No Regrets!

Making big decisions in life needs time to be pondered on. It should not be easily decided. It needs a long and deep critical thinking for us to be able to weigh each of the consequences that may be present when we made a decision. We should consider all the negative and positive effects that it may cause us especially in our life. We should know our priorities and values. And with that, we will be able to make a good decision which can lead us to a successful future.

Being a high school student in Cavite National Science High School has not been very easy for me. There are a lot of expectations from everyone that I need to achieve. I had made a lot of decision-makings before I finally decided to pursue my studies here in this school. At first, I had many hesitations on studying on this school. But as I continue my life here as a student, I had learned a lot of things that made me a better person. And due to that, I decided to continue my studies here in this school because I believe that this school will continue molding me as a matured, responsible, independent and successful person. I believe that this school will help me achieve my dreams and and to become a successful person someday. And I do believe that this institution really helped me in shaping my personality as a whole because of the changes that happened to me. And I am thankful to be in this institution because it has been a great opportunity for me to improve myself than before. I wish that all the other students here would also be shaped and influenced by the school's discipline.

And with that experience, I am hoping that others would also take decision-making seriously. Because I believe that our future life depends on our decisions today and on the future. So be careful in making your own decisions in life and always weigh consequences accurately for making a decision is building your own future. 

"Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time." - Sherif A. El-Mawardy

Salute to the Fallen 44

According to Hercules, "A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but  by the strength of his heart." A hero is not someone who is just powerful. He's not the one who has magical powers and infinite strength. Thus, a hero is an ordinary person who finds the strength in his heart to pursue and endure in spite of many obstacles. 

Heroes are heroes themselves because of their incomparable good deeds. They are heroes not because they want fame but because they want to help others. They are heroes because they were able to do things what others can't do. They are heroes because they can endure pain which other's cannot. They are heroes because they are ready to sacrifice what they have. In short, they are heroes because they are themselves. They are the people who have those unique characteristics. They are the Fallen 44. They are those who sacrificed themselves in order to achieve their success in their mission. They are those who gave their lives in order to save other's. They are those who were self-less when they became heroes. 

For me, heroes like them should be honored and remembered. They should be thanked for all those concerns that they had given us. And because of that, I give my salute to them. I admire how brave they were when they fought for the whole country. I admired how they were eager to continue the fight even if there's a big possibility that they could not go back to their homes anymore. I admire all of their deeds. I know how hard it was for them to be away with their family. I know how painful it was for them when they were unable to escape their duty. I know how much they endured the pain for the whole country. But I didn't know why their destinies were planned to end in such a tragic way. I feel sorry for them and for their family. I feel sad for those whom they left. I feel bad for what happened to them. But I know that there's a way for me, for us, for everyone to assure that what they died for won't be ignored. We should continue what they started and win the fight for them. We should help everyone in order to achieve their goal for the country. We should not let them down. We should not forget them and their deeds and instead, remember and honor them for the rest of our lives. Again, let's give our salute for the Fallen 44! 

"Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." - Babe Ruth

The Trace of My Journey

I begin my journey travelling towards the school. Due to tiredness and sleepiness, I fell asleep. I woke up in front of the school's gate. I started my journey outside the gate. Here, I saw students not wearing their Identification cards and complete uniform. Their disciplinary action is to go back to their home and return to school wearing their complete uniform and ID. 

Then, I entered the Gate of the School. Before I had my second step, a lady wearing a monochromatic outfit appeared to me and introduced herself. She is the guidance counselor. She will be my guide for this journey. She gave me a blue bracelet in my palm and told me to wear it for us not to be seen and to be safe. And then we continued our journey. In this place, I saw the late-coming students. Their disciplinary action is to roam around the whole school grounds for 60 seconds and if they were not able to do it, they will repeat from the beginning. They will do that until they successfully fill the minute or hour that they were late. 

The Circles of Hell

The First Circle is the Lazy. This circle is divided into two sections: laziness in attending school and studying and laziness in cleaning the school grounds. The first section can be found in the library. Here, they need to study and memorize all the books and references found inside the area. The second section can be found everywhere carrying a broom and a dustpan. Their disciplinary action is to keep the school grounds clean without a single dust on it. 

