Despite the challenges, SHS life here is great!

Sadly, Sky passed away a year ago. I cried nonstop for a month, but as time passed, I realized Sky was always meant to be in the sky. He had been sick for a while, which helped me come to terms with it. Now, I like to think Sky is living his best life in heaven, and I look forward to the day we meet again. I love him with all my heart.

I love Clairo’s music so much. Her songs are unique, it makes me feel calm and helps me embrace my authentic self. I think it’s because I relate to her songs on a personal level.

My favorite song of hers is Amoeba. It has been my favorite ever since I discovered her music, and for about two years now, I’ve been loving it.

when needed.

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?

I can apply what I discovered by intentionally using the study strategies that fit my thinking style, reminding myself that leaning on my strengths allows me to learn more effectively and with less stress. By doing so, I can be more consistent and productive in my responsibilities as an Atenean, while also challenging myself to grow beyond my comfort zone. This balance of working with my strengths and pushing myself further helps me strive for magis, not just for personal achievement but also to become a better version of myself who can inspire and contribute positively to others.

2. When I feel anxious or nervous, it helps me better if I notice or know what’s causing me to feel anxious reminding me to address or compose my emotions.

3. I find it challenging to manage my emotions when I can’t seem to grasp my emotions or have no idea of how to calm myself down. 

4. When someone shares their feelings with me, I feel a bit uncomfortable.

5. One way I practice empathy is by putting myself in the shoes of the affected.

6. A time when I recognized someone else's emotions was when I noticed I also felt the same way.

7. Emotional intelligence helps me understand my emotions when I feel stressed or uncomfortable.

8. I can improve my emotional regulation by practicing my management on my emotions.

9. I think emotional intelligence is important because when you do have it, you can properly recognize your emotions thus helping you make wiser decisions.

10.  I believe that developing emotional intelligence can lead to better paths.

“Think of a time when you went through something difficult. How did your emotions affect the situation, and how did you manage them?”

- It was when I got stressed with schoolworks. At this time, I didn’t really know what to do first, and I had a hard time taking a grasp of my emotions. It was very stressful since I didn’t know where to start or how to prioritize. While this continued, I decided to recognize it and face the fact that I really was stressed. I began monitoring where I could start first, so then I was able to compose myself and begin with a good flow. From this experience, I showed self-awareness by recognizing my emotional state, strength by pushing through despite the difficulty, problem-solving by organizing my tasks, and adaptability by changing my approach to handle the situation better.

I usually do them by isolating myself:

• Listening to music to calm my thoughts

• Planning my schedule ahead to avoid overwhelming deadlines

• Spending intentional time alone to rest and reflect
  
  

  Sometimes a not-so-healthy way I cope is by isolating myself, especially when things feel too heavy. But over time, I’ve learned to shift that into something more intentional. When I choose to spend time alone not to escape, but to recharge, it becomes a source of peace. In that space, I focus on things I love, like listening to music, planning my tasks ahead, or simply reflecting. It helps me calm down and reconnect with myself and plan ahead better or even find new insights or wisdom that I can carry moving forward. I believe isolation isn’t always bad, when done mindfully, it becomes a healing pause rather than a form of avoidance.

Both drawing and swimming taught me discipline and creativity, and they became big parts of my early identity.

Elementary school was one of my peak stages when it came to achievements. I excelled in drawing and even placed 3rd in a Boy Scout pastel poster competition out of 43 schools. That was one of my proudest moments. I was also consistently part of the honor roll and served as the Grade 6 representative, which gave me leadership experience. In fact, the picture of me wearing a grey vest was taken during my term as a Grade 6 representative, a role that taught me responsibility and allowed me to grow as a leader. I will always be grateful to my classmates and schoolmates who believed in me and voted for me. These achievements helped me build confidence, discover my strengths, and prepare myself for adolescence with a strong foundation of growth.

And thankfully, God answered my prayers and blessed me with amazing friends in senior high.❤️‍🩹

It all started with cheerdance, we joined just for fun, without expecting anything, but that experience brought us closer than I ever imagined. Since then, my circle has been filled with laughter, good energy, and genuine connections. With them, there’s no drama, only comfort and shared humor. They are truly precious to me, and even though it hurts to think about going our separate ways after this year, I’m deeply grateful for the memories and the bond we share.

