She loves sweets, books, and a little fun, but avoids spice, stress, and last-minute cramming. After growing up at Holy Child College of Davao, she began a new journey at Ateneo de Davao University in Grade 11—where she continues to grow, dream, and discover herself.

Each scene flickered by like a beautiful daydream, filled with wonder and promise.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, the light shifted.

The air grew thicker, darker. The falling slowed. Below, a soft blue glow pulsed from the ground like a heartbeat. You held your breath. Caryn looked at you and smiled.

You were about to land.

Caryn looked at you, wide-eyed. “Are we tiny?”

Before you could answer, a voice chirped, “Of course you are, darling. You’re in our garden now!”

These flowers weren’t random—they were her hobbies, her joys, her world.

“This is your garden,” one flower gently told her.

As the field shimmered with quiet magic, a new glowing path appeared, leading into a forest filled with people and possibilities. Caryn smiled, reached for your hand, and asked:

“Ready to see what else is here?”

And just like that, you both stepped forward—deeper into the dream.

Her mother, kind and radiant, greeted her with warmth.

Her father, steady and gentle, offered tea and quiet comfort.

In this dreamlike space, surrounded by love and laughter, Caryn found not just fantasy—but the roots of who she is.

Her cousins, all with the same name, yet each with their own energy: one mischievous, one quiet and clever, one just a little too competitive about who could pour tea better.

Her aunt appeared in a flurry of floral fabric and laughter, somehow managing to fix a crooked napkin without breaking her stride. Beside her sat caryn's uncle, cracking jokes under his breath, the kind that made you laugh even when you were trying not to.

You and Caryn took your seats, the chairs adjusting just right as favorite treats appeared before you. The table filled with laughter and familiar stories—of childhood, mischief, shared dreams, and love passed down through generations.

It wasn’t just a tea party.

It felt like home.

the maze sealed shut behind you.

The air smelled like roses—but also… fresh paint?

Caryn tilted her head. “Do you hear that?”

You did. A tune—silly and repetitive—was echoing through the maze, carried on the breeze like a children’s song.

“We're painting the roses red,
We're painting the roses red!
Don’t tell the Queen, or off with your head—
We're painting the roses red!”

“They planted the wrong ones again,” you muttered, reading one of the signs propped against a tree:

‘The Royal Garden Committee takes no responsibility for botanical crimes.’

As the trumpet sounds, the Queen of Hearts arrives dramatically, catching everyone off guard. She notices you and Caryn, curious about your presence. Caryn calmly explains you followed a rabbit, which the Queen acknowledges with a sly smile and a warning to be clever enough to keep your heads.

Quietly confident, a little sweet, and always sincere—yep, that’s Caryn. 💙

As the music kicked in, she owned it—confidence, rhythm, charm. The Queen of Hearts, mid-sip of her enchanted tea, actually gasped. By the final note, she was clapping (a little too dramatically), utterly impressed.

With a theatrical bow, the Queen smiled. “Very well. You’ve earned your way home.”

And just like that, with a song in their hearts, Caryn and you were free to return to your world—playlist still playing, adventure still echoing.

Dearest Future Self:

As I pen this letter in today's quiet, I find myself wrapped in a season of growth, reflection, and earnest preparation. I am learning much, not only from the pages of my textbooks, but from the delicate unfolding of life itself. These lessons, I dare say, shall prove most useful as I embark upon the next grand chapter: college.

With prudent thought and careful planning, I have resolved to begin saving, setting aside what little I can to acquire the necessary tools and belongings for my collegiate journey. Though modest, such responsibility fills me with a quiet pride, for it speaks to the woman I am becoming.

It is my sincerest hope that I will one day walk the halls of Ateneo de Davao University as a student and later as a graduate. What joy it would bring me to see such a dream fulfilled with grace and dignity. I do hope we shall follow the plan we have written in our hearts, and if, by divine will, God alters the course, may His changes be gentle, like the soft shifting of spring winds rather than the storms of winter.

But more than anything, I pray you remain strong, steadfast, and ever faithful to your dreams. Let not the world harden you, but let it refine you. Remain kind, even when life proves otherwise. May your heart remember the girl who wrote this letter, full of hope, courage, and quiet ambition.

With the warmest affection and unwavering belief,

Your Younger Self

ANS: My personality is the Executive ESTJ. I agree in the results.  I’m naturally organized, goal-driven, and prefer structure in both work and daily life. I often take leadership roles if they would let me and like to make sure things run efficiently. I value rules, clear communication, and practical solutions. The ESTJ description fits how I approach challenges and interact with others.