The Second Circle is the Vain. They will be found at the stage. Students who always boast their appearance, abilities and skills will be seen here. Their disciplinary action is to tell and inform everyone about their negative traits and attitudes without having interaction with them. And if one student wasn't informed of their bad attitude or trait, they will be transformed to that unknown negative trait.

The Third Circle is the Gluttonous. They will be found at the canteen. Students who are selfish of giving food and other things to others will be seen here. Their disciplinary action is to eat all the left-over foods of those ordinary people in the school. If they were not able to do that, they will have nothing to eat.

The Fourth Circle is the Malice. They will be found at the field. Here, the students who have a desire to hurt others in any reason will be seen. Their disciplinary action is to hurt themselves mentally as much as they want to hurt the people that they really aim for. 

The Fifth Circle is the Dependent. This circle is divided into three cellas. The first cella is composed of the students that are dependent to their parents. Their disciplinary action is to camp or stay in the school for at least two straight weeks without any connection with their parents. The more they try to connect and depend on their parents, the longer they will stay in the school. The second cella is composed of the students who are dependent to teachers. Their disciplinary action is to teach and master the teacher's lesson to his classmates perfectly. If he will not be able to do it, more subjects will be added for him to master. They will be found in different classrooms. The third cella is composed of those students who depend on their classmates. These includes the dependence on his expenses and dependence on his answers in assignments and tests. Their disciplinary action is to treat all of the students using his money until he does not have any single cent left or give all of the answers in the assignments and tests to his classmates.

The Sixth Circle is the Rebellious. They will be found at the Principal's Office. This circle is composed of those who rebel against the school's rules, projects and etc. Their disciplinary action is to make proposals of different projects, activities and rules to be presented in the whole school body. And if someone disliked and not approved it, they will need to repeat and start another proposal again.

The Seventh Circle is the Cruel. They will be found at the court. This circle is composed of those students who fight and hurt each other not only physically but also spiritually and emotionally. Their disciplinary action is to hurt themselves the way they hurt others. 

The Eighth Circle is the Deceitful. They will be found at the Guidance Office. This circle is composed of students who lied and fabricated some facts in every aspect. Their punishment is to speak only the truth. They will not be allowed to speak if they will only say irrelevant and false things. 

The Ninth Circle is the Pretentious. They will be found everywhere wearing a mask. This circle is composed of students who act like others intentionally and fake their personalities.They will need to wear a mask until someone recognizes them without revealing their real identity. 

Finally, our journey is done. I'm in the middle of thinking something when a student grab my wrist and pulled my bracelet. I had a scar that made me feel very weak and so I fainted.

I woke up in my bed having many questions in my head. I checked my clock and that was the time that I realized that it was only a dream. But I noticed a scar in my wrist. Leaving a really big question in my mind. Did it really happened? Or it was all just a dream?

The Good Shepherd: Pope Francis

     There are different religions that can be found here in the Philippines. Religions that make people different and separated from others. Religions that set boundaries to its people. Religions that change people's lives. But what should be the real essence of these religions? Isn't it to praise and serve God? To be one and united for him? To have faith and strong love for Him and for others? Usually, having differences in these religions' beliefs change how a person act and socialize with another person. But this problem was overcome and surpassed though the presence of the "Good Shepherd". 

     Last January 15, 2015, one great miracle happened- people having different religions united and became one as they patiently wait for the arrival of the blessed Pope Francis. Once in a lifetime- as they call it. The presence of Pope Francis made a great impact to the Filipinos. Because of his presence, people became united and at peace. His beautiful smile made a great happiness in our hearts. His passion, mercy, kindness and love to all the people made Him the most-loved Pope in the world. His simplicity made him so honorable and wanted. People, even with disabilities, went to the places where he is just to witness his holiness. And despite having a bad weather, he didn't delay and postponed the masses. He continued giving meaningful and heart-warming lessons especially to those people who suffered from typhoon Yolanda. He also gave lessons to teenagers like us. And because of all these, all of the people loved Pope Francis so much.

     Being with Pope Francis  here in the Philippines for atleast five days made me feel happy and peaceful. His presence, for me, is like the presence of our almighty God. And I am so happy to have the opportunity of him visiting our country. I hope that even if he already went back to Rome, his presence and lessons would still be remembered and would always be in our hearts. We praise you Pope Francis! May the Almighty God bless you! 

