Finding Hope

  As many of you know, I recently took the Civil Engineering licensure exam. The decision to register was not an easy one, as I was facing many challenges at the time. However, time has flown by, and I find myself reflecting on the countless sleepless nights spent solving board exam problems, struggling with my weak math skills, and persevering through my Civil Engineering journey. Despite not being the top student in my class, nor a gifted mathematician, I persisted and did my best to pass my subjects, hoping that my efforts will soon be rewarded. As the board exam results draw near, I am writing this to remind myself that I will be proud of my best effort, regardless of the outcome. While my best may not be the best in the eyes of others, I overcame my anxiety and self-doubt and fought to move forward. My mother's reassurance that she is proud of me for graduating and earning my degree has given me a great deal of comfort. However, passing the licensure exam still means a lot to ...

  Lately, my dreams have been taking me on incredible adventures - I get to meet all kinds of people, from hopeful dreamers to scary zombies, aliens, and even heroes and villains! It's like I'm creating a whole new world in my head, a world that's so different from my regular routine. But let's be real - some days, I just want to hide under my blankets and forget about everything. Sadly, that's not how life works! We have to face our struggles to move forward, even if it hurts. The good news is that the lessons we learn from those tough moments make us stronger and wiser. And when we feel lost, we can always count on God's love and compassion to guide us through. So, while my dreams might be a temporary escape, I know that facing reality head-on is the only way to truly grow.

Believe me or not, I wanted to be an actor when I was in Grade 6 (hahaha). Although what I really wanted back then was to be an Archaeologist or Scientist, there was a part of me that wanted to perform on stage or on camera. I started to realize this when I joined a theatre workshop in the summer of 2009. I was eleven at that time, and theatre performers from Manila/Zamboanga offered to teach us the basics of theatre arts. I had fun doing all the activities, we were tasked to create a play for the culmination of the workshop and we decided to make a fantasy story and was set in a kingdom where 'engkanto' lived and prospered.  I was cast as the King of the engkantos, together with me were high school students and some faculty members. By the end of the program I was awarded 'Best Actor”, it was the first time that I felt so fulfilled about something. I continued this newfound passion until high school and although I can't really tell if I'm good or not, at least I wa...

  Upon returning here after more than a year, I've come to a realization. I have fallen in love with the people and places that have become my home away from home. In Zamboanga, watching the sunset fills me with peace, while in Dumaguete, the sunrise makes me feel at home. The flavors of the food here in Zamboanga remind me of the dishes back in our home in Bongao, and in Dumaguete, the taste of puto tsokolate and my perfected chicken adobo bring back memories of my college years. Having lived in Dumaguete for over seven years, I've become more fluent in Bisaya than my mother tongue, Tausug. My accent has adapted to the Bisaya dialect, which can be noticed in my speech. Hearing people talk in Tausug or Chavacano now feels different, and even visitors need to speak in Filipino to communicate easily. Falling in love doesn't always mean romantic love. I have also fallen in love with my friends in Dumaguete, while still loving my long-time friends here. It's been years sinc...

"To be captivated by equations" As a student of engineering, I have developed a deep appreciation for the subject matter and the complex equations that underlie it. This is why I have titled my reflection "Enamored by Equations". It takes great dedication and perseverance to become captivated by a particular field, and engineering is no exception. My personal relationship with the engineering course has been a rollercoaster ride - filled with moments of frustration and disappointment when I struggled to pass certain subjects, but also with a sense of awe and wonder at the incredible machines and structures that can be created through the application of engineering principles. Despite the challenges, I have come to love the field of engineering precisely because it takes abstract concepts and turns them into tangible, functional objects. The equations that are so central to the study of engineering may seem daunting at first, but they are ultimately the tools that en...

I've been thinking about how to create the best message for your birthday, but my mind is too occupied right now to write you one. And I would like to apologize for that. Thank you for bringing us into this world, for taking care of us when were still infants by showering us with love, and up until now we can still feel it --- the kind of love and care that only you can give. You were there for us when we were at our lowest, even though sometimes we don't share it to you. I feel bad for doing that, because you deserve to know how we felt when problems come in our way.  Just recently you called and told me that you noticed that there was something off about me, and right after telling me I immediately told you about all the things that's bothering me right now, your instinct surely is so strong. Back in August of last year, you also did that and I cried because I just have to let all of the emotional baggage out and towards you. It felt so...

This is the first time since April 14 that I started to write my entry, and for the past four months I've been through a lot of ups and downs. Let's go back to April when Rajh and I started working as a CE trainees under Dr Cabije, and I must say that I've learned a lot in the construction field after that short working experience. During this time we were also juggling our thesis project, so it was quite a challenge. Aside from the part-time job and our thesis, I also had the opportunity to be a part of the Mr. & Ms. PICEsiklaban pageant and had somehow won 1st Runner Up, the Best in Q&A, and some minor awards. The month of April was really a roller coaster ride, I enjoyed it but there were times where I wanted to scream out of frustration and stress. I welcomed the month of May with anxiousness and excitement. The thought of what would come next after we passed our thesis and celebrate our graduation made me very anxious, though the excitement of finally finishing...

Another achievement unlocked! Mr. PICEsiklaban 2021 1st Runner Up Best in Q&A Best in Talent Best in Production Number I was only aiming for the Best in Q&A award but I was blessed with three more. This is for everyone who believed in me since the day I decided to join. I could not have done this without the help and support of the people around me. To my family who has supported my decision in joining the pageant. Thank you so much! To my girlfriend, June , for the unwavering support that she has given to me and for helping me all throughout my preparation. From the concept photoshoot until the Q&A preparation, you have really helped me be more confident in this pageant. To my pageant partner, Khriselle , you did great and I'm so proud of all the awards that you have garnered in the pageant and the preparations that you have made to represent PICE-Silliman. Congratulations, partneeer!! I hope we could still make that advocacy possible! To Kliff Rajh and Margaret ,...

As someone who grew up being so insecure about his physical appearance, tonight marks a historic feat in my life. This pageant may be different from traditional ones, but the shift from face-to-face to online classes has ultimately affected the setting of all major events and projects. Virtual or not, I shall stand right in front of everyone, not to prove my worth but to inspire individuals who are having a hard time dealing with their insecurities and anxiousness. To tell you the truth, I didn't plan on joining the event weeks before this. But someone had to step up and take the challenge when no one else can. In my own point of view, I believe that there are no winners and no losers in a pageant. Everyone deserves the crown right after they decided to join, the confidence, wit, and determination of all the candidates make them worthy successors of the crown. To win the hearts of the people is more fulfilling than to win the crown that divides us all. I'm inviting everyone to ...