It is without a doubt that we aim to take a ride at the superhighways of success and victory. Seeing people achieve incredible things ignites a sensation and transforms us into a different person. In this world, everyone is unique and we all have our chapters to write.
During my stay at Don BoscoTarlac, like most students, I tried to excel in a line I was passionate about. I was lucky to have a supportive school and mentors who trained me and gave me all their insights—something that I have missed in DLSU.
I joined competitions, especially campus journalism press conferences because I was passionate about media and journalism. I always tried my best but somehow, I always ended on the losing side. I wondered then if passion and hard work were enough to excel in the areas we would like to excel in.
That depressing losing streak haunted me until I reached my fourth year, but our priests, the Salesians, always told me, “Taon mo ito, tiwala lang.” When I entered yet another series of campus journalism contests in my senior year, it was no surprise that I did not earn a place in the top ten again.
As the days went on, I wanted to find out how I could contribute to my school—the high school that deserved those awards and medals. I knew I could not give them the medals and trophies that they deserve after spending countless times training me for the contests that I lost After a seemingly endless stripe of days that I pondered on anything I could do to give back, I heard an announcement.
I was just the typical teenager—an average student, but on August 31, 2010, our Student Council (SC) Adviser, Gilbert Policarpio, knocked to excuse us for something. Apparently Miguel Mendoza, a friend of mine, and I were chosen to represent the school in that year’s New Generations Week. First, I felt that I did not have enough confidence to carry me through the rigid selection process. Second, I knew that I do not have experience in public speaking that could aide me in the competition proper. Third, I knew that the odds were against me because my opponents are the top performers in their respective schools.
On September 1, 2010. I took my first steps in the city hall. The place honestly gave me the creeps, and I started sweating because of anxiety. After we settled down in the session hall, I was so terrified when I saw my opponents who I knew very well. They were all high-profile students, who had won numerous awards. Thoughts about my selection came into my mind. I wondered if I could even finish the competition.
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel in which all thoughts are drained. I was worried, and I lacked confidence. When the time came for me to pick my first question, I was suddenly revived. The question I picked was, “What do you know about Rotary and the services it renders?” I believed neither comprehension nor learning could take place in an atmosphere of anxiety. But at that time, my anxiety became my handmaiden of creativity.
When I stepped at the podium to face the panel of judges, I was still struggling for words, but I realized that I really could make an impact in this competition and bring out the best in me.We were 40 students in the first round; only 15 remained after the competition. After the competition I landed on the eight spot.
The next question I picked out was, “What can you do to educate the people of Tarlac towards waste management?”
With my newfound confidence and motivational drive to win, I answered with confidence my teachers knew I had within me. Still unsure of my performance, I jumped as the announcer told me that I was the Youth City Mayor of 2010. From that accomplishment I knew that winning isn’t everything, but it is the desire to winning that builds up everything.
