"The Rewards of Struggles" by Enzo Zarate https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs An adventure from past to present. en-us 2018-03-13 10:59:56 UTC 2023-05-19 13:21:44 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Watchclock.png "Who am I? Am I who I am?" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241291024 [INTRODUCTION]
Hi, my name is Lorenzo Miguel D. Zarate! I'm currently 17 years old and you can call me Enzo :D

I actually do A LOT of stuff:

I'm a Singer, an Athlete, an Artist, a Customizer, a Collector, a Crafter, a Cosplayer, a Modder, and a Gamer... Just to name a few lmao.

But the best way to describe me would be "Not your average GEEK." ]]> 2018-03-13 11:11:04 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241291024 "With great power comes great responsibility." enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241296347 [COSPLAYER]

I have a few other
costumes, but what is actually iconic for me and for other people (AS OF NOW) is my "Homemade Suit" version of Spider-man, from the movie "Spider-Man: Homecoming."]]> 2018-03-13 11:28:38 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241296347 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241299327 Well, a pretty good reason why people say that my iconic character is Spidey, is because of me actually being a "real life Peter Parker" of some sort. The intellect, the craftiness, and of course, the STUNTS.

I actually do parkour, which actually helps me portray the character even more.

I also love the photos that are created while I do stuns. It's just so satisfying to see myself and ask myself "IS THAT REALLY ME?" ]]> 2018-03-13 11:37:09 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241299327 "The Spider-Man of iAcademy." enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241300903 Although there are actually a few Spider-Man cosplayers in iAcademy, people somehow dub me as "The Spider-Man of iAcademy" because of this picture of me last Halloween celebration.]]> 2018-03-13 11:41:20 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241300903 "The Best Part of Being Spidey." enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241302097 For me honestly, the BEST part of being Spider-Man are the kids.

Well, Spider-Man IS the most popular and most iconic hero in pop culture, so I really would be recognized as I portray the character.

Honestly though, it's not about the attention or the fame of being this well known character for it to be iconic for me. Like I said, it's the kids.

Kids look up to me. SMILE when they see me. Get EXCITED to see their favorite character. Be HAPPY to be with me.

"It's not about the fame and attention... It's about being their HERO."]]> 2018-03-13 11:44:46 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241302097 "Just Me and My Hobbies." enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241307709 [CRAFTER]
I LOVE CRAFTING <3

I honestly don't remember how exactly it started, but I do know for a fact that it was because of making school projects. 

For an example, here's my Spider-Man web-shooters that I made from scratch :D]]> 2018-03-13 11:59:38 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241307709 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241313476 [CUSTOMIZER/MODDER]
I ALSO LOVE CUSTOMIZING <3 <3

It's the satisfaction of IMPROVING or UPGRADING something to make it look better.

Here's a bootleg (cheap knockoff/fake) Baby Groot toy I repainted back in November 2017 :D]]> 2018-03-13 12:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241313476 *Me GEEKING Out* enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241326307 [COLLECTOR]
COLLECTING IS THE BEST <3 <3 <3

I guess the picture speaks for itself (?) ]]> 2018-03-13 12:40:48 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241326307 "Story of My Life" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241362550 [CHILDHOOD]
Honestly, I have one REALLY messed up life ever since I was a kid.

My parents got separated tragically when I was at 4 (witnessed them trying to k-ll each other that night), and my mom took me due to custody. That's actually also the time my depression started.

"They didn't really kill anyone... except for my innocent little soul."

So I grew up with my mom, living in different places as I grew up. Honestly, even if mom DID take me as custody, she wasn't really the ONLY one who raised me. Different people would actually look over me since I was a baby because mom would rather be out with friends and enjoying, rather than staying home and taking care of me. Meanwhile, dad really can't take care of me because he's working abroad as a seafarer (captain). Mom wasn't really the "mother-figure" type too. Let's just say mom and I don't really "get along" that much. It was pretty rough.

Basically, I grew up poor; was raised and lived simply with my mom. 

I also didn't really have that much friends. They come and go, since it's either we had to move again, or my friends were the one moving.

I mean seriously. Sleeping in a graveyard for quite some time is NOT healthy smh.]]> 2018-03-13 13:38:33 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241362550 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241373393 [GRADESCHOOL]
I am actually a PURE Bosconian ever since I was in Prep.

I first studied in "Don Bosco Technical Institute" or Don Bosco Makati in other terms from Prep to Grade 2. I was pretty much bullied everyday back then.

Guess why? I was pretty dark skin-toned, ugly and fat back then.

Then I got transferred to "Don Bosco Technical College" or Don Bosco Mandaluyong in other terms because we actually live in Mandaluyong, and it was a lot closer than DBTI. Pretty much studied there from Grade 3 up to Grade 10.

