# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Black Colorful Scrapbook Creative Photographer Portfolio Presentation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
L'amore dice ciao (From "La matriarca - The Libertine") - Main Titles

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.title
L'amore dice ciao (From "La matriarca - The Libertine") - Main Titles

# data[].attributes.body
A short introduction to important things you should know about me because what if you get something wrong? Won't that just be weird? What if you accidentally call me by a different name, and now I have to haunt you in your dreams?

1. Full name: Laurance Angela E. Calbog

2. Bday: November 18, 2024

3. 17 years old (I can't with this)

4. Lives at 82 Rasay St. Toril Davao City

5. Goes to Ateneo de Davao University SHS

6. An only child with a cool mom

# data[].attributes.body
Hi, hello, and good day. People call me "Gela" frequently; by frequently, I mean it has become my "main name." I'm creative, curious, a deep thinker, and quiet. Often, I prefer to sit in silence and think about nothing in particular -- just seeing the world as it is. Also, I like people-watching because I find comfort in knowing that everyone is different in their own ways and has places to go because they're human. Humans are not meant to be stagnant.

# data[].attributes.body
Also, I want to share how my good traits can be my bad ones. This is because sometimes, I just want what I think is best for me and those around me because who doesn't? I realized this in Philosophy class (Shout out to Sir Evan, by the way. You're the best) one day when we discussed how perspectives are important and different.

I have this tendency always to do my best. That's a good thing, right? But I obsess over it to the point that I exhaust myself and, sometimes, those around me. I constantly think of ways to do better than yesterday. I notice that when I try my best at something, it always ends up not being what I wanted, which is like a curse that's more annoying than painful.

Another example is that I'm an independent person. Too independent, perhaps. I get this a lot, and I agree that I don't really need anyone's help most of the time because I'm fully capable of taking care of myself, but that's the thing: I don't need anyone's help. The bad thing about being independent is that I'm used to being by myself, seeing everything as a one-man job. Though, it's admirable, it's something that I find sad about myself

# data[].attributes.body
I'm 17, and I still don't know how to ride a bike because, for some reason, I can't balance myself -- or maybe I'm too stubborn to learn how to ride one. I once fell into a canal because I panicked while attempting to ride a bike.

I like butterflies at a safe distance for observing, but I avoid it when they're near or flying towards me. I learned butterflies land on people not because they're sweet but because they like the salty flavor. There's a thing called "pudding" where they drink blood for nutrients.

# data[].attributes.body
I started reading books in 8th grade because the pandemic was boring, and I even got tired of my phone. However, my aunt owned many books, so I started to read from her collection until I bought my own. I have 60+ books (I lost count, and my shelf is a bit worn out), and my favorite spot to read is by our kitchen window because I'm just that girl (joke). I prefer reading the physical copies to those online because it's different from the real thing. There's something beautiful about literature and poetry that makes life so much bearable. I got addicted the minute I read the first word of a book, and since then, I haven't been able to stop reading. Books can transport you into a whole other world through simple words, but it's a matter of imagination and maybe patience at the end of the day.

# data[].attributes.headline
My favorite one so far (Jude St. Francis deserves the world)

# data[].attributes.subject
My favorite one so far (Jude St. Francis deserves the world)

# data[].attributes.body
Something about writing makes me feel like I'm not alone in being confused with myself as a human. Writing is a way to comfort myself amidst the chaos in my mind and those experiencing the same thing. It's as if I was born to tell stories of people that aren't heard and stories about me. I started writing when I was still in junior high school, but I started again in June because I discovered this "Medium" app, where you can post blogs, stories, articles, and other things. It turns out that I have a knack for writing because I prefer to write my thoughts instead of speaking them out. So far, I have published 11 pieces on Medium. It's a way for me sometimes to vent out bottled-up emotions. When I published my first piece for the first time, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulder and that I could breathe again. However, I have stopped writing because my schedule is tight, but I plan on continuing once S.Y 2024-2025 is done.

# data[].attributes.body
"I am my mother's daughter. We are not the same person, but blood is thicker than water."

# data[].attributes.body
"A sacrificial lamb is being offered to pay for the wrongs of man before him and after him."

# data[].attributes.headline
Father, I miss you like a child and I cry like one who got lost, or, I cry like one who lost her dad in a crowd. Which came first?

# data[].attributes.subject
Father, I miss you like a child and I cry like one who got lost, or, I cry like one who lost her dad in a crowd. Which came first?

