Phase of diversity

IF you had to choose between the past and the present, how would you respond?

Would you prefer those who have already been proven reliable, or would you take the risk and side with those who are fresh and can add to the culture and accomplishments of our inang paaralan?

Old vs. New…

"Very open tayo for changes, because as a leader kailangan natin maging open minded but mayroong talent na maibibigay ang mga bagong dating pero mas maraming talent [na maibibigay] yung nandito na (old students)." – Ma'am Waldy F. Canalita thorities who see through no citizen’s eyes and promised a better life.

They are on their knees, in front of an altar made solely of riches. The flashy money blinds their already closed eyes, refusing to see the state of our jeepney drivers who wish to be seen. Coins clinking on the floor, deafening their already covered ears, refusing to hear the voices of the citizens who are suffering.

I am one of the students who use jeepneys to reach school (sometimes with a heavy heart) or get away from school (always with a rejoicing heart). Knowing that modernization would have a domino effect, leading to the increase in fare and many other necessities, whether going to school or going home, I would always have a heavy heart.

I cannot imagine not having flying hair strands (she was definitely using Sunsilk shampoo) on my face from the lady beside me any longer. Will I still hear the “Pusong bato remix version” with blue and violet LED lights on during late-night jeepney rides?

Every time I go out and commute, I cannot help gazing at the people I am encountering, then wonder, are they taking into their consideration our jeepney drivers who would not be able to afford the modernization they are going to execute? How they would lose their jobs when they earn less than the way they work hard.

How about the teachers, students, and every commuter who are barely hanging on by a thread due to the constant fare increase? How about my parents who work hard to give me money to get to school only for it to not be enough when the time comes?

But I am not on my knees.

I am standing straight, chin held up high, hands never getting tired of writing, the voice never silencing, as I speak louder for them not to be able to ignore the people any longer, for them to see how our fight is not pointless. How our jeepney drivers fight is the fight of everyone as well. They should get out of their cars, face and attach themselves again to reality, and see the sufferings they are trying to worsen.

“Stop the car,” is what I would say to privileged leaders.

Breathe in. Breathe out. What has not happened cannot leave a scar.

Every year, we celebrate the freedom that over 30 million people do not believe happened. They speak of the freedom Filipinos faced against themselves, not the government.

But every breath we inhale is a gift given by our people. Every exhale is a grace bestowed upon the past generations. Each stride comes with a blessing resting on our shoulders. And each step backward brings upon fragments of our past.

We are showered with an ocean of freedom- each wave a proof of a sourcea source that continues to creep over the pain that compels itself to still stay today. So why must we dive into it without breathing when such freedom should not kill us- as it is there to keep us swimming?

Just recently, the moon pulled its strings again and called on the tides. February 24 has become a holiday in acknowledgment of People Power day. The news crashed like a giant wave. A greater vision brought back to slam at the shore- one that rests on the sand and quintessence of how everything was real.

It came like a puzzle piece hidden for so long- never acknowledged nor looked for. It’s like the counterargument to a losing game that secures the win. A breath of fresh air.

But I doubt my grandmother would say otherwise. She would see no significance in this wave- this vision- this winning piece. She would stand in the middle of the sea as she damps in the compelling pain.

She would say no amount of acknowledgment is acknowledgment as it is spoken and addressed- slipped word for word.

She would bring about how even such words would not overpower the unearthly cries of the nation before as the people fought for their lives and families.

She would tell the story of how each bleeding man and child in her neighborhood died like they were her own family. She would speak of the lives that could have been if almost all had not been lost. She would keep breathing this ocean of misery until her tears come to break its surface tension and take over her body.

But somewhere along her peaceful yet dreadful swim, she would talk about forgiveness. She talks about how we can dive without breathing- just for a few seconds- to breathe better the next time we do.

She would call that part of the ocean much quieter than the surface above, and hopelessly say “what happened has happened.” The ocean, after all, is much more than memory. It is an endless fight against the oppressors.

This same fight, however, has also become a fight amongst ourselves.

Breathe in. Breathe out. It was a fight against power. Breathe in. Breathe out. It is a fight against power.

Through many prayers, we have asked for forgiveness. In many prayers, we have come back stronger. And with many prayers, we have been taught how to forgive.

Although it has been decadesour people did not tear their skin, tire their bones, and cripple their throats for such a profound war to be forgotten with a mere exchange of a holiday. But just as the sea calms, we must forgive. We should allow ourselves to dive in afraid to breathe, where every inhale does not bring in a war inside our heads and every exhale does not ignore what has happened. We should allow ourselves to forgive with no pain forgotten. We should allow ourselves to nosedivefor as long as we can feel the ocean kissing our flesh, we know it is there.

For in every story, we are taught to tell. For in every dreadful swim, we are taught peace. For in every prayer, we are taught to forgive. Though we cannot make one God beg for the forgiveness of our people, we can pull the moon to alter the tides and forgive those who have wronged us.

And once again.

Breathe in, Breathe out. The people were not free.

Breathe in. Breathe out. The people are free.

Breathe in. Breathe out. There was a war.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Only reality can leave a scar.

And one last nosedive so we never forget.

Irish Bermudez, 36, is a bar and restaurant owner and the sister of TG SHS EiC Francesca Alexis Amor Luya.

The population of Divine Grace School consists of 1,111 students, and 33% of them are newcomers mostly found in the senior high school department.

In previous competitions, marketing, and many other events, the contribution and effort of all the students are equal. There was no bad blood or spite between our brothers and sisters.

I can definitely confirm that this school has created an excellent supporting structure that even novices can easily adjust to after only a few months poking around the school's many corners and edges. I firmly believe that transferees, like me and many others, have a lot to contribute. Did you know that 46% of the prizes at the most recent district press conference came from the senior high school department? These were full of students who were new to the system, and yet they made a significant contribution to the school's successes.

Bigger. Better. Brighter. Change is inevitable and growth is optional.

This was all I heard this academic year. All the staff and admins kept parroting these three simple words. "Bigger, better, and brighter." They were proud of all these new facilities, the improved quality of education, and a brighter future for everyone. But for all the miracles they've granted to us students, in the end they put the most value on the students who've resided here the longest.

How does that make you feel?

Growth is something that you attain by embracing distinction, learning from the past, and attaining equity to all aspects in life.

To be honest, change was never in my comfort zone. It was hard trying something new and surrounding myself with people I've never met. But I genuinely believe that curiosity is a virtue. New faces can contribute a lot, you just need to give them a chance.

Revised hymn and tagline

I personally believe that attaining unity through diversity will be a difficult test, but the results of this development would be beautiful.

If you had to choose between the past and the present, how would you respond?

Would you prefer those who have already been proven reliable, or would you take the risk and side with those who are fresh and can add to the culture and accomplishments of our inang paaralan?

As a new student, we must join hand in hand. Here in DGS, winners are not only born but they are also made with love and passion.