Guess what? I was still bullied because I was dark-skinned, ugly and fat. (Though I did got slimmer by Grade 4-6).

I mean seriously. I know it's gonna be cute when I say it now, but not for me BACK THEN; there used to be a group called "Anti-Zarate Club" when I was in elementary. I didn't even do ANYTHING, yet alone, not even DOING ANYTHING.

But I was pretty smart and sporty back then. Then again, I was dark skinned and ugly LMAO.

Aside from bullying, rough frequent arguments with mom back at home. Would often be alone in the house since mom and step-dad would always be gone (yes I have a step-dad).

During weekends however, I would always go to dad's house to play with my cousins at least. We pretty much grew up together. When dad and step-mom are home, I would actually enjoy more since we would always go out together and have fun doing stuff like shopping, buying toys, going out to eat, etc (Yes, I also have a step-mom. She's Ecuadorian).

Life back then was just so complicated and hard. I tried to have fun at least. I was actually pretty mature at the age of 10, and still depressed because everything was so complicated and messed up.

"I was just an innocent small boy."

I did finish elementary achieving and reaching the top 10 (I don't know what place though) having an average grade of 96. ]]> 2018-03-13 13:52:26 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241373393 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241393979 [JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL]
Well, junior high was "okay" for me since it's literally filled with ups and downs.

Thanks to puberty I got whiter and more matured-looking (THANK YOU PUBERTY OMG).

Junior high started out pretty well. Since we were new to high-school, I started to change myself, and try to do better since I was more matured than ever. I was trying pretty hard to ignore my depression since I was pretty busy in school playing sports and studying. I was pretty much doing well at my 1st year in high-school.

2nd year of high-school however, wasn't that great. There were actually a lot of reasons why. Well, depression was actually kicking in again and I had a hard time keeping up.

But then... I met her.

Imagine someone---A MIRROR IMAGE of you, but in the opposite gender.

Everything was LITERALLY perfect. The dates, the timing, the relationship. I was just so in-love with her and she was to me. The memories tend to make me really sad to be honest...

Everything was perfect... until someone very stupid costed our relationship.

Everything was destroyed. Everything was forgotten. Everything was pain. Everything was lost. Everything was gone. Everything was hopeless.

"Everything CHANGED... because she herself CHANGED."

It was 5 months STRAIGHT of pain, anguish, anger and sorrow. 5 months of mental suffering. 5 months of torture. 5 months of self hatred.

"Even I CHANGED."

I was not myself. I was dead inside. I fail my requirements purposely. I wouldn't go to school purposely. Everyday I would cry. Every night I would throw a tantrum. Everyday I was dying.

By the end of everything, her "YES" never really meant anything. Her "YES" that made me fall for her--- made me LOVE her.

"In the end, it was all just a big LIE."

Just a few weeks after, there was a "Student Exchange Program" in our school. It was destined for Gwangju, South Korea. The bosconian school there was named "Salesio High School." 

The program participants were actually selected, but I was the only one who volunteered. In a recap, I went to Korea to move-on. 

It actually helped to be honest. I was able to feel better at least with the help of a lot of people. 

After that event, I tried my best to keep up after almost failing that said Quarters.

3rd and 4th year happened, and I was doing just fine honestly. Didn't have the motivation to do my best, but still tried to do what I can.

"Hey, I'll try to do better in Senior High."
]]> 2018-03-13 14:21:10 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241393979 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241496645 2018-03-13 16:46:59 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241496645 "Taking a Step for CHANGE" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241498901 [SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL]
Senior high has been fun so far honestly. It's a good thing I got in to iAcademy. I decided that I would change who I am compared before, and I'd say I'm happy for myself because of the many things and achievements that I accomplished, and is being known for it at least. 

Lots of new people, new friends, new experiences and challenges.

Plus, I actually get a "little" more free time than before, since we have rest days. I actually have a "small business" now that I can get extra money from: Commissions and gigs. I get paid to do crafting or prop related commissions, and sometimes get involved with cosplay gigs. Cosplay gigs are like events, photoshoots, or hospital visits for charity; and I get paid for doing/joining them. So far, I've been to a few because of invites from my friends, and I honestly wish I would be involved for more.

I'm proud of who I am today, and hope that I can continue on doing the stuff I like and want to achieve till the future.