# data[].attributes.body
"Icarus extended his hand to the sun, and even if he fell and felt the blazing fire on his body, he scattered his ashes with dignity and honor because he tried, he tried, he tried."

# data[].attributes.headline
This is my account in Medium if you want to read my works.

# data[].attributes.subject
This is my account in Medium if you want to read my works.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read writing from bearcat☆ on Medium. Amidst the sea of people, I am a writer capturing the swirling emotions deep within their souls. Every day, bearcat☆ and thousands of other voices read, write, and share important stories on Medium.

# data[].attributes.body
Music has been my comfort ever since I can remember. It has been a way for me to express myself and what I feel during times I can't speak my thoughts. I have a wide range of music tastes. From classical music and songs from Frank Sinatra's time to Indie and punk rock, I listen to them all. I'm the kind of person who likes songs because I vibe with them and because of what the lyrics make me feel sometimes. I always look for songs that have catchy yet melancholic tunes that feel like a warm blanket. But I also look for songs representing my pent-up anger and exhaustion. So far, my all-time favorite song is "Ballad of A Home-schooled Girl" by Olivia Rodrigo. Also, my favorite bands are The Backseat Lovers, Destroy Boys, The Front Bottoms, The Oozes, Summer Salt, and The Itchyworms.

Lately, I've been into J-pop songs because of the energetic yet melancholic feeling I get from them. I was "exposed" to this genre way back in a pandemic. The artists I listen to are Ado, Syuduo, ATARASHI GAKKO, Ichiko Aoba, and Lamp.

I also like classical music because it makes me feel like a character in a book. Like the rest, I want a piece that is emotional and passionate. Tchaikovsky and Debussy perfectly capture those emotions because of the silkiness of their music, yet there is an underlying tone of intimacy. My favorite piece, however, wasn't created by those two composers but rather created by Camille Saint-Saens called the Carnival of Animals: Swan.

# data[].attributes.body
Old but gold

# data[].attributes.body
I don't watch movies often because I'm busy most of the time or prefer books over the real thing. Though I sometimes catch a glimpse of a good sneak-peak or video edit of a movie, I get curious occasionally. My favorite so far is "La la Land". I have so many things to say about this masterpiece because it's just that good, even though the ending wasn't what I wanted. Besides the good acting, the soundtrack was ethereal because Justin Hurwitz did his job right at composing masterpiece after masterpiece. My favorite in the movie's soundtrack was "Epilogue" because the tune conveys Sebastian and Mia's "could have been reality."

# data[].attributes.body
The best book-to-series adaptation. I watched seasons 1-3 five times already (seriously).

# data[].attributes.body
This is where I discovered the artist Sufjan Stevens.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Call Me By Your Name (Deluxe sleeve) Purple Coloured

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
dead poets society movie film aesthetic vision

# data[].attributes.body
I've been an academic achiever my whole life. From elementary to junior high school, I've been an honor student. In elementary school, I ranked in the top 21 overall, and in junior high, I ranked 4th and was a consistent 1st honors student in the classroom (top 1). In grade 10, I was the class president and president of my previous school's art club, the Athlos Society, and a member of 4 clubs during the whole S.Y.

I take on challenges and strive to achieve great things because I believe I am meant for greater things and shouldn't limit myself or define myself. Somehow, I'm scared of being ordinary and utterly normal, though there is nothing wrong with being just that. I know I can do great things, so why not use it? Sylvia Plath, the author of a famous book today called "The Bell Jar," perfectly captured this feeling by saying, "What horrifies me the most is the idea of being useless: well-educated, brilliantly promising, and fading out into an indifferent middle-age."

That's why, in school, that's where I started to build my dream of becoming someone greater than the version of myself today. I studied hard, worked double time to meet Ateneo's standards, improved my character, and did more daily. Of course, this is all worth it because I can say that I have improved and seen my hard work come to fruition. But I wouldn't say the path to success is calm and fun. I lost sleep and time for myself and shed tears. It was hard to get to where I am now, and I know it took all of me not to give up on my dreams and simply accept that it is what it is. There was this one time when my name didn't appear in the list of honors in the first grade, and it was for the first time in so many years that I cried -- even if it's just a little. Thankfully, I picked myself up and stood my ground because I was too stubborn to sit down and accept it or too stubborn to cry. That's one thing I don't like about myself: I do not settle for less and will continue on fighting until I can't take it anymore.