At this stage, my interests have also shifted. While I still draw occasionally, my passion is no longer centered on art. Instead, I’ve discovered a new calling in dentistry. To me, dentistry is also a form of art, it requires precision, creativity, and a careful eye for detail, much like drawing and design. It’s about shaping smiles and creating beauty while also helping people. I believe my early love for art and creativity naturally guided me toward this path. My developmental journey has shown me that interests can change, but they all connect and lead toward who we are meant to become.✨☄️💫

• The one on the left is my mom, and I truly love her. She’s special to me because she’s the reason why I’m living my best life right now — studying in Davao at a great school and having the chance to do the things I love without too much worry. She’s given me strength, guidance, and unconditional love that makes me feel safe. One day, I hope to return all her sacrifices and make her feel the love I felt by hers. My best friend Reham, on the other hand, is also very special to me because she taught me how to live life to the fullest. Growing up independent made me feel isolated from my siblings and distant from people around me, but Reham helped me rediscover who I am. Even though I didn’t find the kind of love I was looking for before, I found it through her; a genuine and accepting kind of love that made me feel seen and understood. She taught me that there’s nothing wrong with being myself, and that kind of love and understanding made me cherish her like the sister I wish I had.

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

• One of the greatest lessons I learned from my mom is the meaning of hard work and unconditional love. As a single mom, she carried the weight of both parents while still making sure my siblings and I had everything we needed. Even though we’re not that close and rarely have deep talks, her strength and sacrifices showed me that love isn’t just about words but about actions and dedication. My mom showed me that real love exists and that being strong can also make one feel loved, when our family was broken and I started doubting if love was real, she proved to me the opposite. Despite the struggles of raising us alone and being far from me since I moved to Davao, she never failed to make me feel secure and cared for. From her, I learned that a mother’s love is unbreakable, no matter the distance or challenges. From Reham, I learned another side of love, that it’s okay to be yourself, to love genuinely, and not change just to be accepted. When I went through my first heartbreak and started doubting my worth, she reminded me that love shouldn’t be performative and that being true to yourself is enough. Both of them taught me that love comes in many forms, through sacrifice, honesty, and staying true to who you are.

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?

• The type of love I have with my mom and Reham is companionate love, which is built on deep affection, trust, and commitment. With my mom, it’s the kind of love that comes from sacrifice and care, she shows her love through hard work and making sure I’m safe and supported even from afar. With Reham, it’s the kind of love that gives comfort and understanding; she makes me feel accepted and reminds me that being myself is enough. Both of them give me a kind of love that feels lasting, secure, and genuine.

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

• I feel loved, secured, and at peace whenever I’m with them. Being around my mom gives me a sense of comfort and safety, knowing that she’s always there for me no matter what. With Reham, I feel free and confident to express myself because she accepts me fully and always uplifts me when I’m lost. Together, they make me feel valued and truly understood.

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

• They taught me how to be strong and resilient no matter what life brings. My mom showed me the value of hard work and unconditional love; she made me realize that real love exists, even when I once doubted it. She broke that mindset by proving that love isn’t just said, it’s shown through actions and sacrifices. While, Reham taught me to stay genuine and true to myself. She reminded me that even when you feel lost or no longer recognize who you are, that moment doesn’t define you, it’s just a part of your journey, and it’s okay to be there. Because of them and the love and authenticity they’ve shown me, I learned that love isn’t about perfection, it’s about understanding, patience, and the courage to keep going.

1. Right now, I am studying at Ateneo de Davao Senior High School and I chose the STEM Pre-Science strand because I wanted to prepare myself not only academically, but also mentally and emotionally, for the demands of my dream course. STEM challenges me, pushes my limits, and reminds me why I’m working hard: because the path to dentistry requires commitment, discipline, and strong foundations.

