Whenlightning strikes

Words by Arianna Parani Art by Liam Nico Sullivan

As a traveler tries to navigate their way across the difficult path, they encounter inescapable hurdles—enough to make one cower and turn back, but they find it is impossible. Looking forward, they see that the only path is to further venture the gray and unfamiliar direction ahead. Along the way, the traveler begins to recognize the downpour of rain gradually becoming heavier on their back—traces of their steps beginning to fade; the distance they’ve yet to elapse with no end in sight.

First signs of the storm

As the sky begins to darken, unknown weather starts to form. One reaches their palm upwards and waits for the storm to approach— unaware of what it may bring and the consequences that may follow.

Eliza Japzon (STM110) shared her perception of the future through an innocent lens. “I thought adulthood meant (that)... adults (would) have free time, but [no], apparently not.” Growing up, she learned that the grown up life is not what she expected it to be. “I have to be responsible… Now as an 18 year old, I’ll have to be the one to guide people.” Japzon explained.

When young ideals get washed away, a new wave of realizations enter one’s head, of what it is like to come of age. “[A]s we grow up, (we) realize that there (are) a lot more responsibilities [that we would have],” Dwyane

Mitchel Vasallaje (STM12) answered when asked about adulthood. “I (thought I could) do all the things that I wanted to do, but that wasn’t true.” He explained that growing up has made him realize that the world has limits, and that not everything in life always goes one’s way.

When raindrops begin to fall

As the rain begins its descent upon the land, the traveler learns to adapt with the weather as one learns to accept that the coming of the storm is inevitable. For Vasallaje, understanding the challenges he is bound to encounter helped him to adjust with this new phase of life. I know [being an adult] will (have its struggles), but I still want to have fun.” isyung panlipunan. “Nowadays, we are embracing that kind of trend to somehow deliver these kinds of issues to people kasi merong mga taong (who) tend to avoid social issues especially (pagdating sa) news,” giit niya.

Hakbang papuntang kinabukasan Nang siya ay nakalabas, nakakapanibago mundong ang kanyang natuklasan, sapagkat nasanay na ang babae sa dilim at init ng kanyang pinanggalingan. Sa wakas siya ay nakakahinga, at naninibago sa mga unang hakbang sa maliwanag na kinabukasan.

Idinagdag ni Fajardo ang maaaring hakbang na makakatulong sa pagharap sa mga isyung panlipunan. “You are that platform para ma-share natin ‘tong social issues na meron tayo,” sabi niya. “Let us invite these people na makita nila (kung) ano ‘yung importance nila d’un sa isyu na ‘yun,” aniya. Ipinarating naman ni Chavez ang kahalagahan ng wastong paggamit ng media, dahil ito ay posibleng magresulta sa ‘fake news.’ “Media is a double-edged sword for everyone, and it really depends on the person who is using and posting it from there on,” pahayag niya. Para sa kanya, maaari ding maging sanhi ng iba’t ibang interpretasyon tungkol sa mga isyung panlipunan at depinisyon ng mga bagay sa mga paligid nila, kaya kinakailangang maging responsable sa pag-post ***

Nakalabas at nakatapak na muli ang babae sa maliwanag at malawak na kinabukasan kung saan malaya siya mula sa banta ng pagkasunog. Hawak ang susi sa kamay, kanyang tatandaan ang paraan upang makatakas sa lumiliyab na apoy. “[T]he best thing to do is to spread the right information to people,” sabi ni Chavez. “It is the least we can do to help the society.” Sa pagtutuloy ng paghawak sa susi ng kamalayan, dahan-dahan ding mamamatay ang apoy ng kamangmangan.

Over the course of his teenage years, he had learned to keep up with the continuous downpour of responsibilities that never failed to cease as he grew older. “I have learned that I need to enjoy every moment of

Amidst the rainfall, one may find nostalgia through the pond it creates—a collection of memoirs that was once washed away. “It’s afternoon and you’re just lounging around with something on the TV. Me and my brother would be sleeping [as this happens],” Japzon recalled warm memories of her childhood before the first strike of reality hit.

The cold rain continues to pour— enough to make one shiver, but therein lies that ever present warmth within that will never fade away. As Vasallaje explains, “My inner child will still be inside me no matter how mentally (mature) I am.”

As lightning lights up the sky

Though quiet with only the rain to fill the silence, the presence of thunderclouds unveils as a dark gray overhead—turning the skies alight as lightning pierces through, striking down targets at random.

Vasallaje reacted to the sudden strike of adulthood with mixed feelings. “It honestly feels bittersweet,” he began.

“I am very happy to be getting started in my adulthood, but… it is also a bit scary because of what might happen in the future.”

Thereafter, the storm reaches its climax. Japzon began to realize many things that had changed in her life revealed by the hints around her, “I stopped wanting toys and [began to] wish for cooking utensils or clothes.”

For Japzon, this sudden change of desires marked the new beginning of her journey into adulthood. Slowly, they begin to notice how their circumstances have changed and how much they have grown.

Soon as the rainbows emerge

Despite the heavy downpour of rain and the loud crashes of thunder, the traveler recognizes the glimpse of sunlight. Soon, the sun will peek through the apertures of the gray clouds, erasing vestiges of those dark skies and bringing forth a prism of color. Japzon idealized the near future with a dream—marking a goal within her reach. “I want to live [life as an adult] with less worries [and] be more confident.”

As the atmosphere slowly becomes tranquil and the bolts fade away, Vasallaje continues to venture the path ahead by looking at things from a brighter angle. “I just have to comply and do all these things that are necessary for me to be at a point where the responsibilities (don’t) seem like a burden anymore.”

***

The storm has passed, still the voyage carries on. The rain may have made the traveler shiver throughout their journey, but sunlight will soon come to bring them warmth. “I wish to start my adulthood with the help of the people surrounding me,” Vasallaje reassured. “I know I can trust them enough to know that they will always guide me (to) the right direction.” Although the rain may come back one day, the traveler will keep on navigating their way. For they know the sun will always be there after.

Thesis Defense Day

Levi and his groupmates are about to defend their proposed research! Help them prepare for this and find seven differences from the two.

Answers:

Zeal for Service

The embodiment of being a Lasallian is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills, but also the ability to serve others. Our zeal for service, especially towards the impoverished and marginalized, shows the essence of being a Lasallian. It is one of the core values which enables us to bring awareness to societal issues and connect with the underprivileged. Moreover, this allows us to contribute for a greater good and transform people’s lives. Despite everyone’s differences, our desire to be of service unites us together without the expectation of receiving anything in return. Through serving our community, we become catalysts of change and motivators in engaging the innovation of the society.