Cut Above the Rest

            Are you special? Why do you say so? Or should I say aren’t you special? Well, that’s a big no. In fact, we are all special in our own special ways. We got these attributes which are distinct from the others. These attributes can lead to us to be a better individual if valued vigilantly, because God made us special in our own special ways.

            Have you ever tried to stare at the mirror for a couple of minutes or more? Do you ever think why you are special? I can say that we may not look desirable for ourselves; but it goes the other way around once you ask the people around you. Whether you’re stout or not, short or not, or even not a good-looking guy or gal, still we are special in our own special ways.

            I consider myself as cut above the rest, of course not in terms of intelligence, but in terms of general interest. Why? Simply because I am a typical young gentleman who, in one way or another, never give up in every downfall that I face in my journey. I never resort to surrender despite knowing how much obscurity I am going to encounter. That remarkable feature of mine is well-exhibited nowadays when the ultimate day of class has yet to unfold. We are aware that I was found to be nowhere from the initial day ‘til the current day of session, and I wasn’t able to find a key to breakaway. I landed on the 16^th on the onslaught of the first quarter and even fell off to the 21^st before the end of the first half. That was the time when extreme anxiety and desperation clobbered my mind. I even spent the Semestral Break thinking what went on. Perhaps, I wasn’t able to notch desirable marks in some of the quizzes and exams, but I guess it’s too ironic to fell off five seeds below.

            Instead of giving up and letting go, I tried to do the best that I can be. In fact, I am being compared to a car fueled with diesel: slow start, but when the journey went longer, the speed gets faster and faster. I notched in relatively high marks, got exempted in periodical test and exuded blockbuster oral participation which paved the way to the 14^th rank at the end of the third. And now that the marks were submitted, it may climb up to possibly 12^th.

            DRIVE. That’s what makes me distinct and cut above the rest. The strong drive and desire to fulfill the goal has something to do with heart and fortitude. Sometimes, I compare the school to a basketball. Just like my most wanted ballclub in the Philippine Basketball Association – Brgy. Ginbera San Miguel with their Never Say Die attitude on the end game which gives them a lot of victories, and of course, a lot of fans like me.

            Hopefully this year would turn out to be different than before. I got the intelligence. All I need is drive. And of these two will be coupled with luck, the limelight would be mine once again.

A Letter to the Father Almighty

Dear God,     

        

            Almost 15 years have passed by when a delightful toddler was born. He was the one and only kid of Romeo Gonzales Mojica and Gloria Simbajon Mojica. Despite having a child at the age of 37, they were incredibly blissful of finally having a baby after four years of marriage. He was born on the 28^th of October in the year 1998 in Tanza, Cavite at exactly 11:48 in the morning. And by now, he is on his third year in one of the most notable institution in the archipelago. Who would think that a once small baby boy will now be a fully-grown guy? All of those changes that you won’t even think at first were made possible by my compassionate and considerate parents, who were always been there by my side to guide and motivate myself through the course of my journey.

            I remember the day when I got to the seaside with my dad to take a walk on a typical gusty afternoon. Those were the days when we were always been there to teach me at least, how to swim. And when we got home before the dusk breaks, I always got a drumstick ice cream with me.

            If my memory serves me well, the reason behind my robust body was the pork grill which served as my main dish for almost every day. In fact, I was a skinny kid before – those times when my dad was away in United Arab Emirates. But when he got home after roughly a couple of years, my body began to grow and my mass slowly gets heavier. And yes, I cannot deny the reason why am I like this. It is because of the best dad that I ever had in this world.

            Of course, my mommy has always been there together with my dad to keep me satisfied and would not ask for more. If I remembered it right, I was indeed an impish and roguish kid when I was in kindergarten. During those times, my dad was away, so my mom was the one to take charge. Almost every other day, my mom was called by my mentor not because of my school performance, but because of my extreme mischief. That time, my mom seemed to have her mind explode, as if she wanted me to pull out of the school. But since I got a cut-above-the-rest intelligence (along with Gelo, ‘cause he’s my classmate since then), the mentor put a stop to my mom of doing so.