Here's an example video of one of my photoshoots:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFuaezmOb1U]]> 2018-03-13 16:50:50 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241498901 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241502924 2018-03-13 16:56:31 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/241502924 "MMA11C Family" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243048940 2018-03-17 09:01:46 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243048940 "Spider-Verse PH" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243048964 based from the Spider-Verse comics]]> 2018-03-17 09:02:04 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243048964 "The Brotherhood PH" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243048980 based from the video game franchise Assassin's Creed]]> 2018-03-17 09:02:22 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243048980 1. Is there a ‘center’ or a central theme in your timeline and life? If you will give a title for your timeline what would it be and why? enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049363 -Well, there wouldn't be really much of a theme for my life as of the moment to be honest. Didn't really have a "fun" past back then, but I'm still trying to put myself high and higher as I could. I want to enjoy my present as much I could too. 

-If there was a tittle for my timeline, it would really be "The Rewards of Struggles." All my life I've just known pain and little happiness. I'm trying to change that ever since I've entered SHS. I'm quite happy for myself regarding the person I've become and how I manage and still managing to bring myself up higher compared to how low I was back then.]]> 2018-03-17 09:07:53 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049363 2. Identify the turning points in your timeline. What were the thoughts, feelings and actions that you experienced? enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049373 -Well, regarding my past, there was really no turning point for it would always go down and down. There were happy times of course, but moments are just temporary. Next thing I know, life would bring me back down HARD; but hey, that's just how life is, and I'm already used to it honestly. Separation of parents, elementary, high school, "her," etc etc. They all started out good and I was happy; then boom, all of them went down and a next moment would come. 

As of now, the best turning point that happened to me would be SHS, because I was able to express myself more, given a new life with a new experience at a new school. I can be who I want to be, figuratively and literally because I also started doing and focusing on cosplay, which I really love. I'm just really happy for who I am today.

"Life is just a pretty intense roller-coaster. You just have to make the most out of it." ]]> 2018-03-17 09:08:03 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049373 3. Who are/were the most significant people in your life? How did they influence you? enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049381 The most definite #1 would be my dad. I mean seriously. My dad's the huge reason why I am alive today. It's all his hard work and money that's been keeping me alive and having a good life. Even though he's gone for like, half of my life because of work abroad, I really owe much to him... I just really look up to him a lot, because he's also literally the only one who rose up from a family of rags since he was a kid. I love, and will forever cherish my father for he is the one who made and shaped me to who I am today; his greatest creation.

Next would definitely be my friends. I didn't really feel nor was giving much love since I was a kid, but the people who were always there are my friends. I did had a lot of friends. They come and go. Honestly though, still have a lot of friends today, but I have a few of them that I really cherish; the one's I'd really die for. They're who I call family, more than my own family who wasn't there when I needed them the most. The people who I share everything with and know each others soul very much, that even if we are separated, we still are connected and forever will be solid no matter what; and we'll all be glad to die for each other as brothers. ]]> 2018-03-17 09:08:09 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049381 4. What would you change or add, if you could? How would each of these changes or additions affect your life, or even change its present course? enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049404 Honestly, I already I accepted who I am and what my life has become. I wouldn't really "like" to change anything. I'm just trying to learn from my past and the mistakes that I made, therefore shaping my future my own way.

Though I also am honestly curious if what would happen if me and "her" are still together. If nothing bad really ever happened to us. I already accepted and thanking that she had become part of my life, but I would always wonder if nothing happened and we would just be happy together up until now. I do not wish it, but I am curious on how it would  ]]> 2018-03-17 09:08:14 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049404 5. Where do you want to be in a year, 5 years, and 10 years? What do you expect your future timeline will be? enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049414 I only have one REAL goal and one goal alone. Being successful is already given and pretty normal to be a "real" goal in life. What I want is more than a goal. I want a HAPPY and LOVING family. It's the only thing that I want, because it's the only thing that I didn't have growing up. A family that is always there for each other, always there together. A family that supports each other and would live happily together. If ever, I also don't want my children to experience the pain and suffering that I've been through when I was young, and I will ensure that my family will never be broken no matter what.

Of course, time will come and I really want to plan out building a family. I just hope that I can do it right, and I'm sure I eventually will.

"I'm not asking for a PERFECT family. I just want to die happily with a happy family. My OWN family." ]]> 2018-03-17 09:08:20 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243049414 "Tres Supremos" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243056895 This picture was taken from my Moving Up ceremony.

They are actually already Grade 11 that time and I was Grade 10

The SHS have a different uniform, but during my Moving Up ceremony, they wore their old Grade 10 uniforms out of nowhere as a way of support for me during the ceremony. ]]> 2018-03-17 10:25:52 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243056895 "Girl BFF" enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243057225 Picture is taken from the time I was her escort during their school's JHS prom]]> 2018-03-17 10:29:50 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/243057225 Functional Webshooters v2 enzo_zarate10 https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/250425512 2018-04-10 18:14:08 UTC https://padlet.com/enzo_zarate10/f30iqaz8e7hs/wish/250425512