The Stay is Worthwhile

It's been three years since I started attending classes from this school. Three years of hardship, three years of watching myself do the same thing over and over again.

I remember how when I was in seventh grade, my mom was convincing me to transfer to another high school. I wanted to, but it seems like something was holding me back. Something was keeping my feet on the grounds of CNSHS. Something was motivating me to stay. 

I had a hard time adjusting indeed. But as I walk through the path I'm taking on in this institution, I had a realization of all the benefits I can get from this school. Eight years from now, I was a victim of bullying. I was always the loser. I was always the one who's made fun of by my own classmates since I was a transferee in my elementary school. I didn't get to be who I am that time, I didn't get to show them what I can do. I wasn't even able to prove them wrong and make them watch me sing and do my other talents. I was scared. And I couldn't do anything about it.

June 4, 2012: I started going to this school wherein I thought I'd be the same kind of person as I was back in grade school. But I was wrong. I was able to be who I am in here. It didn't matter to other people whatever my attitude towards everything was. We all have our own personalities and people here accepted mine wholeheartedly. I was known for my talent and my interests. I grew up here to have tons of friends. Yes, some of them are true. But I can tell that most of them aren't.

As a typical high school student, I get a lot of ups and downs in CavSci, especially in terms of project submission and requirement compliance. It is very stressing to do this and that all at once. But not only in that aspect do I experience procrastination. I do too in my social life here. It is just so hard to accept the fact that not all my friends stay beside me even when they promise me to do so. Someone or some people will always leave my side every school year. And I'd have to admit, it hurts so bad. But at least, most of them stay. I'm just not sure if they're real or not. But what matters is that they're not hesitant in sticking around.

If I ever get asked if this institution really helps me in shaping my personality as a whole to be a good citizen of the country in the future, I'd say yes. I probably have learned a lot of negative erudition in this school. But I promise, I have learned more of the positive part. I'd like to continue going to this school because definitely, the stay is worthwhile.

Once Up Ahead, Now Fallen

How would it feel like picking up the shattered pieces of treasured memories? How would it feel like thinking of all the beautiful moments you should be having with them by now? How painful could it be? 

It was a typical weekday night with my family when I first knew about the Fallen 44. I was so shocked. Nobody ever deserves this. Nobody, not even the most sinful one does. My aunt in the paternal side happened to marry a policeman. In no doubt, I look up to him and his fellow policemen on their courage and dedication to fight for justice. I may not know a lot of the police, but I know how big it takes to actually be one. And it rips me off thinking about how outnumbered the Filipino policemen are and 44 of them just happen to pass away this February of 2015.

I remember Ninoy Aquino's famous line about the Filipinos. Are we really worth-dying for? Of all the criminal cases around our nation, of all the curse words we utter to our fellow citizens of the Philippines, of all the betrayals we have done to our country, are we still worth-dying for?

My question, however, was answered by the Fallen 44. Their families may still be mourning up to now. But indeed, we still are. 

The 9 Stations of Violence in Cavite National Science High School

1st Station

The "Wear"-abouts: By the gates of the school premises is the first station of violence. Each student who violates the rule of wearing proper and complete uniform must be punished accordingly.

2nd Station

The Teddy Tardy: They are also found by the gates of CNSHS. If the student arrives to school after 6:45 am, he must be punished by not attending his morning classes and be considered as an absentee.

3rd Station

The Loud and Proud: Along the pathways of the campus, we may see the students. Those who will be speaking so loud and laughing boisterously shall be punished accordingly.

4th Station

The Scarecrows: In the room, in the hallways, or wherever students may be in the campus, threatening is a big deal. We cannot deny the fact that some teens nowadays pursue a life of misbehavior. They tend to threaten the weak ones. It's like a half step before the act of bullying itself.

5th Station

The Steve Thieves: Adult or teen, ignorant or disciplined, a person always has the capability to steal something. Before, stealing  is considered as an unusual event done in schools, especially because students are young people who would most likely not think about getting something not theirs.

6th Station

The Randall Vandals: Vandalism is common to students. They write all kinds of stuff wherever they want to. But in school, they often vandalize on chairs, table, and walls. This act of negligence will always be punished accordingly.

7th Station

The Wreck-it Monsters: It may be unintentional, but once a student causes major damage to one of the school properties, it is considered a violation. And he must pay for what he has done.

8th Station

The Billy Bullies: If there is something most students must avoid nowadays, it is the act of bullying. Taking advantage of somebody else's flaws is definitely a bad thing. Anyone who shall violate the rule of keeping peace around the campus must be punished beyond shadow of a doubt.

9th Station

The Cheetahs: Cheating didn't just start from this generation. It was done even before. And it is something we still continue to prevent in schools these days. However, the ninth station of Cheetahs is considered the one with the highest violation. Cheating is a sin. And not just students but every single one of us must be knowledgeable of the aftermath of cheating.

Hope because of Pope

This January 15th to 19th, Pope Francis visited the Philippines bringing with him his message of Mercy and Compassion. It was an event the whole country has prepared for. A lot of cleaning, fixing, and praying took place as we all anticipated the arrival of the pope. It was an extraordinary occasion for each one of us— Catholic or not.

As Pope Francis came to our country, I have realized one thing. And that is how the pope has brought out the best in the hearts of all Filipinos. When he came, everyone was determined to impress him. Everyone was determined to show him the good things the Philippines can offer. It was not just about the country itself but also the people not existing but living in it. I myself am not a Catholic. But I was able to see what one honorable person of Christ can make out of a Filipino like me.

I am only fourteen years old, but I am of great dedication to keeping my own country in the hands of God. I want the whole Philippines to be saved from the torments of hell. And as for that, based on my religion, the way to salvation is accepting Jesus in our hearts. Indeed, it is a hard thing to do on my own. There may be a lot of us who keep on doing our best to let every Filipino be saved. But I know that we aren't enough. There are a whole lot of Filipinos out there who don't know about God. They don't see Him as who He actually is. And because of that, I lost all my faith. I became a pessimist and I started expecting that not everyone from my country will be brought to Heaven when the time comes.

However, this viewpoint of mine came to a revision when Pope Francis visited the Philippines. All I saw during the period of time he was here was a possibility. Possibility that everyone can be saved. I realized how all the Filipinos became one as the Pope arrived and delivered his message. Yes, I may not be a Catholic. But I know that because of the pope, there's hope.

Heroes Gone Zeroes

Overseas Filipino Workers— the so-called "heroes" of our country. They work day and night for their families. They hide the pain of missing their loved ones in the Philippines and try to be happy for them. They get very lonely, but they still manage to smile and be strong.

But for me, the true heroes of our nation are just they themselves. Their capability to do all this work is what makes them a hero. They do not have to go overseas and work for someone with a different blood to be called such. Their strong mind, their golden heart, their willingness to help— those are some of the reasons why we call them heroes. And now that they're not staying in the Philippines, what about our country? Shouldn't we be helping each other here to accomplish all our nation's needs? We all want what's best for the Philippines. We all want it to grow and soar high but we're not trying to help. Instead, we even add up to its impossibility to develop. Yes, the OFW's are OUR heroes. But as they leave the country, they become just heroes, and not ours to consider.

Every Filipino has what it takes to be a hero. And as we continue to leave and pursue a career in another country, Philippines loses a hero. Wake up! If we don't stop believing that a better future awaits us overseas, I'm afraid to say that our country might completely lose its worth.