            I can’t even figure out the sacrifices that my mom suffered when I was in my first grade. Aside from being roguish, I also have this tendency to get into a wrangle ‘cause of my fit of bad temper. I also got into quarrel – and my mom, has nothing to do but to talk to the adviser telling to pull me out. But like what has happened before, the adviser refused. Sayang naman kasi ang talino ng bata. Hayaan niyo na Misis. Ako na ang bahala sa anak mo.

            And for that, I just want to extend my deepest gratitude to you, mom and dad, for all your sacrifices and efforts that you’ve made in order to mold a brilliant and benign young man like me. Thank you for all your moral and financial support. Thank you for being there at my side during the times of angst and melancholy.    

            I won’t resort to promises to show my appreciation to you, dad and mom. All I can say is your loving care and effort will not be laid to waste, though I am not a stand out with regards to my studies now. I assure you that our endeavors will be fulfilled – and that is to be a venerated Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a dignified lawyer. Time will come that you will be proud of me. Now, you don’t have to sweat it out until wee hours of the night in your sari-sari store. I love you Mom and Dad!

Son of the connoisseurs,

                                                                                                                                       Robinson

Regret: A One of a kind Blissful Melancholy

            

              “You’re still the one. You’re still the one I run to, the one that I belong to. You’re still the one I want for life. You’re still the one. You’re still the one that I love, the only one I dream of. You’re still the one I kiss good night…”

                I can’t help myself, but the feelings still persist. Despite having someone who’ll wipe away my tears – someone who’ll always be there for me and will love and cherish me for the rest of my life, still, she’s the one that my heart speaks and my mind dictates. That would probably mark my most remorseful moment as a teenager.

            I remembered the day when I first stepped up in this institution as a fresh secondary gent roughly three years ago. I was with my mom that very moment when I first saw her. At first, I thought she was a sophomore lassie, for she’s in her green shirt with yellow shade. I can’t resist. I can’t keep my eyes off her glamorous beauty and astounding charm. I never thought of coming across such an alluring young lady over millions of people roaming around. I guess, you’re the one that I’ve been waiting for a lifetime.

            Four months had gone by; still I can’t figure out what year level she is. Sooner, I found out that we’re on the same year level – and she’s just beside us! I checked out my Facebook account to search for her and I was able to do so right away. I added her and she accepted my request. From then on, we keep on chatting with each other each passing night.

            As days slowly walk by, it seems that I’m falling. My heart was like a drum whenever she drew nearer. And when she paved the way for our first actual conversation, I feel like I was in heaven. That was the time when I finally fell in love. But it was mid-October when she met a handsome young guy who was a true friend of mine. I wasn’t aware that something is yet to unfold – CHEMISTRY.

             And yes, I was right. They’re sweetness had turned out to be a relationship. From that very moment, my world was enfolded with grief and pain. In fact, this was the first time when my tears rolled down my face. In short, this was the very first time when my heart breaks. I keep on battling against angst and misery each passing day until one day, a sweet girl who was a true friend of her walked in my door.

            It all started with a wrong send. Until one day, we realized that we’re falling to each other. And yes, we’ve been in a relationship. But there’s always someone whom I can’t let go – someone who left a great impact not just on my mind but in my heart as well. But that girl was already with somebody. I can’t help myself but to fall in love once again with the wrong person at the wrong time. In fact, my tremendous obsession led to my first break-up with my first girlfriend. Her friends shed tears, their sympathies are with her. They may be right, I may be crazy. But it seemed that they only look on the negative side. They didn’t even try to mull over what I did. Maybe some knew, but most of them, do not. I was the first one. I was the first one to meet her. I was the one, and I SHOULD BE THE ONE.

            “And now that you've gone, I can't cry hard enough. No, I can't cry hard enough, for you to hear me now. There it goes, up in the sky. There it goes, beyond the clouds, for no reason why… I can't cry hard enough… No, I can't cry hard enough for you to hear me now”

            Now that their relationship went wrong, nothing seems to be regretted. Everything has been settled and both parties are single. Of course, the feelings are still there and will NEVER BE LOST. I guess, shouldn’t have my first girlfriend. I shouldn’t fall to a person whom I will be breaking her heart. I SHOULDN’T LOVE ANOTHER GIRL AGAIN, FOR SHE’S STILL THE ONE.

