they decided to be a fisherman to help their parents. Ariel has a poor eye sight, which made his life more miserable. He can't avail eyeglass for himself because they don't have enough money. Because of his poor eye sight, he can't help his parents in fishing.

One day, his father went home with the eyeglass that Ariel wished for. Ariel was very happy because of his new eyeglass. He really liked reading before, he was borrowing the eyeglass of his grandfather when he wants to read a book. But because he already have his own eyeglass, he can now continue to read a lot of books. He also decided to continue his schooling. His parents were against in his decision which made them mad to each other. His father wanted him to help them in fishing that's why he bought the eyeglass, but Ariel refused to help them. Ariel really wants to go to school, so he enrolled himself in Cagayan Elementary School. Because of being a hardworking student, he became a scholar student until his high school days. His parents were still not happy in his situation, they thinked that he was just wasting his time.

Ariel did not listen to his parents and he continue to study. After 8 years he finished elementary and high school, and he decided to go to Manila. His parents did not agree to his decision, they started to shout to each other. While Ariel was explaining his side a fast and bursting hand reached his face which made him fell on the ground. It is the first time that Ariel felt that way. He decided to leave and he went to Manila. He took a scholarship in University of the Philippines, and because of his intelligence, he passed the scholarship exam and the entrance exam in U.P. He took Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English. After 4 years, he graduated with latin honors and he convinced his parents to live in Manila together with him.

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"Put your heart, mind and soul into even smallest acts. This is the secret of success."

Natasha Cruz, a 19 year old college student who always reminding herself to learn to enjoy every minute of her life. She is very passionate in everything she will do.  She was raised from a poor family.  She is surrounded with love and support from her family. Even though they are not rich, Natasha learned from her parents to be always thankful to God. Natasha is just a typical girl in school, nothing special. She really loves to study and make her parents proud. That is why she always give her best in everything. Even though they lacked of expensive life, she proved to everyone that status in life is not a hindrance to make your dreams come true.

It was Natasha's 4th year in college. Nothing will be more happier than her because at last, she graduated in college. Her graduation is her happiest moment in life since she is the first one who graduated in college in their family. Natasha was so sure that her parents is the  proudest parents in the world on her graduation day. It is her dream in life, to make her parents happy and proud. It is her long time dream that she really wanted to accomplish. As a gift for her hard work, Natasha received a guitar from her parents. On that day, Natasha always play her guitar in front of her parents singing a song full of love. It was added to her favorites. She became interested to write songs and to play different songs. Everytime she is doing it, she always remember that when she was in highschool she used to play the guitar of his classmate. She always tell her classmates that she wanted to become a guitarist and a singer someday that is why her classmate decided to teach her. Since she don't have her own guitar, she had a hard time to practice until she lost interest. But now, it is her favorite past time. Everytime she feel happy or sad, she will just play her guitar. Playing her guitar also taught her to be creative. She learned to composed her own song based on what she really feel in this world.

Now, Natasha is working as a private school teacher. Even though, she did not end as a guitarist or singer, she was very happy to teach the students and to share what she learned when she was still a student also. She imparted the things she encounter in her journey in being a student and a daughter. One time, while she was teaching her students, because of overflowing happiness she feel, she accidentally found out that she can move her ears everytime she wants to move it. After she found out that she can move her ears, she immediately told it to her students and tell them also to discover their unique talents.

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Death is the beginning of the new formed life. Loss and unfound is the adventure of her wandering soul. Deep down the horizon of cold dark Ocean, you’ll see the calmness in her eyes – a glimmering frozen pearl.
Clock ticks down, time freezes – again. She’s as lovely as her mother, their eyes look the same. She’s the princess of her father’s mini-kingdom, a perfectly adequate kingdom – of dreams. Em is my bestfriend. The first day we met, she was surprised but I loved that tight hug she gave me. We played a lot. Lot of our memories was captured in her camera. She loves taking pictures of a happy family everywhere she goes. At the very young age of seven, she’s already good at taking pictures until her last eighteenth year birthday. Christmas of year two thousand was the happiest day of their life as her mother finally had her sweet little princess.
A sudden joyful, cheerful, and lovable girl grows unhappy. Two people out there shouts out loud in the middle of the night. It’s her fakest smile that makes me comfortable for I know that she fights. She’s not afraid of wounds but instead loves it. I don’t know why, but she really loves it. One day, she told her mother that even the mightiest bond is meant to be cut. Then she left me. Every night, I saw her mother cries. Her mother hugged me so tight, even tighter than she did for the first time. I can still remember how it feels for the last time.
Em’s a beautiful girl, turned into a fine lady of dreams. She wanted to become a known photographer… but the king demands a doctor. And the princess was deaf for the highness’ call. She still loves what she does – even if it means to support her own passion. Em secretly worked as an event photographer. She aims to buy lenses for her precious camera. Her joy is to capture all the moments, regardless how happy or sad – as long as it’s real.
Countless nights and days, grief and doubts, loudest screams and cracking glasses.
I hate to see Em, crying. I can’t comfort her. I know, for sure, she needs me. She needs a hug and a buddy to swipe all of her tears like the good old days. She looks even not the same anymore but for me, she’ll always be that pretty girl that I saw hanging down the ceiling, who loves to take pictures of her bloody limbs and enjoys the pain but refuses agony.
“I don’t know what happened.” Mr. Trinidad was shocked; he didn’t even know that he even care. “How come it happened?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Trinidad, your daughter hid something here.” The police inspector presented me to Em’s parents. “Your adopted daughter put some captured picture evidences and a journal inside this teddy bear. You’re under arrest.”

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THE END OF THE END
“If having a perfect life is what most people dream of, maybe life is not perfect for having me.”
As Samantha Bullocks glance her way through the nostalgic place where she spent her whole existence, the emotions and memories she have had immediately tear her into pieces. Few decades ago when she last stepped onto this place, it was then a meadow when things all suddenly changed; beneficial to most but not to her who have lost all that means life to her. Samantha was a simple young lady with her family whose means of living were coming from a small land inherited by her father from their ancestors. Planting seeds, gathering leaves were what they mostly do, and she was grateful for everything they had ‘til it was lost and taken away by people whose living through taking away others life. How Ironic her life was when the land they owed for living also cause her to lose her love ones. Melinda, her aunt immediately took all the responsibilities after the death of her whole family; she who wiped her tears away and lead her to a new world where dismay is nothing more but just a word.