2. How can your Personality Type help you become a person with and for others?

ANS: As an ESTJ, I can be a person with and for others through virtue of good leadership and a sense of responsibility. I am inclined to take charge and make things happen in an effective manner, which can bring success in groups. My adherence to fairness and order creates a stable and respectful environment where others can flourish.

ANS: The stressors that contribute to my stress include school workload, self-imposed pressure, and the expectations placed on me by others. School can be overwhelming due to deadlines, projects, and exams that require constant attention and energy. I also tend to put pressure on myself to perform well, which can lead to burnout or feeling inadequate. On top of that, trying to meet the expectations of family, peers, or society adds another layer of stress, making me feel like I always have to prove myself. These combined create a mental and emotional burden that's hard to ignore as an aspiring honor student.

2. What are the effects when you are stressed out? List your typical reactions, either in the form of sentences or phrases.

PHYSICAL: When I am stressed, I often get headaches and feel extremely tired, as well as cold hands and breathing too heavily. My appetite decreases, and sometimes my stomach feels upset for no reason. 

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL: I tend to overthink a lot and feel emotionally drained. I become more irritable and sensitive to minor issues or sounds, especially if I get little sleep. It's also hard for me to focus and stay motivated. 

BEHAVIORAL: When I am stressed, I usually don't eat until I get what I am doing done because I'd feel guilty if I procrastinate. It also affects my sleeping schedule because I'd overthink if I finish everything right and on time.

3.  Identify 3 coping strategies that are effective for you. If one of these strategies is unhealthy, what healthier strategy can you adopt instead? You can simply write down your strategies or you can be more creative by writing quotes or drawing images and symbols.

ANS: The three coping strategies that are effective for me are sleeping, crying, and gaming. Sleeping helps me rest and recharge, while crying relieves bottled-up emotions I couldn’t express. Conversely, gaming allows me to distract myself and feel a bit of relief. However, when I cope by stress-eating, it becomes unhealthy, so a healthier strategy I can adopt instead is journaling or talking to someone I trust to process my emotions properly.

normal.

2. When I feel anxious or nervous, it helps me better if I pray and ask the lord to remove all of the anxiousness or worry that I am feeling in that moment.

3. I find it challenging to manage my emotions when I am extremely stressed or under a lot of pressure from myself or others.

4. When someone shares their feelings with me, I feel like I am responsible for making them feel better again, for them to have a shoulder to cry on, and for them to release all of the negative emotions that they are feeling in that moment.

5. One way I practice empathy is by putting myself in the shoes of other people and trying to

understand where they are coming from.

6. A time when I recognized someone else's emotions was when I saw my best friend’s

attitude shift when she saw her score in a particularly hard subject.

7. Emotional intelligence helps me understand my emotions when I feel stressed and need to figure out why I am feeling this way and how I can resolve it quickly and effectively.

8. I can improve my emotional regulation by taking deep breaths before responding in difficult situations and thinking rationally before acting.

9. I think emotional intelligence is important because it helps me build stronger and healthier relationships I have with other people, and they would trust me a lot better.

10. I believe that developing emotional intelligence can lead to better teamwork and problem-solving revolving around potential issues that might arise in the future.

ANS: Creating this mind map made me more aware of how I process and connect ideas, which helped me see both my strengths and areas for improvement. It reminded me that caring for my growth means nurturing not just my academics, but also my emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. By seeing the bigger picture, I can be more intentional in becoming a balanced and whole person.

2. In what ways can you apply what you discovered about your thinking style to pursue excellence (magis) in your daily study habits and responsibilities as an Atenean?

ANS: Knowing my thinking style helps me find study habits that actually work for me, making my learning more efficient and meaningful. It pushes me to aim higher by being more organized, using my strengths, and addressing my weak points. As an Atenean, this means striving for excellence not just for grades, but for personal growth and service to others.

1. Using the four aspects of self-concept, what specific qualities did you have in this stage?
Physically, I was calm and didn’t cry at birth, which may reflect quiet strength. Personally and socially, I had no awareness yet, but my family interpreted this trait as unique. My ideal self was not yet formed during infancy.

2. What memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
Though I don’t remember anything personally, my parents always mention how I was born without crying. It stood out as a surprising and unforgettable moment for them cause they thought I was dead at birth. Babies usually cry when they first arrive, I guess I was different.