# data[].attributes.body
Since I'm a picky eater, I always have difficulty choosing something to eat at restaurants. This has often irritated my mom, but she loves me enough to embrace it. Also, I don't eat a lot since I try to maintain a healthy amount of food intake. But recently, I went out of my comfort zone and tried foods I haven't eaten yet or foods I'm not a fan of in the past, like siomai and pastil. It was a somewhat big step to take, considering that I'm the type of person who's sometimes afraid of trying new things.

Something that people always find surprising is that I drink tea, specifically green tea and peppermint tea. One of my goals is to have a balanced diet and to lose fat, and I've heard that drinking either one of those tea will help me achieve a nice body because it helps with digestion.

I do not know how to cook advanced dishes, even if my life depended on it. Though I know the basics, I might burn the house when it comes to making dishes that have more steps than simply adding salt and calling it a day. Maybe it's also because I forget the steps and the measurements or because I'm not good at remembering procedures. Still, lately, I'm trying to cook under the supervision of my mom, and it turned out fine and edible.

# data[].attributes.body
7. Has short hair

8. I wear glasses because I have astigmatism

9. I still have that one knee injury from grade ten and a new ankle injury.

10. Samsung for life

11. Small family

12. she/her

13. 5 feet flat (please, I'm begging)

14. Street style outfits

15. PIO (External information) currently in class

16. I prefer dogs over cats

17. I have a fixation on books (I would die for them)

# data[].attributes.body
I would fight anyone who bashes tea.

# data[].attributes.body
I value honesty and transparency, and lately, I find the country's current state distressing. Usually, I do not speak their political opinions because I'm afraid of the backlash I might get. Still, with problem after problem Philippines has been facing in the past months, I want to speak up about it even if no one wants to listen at first.

In Ateneo, I joined the Blue Bridge club—the school's English press. At first, my reason for joining was that I wanted to continue writing. Even if it's about politics and social problems, which are not topics I normally write about. But this club has exposed me to many issues, and it sparked something in me to shift my focus to topics about current issues and trends as well as controversial topics. I'm a feature writer because I prefer to write story-like, utilizing emotions and probing at the deeper zones in people's minds. My favorite journalist would be Kara David because she presents facts and issues that the government tries to cover up in a way that makes you feel what the people she interviews feel. Sorrow, joy, or anger, Kara David's words can bring that into your heart. That's why she's my idol in the journalism world. And someday, I want to bring people's stories to life.

I'm training to be a feature writer in online publications and to join DSPC next year.

# data[].attributes.body
The English Online Publication team. We placed 1st in the mock competition during the academy.

# data[].attributes.headline
The journalism academy I attended to prepare for DSPC this year.

# data[].attributes.subject
The journalism academy I attended to prepare for DSPC this year.

# data[].attributes.body
Above are some of the pieces I made throughout the years. I'm not a consistent artist who always draws and paints because I like to do things at my own pace. I'm an artist that paints and sketches when I feel like it or when I feel strong emotions that make me want to grab a pencil and paper or a paintbrush and a canvas. Art is something for me that speaks the deepest parts of people, a part that nobody knows. And I think art is the highest form of being true to yourself and others. I think art isn't supposed to mean anything to anyone. There's no general meaning for an art piece. Art is supposed to make you take a step forward because it's mesmerizing; something about that piece pulls you to feel something. Art is something that disturbs people.

Though, I've been painting and drawing here and there. I always find it hard to draw freely because I have this mindset to make it good immediately. But I realized I wouldn't go anywhere with that kind of thinking, so I tried to make it as free as possible. I sketch roughly without caring what the lines become. What I strive for every time I make art is to make it unkept yet coordinated. That's why I like the impressionism movement by Claude Monet. And he's my favorite artist in history. I prefer art pieces with paint strokes in different directions and colors overlapping each other with little to no use of blending techniques. Yet, even though it's a mess close up when you take a few steps back, it's a beautiful picture of lush sceneries rich with meaning and creativity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Little Women Movie Poster Glossy High Quality Print Photo Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson Size 8x10 11x17 16x20 22x28 24x36 27x40 #1

# data[].attributes.body
Lea Calbog graduated from the University of Mindanao and studied electrical engineering. Many people say that I look like my mother or that we're siblings. Well, in a sense, we are the same. I got my wit and intelligence from her and my knack for solving problems and being a leader. She raised me by herself, with the help of my grandparents and aunt. She's a single mom who filled in the gaps in my life and was both my father and mother. Though we fight and quarrel, at the end of the way, we forgive and move on because she's the only mother I have, and I'm her only daughter.