Years gone by as she takes the path her aunt wanted her to be in. Even so she’s still grateful for having Melinda in many ways and all throughout her journey but things seems to mean differently with people like Sam. Despite of having what most people dream of, she’s still feel incomplete and quite unsatisfied.

Early this morning when she decided to face the things that pulling her down, she told herself that this is the last time she will cry for the thing she couldn’t take back. and for the last time she had her last glance and pick up all the fragments of herself from the place where she once had and lost her life.

People might say that she have missed a lot already and her realization won’t matter at all for she has now shorter time to enjoy life but here’s her message to people whose limiting others’ life by forcing their narrow understanding about it.

“Happiness might took a long time for others and in a short period of time for some but if you are to think and evaluate these things. Time is never certain for life can end anytime but happiness will remain happiness whether you had it at the first glance of yours  to your love ones or at the last breath of your life.”

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"Upended"

“Yes, you can lose somebody overnight, yes, your whole life can be turned upside down. Life is short. It can come and go like a feather in the wind. " -Shania Twain

Harith, at the age of 20, thought he had all life figured out. He has the looks, money, fame, and a lovely girlfriend. He loves to be on the spotlight and hate if someone steal it. You can always see him at parties. Partying all night long. Playing basketball and partying

at bars is his favorite pasttime until he become obsessed with it and loses everything.

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AVERAGE

Sitting alone in the school cafeteria with her chin resting on her hand is the girl that goes by the name, Tessa. Theresa Avery or Tessa (As to how she preferred to be called) is an Education major in University of Virginia. She looks happy doesn't she? But the truth is she isn't . Today is supposedly the final examination of the 19 year old Education major Student but much to her surprise and disappointment, their professor in one of her major subjects didn't show up. She pulled an all nighter just to study all those things that were taught(barely) by their mushroom like professor. She fumbles through her bag and reached down for her pen and sketchpad and she started to draw a caricature of her most "beloved" professor. Tessa has been a good artist. She loves to draw, specifically those person that she had grudges on. Why you think? that's what she thought as well. She find most fun in murdering and distorting the faces of her most hated persons through her drawings. Because she knew she couldn't just do it in real life, though the thought made her smile. With her short hair, chubby cheeks and mostly asian features, you wouldn't really think that she has Caucasian blood running in her vein. She isn't ashamed to be half Asian or something, she's just kind of confused sometimes as to what group of people to join. She could join those group of Asians only to hear them complain about their 4.5 GPA and how they've been a disgrace to the family or she could just join the white kids talking about football or how they will go striking around the campus for the upcoming foundation day. Tessa didn't care. She likes and prefer her own company and that wouldn't be difficult since she's an only child. She's got a few friends but only some of them seems to enjoy Tessa's company that much because they knew too much about Tessa being a little too talkative and kind of an uptight person and being just awkward at times. Tessa has been and forever will be a preppy kind of a person. That's just how she has been raised. Her parents, Mr and Mrs. Avery, being both high School teachers, taught her to be prim and proper. She couldn't complain about anything and she will never have anything to complain about. She's got all the attention growing up. She is admitted to a good university and her grades not too high and not too low at the same time. She's average at the very least . Tessa's physical feature aren't much of an extraordinary either. She would call herself 'Basic' sometimes. Considering her not so busty figure, Tessa will never prefer wearing revealing outfit. Where is she going anyway? Most(all) of the time she would just stay at her dorm when she had no classes, if not, she's doing her job, working as a part time tutor for some college students who are having a hard time knowing the difference between 'your' and' you're' . She's got no boyfriend. Her parents wouldn't allow her to date in college, not with them being miles away from their daughter.

As Tessa finishes her distorted caricature drawing of their professor, she stood up, dust the Plaid skirts that lays just above her knee, fixed her polo and cardigan she had bought while thrift shopping at the local good will store and started walking back to her dorm. It isn't that far. If her mind isn't floating anywhere, it will just take her approximately 15 minutes walking from the campus to her dorm, but that happens ever so often. Tessa is a daydreamer, just by looking around the campus or passersby or to those topless and sweaty lacrosse players in the fields near the College of Education building, her head will surely go up in the cloud nine in an instant. Though she's good at drawing, Tessa really wanted to become a teacher and a writer. She wasn't fully influenced by both her parents but the thought of being able to share her knowledge is astonishing for her. Aside from that, she knew she will not make enough money just by drawing and stuff. Through her walk back to her dorm, Tessa's phone vibrates from her pocket and reached down to see a message from one of her friends, Suzy. She opened the message and instantly squealed when a photo of Daniel Caesar's upcoming album laid before her eyes. She's a huge fan of the singer.  Tessa is a little tired  when she arrived at her dorm. It isn't too big. She has her own small space, enough for her bed, desk and drawers to fit in. She threw her backpack on her bed and put her sketchpad on her desk. She sits on the reclining chair bought by her dad last semester and scans her old drawings that are posted on her wall. She thinks that she isn't that good at drawing but she still do it because that's one of the things that makes her happy. She decided to do some assignments and some internet surfing before drifting to sleep on her chair, ready to dream about her desire to go to the Philippines and teach there.

PATRIXIA ANN BESA

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Man born with passion

The tired look on his face from everyday work. Enduring the heat, showing the face of a responsible worker and father to his children.

He is Ronald Diaz Manansalang, 42 years of age, born on January 23, 1972 at San Roque Northern Samar.
His childhood was never been easy. His father left them when he was 5 years old and his mother  died when he was 10 years old. He worked at early age and got bullied inside his school wherein his classmates pull off his pants showing his underwear, that is the most embarassing moment in his life as a child.
Now, he is a guard on a university . From being a short abd nerdy boy turn into tall and dark man. The only thing that hasn't change is his love in food but still he doesn't like eating bitter gourd. He's now living in suburb with his 3 beautiful daughters and wife.
For him, seeing his wife and daughters preparing breakfast every morning with his favorite coffee and bread, dipping it to the coffee while reading newspaper is the best moment of his life.
Being a guard in a university is not an easy task to do for Roland. He needs to endure the heat while wearing his white long sleeves uniform and black pants. Though tired and restless from work he is still happy to serve the people on the university. Since his work is the only source of income to support his family, he endures the pain and heat but all of his sacrifices are paid when one of his daughter graduated as Bachelor of Science in Accountancy,  cumlaude in P.U.P. Remembering all the hardships that he had done for the past few years to give a better life to his family. It's like a dream come true when he saw his daughter receiving her diploma.

