Where Learning is at its Peak

Almost three draining and strenous school years had passed, I just want to genuinely thank God for keeping me alive despite of all the physical and even emotional stress I experienced from my stay in the current school I attend to. Yes, I’ll admit it. I am so tired. I am really, really almost in a dead beat state. But everytime I think of all the payback I could get from finishing my studies in a privileged school, all I can do is stand up again, fix myself, and say ‘I can do it’.

High school life is definitely memorable. Yes, it is. That’s given. But for me, it’s memorable in a different way. I expected high school as a happy-go-lucky state, in which I can live life to the fullest with my best friends, go to parties and such, attend an overnight stay in one of my friends’ house then play truth or dare. Everything’s set. But it didn’t go smoothly as I expected it to be. Studies dominated me. All I focused at was my studies. Looking at the positive side, it’s indeed a great hobby – to study all night and prepare for the finals – but it didn’t make me happy. It, instead, made me pressured. Well, a bit. I was also pressured with all the people surrounding me. Those gifted with too much intellect, and those gifted with too much luxury. I was neutral. And it made my high school life fairly harder. It’s somewhat difficult to balance, I am not that bright and I am not that wealthy though.

But unexpectedly, this what made my high school life superb. I learned how to muddle through different types of people. This is quite hard to learn, and I’m proud that CNSHS didn’t just teach me scholarly lores, but also it shaped my attitude towards people.

Why do I want to continue my studies at CNSHS? Simple. It’s because I want to challenge myself more. I want to explore further. And I know that studying at CNSHS is absolutely the judicious decision I’ve ever made.

Fall Foul Of

Primer Nivel - No llegues tarde.

Don't be late. Coming to school early is a necessity. Once you got late, you'll be absent for half day.

Segundo Nivel - No ID, Ninguna entrada.

No ID, No Entry. Why having ID, if you won't wear it at all times? All students should wear their identification cards, not only for harmony, but also for safety.

Tercer Nivel - Limpie su área.

Clean your area. Our school is our second home. So everyone should be responsible in cleaning their respective areas.

Cuarto Nivel - Llevar uniforme apropiado.

Wear proper uniform. No one should be dressed like an outsider. Everyone is obliged to be dressed properly and appropriately. Go to other school if you're not comfortable with the official school uniform.

Quinto Nivel - Haga que el corte de pelo designado.

Have the designated haircut. This one's for the boys. (Well, guys are somewhat more rebellious than girls. Sorry, not sorry.) There is this official haircut for the boys that they should obey. Ten or more squats if you don't feel like having the said haircut.

Sexto Nivel - Practica hablar en Inglés. 
Practice speaking in English. The school is practicing future leaders. So everyone is encouraged to practices speaking in English for easier access in the whole world.

Séptimo Nivel - Plagiar no es excusa. 
Plagiarizing is not excused. Everyone in this school is practiced to write with all honesty. No one should commit plagiarism or else the student's parents would be called for meeting.

Octavo Nivel - Cheat y te echen. 
Cheat and get kicked out. Cheating is not tolerated in this institution. Student who will be caught cheating will be eventually kicked out.

Noveno Nivel - No intimidación.
No bullying. Bullying is prohibited in our institution. Being an RSHS, it is the whole school's obligation to prevent anyone from being a bully and being bullied.

Fallen Heroes

Lives are as precious as diamonds. But unlike the latter, it can never be returned nor replaced. Dying is a thing, but dying with honor is an irreplaceable matter. Like the Fallen 44, yes, they died so morbidly, yet with this, their heroine was given recognition. Nevertheless, these awards and memorabilias will never be a satisfaction to these heroes' families. I actually understand why one of these SAF members' wife didn't accept the financial assistance and honorary doctorate from the government. It's because whatever material things the government would provide them, it will never make her husband's life back.

Upon knowing the news about the death of these 44 SAF members, all I felt was disappointment and weakness. I know that I can't do anything to make everything back to normal. I just realized that their acts were one of a kind because who would want to fight with these terrorists unprepared, just for the sake of everyone's protection and safety? I salute them, I really do. I'll extend my utmost prayers for your souls, Fallen 44.

Cherished Five-Day Visit

In Pope Francis' five-day visit here in the Philippines, he made the Filipino people laugh, cry and hope for the better. He inspired us. He managed to, not only gather crowds of Catholic people, but also share the essence of mercy and compassion through his homilies and speeches within his stay here in our country.

"So many of you have lost everything. I don't know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. All I can do is keep silence and walk with you all with my silent heart. And to each of you, to your heart, Christ responds with his heart from the cross."

This exact quote, which was delivered by Pope Francis last January 17 at the Tacloban Airport, literally made me cry. Every single word he said was so solemn and sincere that it made me realize how much this pope deserve to be in his position. He is such an angel in disguise. All throughout his stay in our almost-wrecked (not only in appearance, but also with regards to our faith) country, he kept on being down-to-earth. He never acted as a VIP (very important person), though it was really the government's duty to keep him safe. Even in what he said which is stated above, he stayed humble. The line 'I don't know what to say to you.' just proves that he is still a human being that interacts with people. He never treated himself as an intellect person, even the Word of God runs through his veins. Pope Francis is really one of a kind.

His advocacy, Mercy and Compassion, made me realize things. One of these is that we can't really live all by ourselves. No man is an island, indeed. 

Smell of Sacrifice

Why? I just can't barely understand why some Filipino should go pack their things and go abroad, leaving everything they have here in our country, including their families. Just one day living without my family, is already a hell. What more if it would take years for some? It's living like a dead. Imagine parents leaving their children behind for money. Isn't this what we call unfair? Sacrificing is such a heroic deed, yes. And being an OFW is a perfect example for the word sacrifice. But just the mere thought of a child, growing up so quickly without his parents beside him, is such a heartbreaking scene.

