The line that struck me the most is, "Aside from inheriting the physical features of our parents, we are consciously or unconsciously shaped by the values of our parents and everyone around us." This resonates with me because, even though my family isn’t as close as others, I know that who I am today has been shaped by the environment I grew up in. The way I carry myself, my independence, and even my struggles all tie back to the people who raised me as well as the people I've developed a relationship/bond with, even if we don’t always connect emotionally. There are things I’ve had to learn on my own—lessons about resilience, self-reliance, and understanding myself without always having my family there as a guiding force. But in a way, that has made me stronger and someone who is in no need for others to depend on to suffice me with the strength I may need emotionally and mentally.

• If there is something you want to improve in your relationship in the family, what would it be? Why?

If I could change something, I wish me and my family would communicate more. My family is distant, and there are so many things left unsaid between us. We rarely express how we feel or talk about anything beyond the surface level, and sometimes it makes me feel like we’re strangers living under the same roof. I know that everyone has their own struggles, and maybe that’s why we’ve grown apart, but I still wish there were moments where we could just talk—not forced, not awkward, just genuine. A simple conversation, a check-in, or even just the feeling that we truly understand each other would mean a lot.

• What values of Mother Ignacia can you relate to yourself or family? Why?

The value of resilience is something I relate to the most. Mother Ignacia grew up in circumstances that weren’t always easy, yet she found strength within herself nevertheless to keep her pushing through the countless obstacles in life. That to me, is a value worth striving for every day. Since I’ve learned to be independent, to rely on myself when no one else is around, and to keep pushing forward even when it feels like I have to do it alone. Life hasn’t handed me everything easily, and there are times when I wish things were different. But like Mother Ignacia, I’ve realized that strength isn’t just about enduring hardship, it’s also about finding genuine purpose despite it.

If there is one thing I would love to improve in my family, it would be the way we express our emotions and appreciation for one another. Like many families, we show love through actions rather than words, but sometimes, I wish we could be more open about our feelings. Growing up, I learned that strength often meant silence, that showing emotions could be mistaken for weakness. However, reflecting on Mother Ignacia’s life, I realize that true strength is not just about endurance—it is also about connection. She found strength in faith, in relationships, and in her ability to uplift others. I hope to cultivate the same openness within my family, creating a space where we can express not just love, but also fears, dreams, and struggles without hesitation.

The values of faith, resilience, and selfless service in Mother Ignacia’s life strongly resonate with me and my family. Like her, my family places faith at the center of our lives, trusting that God’s will guides us through every challenge. Resilience, too, is a value we share—we may struggle, but we never give up, just as Ignacia persevered despite societal limitations. Most importantly, her selfless service reflects the way my family supports each other and our community. Whether through simple acts of kindness or bigger sacrifices, we have always believed in lifting others up. Mother Ignacia’s story reminds me that these values are not just personal strengths—they are legacies, passed down through generations, shaping not just our lives but the world around us.

In the end, we are all shaped by the love, struggles, and sacrifices of those who came before us—yet sometimes, we only realize their true weight when it's too late to say "thank you" or "I love you." But just as Mother Ignacia carried her parents’ values forward, so too can we honor those who shaped us by living with faith, resilience, and a heart willing to serve—because even when words are left unspoken, love endures in the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.

No matter how silent, it never truly fades.

"Aside from inheriting the physical features of our parents, we are consciously or unconsciously shaped by the values of our parents and everyone around us."The concept that our parents and our surroundings' values form us extends beyond genes as it emphasizes how our environment and upbringing impact our character, beliefs, and behaviors. I believe this can be related to how we are shaped by the people around us to who we are today. I can relate because I have noticed that my family surrounds me and they teach me how to become the person that I am now. One thing that my family does is help the poor in their simple ways, I am doing the same whenever I pass by someone who needs help in my own little way. 

• If there is something you want to improve in your relationship in the family, what would it be? Why?

Yes, that would be spending more quality time with them. I know my family has their own lives or are busy with their work and we couldn’t get to spend much time together as we did in the past. I would love to spend more time with my family and get closer to them more and I would like to be open with each other more. 