1. Using the four aspects of self-concept, what specific qualities did you have in this stage?
Physically, I was active and expressive, but I often spaced out and got moody easily. Personally, I acted like a little diva, always wanting things my way. Socially, I was dramatic but still loved attention, and I had no clear sense of an ideal self yet.

2. What memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
I remember being moody and dramatic over the smallest things, especially when I didn’t get what I wanted. My family always teased me for being the “baby diva” of the house or the "Madam" in filipino context. Honestly I think its because of me being an only child that made them think I was one.

1. Using the four aspects of self-concept, what specific qualities did you have in this stage?
Physically, I was playful and curious, always moving around and exploring. Personally, I became more expressive and imaginative, often pretending to be a princess or making up stories. Socially, I started making friends and loved being the center of attention, though my ideal self was still developing.

2. What memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
I remember loving dress-up games and acting like a princess almost every day. I also started going to school and making friends, which made me feel excited and grown-up.

2. What memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
This stage was quietly traumatic; I was an only child navigating school alone while my parents worked. I learned about betrayal, fake friendships, and the harsh social ladder early, and that pain still echoes in how I trust people now.

1. Using the four aspects of self-concept, what specific qualities did you have in this stage?
Physically, I became more aware of how I looked and how others perceived me. Personally, I knew who I was, but emotionally, I struggled to process feelings and respond to others with empathy. Socially, I kept my distance from people, and my ideal self valued being strong and untouchable more than being emotionally open.

2. What memorable experiences can you recall in this stage?
This was a time when I began shutting down emotionally instead of expressing what I felt. I didn’t always know how to handle conflict or connection, so I relied on emotional detachment to protect myself—even if it made me seem cold.

ANS: My parents are special to me because they have always been my source of strength, comfort, and unconditional love. They constantly support me in every decision I make and remind me of my worth whenever I doubt myself. I can truly say that I love them deeply because they have shown me what real love and care mean through their actions and sacrifices

2. What lessons did you learn from them about love and relationships in general?

ANS: From my parents, I learned that love is not just about feelings but also about patience, understanding, and forgiveness. They taught me that relationships grow stronger when built on respect and open communication. Their example showed me that love means choosing each other every day, even when things get difficult.

3. What type of love according to Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love do you think you have with the people in the picture? Why can you say so?

ANS: According to Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love, the type of love I have with my parents is Companionate Love, which involves deep intimacy and strong commitment but no passion. We share a bond built on trust, care, and emotional closeness that continues to grow over time. I can say this because our relationship is filled with warmth, support, and lifelong dedication rather than romantic attraction

4. What emotions do you usually feel when you are with the people in the picture?

ANS: When I’m with my parents, I feel secure, happy, and at peace. Their presence gives me a sense of belonging and comfort that I can’t find anywhere else. I also feel grateful and loved because I know they will always be there for me no matter what happens.

5. How were they able to influence you to be the person that you are now?

ANS: My parents influenced me by teaching me the value of hard work, kindness, and perseverance. They always encourage me to do my best and to treat others with compassion and respect. Because of them, I’ve become more responsible, loving, and motivated to make them proud.

ANS: I’m deeply thankful for the love, care, and support my family gives me every day. They make me feel safe and valued, no matter what I’m going through. I’m grateful for the lessons they’ve taught me about kindness, patience, and hard work. Their efforts and sacrifices remind me how much they love me and want the best for me. Those are the things I want to keep forever because they make me who I am today

ANS: Yes, the subject Personal Development was very helpful because it opened my eyes to things I wasn’t fully aware of about myself. It helped me understand my strengths, weaknesses, and emotions better. Through the lessons, I became more mindful of my thoughts and actions, allowing me to grow not just as a student but also as a person.

2. What were your key takeaways from the subject?

ANS: My key takeaways from Personal Development are the importance of self-awareness, emotional management, and maintaining healthy relationships. I learned that understanding myself is the first step toward achieving personal growth and success. It also taught me how to approach challenges in a more mature and positive manner.

3. What two topics were your favorites and why?

ANS: My favorite topics were Career Path and Personal and Social Relationships. I enjoyed Career Path because it helped me understand what I truly want to pursue in life and guided me in setting goals for my future profession. On the other hand, Personal and Social Relationships was interesting because it discussed love, attraction, and how to build healthy and meaningful relationships. These topics taught me not only how to prepare for my future career but also how to handle emotions and relationships responsibly, both of which are essential parts of personal growth.