Many Filipinos risk overstaying in other countries. It is really hard to work and be careful not to be caught at the same time. Some OFWs experience abusive bosses that treat them inhumanly. They are harmed physically and mentally. Others are even raped, killed and brought back in the Philippines dead already. It is really hard and terrifying to work abroad. Even though they sacrifice almost everything in order to give their child what they want like taking their kids to excellent schools or giving every needs and unnecessary things to them, there are some difficult problems that they cannot avoid. There are some situations wherein their kids think that their parents left them for nonsense reasons. They will start to rebel by not going to school, drinking, smoking not only cigarettes but also weeds, and many more.

Numb government is what we have. This could be taken action of, but what does our government do for this issue? People are still sacrificing for the sake of money. Admit it or not, we can't live without money. Most people think that money's the key to success. Yet, our government could do something about this. Try being concerned, please. The acronym OFW should be removed from everyone's vocabulary. We should be resourceful with our own country. No one should really have to sacrifice if our government would do something about this.

Peculiar Twist

I opened my eyes and I saw him beside me, his eyes closed and his hands holding a knife. HA! What a jerk Romeo is. He killed himself because of me? Pity on him. I immediately turned my back at Romeo's dead body and went out of that place. I saw Paris' dead body also. They're such a weak creatures. I fixed myself - I gradually  combed my hair that was a bit unneat because I was laying on a less spacious thing. I also fixed my dress. He's probably waiting for my awakening. I looked side by side, but I can't see him. Then I felt someone's presence at my back. I slowly looked behind me and there I saw him.  He smiled at me and he keenly embraced me.

"I've been waiting for you, dear Juliet. How's the two man going inside?"

"They're dead, Lawrence."

"Praise God! Finally, we could now live together!"

We embraced again. Friar Lawrence and I are now free. We could love each other unreservedly, with no one to impede us. 

Unfathomable Gratitude

Dear teachers, the impact that you have had on me this year is incomprehensible. You have affected and altered me in so many ways that it's hard to single a few out. Under your teaching, and your influence, I have become a kinder, nicer, and more caring person. I find that I am so much more thoughtful towards others and much less likely to judge. You have also changed the way that I think about myself. Through you I was able to achieve a higher self esteem and a higher opinion of myself. I am able to look into the mirror and for one of the first times ever, be proud of the person that I am. You believed in me, and that's all that I really needed. You took the time to care, and not only that, but you made sure that I knew you cared. That has made the difference. I will never forget all that you have done. I will never forget your presence, your existence, or your memory. I will never forget all that you have taught me, both mathematical and otherwise. I will never forget you. I can now say, with all honestly, after I've poured my heart and soul out onto paper, that I love you. I love you, and I always will. Big thanks, Ma'am!

At Ease

"God, give me chastity and continence - but not just now."

If I would be given a chance to talk to an honourable being, I would gladly talk to St. Augustine, my hometown's patron. St. Augustine is known for his truly extraordinary life - once a reprobate, he transformed to a bizarre saint. His life was once considered as a rubbish, but through his mother's wholehearted devotion to God, he was saved from near No God life.

Basically, my imagine of our conversation would be sort of like this. Yes, it's really quite short because I think, once I got him face-to-face, I'd be speechless.

Me: How, St. Augustine, did you come back to faith?

St. Augustine: Easy, dear. Just believe.

Me: But you were once a non-believer when it comes to God. You abandoned your Christian life. 

St. Augustine: If you would really like to change, you will find a way. He made me realize things. Big thanks to my mother, though. She's my angel in disguise.

Me: This is quite a short conversation, St. Augustine. But this is a real pleasure of mine. Everything you said is so useful. Thank you.

St. Augustine: You'll always be welcome.

St. Augustine's life made me realize that change is really inevitable, yet it is our own choice. We just need the right guidance and faith, everything would be possible.

Words Hurt

(c)

Little Infinity

A girl with cancer. Yeah, she's definitely none other than Hazel Grace. She has no illusions about her state of health. Hazel knows that even though she's on a drug that keeps her tumors in check, she'll never be your typical teenage cheerleader. But don't get us wrong. She's also not sitting around feeling sorry for herself. She doesn't talk about her illness in lurid, self-pitying detail at all; instead, she tackles it with a healthy dose of humor.

A guy rich in metaphors. Well, that's Augustus. Named, quite grandiosely, after the first Roman emperor, Augustus plays a strong, confident, funny, and charming boy. He continuously fetishizes his own grandiosity. He is convinced that the importance of life is being heroic, leaving a noble legacy, monumentally impacting humanity.

Plot:
Hazel Grace is a seventeen year-old. Despite of being a "teenager", she just can't live her life to the fullest due to her lung cancer. She lives her life with frankly, an oxygen tank beside her. Her mother Frannie encourages her to go to a cancer support group but it was absolutely against her will. However, when Hazel meets the eighteen year-old Gus, who lost part of one leg with cancer but apparently is cured, they fall in love with each other. Hazel introduces her favorite novel to Gus and tells that she dreamed on having a conversation with the author, Van Houten, who lives in Amsterdam. Gus contacts him and Ven Houten invites them to visit him in Amsterdam. They travel to Netherlands with Frannie where Hazel will learn that things are not like they seem to be. Everything happened so fast. They were still happy, but it was just for a bit of time upon knowing that Gus will soon leave her behind. 

Rising - When Gus and Hazel went to Amsterdam to meet Van Houten.

Climax - When the main characters know Gus' condition.

Falling - Gus conducted his pre-funeral with Hazel and Isaac.

Denoument - Gus died.