Only one person comes to mind when I think about an influence that still remains pertinent in my life. That’s my  older sister, Michaela.  She’s the middle child, and probably the hardiest and most cunning person I know, and still manages to look good doing it.

            (I am well aware that I’m going to sound like a gushing fangirl when writing this, but can you blame me? This is my sister we’re talking about. My very flesh and blood. It makes me think that I can do the things she can do and succeed while at it. There’s a certain joy I feel whenever I share stories of her and our shenanigans throughout our lives, a kind of lightheartedness that makes past memories alive and playing frame by frame at this time.)

            Ate Myka and I somehow have the same interests as I grew up. She likes certain films that I also happen to like, we’re interested in the field of psychology (with her graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from UP a cum laude and now studying Law, and me almost taking it in another college had I not passed in UST and still considering pursuing a probable law career after I graduate.), and even read the same genre of fanfiction of a show that we both watched back in my elementary days. It’s proof that we’re really sisters, not vague companions that just happen to be stuck with each other because one was born after the other.

            It’s not just her academic excellence that has me in awe. It’s how she’s so upfront in everything she does (which definitely served her well in her four years of ROTC as well), and problems doesn’t look and feel like problems with how quick she whips up answers for every single thing I’m troubled with. Worries? Are they really something to be so worried about? What about insecurities? No one would care, she would say. She’d take one glace at me, offer a choice that makes you think, ”How did I not think of that?”, and offer to eat after, the problem written the last thing on my list.

            My sister is my influence and glance at the future, as I know I will push myself to be as successful and persevering as she is. With morals firm after years of questioning and self-reflection and a strong sense of self-worth, Ate Myka serves as a model for my own life.

             

3ELS1

We all experience moments of being down throughout our journey in life. And during those moments, we want someone or something we can hold on to to fuel us up and continue on the journey. It may be a memory we will forever honor and cherish or someone who will listen, cheer, and motivate us, and surely for most have also inspired us. And this is what I myself have experienced: the beauty of having someone to help us in moments of problems, sadness, or bitterness. 

I was around thirteen years old when I “fell in love” with someone where I was sure that the feeling was mutual. But then, something happened that have broken my heart. It was not after all, mutual. And then he left, and there I was. Little did I know that that was one of the moments that would greatly shape me into being the young woman (and still being shaped) that I was meant and that I wanted to be. I was like a broken flower vase where someone picked but something happened and I was dropped and was broken into pieces. Until a wondering florist considered putting back the pieces and restoring its beauty and glory.

What a relief this florist have seen and considered restoring me! I talked out everything to her and she has clearly seen and felt the bitterness I have within. But then, the moments she is listening while I was speaking and the words of faith and motivation she’s giving me were so much comforting that I left her presence looking at a new perspective she gave me. She was like an ointment to my wound. Finally, I was looking forward of what is yet to come. And one day, I dream of being like her to anyone who experience what I have experienced. It is because she does not have the slightest idea on how I turned out to be after giving me hope in life. Yes, she is a very dear friend and until my dying day, never will I forget how she touched and changed my life. 

After the workshop, Kuya Brent, one of the facilitators, approached me and told me something I’d remember until this day. “My brother is 22, and he’s a manager in San Miguel. You’re 14 or 15, and I believe that you can be like him, or greater than him, if you wish to. Remember what we told you earlier, your chosen course would not define what you’ll be in the future.” WHICH WELL, BLEW ME AWAY. I thought I’d be scolded because I was too loud during the workshop but...I got that instead. Kuya Brent Reodica is one of the founders of Team Aguhon which aims to help students help themselves through giving tools in their workshops. Kuya and the team have helped over 10,000 students today and plans to go nationwide to reach more. He’s a graduate of the University of the Philippines - Diliman with a degree in Film, he worked in various sports channels and ended up meeting great people then founded Team Aguhon with them. He knew a lot and have done things I wanted to do, he also speaks well and delivers his words well. Kuya Brent is an amazing person I'd love to work with. Kuya firmly believes in the power of education which I also have so much hope for.

Today, I was given a chance to train with the Team and be a part of them. I’ve started to read what they’ve read and work on the habits that they have, I have a long way to go before him but being with the right people, I know I can do anything I love. To end, I have facilitated 2 workshops already!