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Emphatic

Joy Danan, a 20 year old man: short, dark and lives with glasses living in a subdivision in Tondo, Manila with his grandmother named Saleng. Both of his parents was an entitled businessman and is most of the time out of town for work. Due to this matter, his grandmother, Saleng was the one who had taken care of him whenever his parents were into work starting from his infancy up until he grew up as an adult. He was born on December 13, 1998 during the time when he had finally took out of his mother's womb, a smile curved in his lips and his mother, Dina felt excited given that it was her first experience on having a baby and to think that it had smiled from the moment it was took out in his womb, she had decided to name it Joy; first because it smiled like it was so joyful to finally having met the world, and second, because it had brought her so much bliss. Dina and Lenor as husband and wife spent their time in being responsible to each of their works; Dina being the mother of the child, doing household chores and taking care of Joy, and Lenor as a husband and a father, has to go off to work to earn money for their daily survival. They weren't rich. But not also poor. They were the average. They buy enough food for the whole family, and can even share some of their earnings to Lenor's mother, Saleng. Joy's grandmother lives 10 kilometers apart from where he and his parents lives but inspite of the distance, he enjoys travelling to his grandmother's place, every right after school. Joy was always thrilled by how knowledge comes in to his brain every time that he attends his class from kindergarten up to when he reached highschool. Everyday, when he learns new things, he has always wanted to share what he had learned to somebody else, and it happens that his grandmother is always there inside their house since his parents were always at work. He told Saleng stories such as how he had learned to count from 1 to 10, how his teacher had made him count candies until it reached 100 and how he discovered that the red flower in his school has a sweet drop if you pull the string until it reaches the end, how money can give him what he wants and how colors could be so confusing to him. Every story being told by Joy was like an energizer for his grandmother, Saleng. His grandmother, whenever he tells her stories always thought that the word "joy" really suits him, not just because he's happy with whatever happens to him, no matter how bad or good it is, but because he makes people happy too. She had thought that whoever this child can mingle with, will be fortunate for he was bright, caring, lovable, and an emphatic kid.
Joy was an emphatic kid. He was known to be a joyful person for that's what can be seen in him. People calls him by his name with a smile on their faces not knowing his emphatic ability. He surely can share his funny dreams with someone whom he considers as close to him, just like his dream when he had a chicken foot as one of the star players in soccer or just like when he had dreamt about talking to an arrow and telling it not to eat his favorite chocolate marshmallows or even one of his unforgettable dream wherein he had finally seen the future through looking into somebody else's nose. He was one of those people whom you can count on in the days of celebration, but also there in times of melancholy. He could easily be empathic in terms of just listening to your cries and just letting you know he's there. He was that kind of a person who hates sunflowers but could take you to a sunflower garden just because he knew that it will make you feel better. He was never the one who will leave you behind even in the darkest moments of life. He'll be there, for he loves to love people who thinks they are being unloved; for he loves to be the one existing in situations people hates the most. Being able to see people's smiles after witnessing their pain, is what makes his heart flutter. He knows he wants to do things like those for it doesn't only make people in pain happy, but also himself.
Other people around him might even think that he was being so considerate to the point that it was so unrealistic; but they just cannot understand the feelings that he understoods unconsciously. He hasn't yet realized that he eas unconsciously understanding people's feelings and emotions. He can't really comprehend how he acts when someone beside him never speaks, cries or just stays quiet. What he knows is that he just knew what he doesn't know. Kind of unclear but he was contented to that until he graduated in college.

He who had always thought of other people's pain, he who had always wanted to make others feel relief, he was that kind of a man that took 20 years of existence before he realized that what he gives to others was the kind of help he seeks and need.

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Hi! Im Rodrique Despacito Parenque and I'm already 24 but looking 16. Anyway, yesterday was my birthday February 7 yet  my friends didnt noticed that. They did'nt even know when was my exact birthday although we belong in the same school, same peer, same group in our thesis and we are in the same OJT . I actually know my friends birthdays because in the past 4 years of our lives we've been together.
So if your'e interested in my life well I'll tell you Im just a nerdy-weirdy guy in this school. I have a lot of pimles , Im too skinny for a guy , I have a round eyes and my nose , nevermind. But they say that Im smart and I dont believe them because I believe that my knowledge is too small for a 24 year old guy. Like , Im kind of childish with a sense . To tell you something, I really hate my friends because they dont like what I like so what I did is that I just stay in our group and DO NOTHING. Seriously speaking, Im going to like rather love my friends if they will surprise me on my birthday but unfortunately- They didnt surprise me on my birthday and that was yesterday right? Oh common, I really hate them. They didn't even bother about my birthday so I need to accept the fact that they are not interested to me.
As a graduating student, it feels like its the end of the world to accomplish everything like what the heck is the reason why I am studying in this Oh-So-Boring School and comply with the requirements and then get married- but the sad reality is that I need to comply in everything so that I can finally fullfil my dreams which is to graduate. Because, hey Im already 24 yet Im still here in school doing a lot of stuffs that makes me crazy. If in this year , im really hoping guys, i will graduate and find an awesome job i will buy a refrigarator full of food. If you are thinking why fridge, it is because Im really afraid to be hungry and also when I was a kid we do not have a fridge in our house, so fridge becomes my inspiration to graduate. I forgot to tell that I am currently working on my requirement so that I can feed myself after I graduated.

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This is a very rare photo of me, Joey Manuel, a security guard in a state university here in Metro Manila. This photo was just sent to me by one of the students studying there, who became my friends. I think I have changed so much, physically. My skinny body before was now better. I am not fat but I am not so thin either. My skin also improved. My skin before was as dark as charcoal because of working three jobs before, but now it's more fair. My eyes look much better now, before my under eyes were so dark. I really have changed a lot. I think I am better now. But before all these improvement, I went through a lot.

I was born in Alicia, Isabela on September 15, 1977. I was born to a simple family. My father was working before in the municipality office and my mother was just a plain housewife. I have a younger sister named Joanna who is three years younger than me. Life was just okay, until my father was accused of being involved in an issue of the previous mayor of our town who is accused of being a drug lord.

I can still remember the night when the police came to our house saying that my father was already dead in a car ambush. My mother couldn't believe the news, because who would even do that to my father who was just a simple municipal employee that time? And then, the news came that Mayor Halili was in the same car together with two more municipal employees and his driver. They were all dead on the spot.

