My goal in life is to be a doctor. Of course, if one would be coming from a family of doctors and his/her parents are both doctors, who wouldn’t be interested in becoming one? This is the case for me. I have always dreamed of following the footsteps of my parents and learning the only profession I think that suits me perfectly. I would be going to college and take up, hopefully, Physical Therapy as my preparatory for medicine, and believe me, this won’t be easy because there will be three of us going to college at the same time. Then after that, I plan to take up Medicine, and this will be a whole lot tougher than ever because by that time all five of us will be in college and all five are planning to take up Medicine. If opportunity permits it, I would like to study Medicine in the U.S. while serving the military because I believe they would spend for my tuition in return for my service. This way I can help lessen the expenses my parents would have to pay for me. And hopefully in the future, I could take care of my parents after they took care of me and my siblings. However, those things are for the future. My personal goal right now, MAKE MY PARENTS PROUD.

Every person has a story to tell. This is my story. When I was a kid, I was very fortunate because my parents entered me in a good school, another private school in Quezon City. There I learned a lot of things and this included my attitude and values. I spent 10 years of my life in said institution.  My life there was good. Well, at least good enough for a happy-go-lucky person like me then. When I was in grade school, my skill in Math was noticed by my teachers and classmates. I was usually one of the top of my class and I’d win in quiz bees and other contests conducted in school, especially if it’s related to Math. When I was in my fifth grade, I started to like the sport of basketball. I joined the varsity team and strived hard to balance my studies at the same time play for the team.

At first, I was doing well. Too well in fact that during High School, I started, without knowing it, to “fly above the ground”. I became overwhelmed with all the popularity and pride I had built up. I had some few true friends and many so-called friends. I was too proud of myself because I attained my popularity, intelligence and athletic reputation all at the same time. People were attracted to me and I entertained them, enjoying the life I had. I had mistaken these things in my life as “true happiness”, those that would last forever and would really make me happy. I started focusing on my friends, lacking time for my studies. I didn’t care about my grades then and started neglecting my responsibilities as a student. Grades weren’t important because I have always thought I was smart enough. I didn’t do assignments, requirements and even projects. Though I didn’t get any failing grade, my grades were unimpressive. The biggest mistake I’ve ever done: I chose my friends over my family. My parents were doing measures to discipline me and I resisted.

Soon, after series of nights with tears from both me and my parent’s eyes, I isolated myself from my family. I wouldn’t eat at the same time as my family would. My parents thought that the school was not fit for me anymore because of a group of people who put my direction to the wrong path. Then I was transferred for my third year high school in my dad’s alma mater.

My new life begins. I was a special student because my mom sent a letter of intent and I was reconsidered to be part of the cream class of the third year even if I was only a new student. At first, I was very reluctant in having been transferred. My modus operandi: remain unnoticed until I graduate. I showed my parents how unwilling I was but they indeed knew best. At the first day of classes I was at the corner of the room trying to make an impression to everyone that I don’t want to talk to anyone. I still tried to make contact with my friends from my old school but they didn’t answer. It seemed the popularity I had all vanished in just that. So my life in my new school takes its course. Some tried to make friends with me; I tried to befriend them back. My classmates welcomed me and showed that I should feel comfortable around them. This made my stay easy. I started to become the studious student again who is trying to adjust with the new system I am exposed to. Then destiny takes a small part and I have met with my best friend. She taught me three important things; one, that what I did in the past was wrong, two, there is always a way to reconcile things, and three, God is always present in my life. I have developed the habit of praying every morning in the school chapel and talking to God.

I tried to return to my basketball life and this time I try to be a responsible athlete and keeping my feet on the ground. Now I am the team captain of the varsity team and an honor student at the same time. I join in various activities in school and the most memorable was the Mr. and Ms. Earth 2008 wherein I became the representative of my class because my best friend pushed me into it. My intelligence was noticed starting the first two quarters of the third year where I ranked third in the class. I was able to answer all items correctly in the quarterly exams in two of my subjects: Chemistry and Geometry. I regularly talk to my mom and dad. With all the activities and opportunities our school has been offering me, I never run out of things to say. My attitude changed drastically. I am not around spoiled rich kids anymore but rather simple and responsible students. I am now the hardworking person trying to become the student who I was supposed to be since grade school. I have accepted my mistakes in the past and I have realized it and learned from each point I did wrong. With all the experiences I had thus far, I am forever grateful. Now, I passed all my entrance exams for college namely, UP, Ateneo and UST. My life changed indeed, FOR THE BETTER. And I believe that in the short time I have been in my beloved school, it will always be one of my “true happiness”.

As for my goal, I have always thought my parents would love me no matter what. All I wanted to do is make them proud of me once again. Something that would make them think that “That is my daughter who fell before but learned to stand up and walk again.” Something that would make them say that “That is my daughter! I am truly proud of her.” Something that would show how grateful I am to them for everything they have given me. Something that would make them forgive me. And simply, something that would make them proud.

(Video from youtube.com; posted by 05151988; posted 09.30.08)