I've met great teachers who have become my mentors in guiding me in viewing life and have helped shape who I am today.

I have also met beautiful students who have become my best friends and have helped me go through my academic life with flying colors.

I hated this school. It was not my choice to attend this school in my senior year of high school, but it was my mom's. Moving to a new school in a new city was hard for me, as I find it difficult to leave my comfort zone. Also, the tuition here is very high, and I find it hard to accept it knowing that we are being raised by only a Single Mother who earns not that much but only enough to be able to eat 3 times a day.

I kept insisting to my mom that I think there are schools in Davao that do not have that high tuition but offer quality education. But it was my mom's dream for us to go to one of the highest universities in Davao, so I couldn't contradict that and just accepted it with a heavy heart.

We applied for a GIA Scholarship to help lessen my mom's expenses and continued, pressuring myself that I had to make my best efforts so my mom's money wouldn't go to waste. My first month was the hardest, and I thought I couldn't love this school, but I was wrong. Later on, I met beautiful people who made me love this school and appreciate it. The staff who made me feel safe on campus when I found it difficult to talk with students, teachers who teach not by profession but by heart. And classmates who became my friends that helped me go through my difficult times when I was adjusting.

This journey taught me that change may be scary and challenging, but it will help me grow and be a better version of myself. As I continue my last school year as a high school student in this institute, I can say that I am blessed and grateful that my mom sent me to this specific school.

Fun Fact: I can finish 5 Cloud 9 in one sitting. (It was very unhealthy when I realized I could do that one, that's why I don't anymore stock boxes of Cloud 9 at home to lessen my temptations.)

I love observing and listening to people. I can learn a lot of things, and I like how I am learning how they act and why they act that way. This always makes me more intrigued in learning more about this in the future.

I often cry. Whether I am happy, sad, or angry, I always find myself crying. I find solace in the process of crying because it helps me feel relieved after having a strong emotion.

I only choose the people I always surround myself with. I want to surround myself with the people who could help me to be the best version of myself, and the people with whom I feel safe.

2. The feeling of having a heavy heart because of anger. I cannot bear when I hate something or someone; I hate that feeling. That's why I am the person who doesn't like it when things are just left unsaid when there's a misunderstanding.

   
   

I also have the earliest time of sleep; I often fall asleep at 7 pm or 8 pm, especially when I am tired.

Whenever I am studying, I always take a nap first before studying because I cannot really be able to focus without having a nap first.

My Favorite Movies:

• Little Women (2019)

• 10 things I hate About You (1999)

• A man called Otto (2022)

• She's Dating the Gangster (2014)

• Alone/Together (2019)

My Favorite Series:

• Gilmore Girls (2016)

• Stranger Things (2016)

I’m 17 years old right now, studying at Ateneo de Davao University. Remember how hard it was for us to adjust at first? It wasn’t easy—but you did it. You met people who made you feel safe and comfortable on campus. Do you still hang out with them now? I hope you do. They were a big part of how I slowly started stepping out of my comfort zone. Not completely, but little by little, I tried.

At 17, I’ve also learned to be more careful about who I trust. And honestly, I’m not the same Max I was back in junior high school—my so-called prime era. That version of me still lingers in my mind. I haven’t fully regained the passion I once had, especially for studying. There are still nights when I cry myself to sleep, missing the fire I used to carry. Have you found that passion again? I truly hope you have.

Right now, I’m happy with the friends I have. I wonder—how do you all spend time together now? Do you still cry when you miss them? Do you still share stories and laugh about work or college life? And one more thing—are you finally pursuing your dream course? I hope you do. I hope you're happy with where you are right now. I hope, despite the challenges you faced, you don't give up. You can do it max. Your 17-year-old self here is fighting. I made it, so did you.

With love,
Max (your 17-year-old self)