After my father's death, I was forced to stop studying, I was supposed to be graduating from high school that time. Unlike others who inherit money from their dead parents, I was forced to work two jobs a day to support my sister's studying and to serve food on our dining table.

I planned to continue studying when our family is more stabled, but five years later, my mother was diagnosed of lung cancer. And by the time we knew about it, it was too late. It was already in stage four. My sister and I were both working two jobs that time to support our mother's medicinal needs. But after a few months, we ran out of money, and our mother died.

I thought losing my father was the biggest struggle that I will encounter, but I was wrong. After losing my mother, I realized that the pain that I felt was heavier, more intense than the pain I felt when my father died. I thought that if I only worked more jobs I could save her life. But I didn't.

Three months after our mother's death, I decided to go to Manila to start a new beginning. I wanted to stay away of all the things that makes me remember about my parents. I can't even look at my sister because she reminds me of our mother. And so I went.

I used the money that I got from selling our old tricycle to rent a room. I really want to continue studying so whenever I have extra time and extra money I buy books that are about psychology and history.

I found a job at a restaurant as a dishwasher. The salary was low but it was enough to feed me on a daily basis. After 5 months I found another job, I was a family driver of Mr. and Mrs. Cruz, who owns a school supplies store. The salary was better than my first job and on my free time, I still read history books and sometimes I borrow the books of my boss's son.

From time to time, I could still remember those sad and bad memories of my parent's death, but I will my self to go back to the present and focus on what is happening right now than to dwell on the past.

I was with the Cruz family for 6 years, and I am very thankful for them because they are sponsoring my study. And even though I am not working for them anymore, they still pay for my tuition. I am working as a security guard on the university that I am studying in. I study in the morning and I work at night. My salary now is enough to support my daily needs and I am now living with my sister, who is working as a service crew at a fast food chain and is studying too at a school nearby.

Now, I am 41 years old. I am on my third year in college, and I'm currently a third year BSE-History student. My life right now is not what I planned it to be. But I could say that the road I am taking right now is the road that will someday, lead me there.

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A little smile, a special smile. She thinks that if you look at her, you cannot see anything special. That if we describe her, everything will be normal, a 5 feet tall girl with eyes, nose, lips, ears and everything. But nothing special, is there really nothing special? No, she has the smile that can hide a thousand pains.

She is living with her dad and two sisters. Her mother left them when she was a child. Luckily they have a very loving and supportive father who take care of them up until today. They have their own small restaurant, her father support them with this restaurant. It just a small restaurant, all of their dish is made from fish. This is maybe the reason why she loves fishing. Her room is filled with things that is used for fishing. She has a photo book full of pictures of the fishes that she caught. Whenever she has free time, she will ask her father to be with her to go fishing. Fishing had been her hobby and best friend. She was the happiest when she caught her first fish back when she was still in grade school. From that day she dreamed to have her own fishing pond. This hobby of her, help her develop a really cute quirk, and that is to feel the fishes play the bait in the hook of her fishing rod.

It was a mystery for everyone, why do she loves fishing so much even though she was born and raise in a modern city. She was born on June 28, 1998 in Makati City. When she was 8 years old, something happened that changed their life. Her mother left them. While her mother was leaving, she beg her not to go. But her mother left them without any hesitation. This made a big impact on them, their father had to stop working just to take care of them. She had to stop going to school for they are having a difficulty in terms of financial. After few years her father started their small restaurant with the help of her grandparents.

With everything that happened to her and he'd family, it made her feel invisible. Going to school or just even going outside is an embarrassment for her. But she is doing her best and living her life to the fullest, not for her self but for her father. Bryle Samantha Co is a simple girl that wears her smile everyday, to be normal.

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TRANSMOGRIFIED

It was February 08, 1998 when a baby girl was born in Genuinely Hospital somewhere in Quezon City and raised by a not so poor and not so rich family with a religious background from her great great grandmother. She was raised by an over-protective parents since she is an only child and consider as a miracle baby. Everyone see her as an angel because she was indeed looks like an angel and was raised very well by her parents making her famous in their place. Eventually, when the little girl turned 20 she still looks like an angel but little did they know, this angel turns into a demon angel at night. Because that was the time of her freedom or what she calls "Freedom hour". She loves doing what her parents forbid her, because all through out the 20 years of existence she felt being controlled by her parents. Every night, she could do all the things that she wanted without thinking about her parents. She is happy with her trusted friends, clubbing and making the most out of it every night. During the day, she will be back again into an Angel that every one in their place know. This is her everyday routine in life. However, in an unexpected moment, an unexpected person came into her life. A person changed her, and taught her how to value herself more than she know, a man that saw her beauty inside and out, understand her past and accepts her despite of her dark secret. And that was how the little girl named Miracle Angel Gajitela transmogrified, making it the happiest moment of her life.

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Bethany Lopez, as she was named by her mother; the youngest of the two siblings, and the one who have never seen the father. She grew up in the most hidden part of Reparo, well she was born at the very same house too. She was raised by her mother and her brother, though he's raising a family of his own too. She was very eager to finish college to help her mother and so she works part-time at a famous fast food restaurant. She's 19 and everyone admired her for striving. She have always thought of the most memorable moment in her life to keep her going - her high school graduation; she thought that will be the last graduation she'll ever have her mom with but she was so thankful for the scholarship she had which had helped her pursue her dream to be an educator. She wakes up every morning to go to the school where she's trained to be one; goes home thinking of what to do for the next class she'll be in; and spends some of the nights serving people burger and fries. If she'll have any time spare, she'll grab her pencil and draw the places she's been, keeping a note of the memories they hold; and if finances go out of hand, she'd sell them for extra income. She loved her family on top of all things, but what she hates is that she never had a memory of her father. She envied kids playing at the park with their dads and it made her sad everytime she needs to serve at a table with one. She was hoping to have even just a single memory of him but she knows she can never get the time back. She was just hoping accidents do not exist.

She liked her hair in a bun for it suits her tall and skinny appearance. She was pretty with the tall nose and the sparkly eyes she has; a head-turner, some would say. Numerous guys have tried to ask her out but she insisted on putting studying on top of anything. For her, the greatest joy can not only be found in a partner, but in her mother whom she gets her strength to keep going.

She is almost graduating, and now waiting in line for the payment. She's so excited of what's yet to come - the day of when she can finally give the paper to her mom and say "we did it". And although the future scares her, she'll never allow it to get on the way of her dreams. She worked hard for this, she thought, and she will not waste any of the time she will be staying at her school. Dreams do come true, she believed. And now she's waiting for one to come.

