these are the people who make me happy everyday and give me a reason to smile when i'm down

first and foremost, how have you been?

are you taking care of yourself?

i hope you are still smiling at the little things and finding strength in every challenge you face.

i wonder, are you still that same girl who once dreamed big, who saw leadership as a calling rather than just a title? have you continued to embrace responsibility with courage and compassion, never forgetting the values that shaped you?

right now, my dream is clear: to study at de la salle university, then pursue a juris doctor, possibly abroad, so i can stand alongside the rest of our family who are beginning their own journeys, applying for nursing jobs overseas. i know the road won’t be easy, but i trust that you’ve carried this determination and faith with you. i hope you never gave up, no matter how heavy the journey became.

and if everything went according to plan, are you now a cpa lawyer? are you living the dream we always reminisced about late at night, the one where you would stand out as the lawyer in a family of doctors, nurses, and entrepreneurs? if yes, i am so proud of you. if not, i am still proud because i know you fought hard, and life has its own ways of leading us to where we belong.

aside from career success, have you traveled all around the world like we dreamed about? finally ticking off those places in our bucket list? i hope you never stopped chasing experiences beyond work, that you allowed yourself to see the world, and finally heal your inner child.

and beyond all of that, i hope you’ve also found someone who truly understands you, a significant other who supports your journey, shares in your dreams. i hope they are someone who stands by you through long nights of studying, and celebrates your victories, no matter how small. most of all, i hope you’ve allowed yourself to love deeply in return, without fear, without holding back.

always remember: success isn’t just about titles or degrees, but about the person you’ve become. may you still be kind, grounded, and be surrounded with the right support system. may you always strive not only for yourself but also for the people who believe in you.

yours in pursuit of service (our email signature🫡),
your younger and proud self

• physical self-concept: improved motor skills like running, jumping, and climbing.

• intellectual self-concept: strong curiosity, asking lots of “why” questions, learning to identify shapes, colors, and objects.

• emotional self-concept: beginning to express wants and feelings more clearly, sometimes through tantrums.

• social self-concept: starting to play with other children but often still focused on self (parallel play).

2. what memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
i remember learning how to ride small bikes or tricycles, playing with toys endlessly, and asking questions about almost everything. i also recall moments of crying when i didn’t get what i wanted especially when it came to quarrels with my older sister. as the youngest, a lot of my older cousins would babysit me and i would learn a lot of new things from them. at this stage, i believe i grew an interest in fashion and toys, especially barbies.

• physical self-concept: rapid physical growth, learning how to crawl, walk, and hold objects.

• intellectual self-concept: beginning to recognize faces and voices, responding to my own name, babbling simple sounds or words.

• emotional self-concept: forming strong attachment to caregivers, expressing happiness, fear, or distress openly.

• social self-concept: interacting through imitation, smiling, laughing, and enjoying games.

2. what memorable experiences can you recall in the infancy stage?

although my memories at this stage aren't that vivid, my parents would say that i was in and out the hospital a few months after i was born since i was a premature baby. when i was about 9 months old, i started saying my first words which were "mama" and "papa". according to them, i didn't cry that much as an infant and would just sleep most of the time. because i was the youngest child and granddaughter, my whole family adored me so much

• physical self-concept: more control of movements, learning to write letters, draw, and handle objects better.

• intellectual self-concept: starting to recognize letters, numbers, and tell simple stories.

• emotional self-concept: showing pride when accomplishing small tasks, but also feeling shy or embarrassed in new settings.

• social self-concept: learning to share, make friends, and cooperate in group play.

2. what memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
i remember my first days in preschool, meeting teachers, and making my first friends. i also recall singing songs, joining classroom games, and being praised for reciting the alphabet or drawing pictures. this was the stage wherein i traveled and rode airplanes for the first time, my parents deemed that at this age i would be able to appreciate family trips and visiting different travel destinations.

• physical self-concept: more strength and coordination, starting to participate in sports or outdoor games.

• intellectual self-concept: able to read, write, and solve problems; becoming more independent in schoolwork.

• emotional self-concept: learning to manage feelings better, starting to build self-esteem based on achievements.

• social self-concept: forming stronger friendships, developing teamwork, and understanding rules.

2. what memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
i remember joining school programs, playing games with classmates, and receiving awards or recognition for good grades. i also recall learning the value of friendship and teamwork through group projects and sports activities. this was the stage wherein i joined various outside school competitions and started my journey to student leadership, meeting a lot of amazing people and opening new opportunities.

• physical self-concept: going through puberty, becoming more aware of appearance.

• intellectual self-concept: developing critical thinking, forming opinions, and preparing for future goals.

• emotional self-concept: experiencing mood swings, becoming more self-aware, seeking independence.

• social self-concept: valuing peer relationships, exploring identity, joining organizations or leadership roles.

2. what memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
i remember building stronger friendships, experiencing both the excitement and struggles of teenage life, and discovering my talents and passions. joining school organizations, handling responsibilities, and preparing for my future career, being jampacked with college applications while balancing my academic and extracurricular activities. for me, this stage would be the most hectic and impactful as i navigate my life as a teenager in this world that will not wait for you.