My mother is compassionate, kind, independent, and understanding. I can say that she never gives up on something and will go through every challenge in her way. In our community, she's known by many as a person who plans for everything and has a backup plan for the backup plan. Though she has a bad temper sometimes, I love my mother wholeheartedly and will continue until my last breath. She really tries to be the mother I deserve, and I understand her struggles and am grateful for the sacrifices she made for me.

Also, my mother is a very talented person who is always curious about everything. She picks up everything quickly. This one time, she made an afilipiñana costume for me out of my grandmother's curtains. Another was when she made a corset herself with cartons and a black fabric. That's why when there are costumes involved, many people go to her and ask for something to rent.

# data[].attributes.headline
My mother  (red shirt) with her younger sister 

# data[].attributes.subject
My mother  (red shirt) with her younger sister 

# data[].attributes.body
We're a small family who doesn't like to go out much and prefers to stay indoors. But when we go on road trips, we always enjoy the moments with each other. I have one parent, two grandparents, four aunts, one cousin, and one uncle. I think I can describe my family as a family of introverts. We're normally quiet, but when there's an event, we brighten it up.

My grandfather used to be in the Philippine Navy, and my grandmother used to be in many things I am not quite sure about. I heard she used to sew. My aunts and mother are like those typical sets of sisters. One is introverted, one is fashionable, one is a blend of everything, and the other is talkative. I love them all, and I'm sure I have acquired certain traits from them.

On the other hand, I have a love-hate relationship with my cousin. He was born when I was in grade three. At first, I thought he was cute because that's the normal reaction to newborns. Growing up, he became annoying, but I still consider him my cousin and will defend him in everything. One time, he kicked me in the nose and that was my first nose bleed in my life.

# data[].attributes.body
The person on the right is Marja Rey Mecaella Cerojales, my friend since we were kids. The person on the left is Vince Jarell Panes, someone I have known just this year, but I feel like I've known him all my life.

They're both annoying. I can't deny that. That's what friends are; they are annoying, yet you love them anyway.

Marja is the smartest and kindest person I know in this whole wide world. Through heartbreaks and failures, she knows what she's worth and will continue to fight anything that stands in her way. I like that fierceness in her. She has this drive to be better. I have seen her through her ups and downs and have seen her cry. But behind those tears is a girl ready to do anything for the ones she loves. A core memory I would like to say is when we were studying for an exam, and I slept over. Instead of studying, we ended up laughing until I couldn't breathe, and honestly, that was the best laugh I had in a while.

Vince is a person who feels more deeply than most. He may hide it secretly with a smile, but everything is visible in his eyes. We met during this year's summer and became friends instantly. I love his humor and the fact that we have similar tastes in music. Vince hugs us because he's affectionate and makes us feel comfortable. I wouldn't have written about him here if Vince didn't know Marja. I'm grateful for their constant presence in my life and the care and attention they give me when something's wrong. From the bottom of my heart, I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world.

# data[].attributes.headline
Vince and Marja surprising me on my birthday

# data[].attributes.subject
Vince and Marja surprising me on my birthday

# data[].attributes.body
1. Why do I like these media?

I like this type of media because it catches my attention every time and gives me new information to use in the future. Technology is part of our daily routine, so I have been exposed to every media type. From literature to transitioning online, it has helped me widen my horizons by exploring the media world. In the past, it was hard to find media content that I liked since it wasn't as developed today, so when the country has slowly adapted to the new changes in technology, finding entertaining content that is educational at the same time has become easy for me to access.

2. How are these media influencing or affecting me? (my lifestyle, aspirations, attitudes, behavior). Is this healthy? If yes, how come? If not, what steps should you take to change it?

I find that these media types influence me well because of the lessons I can extract from each. I'm a person who values knowledge and always asks questions, so when I consume the media I consume, I feel like it shapes me to become a better person who uses critical thinking effectively. Since watching movies that are meaningful in a way that teaches you about life or writing articles to be the voice of change, I have improved my ability to become a better citizen both in the community and online.

This is healthy for me because I find that these media offer some sort of comfort and relaxation, a chance to step away from the chaos of the world and just finally have leisure time.