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Cupiado, Patricia Mae B.

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Tynea Barbara de Vega, a sweet, angelic, strong, 21 year old successful woman. Some say her date of existence brings fortune to her life that is why she became successful at her young age. But, of course behind those success are hard work and failures.

Tynea is the only child of the late Simon de Vega, who was the former Barangay Captain in the place where she grew up. She was born in a secluded place somewhere in Zamboanga. Their life in the place of her existence is poor and very chaotic. Sometimes she went to school together with her classmates hearing gunshots.  There came a point that she must stop schooling for there own safety. But Tynea is a strong girl even at her young age and she let the situation become her inspiration and promise to her family to leave the place so that they can live a peaceful and happy life. She is very eager to finish her studies and be the help to her parents.
But later on, a year after she promise to herself both of her parents ,her greatest treasure and who give her strength each day to face the world with courage and smile in her face, died by a gunshot in their own home while she was away from school.

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Clarissa F. Lucena
Chained
Meeting new people helps her breathe. For her, being alone, everyday, is exhausting and to be in the place where people are happy and contented gives her confusion.
She is Purity, a 25 year old woman who is born in the province of Ilocos. She's living in a peaceful town where people are contented on things that they have and they do not dream something bigger anymore because of the 'contentment' that they feel. It's good to be contented on the things that you have, but for her it was quite hard to dream and voice out her desire because people there will immediately say, 'just be contented and forget about your dreams.' She just smiles with sadness in her eyes in response to that statement, and smiling became her way to express that she's not okay. She really likes to meet new people and tell them her dreams of becoming a teacher and she's really happy when people show support on her, but, when she cannot find support from certain people whom she had shared her dreams, she just smile.

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This is the photo that Kristine Maluoy took

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A lovely woman with a never ending passion with her chosen career.

She is a 24 year-old born on the 18th day of August of the year 1995. Growing up with both of her parents and a younger brother in a small village around Metro Manila, she got used to a very simple life with a quite and happy surounding. Her name is Isabelle Cruz, and she is someone whom her family, friends, and teachers are really proud of.

Isabelle Marie Cruz, "Isabelle" or "Belle" as how her parents and friends call her. She has a very typical Filipino features, a light brown skin, a dark straight hair, and eyes that speaks to her existence. She is always the girl who makes everyone around her proud, from acing all her exams every grading period to joining and topping all the extra curricular activities in her school. She continued getting all the achievements and awards until she graduate with a degree in medical technology hoping to be a successful doctor someday. On her free time, she likes to watch documentaries, some of which inspired her to pursue becoming a doctor. When watching her favorite documentaries, she hates it the most when she gets interrupted because for her, it is the only time where she can relax and enjoy her limited free time. Plus, it is the only time where she can play with her cat named Bona, which is a lovely cat who loves her owner the most.

Isabelle's dream of becoming a doctor is a dream started when she was young, when she witnessed her best friend die in stage 4 cancer. She was upset because she could not do anything about it, so she promised her best friend and her parents that she will become a doctor that will help anyone having a hard time in hospitals with hard-to- cure diseases. Now, Isabelle is in her 3rd year in medical school and currently working in a hospital in one of the busiest places in Metro Manila. She is a few years away from achieving her childhood dreams, from achieving her promise to a long lost best friend.

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Twenty years ago, a man named Seven was born. During those time, Esther didn’t expect to have a child and because out of fear she abandoned her son not knowing who’s it’s father. But fate has mercy on Seven because he was adopted by Mr. Moses, a teacher in their village here in Patio Province, who took care of him and always stood by his side in his every step in this so called life. Seven admired his stepfather a lot so he decided to also be a teacher. People in their village didn’t accept him at first because of his dark skin colour, brooding eyes, thick eyebrows, and messy hair. But Seven won the hearts of the villagers through his perseverance and warm attitude. When Mr. Moses died, Seven, being an only child, worked really hard to support his studies and become a teacher. At the age of 25, he graduated as Magna 🤬 Laude and proudly presented it to Mr. Moses’ grave. And at the age of 30, he already achieved his dreams to have his own house and marry someone whom he really loves. Year 1997, Seven married a woman named Esther, an exchange teacher from another village. They are both happy and enjoyed their married life without regret. Not until, Esther went missing and never found again. For how many years, every morning M stares at their picture and smiled melancholy. Then, one summer night, he woke up with sweat all over his face he then clumsily went to their bathroom and washed his face with cold water. For how many minutes he stayed there and stared on his reflection, beard slowly sprouting in his face, wrinkles in his forehead and shallow cheeks.

“She’s already dead! It’s just a dream, Seven.” He slammed his fist in the mirror and mutter some curses. “She’s dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! DEAD!”

“No, she’s not.” A small voiced whispered in his ears.

“SHE’S DEAD!” he angrily shouted.

“No, she’s not.”

“SHE’S DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!”

“No, she’s not.”

“SHE’S DEAD! SHE’S DEAD! She died in my arms! I still remember her soft skin when I peeled her alive. Her sweet scream when I scraped her head. Her beautiful blue eyes when it rolled out on the floor. She’s dead! I KILLED HER! I KILLED HER! EVERY DAY SHE ALAWYS REMINDS ME OF MY MOTHER! MY MOTHER WHO ABANDONED ME, REJECTED ME, AND THREW ME!”

“She’s dead.” Moses went back to his bed and anxiously covered his ears.

“No, she’s not. She’s in the closet.” A still small voice whispered in his ears.

That’s when Seven heard a slow and hallow panting inside of his closet.

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She might walk like a strong woman does, she might appear unkind and grouchy as you look at her, but as the saying goes: "you will never know the actual area of an iceberg if you'll only measure it from the water to its top," "you can never understand the story of a book by just looking at the cover page," or in a cliché quotation, "never judge a book by it's cover."
Everyone has their own story, everyone has their own struggles and victories, everyone has their own unique way to fight their battles. It just happened that, some of them are good in hiding things, some of them are admirable in pretending that they don't suffer at all.

Meet Marieshét Lanuza,  pronounced as marieshey, her name was came from the combination of her father named Piaget and her mom, Marie. She's an eighteen year old graduating college student and was born in the Bicol region. Marieshet used to have a short cute hair style before, she's also a health conscious woman and doesn't eat a lot. She loves to play musical instruments and whoever hears her music, will made them fell inlove to the beauty of her talent. She acts prim and proper and speaks with modesty, she was an inch to the standard of perfection... BEFORE. She was a perfect child you could ever think of, before it all happens.