           

        

A Promise to be Fulfilled

“Promises are like the full moon; if they are not kept at once, they diminish day by day…” – German proverb

              Nowadays, we often heard several people uttering their own promises not just to their loved ones or probably their friends, but to themselves as well. Such promises that are perhaps for the betterment of themselves. But do you think a promise is worth to be kept if someone doesn’t carry out such?

              That’s actually what I’m trying to point out in the exchange of words below with the marvelous American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army who was known in his promise “I came through and I shall return” as he left the Philippines during World War II, no other than Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Robin: A delightful day to you, Gen. MacArthur.

Gen. MacArthur: A delightful day to you as well, Robin.

Robin: It’s my honor to meet and greet such noble and magnificent army man like you.

Gen. MacArthur: Nice to hear such words from you, fair gentleman. Thanks a lot!

Robin: You’re welcome, Sir! First and foremost, let me just give us a brief background of your personal life, Sir.

Gen. MacArthur: Well, I was born and raised in a military family from Arsenal Barracks in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States on January 26, 1880. In fact, my father, Arthur MacArthur Jr. was an American Army Captain. I was able to reach the peak when I ended up as valedictorian in West Texas Military Academy and First Captain at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where I graduated top of the class of 1903.

Robin: You mean to say, military is indeed your passion, am I right?

Gen. MacArthur: Yes, indeed. I was able to follow that passion from my dad who fought in the Battle of Missouri Ridge during the American Civil War, wherein he received the Medal of Honor. That’s what inspired me to follow my desire in life.

Robin: That was awesome! Truly, military runs in your veins.

Gen. MacArthur: Absolutely! In fact, I was nominated for the Medal of Honor during the American Occupation of Veracruz in 1914.

Robin: Ah… Sir, if you won’t mind; I’m prithy curious about your occupation in Veracruz. Where is actually that place located? And how were you able to be nominated for such tribute?

Gen. MacArthur: Oh I forgot to mention. Veracruz was located in the boundary of the United States and Mexico. The occupation actually exploded on the onslaught of the Battle of Veracruz wherein I conducted a reconnaissance mission. For the information of everyone, reconnaissance is exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain vital information about enemy forces for later analysis and dissemination.

Robin: Amazing! Can you share more facts about your journey as a military man?

Gen. MacArthur: Well, three years after being nominated, I was promoted to colonel and became the chief of staff of the 42^nd Division. Then again, I rose to the rank of brigadier general after I fought on the Western Front on the onslaught of the First World War. From that promotion, I was able to notch Silver Star awards, Distinguished Service Cross twice and once again, the Medal of Honor.

Robin: But how were you able to be doled out here in the Philippines during the World War?

Gen. MacArthur: After serving as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy from 1919 to 1922 and becoming the Army’s youngest major general in 1925, I retired from the Army in 1937 to become Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines. That was the time when I was recalled to duty in 1941 as commander of United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).  I was able to come across several struggles on my service here in your country. My air forces were totally destructed during the assault of the Japanese regime in Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941. These series of disasters soon forced me to withdraw to Bataan, particularly in Corregidor Island ‘til 1942.

Robin: Oh, I see. But how were you able to save your staff from being totally astounded by the Japanese?

Gen. MacArthur: It was March 12, 1942 when I and my staff decided to leave the island and escaped to Australia. This flees probably made me more eminent as I promised to return to the Philippines once the trouble was over.

Robin: Oh, that’s why most of us when heard your name mentioned “I shall return.” That’s the genuine promise! I salute you, fair Sir!

Gen. MacArthur: That’s what promises are for. Promises are not meant to be broken; instead it is meant to be fulfilled. Wait, if you won’t mind, do you want to follow my desire? I mean, are you one of those thousands of your countrymen who wanted to serve in the military?

Robin: No, Sir. In fact, I wanted to be a renowned certified public accountant and a lawyer. Too extraneous from being a military man, right? All I admired to you, aside from all you’ve done for my country is your unbroken promise. Despite of your frail forces after so much combats, you are still able to return here.

Gen. MacArthur: Well, I appreciate your salute. Thank you so much for that!

Robin: Okay, so that’s all Sir! Thank you for your precious time you had given me in this interview. Hope you were able to inspire millions of citizenries of the Philippines in this interview. Thank you and more power, Sir!

