I really don’t know where I should start this, mainly because I’m not that good in English or in reading comprehension.

But in spite of lacking the skills in those subjects, people say that a person has a talent in a thing or two and maybe more. And I think two of those aspects are Math and Science.

If I would describe all of my experience in Science, it would take too many pages and so much time to include, not mentioning the scientific terms and equations that I have encountered, and what I can remember now is very limited since many things have already happened.  I have always been an avid reader.  Not of stories, classical novels and dramas but of Encyclopedias, Almanacs and other science-related material.  I would casually watch television, waiting for anime like Dragon Ball and Ghost Fighter but when we had a cable connection, I would rather stay tuned to Discovery and National Geographic Channel. 

In grade school, just before graduation, I was really desperate to get an award because I lost my chances on the other recognitions and the last opportunity given to me was in the Science medal. During the finals, I really analyzed the questions even if I had not fully prepared. There was going to be a tie because of one question but I scientifically explained how I got my answer and they reconsidered. At last I got an award Best in Science. But that was not all; during graduation I received a surprise award from a publishing company that actually makes our school books. It was also recognition to my excellence in Science.

In high school, it was different, it seemed that I lost interest in academics but I retained my interest in Science, including science experiments and science projects. I even had an accident in the laboratory because I was curious as to what would happen if I did a particular procedure.  My interest for Science has never changed but it actually cannot be seen. Just yesterday, I saw my NCAE (National College Achievement Exam) results and to my surprise I was in the top 7 in our batch and to my surprise I was the only one who got the highest rating in Science with a score of 99+.  I had more experiences in Math than those in the Science subject but it was somehow similar. I also read many mathematical books and solved different puzzles. Starting from lower grade levels, I started to join MTAP, which is a national math foundation spearheaded by Metrobank and Dep-Ed. There I started to hone my mathematical skills by joining in seminars or programs and by joining in interschool contests, almost every year since grade school up to high school I was chosen to be a participant.  I had to participate in a national math tournament too, this time it was MTG (Mathematics Trainers Guild), an international organization that develops and recognizes math abilities. The National competition was held in Davao and it was both fun and challenging.

I started to get used to mental computations in math.  I am more capable of solving faster without the use of paper and solutions.  In fact, I get more wrong answers if steps and solutions are required. There are times when questions are given and the answer just suddenly pops in my mind. I don’t know how I do it but it just comes by. I’m not a nerd or the typical studious person,  I don’t copy notes in school, it’s not that I’m bragging but I already got used to my own way. It comes  naturally I guess.  In our exams and quizzes, I often forget my pocket calculator, so sometimes I do it mentally or with the use of the business type calculator with just numbers and simple operations. Luckily, I still pass and get good scores. Speaking of exams, we just recently received the results of the college exams. The two recognized of being the hardest is Ateneo and UP (Diliman). To my surprise, I passed all of the schools I tested for including La Salle. At first I was nervous and my parents would scold me because I really did not prepare for those, but I was happy about the results.  It seems that the stock knowledge that I had when I studied in my earlier years proved to be useful.

For some unknown reason, I find myself more active and comfortable in Math and Science. It is something I know I can excel at, though with not very little effort on mastering the subject but very little effort on liking the subject.  Some teachers and fellow students have the impression of me being good in academics especially Math and Science. It is not in a boastful manner but it is based out of actual comments and experiences. Sometimes I get nervous and think of the future that what if my skills would change? Hopefully, it hasn’t happened yet. And I was wondering what made me like this? I was thinking that how my parents raised me up to be independent that gave me this characteristic of being adventurous and curious. Maybe those helped me to pursue knowledge and skills which has built into me. In the end, one conclusion came that it was of course, God who made this all possible.

(Video from youtube.com; posted by  APmathandscience 11.29.08)

[Note: This article was written by one of the finalists for the Iglesia Science and Technology Award for 2010 at Notre Dame of Manila.]