It all started when Marieshet was preparing herself to perform in the theatre. The nervousness is floating in the air, her heart was racing fast, mellow vapor was flowing out from her skin. It was her greatest dream to perform in a luxurious theatre like this and her dream had mad her unconsciously obsessed  to prove herself in front of the audience and  in her parents. All that she want was actually given to her, toys, favorite foods, even musical instruments, name it she has everything you'll ask for. EVERYTHING, except for the attention of her parents. It doesn't bother her at first, so that is why she diverted her attention into music. And she want her parents to at least give her an ounce of attention and be proud of her. "Last fifteen minutes to prepare yourself and step in the stage," said the musical director. As Marieshet continous to calm herself down, her bestfriend pass her a phone saying the call was waiting for her. Marieshet picked up the call and received these words: "Anak, ang papa mo, wala na." there was a bleak silence embracing her after she had heard that sentence, she cannot move nor think properly, her mind cannot process the information that she just heard. "PO??" she said, "Ang papa mo, naaksidente sumabog ang katabing gas station ng office ng papa mo, pati sila nadamay."
She unconsciously dropped the phone and the tears was flowing down to her face as she stare at the nothingness. The curtain had immediately opened infront of her, she didn't even noticed that it was already her time to perform.
The tears are streaming down to her eyes, silence covered the whole theatre. She unconsciously dropped the cello that she's holding tight a while ago that made her audience confuse. Marieshet had ran away to the theatre, sobbing, praying that it wasn't true.

Those are the thoughts of Marieshet while walking to their home after school, it was all happened almost 7 years ago and it really made her change. Her life, her lifestyle and even her dreams. And of that, she even made a name for herself, "Tad". Which means a little bit in British word. Her father died, not even letting her experience even just a little bit of the love, attention and care that she wants. And that, that made her strong.

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Our country was recently devastated because of the previous war among warring countries of Sai'veneer and Amercigo. Our country and its monarch was in the middle of the siege that night before my life was changed. My family, the Regalia lives above the middle class, a family of generals, business man and politicians. Sometimes people see my surname as a precedence of valor and excellence. People call us the "House of Regalia" for my father's business was well known for arms manufacturing.
I have two older brothers and one younger brother. Our mother died after giving birth to my youngest brother. My oldest brother is strict and obeys without doubt to my uncle, my second brother would always choose leisure over responsibility.

I remember it I was just only 12 when my father taught me to use guns, knives and technical explosives. He often say there would  be time that I will need to use those to protect myself or the family and that one day I will be the best head of the family. Every time we spent together is a memory I treasure because he often spent time with us for he was busy at the family business.

Every end of my class I would go to the firing range to practice knives swords, shooting guns and hand to hand combat with the mannequins all by myself. Every swing, blow and shot of the weapons I wield all brings back my father's memory. He taught me too aim at eye level so that I won't miss and to aim at the vital spots of the enemy instead of their weak spot.

After the practice I would lock in to my room to study medicine. Though my father wanted to build me as a formidable woman for the family but what I really wanted for myself was to save lives, especially those damaged by our own weapons. I just don't want to follow my father, instead I wanted to make my own figure of excellence for the people to see that the House of Regalia is not just a family of arms and brains.

A month after I finished my High School the war happened. It wrecked much of our country and Sai'veneer much of our arms factory was either run sacked by the locals to defend themselves  or burned down by Amercigo soldiers to decapitate Sai:'veneer's weapons supply.

The day after that my father brought that bitter news to us. It made him desperate to save our family business. He looked at me with awe. The words he uttered made me cry. He said it was time for me to marry. He already arranged everything. I will be engaged to a man from another rich family that used to be my father's best client. An influential general and his young son, a commander and at the same time a governor of a rich province.
Because of that I ran away to my room. He already expected my reaction. I hate the idea of using women as political tool. A dreadful belief that women of noble birth should be used to marry men of the other family to form bonds. Women never hold the power that used us as a bridge to unite it. Making it fearsome to a point it will be to unbearable to be hold by a single roll minded tyrant.

When the day of the wedding has come my brothers convinced me to stand at the wedding with the man from the other family. Because if I didn't it would cost a lot more for my father. But before I even reached the church I jumped outside of carriage that I was riding. I ran away as far as I can crying because of the unbearable guilt and grief.
I've been hiding in the streets from a city away from our hometown. Stealing food made me thrive well in this war wrecked town. I've managed to live for a few weeks because there was no one here that can match my combat prowess. Sometimes I would help wounded people in my new found home. I've established a gang but no one from knew who I am.
One day a heard a news that my father was arrested. Because of this I hurriedly went back to our mansion. I saw my oldest brother first, he was blaming me. "All because of your selfishness. " was the word he uttered.

I got the chance to visit my father in his prison cell. We hugged each other tightly. He cried and asked for my forgiveness because of what he had done. "I don't need to forgive you father for what you did is only for what is best for the family."
"Our family's honor was tainted by my hand. I was too eager to bring back what was taken by that war" my father said.
"You were the best head of this family my father." I replied.
"The other family said that they won't let us get away with the shame that our family has brought to them. Three days from now me and your former groom will face each other in a duel at the plaza." He muttered
After hearing that I knew that even though my father was good at fighting, he won't stand a chance against a much stronger and younger man. Death is certain for my father.
The next words that he said made me burst in tears.
"There is a legal way to bring back our family's crushed honor. The only legal way so that they won't steal anything that's left to our family." He said.
"They want to challenge me, the head of the family in a duel to death because of a disgraceful act,  but if an heir of our family will challenge me and won by duel to death that heir will have the right to take over the family's control. I'll no longer need to face them because I would still get my punishment."
"But father it would still mean death for you." I replied.
'Who among my brothers will you choose to challenge you?" I added.
"None of them. For it is you. You will announce to everyone that you are challenging me to a duel because of forcing you to marry a man you never loved " He said.
Before I even had the time to refuse the guards called me that my time to visit has already passed out.
"Be strong my daughter." That was his last words to me.
The night came although having a heavy heart I chose to obey my father's plea. I ordered our messenger to deliver the letter to the king about challenging my father in a duel to death. Sealed with the crest of the  House of Regalia.
The king approved my request. It chilled me with anxiety knowing that I need to execute my father. Yesterday will be the worst bloodshed my eyes could lay upon.