"If the person is conscious and feels God in his soul, he feels unity with all people of the world." - Leo Tolstoy 

Why the Government Should Allow More Filipinos to Work Abroad

     Each year, more and more Filipinos migrate to work abroad. It is an undeniable fact that most of the Filipinos chose to work abroad than to stay and work here in the Philippines. They are willing to sacrifice their time being away with their family just to earn more money and living there in other countries than in their own country. But why do Filipinos insist to work there than in their own country? Why doesn't the government make any action or solutions for the Filipinos to stop migrating to other countries? Such questions should be considered by the government to solve this issue.

     The main reason why more Filipinos chose to work abroad  is that the Philippines has an unstable economic condition and high unemployment rate. They believed that there are lesser chances to be able to work here locally than in other countries. Also, they thought of earning high income and salary in abroad. If the government would not allow them to work abroad, their lives would be miserable here in their own country. Wonder why? It is because lesser jobs are available here in the Philippines which still bias the rich people. There is also a record of discrimination experienced when applying jobs locally. And even if they provide some source of livelihood or living here in the country , the salary will still be presumably lower than that of the salary that they will have in other countries. Besides, if the government would not allow them to work abroad, the rich people would only benefit because of the corruption they are doing. Instead of working in abroad, they will be here suffering in discrimination and corruption and experiencing hunger and starving. 

     Finally, the decision of the government to allow more Filipinos to work abroad would possibly very acceptable. It would be very beneficial not only to the OFW's themselves but also to their family. The continuation of the protection and program given by the government to them would be helpful to show our support to them. Maybe our government cannot help them by giving them stable jobs here in the country, but still, we can support them in this own little way which may seem a big thing to them. 

Romeo and Juliet: As Time Repeats Constantly

If I would be given the chance to change the last part of the story Romeo and Juliet, the story would be like this:

     After Romeo received the news that Juliet was dead , he immediately travelled back to Verona. While travelling, he met Friar John along the way. Romeo quickly asked Friar John if Juliet is really dead. And because of that, he gave Romeo the letter from Friar Laurence and let him read it. After reading the letter, Romeo became happy and excited to see and be with Juliet once again. He continued his travel and went straight to Juliet's tomb. 

     On the other hand, Paris is crying and mourning in Juliet's tomb. When he finally decided to leave the tomb, Juliet woke up. When he looked back for his final glance, he saw Juliet alive and moving. Because of that, he became overjoyed and hugged Juliet right away. Since Juliet is still weak because of the potion that she drank, she wasn't able to push Paris away from her. Instead, she just talked to Paris and told him everything about his love for Romeo. Realizing how happy Juliet is with Romeo based on her story, Paris decided to let go of Juliet and let her be with his love Romeo.

     When Romeo arrived at Juliet's tomb, Paris immediately talked to Romeo. He apologized to Romeo and told him about the plan that he and Juliet made. Paris helped Romeo and Juliet from their escape to Verona and their feuding families. They went to Mantua and there, they lived happily together with their child Helena who is deeply in love with Paris' son, Demetrius.

     After several years had passed, the Capulets and Montagues still fight and argue with one another despite what happened before. For the second time, their children named Hermia and Lysander fell in love with one another. And again, another story of star-crossed lovers, began.

A Tribute For The Hard Work of Our Teachers

" A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in the pupils." --Ever Garrison

My beloved teachers,

      I admire your hard work for teaching different students like us in everyday of your lives. I know that it's very hard to be with someone who you do not know. I know that everyday, your life with us is a sacrifice for you need to leave your family,children and husband or wife for a period of time. Instead of having a good and memorable day with them, you are with us having a headache for we are noisy and sometimes not obedient. And because of those reasons, I salute all of you.

     Some may say that your lives as a teacher are just easy but for me, it's one of the hardest job one could ever handle. Aside from being away with your family, you also need to study the lessons that you will share with your students. You need to know every single detail related to the subject, and that is really hard.Teachers are not perfect and everyone knows that. I know that all of you, as a teacher, only gives the best for your students. 

    Again, I want to thank all of the teachers for all of their hard work. I'm hoping that all of you would continue on doing your job at your very best. Thank you and God Bless!

                                                                                                                         A student,

                                                                                                        Rich Anne A. Magsombol