Gen. MacArthur: Well, a heartwarming gratitude to all of you too. 

The Circles of Transgression

               Defiance. That’s what we get from our misdemeanors inside this institution. Unwittingly, just like what we have witnessed in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno and Purgatorio, each one of us have passed at least one of the nine spheres of transgressions in which, instead of getting into the Earthly Paradise, will lead us to be reprimanded then eventually, expulsion.

              Even from the very moment that we walked in the premises; if you missed your identification card, came up late or haven’t trimmed your hair (in case of the males) then you’ll be warned by the school guard along with the student-police. If we don’t, then that’s the time when we get conceded in the first circle of transgression.

              As you walked along the walkway going to our designated rooms, we actually flout the rules being impost by the administration when we simply throw our rubbishes off the ground without being discerned by anyone. That’s another peccadillo on our part. Though it was just a little fault, still you are able to break the law. Then that’s the time when we went ahead of the second circle of transgression.

              When we got into the classroom, of course the first thing that we’ll do is to put down our loads. That very moment will mark the third circle of transgression, and it comes in three semicircles: the circle of fraudulent, the circle of conspiracy and the circle of maltreatment. Generally, when we speak of fraudulent we are dealing with deceitful behavior especially when it comes to examinations. Whether we controvert it or not, the fraudulence is always been coupled by expert timing to yield something that you can be proud of. I am not in any way trying to magnify the loopholes of some of the students here, but I guess this sphere as a whole would be the most lethal of all.

              Another thing which probably may exist in this circle is the circle of conspiracy. I believe you all guys are already familiar with one of the Shakespearean masterpieces entitled Julius Caesar. Do you still recall how the noble Roman general was killed? In fact, he was killed by the conspiracy of Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and the rest of the conspirators in the Senate. That’s actually what some of us are doing to our fellow buddies. Instead of looking at the positive side, some always find a way to show up the negative side of their friends, and that’s what we are referring to as the plastic.

              To sum it up, the circle of maltreatment merely talks about bullying. We can’t deny that bullying and discrimination are prevalent in this institution. Even from the very small case up to the most repulsive one, still it’s a sin.

              Now on the fourth circle of transgression, I know most of us resort not to flush the toilet after having it used. Whenever I enter the comfort room, I always see and breathe filthy environment that dismayed my senses. Oftentimes, I got ashamed of what some of us are doing. Without knowing by them, that’s actually a sin. Good thing we got a kind janitress who decided not to put the blame on them but instead, ignore them.

              Whenever we enter laboratories or learning centers, of course we are obliged to pay attention to the rules and regulations inside. Undeniably, most of us nowadays do not observe these rules which in one way or another may lead to accident or deduction in grade. That was the time when we cross the threshold of the fifth circle of transgression.

              After the arduous day’s toil, there would come a time that we need to get into the cafeteria to fill up our hungry tummy. Of course, there is a chance that the cashier or the teacher-in-charge may have mistaken the change that she gives us right after purchasing. It can either be excess or less than what is it. Definitely, if that’s less than the right amount, we’ll complain; but if it is excess, some will just ignore and go on. That’s another sin in the sixth circle of transgression which should be brought to a halt.

              After we bring the day to an end, of course we need to get into our vehicles or the so-called “services” for us to get back to our respective residences. As we wait for our fellow “servicemates”, some decided to roam around with their valuables or foods with them. What will be the eventuality? Of course, rubbishes will just be left on the school grounds and even inside the vehicle. Too shameful, isn’t it? Well that’s the time we when come across the entrance of the seventh circle of transgressions.

              After all these seven circles of misdemeanor, you got nowhere to run but to the eighth circle of transgressions which is at the guidance center where the guidance counselor is waiting. There, all your track records from the initial circle will be invigorated thus; suspension may trigger depending on the level of your misdemeanor which may lead to expulsion if you are proven guilty without reasonable doubt as you pass through the ninth and final circle of transgression which is the Principal’s Office wherein you need to get your transcript of record and Form 138 from the principal and walk out the door of this institution.

              So before all these transgressions may happen, make sure to be a better individual once you entered inside or else, you’ll taste the wrath of the nine circles.