The day of duel came. I came early at the plaza so that I could spend more time to glance at my father's eyes longer.

The king's family and other heads of noble houses were invited to witness the most unusual bout that they will see.

My father and I stepped on the platform. I stood there doing looking straight to his eyes. He made me feel that he was happy to see me.

The royal guards handed us a familiar weapon. A bluish and shiny rapier with the crest of our family in it. It felt like a mock of our society to our family using our own weapons to end our lives, the forgers.
I bowed to show respect and my father did too. I know that it is myself that was the greatest enemy. "Can I even slay you?"

My father knew that I won't move to attack so he lunged first. His move was so familiar that it didn't need for me to think how to dodge it. I kept on dodging all of his attacks. I heard the king's boots stomping, maybe because he was bored for there were still no blood dripping.

I land my first attack, and another, and a thrust. While fighting my father and I didn't utter a word but each swing and clash of our rapiers sounded like our last farewell to one another.

The fight went on, my father wasn't a poor fighter at all, in fact the people were amazed of our fight, except the nobles.

Our fight seem turned to dance communicating messages only the two of us can understand.
Until sooner my father started to gradually move slower because of exhaustion. My tears started to fall but I continued to fight.

I took a glance at the crowd. I saw few of the king's relatives and some nobles started to stand and move away.
For them even though the both of us were still standing they knew that the duel was obviously decided. I can see their mockery in them.
My father sweep a powerful stab that almost hit me, unconsciously automatic my body bend to dodge it and made a counter attack, a lunge that pierced through his heart.
I caught his body and hugged him for the last time.
His last words made me cry more.
"You have grown like your mother, daring and beautiful."
The shine from my rapier started to disappear as my father's blood covered  it.

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"Real happiness can only be found at home." a poster that caught his atention while walking around the school. He is David U. Russuelo, "Cap", a  22 year old guy, born in the province of Leyte and soon transferred in Manila to enter college. He now lives in the City of Pasay where his school is located.  He is  a varsity of a well-known university in the City, and the son of an army  and a public teacher whom he'd never met before.
It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon, David sat on the bleachers watching his team  and feeling bothered on what he saw on the poster infront of the school's canteen. He can't help himself but to ask a lot of things that seem to be unanswerable. It's quite ironic how he still manage to make a wide curve in his face greeting everyone who passes in his way despite of all the questions he had in his mind.
As he went back home, a converstion made him stop infront of the door, "It has been a long time keeping what's real, I guess, this is the best time to tell him the answer he's been waiting for" David stays still, a little anxious on how he feels. he waited for himself to calm until his grandma caught him standing behind the door, telling him to come in.
David's mother died when he was born.  his father, Rene, during his wife's burial was found dead in his room, leaving a note telling "I want to be with my wife forever" that was the story he got from his grand mother. All the questions he keep on asking were now answered.
In the morning, he wakes up with full of dreams, nothing he ever wanted seem so real from the day answers came in. He goes to school early to lead the team since the basketball championship game is coming. Few of his team notice the big change happened to him since the day her grand ma told him everything. A wider and genuine smile, team captain who cheers up his team mate time after time. It is obvious then how the conversation between them brought an indeed huge change in his part.
David, starting then, learn to live his life way different from what he was  before. He was a cheater, a playboy before he knew the story of his parents. everything changed but it's too late. He went back home from school late, wondering why there is a big crowd in front of their gate. He rushed entering the gate and found his grand ma dead. Everything fall down, stars were not as bright as it was before. He thaught he couldn't be sad anymore but he's wrong. he lost his only home, his grand ma, who took care of him since the day he was born. he stoped playing basketball and mourn.
Few years ago, as he visit his grand ma, a word "home" Catches his attention once more that made david ask where is now his real home. He grew a little impatient realizing that he couldn't bring back to life his home anymore instead make make a new one. Starting then, although he didn't get to graduate on time because of being fed up by the agony but he realized that it is not the end of everything, he still fight for a living.
Now, david found his real home, in the court, with his team mates, and his Fiance, Rich.

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Rule the World

I am Shekinah Marie Melendres,18 years of existence in this unpredictable world. I was born on our beautiful house in Pandi,Bulacan on March 20,2000.

I have a very authoritarian parents where Im always in a Cinderella system when I want to hang out. I hate our neighbors who is always busy for their idle talk  .

I am confidently different with a heart. Lots of people hate so I hate them too. I am not born to please everyone,I am here to live my live to the fullest.

Most of the time,I am the center of the gossip talks in our campus. I hate them not because they hate me, I hate them for being such a coward to tell me what they wanted to say,I am very open with such things. I also hate them when they are wanting for a fight but one is to ten?Duh,if you really want a fair battle,do not call your whole family and letting them to fight for you.

I am such a warfreak girl,yes I know that. But I am so blessed to have a friends that is really different from me. When Im with them I really feel how evil person I am ,but one thing really bind as together,that is God. our friendship was made by Him and I think that what makes our friendship longer.I had my most embarrassing and most joyful moment with them ,it is when my first ever boyfriend broke up with me telling me that he need space and he need to find himself first. where the 🤬 his self go? I can give him the outer space if he let me too. Anyways,my gal pals help me tp moved on.

I am from a broken family,a have a dream that someday we will be complete again. But that was a just a Dream,just a dream,that will come true in just a dream.

I love writing stories about family having a complete and happy life. In writing ,I can create my sto

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A sunny afternoon for a twenty-year old student from University of Caloocan City who seems having a past lunch. It was already three o'clock in the afternoon- too late for taking a lunch, but Mr. Navarro did not mind it. It was unusual for him to eat alone- he's not that kind of a person who loves to isolate himself from the crowd.
I had a chance to observe his physique- a typical college boy with a not-so-well built body, but with an IQ to be proud of.
I was totally inspired behind the story of him- having his past lunch. He lives 20 miles away from his University. He's having a hard time to travel and sometimes he went to his classes, late due to the heavy traffic. However, Mr. Navarro didn't argue a lot about the distance. He is the living legend for his family- a man with full of ambitions and plans in life.
As I looked at his eyes, determination was overflowing. I blinked twice and came back from my senses as Mr. Navarro stand and pay for his bill.

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In a serene environment where unpredictable minds collide, a lady with a pleasing personality resides. Providing various meals suited for her customers. You might find her as a usual woman, yet there's something within her that attracts her buyers. Looking at this lady makes you feel comfortable and safe in a place that is full of unsaid thoughts. Her smile makes you feel pleased and untroubled.

