Silent. Weak. Slow. Unfortunate. These were the words
thrown at me by my teacher in preschool during my nursery years. She told my
parents that I had no way of passing and getting into a good school and start
attending kindergarten. I could even still vividly remember her short hair, round
face, chinita eyes and hoarse voice, angrily looking and shouting at me.
Indeed, I was a depressed and an ill-fated child, but through my parents love
and support, they continued to encourage me to study harder and prove everyone
wrong, that I was not to be stepped on; that I would do well in my studies.
After taking nursery, I took the entrance exam in the
school my parents wished me to attend, Uno High School. I believe that taking
that test was so dreadful that I could not even remember what I was doing at
that time. Fortunately, through the works of God, I was able to pass the exam.
Although my mother was a little hesitant at first to let me study there because
she was worried that I would not be able to survive the hardship in studying in
that school, my father trusted me, one hundred and one percent, and thus, I
entered the school with fear, yet with great determination. At that point in
time, I had set my goal: crush the painful words of my teacher, and let
everyone watch and learn. I had put my heart into it and decided to take the
challenge. I studied to death, seriously answered the exercises, seatwork and
homework, and slept late at night with my mother as my tutor, but I had no
confidence in myself. Even with the motivation my parents have always given me,
I never trusted myself, my strengths, and abilities.
Great opportunities are often disguised as impossible
circumstances in life. Moving forward to my kindergarten graduation day, my
family attended the event to see my very first and special two time walk on
stage to receive my English and Chinese diplomas, which was truly a good
achievement despite other people’s bad impression of me with my studies. Beyond
my family’s expectations and imagination, I did not only get up on stage twice,
but for four times! One was to receive my English diploma, Chinese diploma,
“Most Responsible Student” certificate and “Best in Filipino” award. Moreover,
I was one of the top students in our batch. Astonishingly, I did not only break
the curse my teacher chanted and give my parents pride, but I also gained so
much self-confidence and determination from that time to accomplish more and
earn integrity with perseverance, discipline and gratitude.
In the beginning, although a huge rock stumbled across my
path, I was still able to withstand it and see the silver lining with my faith
in God, parents’ guidance and hard work. Beyond doubt, this fairy tale story
like, once upon a time happened an unfortunate event turned into a happily ever
after ending, was not only a memorable, but also a very remarkable experience
from my pigtail years with the achievements I have gathered and the lessons I
have learned that I would always be glad to narrate to everyone, stand as an
inspiration and motivation, and tell them that nothing is impossible. Just when
you think you can’t do it, do it!