• What values of Mother Ignacia can you relate to yourself or family? Why

Her father, a diligent Chinese immigrant, instilled in Mother Ignacia a strong sense of industry. Likewise, my family emphasizes diligence and tenacity. Success is something we earn by hard work, perseverance, and dedication, not something that is given to us. We try to give everything we do our best effort, whether it be at job, school, or in our everyday obligations.

• From the excerpt, I can relate to Ignacia's experience in learning about the basics of faith and Christian piety, where she tells us that you can always learn about God and how to serve Him without needing to attend school. After all, to love God and to have faith in Him does not require anything but our willingness to submit ourselves to His will. I chose this line not because, aside from the fact that I can relate it to myself, but because I am amazed by how Mother Ignacia had a deep sense of spirituality by living her life in prayer and service. Because of this, I am encouraged to love God more and to trust Him always because no matter what problem life throws at us, for instance, when Mother Ignacia did not get to study in a proper institution or school due to gender roles and her nationality, there is no doubt that we can surpass the challenges we encounter because God will not let us experience hardships that He knows we cannot survive.

• Furthermore, another line from the excerpt that struck me the most is "Aside from inheriting the physical features of our parents, we are consciously or unconsciously shaped by the values of our parents and everyone around us." Somehow, I can relate to this line because I believe that physical features are not just the things that we inherit from our parents, but also their values and traits. Just like the saying "Kung ano and puno, siyang bunga," I can say that I am very alike to my parents, or sometimes I am somehow a mix of their values. Everywhere I go, I bring these values with me, and these values shaped me to be the person I am today.

  
  

If there is something you want to improve in your relationship in the family, what would it be? Why?

• Something that I want to improve in my relationship with my family is that I want to be more open to them, especially to my parents. This is because I usually hide things from them, such as my problems, which would result in me suffering alone. Just like Mother Ignacia, I want to have a relationship with my family, especially with my parents, that is founded by faith and love to the point that nothing can break us apart.

What values of Mother Ignacia can you relate to yourself or family? Why?

• The values of Mother Ignacia that I can relate to myself are simplicity, modesty, obedience, respect, sense of religiosity, independence, and resiliency because I do not easily back down from a fight. I am resilient in a way that I do not give up easily, and I do not let a single problem drown me because, aside from my dreams that are keeping alive, there is God who stands beside me—to guide me, protect me, and walk beside me. Also, being simple is the best way to be humble. Humility is one of the things that Jesus exemplified, which has been instilled in Mother Ignacia. With this, I can say that I am a humble person by praying because I do not believe that I would ever reach my dreams without God's loving providence and guidance. I always ask for His blessings and forgiveness because everything that we ask of God should be said with complete humility, for our Father is powerful, and with His presence, everything will be alright.

"Aside from inheriting the physical features of our parents, we are consciously or unconsciously shaped by the values of our parents and everyone around us."

I relate to this line as our parents plays a huge role in shaping who we are as a person. They're the one who taught us how to interact with the world first, from our beliefs, habits, and outlook in life. Just like Mother Ignacia inherited traits from both her Filipino mother and Chinese father, we also carry lessons, traditions, and values that has been passed down to us. These factors helps us interact with others.

• If there is something you want to improve in your relationship in the family, what would it be? Why?

If there’s something to improve in my family relationship, it could be better communication. Sometimes, I find it hard to communicate specially with my feelings, because they don't understand how I feel sometimes and see them as a "kaartehan". That's why I find it hard to open up to them. I believe improving communication, whether through more conversations, active listening, or simply spending quality time together—can strengthen family bonds and create a more supportive environment.

• What values of Mother Ignacia can you relate to yourself or family? Why?

One of Mother Ignacia’s values that I can relate to is resiliency—her ability to stay strong despite challenges. In many families, resilience is what keeps everyone going, whether facing financial struggles, personal hardships, or difficult times. Like Mother Ignacia, who remained steadfast in her faith and mission, my family also believes in overcoming obstacles through hard work, patience, and faith.