She is Maria Salonga. 29 years of age. A widow, having one kid named Rizal. She often stands at the front side of her stall, looking in a far distance thinking deeply of her late husband who'd left her in sadness.

Her whole individuality suffered from different misery caused by her husband, yet you'll never see that misery in her face and figure. She manages to be firm in all aspects to pretend as if everything's fine especially to her young boy, Rizal.

Pretending as if everything's normal would be one of the most difficult faces in her life as a woman. However, she believes that everything happens for a reason and this is just a challenge to test her faith.

She visits church often, talking to our Lord Jesus Christ. Crying. Alone. Crying to survive. Crying to relieve the pain.

It's been 7 years since her husband had left. Hence, the pain is still intact within her but she do believes that the pain will soon fades as time passes by.

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There was a man standing along the way, clothed with hope on his face while staring  to the different people passing in front of him. Looking back who he was before made him smile a little. Now, waiting for the climax part of this one chapter of his life. The end is approaching, yet he knows it's just the beginning of his new voyage.

Striving to finish his studies not for himself but for those people who exerted effort and make bigger sacrifices just to come up with the long wait end. You might think that he's just an ordinary people you encountered, but behind his good-looking personality, he was covered with agony, only hides within.

"Not once, twice, but more of it I stumble and fall, yet I never allow myself to stuck in a dark room doing nothing."

A man of faith, don't let anything, anyone and any circumstances hinder his way to success.

Romeo Chua, standing still.

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Meet Franco Lazarte, a twenty years old college student. He was born on Sept. 15, 1998 in the City of Navotas. He came from a poor family, her mother died when he was 10 years old. He has two brothers and one younger sister.  His father is a tricycle driver. He is a scholar in their university but he's still  working in the fast food chain nearby to give some support to his siblings' needs. He looks very tired and hopeless but you can see in his eyes the dreams he want to achieve not just for himself but also for his family. He loves cooking for his siblings, he can do a lot of things just for his family. He also plays guitar whenever he feel sad because it makes him happy and relax. His family gives him greatest joy especially when his father motivate him to keep going and not to give up on his dreams and ambition in life.
He have always wanted to be an Engineer. Although he knows that it won't be easy, he will still pursue it. No one can stop him. He also believe that in order to be a successful, one must take full responsibility of his or her life. He really wants to give her family a house and lot as well as the comfortable life. He always remember his mother's advice to him when he was still young," Do not be afraid to fail". He always reminds himself that he needs to hone his craft and sharpen the saw. And also, put God for first in everything that he will do because he knows that God could do all things possible.

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"free"
Mario Alfonso is a child known by a lot of kids  for his blue clothes and black slippers that he never took off even when sleeping or taking a bath. He grew up and never seen the face nor picture of his parents. He grew up in an orphanage near the wet and dry market of Payatas City which was known for its gigantic walls that prevent the children in the orphanage from seeing the outside world. Mario's height was too short for an eight year old boy. He never wants to play with other kids. He just want to be alone for he's afraid that people around him will knew his darkest secret.

He was sexually abused by the cruel head mistress of the convent in the orphanage and was treathened that he will be imprisoned in a huge dog cage at the deepest area of the orphanage's basement.

Mario  seemed to experience the cruelty of the of the head mistress in his dreams. Every rainy night when he's asleep, the nightmare bothers him and he always wakes up crying with the fresh memories of his deepest secret.

The day came and a new kid was transferred to their orphanage. Her name was Nana. Her name was all she can remember. She's six year old and was being bullied because of the big scar on her thin and freckled face.

Mario and Nana were both afraid to face the world and that made them friends. They both love playing with animals specially stray kittens and puppies. Playing with those animals made them think of think of their dream of being free from the gigantic and indestructible walls surrounds the whole orphanage. They knew it's impossible but the two of them find their way to escape the 🤬 like place.

The day of their plan's execution came. Mario and Nana made a very huge fight by simply snatching the bread of one of the naughtiest kid in the orphanage. All kids fought with each other with each other. While the kids were fighting with each other and all the nuns and the guards were stopping them, Mario and Nana were busy climbing the gigantic wall.

They climbed and climbed until their hands bleed because of the slippery and sharf rocks of the wall but they didn't surrender.  They climbed and climbed until they've  reached the peak. One of the guards saw them standing standing on the peak of the wall but it's too late for them to seize Mario and Nana.

Mario and Nana still don't know what to do. They didn't speak but their eyes where saying "Let's jump or we'll die inside that 🤬." Without saying any words, Mario jumped and Nana followed. Luckily, they fell down on a squishy and smelly dump. They smelled themselves and laugh out loud. That was the first time they felt so happy in their whole life.

On the other hand,   the guards were about to open the locked gigantic gates of the orphanage when Mario and Nana noticed the guards. Mario and Nana ran as quickly as they can. It's Mario's first glance of the outside world. He felt so delighted, his body and soul, free. They ran and ran to the streets they've never been before.

They became free like the stray kittens and puppies with other street kids who were sleeping at an abandoned hardware shop. Though life is full of hardship, these children were already satisfied with their lives as long as they're free from the cruelty of the people around them.

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Picture:  "free"

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The False Human Belief

As a twenty-year old dreamer of freedom from Yemen, Bea Guatek was passing the leopards, she suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge and dangerous creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the leopards could, and anytime can break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

She saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. "Well," trainer said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size of rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

Bea Guatek was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck where they were.
She then realized that like the leopards, how many of their people go through life hanging onto a belief that they cannot do something, simply because they were held captive by the tradition.

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There is a Mother that supports her 2 daughter in the sports of Karate-do and everytime her daughter get beaten by his opponent instead of mocking them she is always smiling and saying that "you can beat them next time just keep practicing" they are a visitor in the campus for the sports of karate because the coach is their friend and they have a bonding for this day because they are preparing for the tournament of the sports.

this person joys is She see her 2 daughters perseverance on how they fight in the ring even they got beaten by their opponent and by keep them motivating even though the 2 daughters are crying they keep fighting to beat their opponent. The happiest thing of this person when both of her daughter win in the sparring and they are laughing that time their eyes has a lot of tears with joy.

I've realized that our mother will always support us whenever what we are doing and always be there when we are down, they wont give up on us to become a successful they wont stop on motivating to do a lot of things just like when we are young they are supporting us to stand and walk alone just like in our goal in life they will support us to work and done it alone until we reach our dreams.