The most cherished childhood experience.

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!