   
   

2. I plan to pursue Dentistry at DMSF Davao, a school known for producing competent and compassionate dental professionals. Their reputation is something I deeply admire, and hearing positive experiences from my cousin who is currently studying there gave me a clearer, more realistic view of what to expect. It made me more confident that DMSF is the right environment for me, one that will shape my skills, values, and future as a dentist.

   
   

3. One of my biggest goals is to excel in every aspect of dentistry. I’m a natural perfectionist, and I see that trait not as a flaw, but as a strength that will push me to deliver quality work. I aspire to create innovative, effective dental solutions and to approach every case with both precision and compassion. I know that in this field, every lesson matters, so I’m committed to studying hard, mastering the fundamentals, and constantly improving myself.

   
   

4. Before taking my licensure exam, I hope to work as a dental assistant for at least five months. I believe that experience will make me more confident and equipped for the real world. Handling dental tools, observing actual procedures, and interacting with patients will give me a head start, so that when I step into dentistry full-time, I won’t be overwhelmed, I’ll be prepared.

   
   

5. I also plan to pursue my master’s degree at DMSF. For me, learning doesn’t stop at graduation. I want to deepen my knowledge, enhance my techniques, and explore more innovative approaches in the field. Continuous learning will help me grow into the kind of dentist I aspire to be.

   
   

6. Ultimately, I want to become a dentist known for innovation, passion, and patient-centered care. I want to bring out my artistry in every procedure, whether it’s restoring a tooth or reconstructing a smile. I want my patients to feel understood, cared for, and confident. More than anything, I dream of serving people with both skill and heart, giving them solutions that meet their needs and transform their lives.

2. I’m grateful that whenever my mom is around, we always spend time together as a family. Those moments make me feel complete and connected. However, it’s a bit sad that this only happens when she’s present. I wish we could maintain that same closeness even when she’s away so that our bond as a family can grow stronger no matter the distance.

3. One thing my family gives me that I’m deeply thankful for is their love. Even though we’ve grown apart over time, that love still shows in small but meaningful ways—especially during our family dinners. Those moments of sharing food and laughter remind me that, no matter how distant we may seem, the bond we have remains strong. It’s something I truly treasure and hope to keep forever.

Recognizing both the challenges and blessings within my family helps me grow as someone who learns to cherish what I have and strive to become better for those I love. It reminds me to appreciate the little moments and to find happiness in simply being together. By practicing cura personalis, I can show more care and understanding toward each family member, especially during difficult times. This awareness motivates me to work toward magis, not just for myself, but for the greater good of my family, by learning how to love them more deeply and strengthen our bond despite our differences and struggles, and to also be happy in the process.

Personal Development was and has definitely been helpful for me. Lately, I’ve been doubting who I really am, questioning where I should be and what kind of authenticity I bring. This subject helped me rediscover those answers. While doing my PT about my journey from infancy to adulthood, I came across pictures and videos of myself when I was younger and while reflecting about my experiences, I noticed that the traits / personality I sometimes feel ashamed of or uncertain about now have always been a part of me. I’ve always been a little unserious yet real, someone who can pull everything together when it truly matters. My independence has always been at my core, and even now, as I’m still healing and figuring things out, I’m learning that it’s okay. The best part is that I can still give what I know I do best still believing, still trying, still showing up as me. This is who I’ve always been, I’m still the same me. The personality I used to doubt… it was always real. I’ve been that version of myself ever since, and there’s nothing wrong with it, I’m simply Jam.

Because of that, the topic Infancy to Adulthood became one of my favorite lessons. It allowed me to reconnect with my past and see that my core has always been consistent.

Another topic I really liked was Career Pathways. As I reflected on what I loved before and what I still love now, I discovered my purpose even more clearly. It strengthened my passion for dentistry and made me more confident in the path I want to pursue. The Family topic also helped me appreciate my family more deeply, which I’m grateful for.

My key takeaway from this subject is that staying true to yourself and rediscovering who you are is important. Personal development is not just about growth, it’s about understanding yourself, embracing your identity, and becoming someone who can positively influence the people around you. That kind of growth helps not only you but also everyone who surrounds you, and I think that’s one of the most beautiful things a person can do.