FEATURES 11 Extraordinary Testimonies of Excellence and Legacy

BEYOND PORTALS, BEHIND CURTAINS

encoded a task on the computer. She told herself,, “Despite my age, I want to continue my studies to widen my knowledge and also, life situations are not barriers”.

They submitted the enrollment form when suddenly I saw the tears from the cheeks of the parent. “This is for you, dearest mother.” My eyes were full of hope and wisdom. Truly in ALS, there is endless hope to pursue one’s most awaited dream.

Rare Gem In A Chaotic World

I went back to my room when my friends suddenly burst into happiness upon watching a Tiktok video. I was curious because their ecstasy is influential. I heard my idol.

“Kapag ako nagkaroon, tutulong din ako,” my idol always tells these words whenever he mentions about his alma mater, Tibag High School. His heartwarming generosity never ends.

Have you experienced going through the memory lane? I love going back to the past where my mind becomes nostalgic with the grains of my universe - with who I am as a person who admires an alumni. His experiences instantly provide lifechanging perspectives when I click the heart button of my tiktok app. I was on cloud nine when I heard his goals in helping other people. Indeed, in the lens of kindhearted people, these experiences captivated my heart and determination to do good for everyone. Am I going to do the same when I reach my goal?

“I feel the urge to donate in Tibag High School since nung Grade-7 ako, kasi naranasan ko po one time ang walang baon tapos pinakain po ako sa Model Home.” He uttered these words with the extreme desire to extend his blessings to the needy. With the generation where I completely belong, he is a young entrepreneur on TikTok, a former student of Tibag High School, he is the kind hearted angel/influencer, Jaymark Escaño.

As I scroll through my tiktkok app, I was inspired by his mirror of traits in the tempered glass of my not-so-updated gadget. He is a person with a good heart who constantly looks for ways to help others. His compassionate heart never gets tired in pursuing kindness in this cruel world. People with good hearts are like rare gems that are difficult to find in this chaotic world. Like a rare gem, these people truly have radiant kindness and love. His intentions began with small things which now grew into a big passion, a passion for helping other people.

He reminded me of these grains of motivation for me to keep going like him, “I learned that no matter how difficult studying can be, never lose hope and always set a goal.”

Jaymark uttered. As I work towards my goals, he became my motivation to graduate in my alma mater with legacy. I will never be exhausted with the struggles for I know they will produce gems in my entire being.

My tears covered my cheeks when I had the chance to have a picture with my idol. His spectacular experience led him to a brighter future. He used his past as motivation to move forward and exhibited bravery and generosity. How about you, are you inspired by his story and aspire to be like him?

TURNING THE CAN’T INTO CAN

My last year in Senior High School was like a roller coaster. It has loopholes and turns of success and challenges. While walking in the corridors of the SHS building, I read the diary of Joshua Navarro, 12-Neuman who is an expert in sign language.

Dear diary, I thirst for the sound waves towards my system. I thirst for the vibration of my vocal chords to express my innermost thoughts to my classmates. These are just some of the deep longings of my heart. Born speech and hearing impaired, I wanted to embrace the world despite what happened to me.

I put my thoughts on the blank page of my thick yellow paper. The yellow paper reminds me of the vast world I will take in after my Senior High School journey. I inculcated in my mind that my ambition does not die just because I am deaf and mute. My desire to be an IT programmer is louder than all the screams of the universe. I can’t speak, but can you hear my heartbeat? It pumps like an ICU revival equipment to reach the end of my pulse and veins.

As I walk towards my dream, a comrade named Fritz Alvarez became my companion. He guides me in the difficulties of the face to face classes. I am an ordinary teenager who still chose to be in school despite the hindrance of my disability. My heart is wounded due to the cruelties of verbal communication but this does not create bruises in my determination to achieve the dream that I am aiming for.

I can’t speak but I can SEE the beauty of education. I can’t hear but I can READ the letters of my aspiration. I can’t sing but I can WRITE the blueprint of my future. I was born with the gifts of can’t but I want to live the world to discover what I can for my bright and golden future. I can’t speak, but did you hear the pulses of my heart? As I grew up, I deeply understood the purpose of life. It has endless desires to be perfect but the air that I breathe to study reminds me of the beauty of choosing to learn despite being impaired in my hearing and speech. With all the love in the world, Joshua Navarro, future nation builder of the Philippines

UNTOLD REMINISCENCE OF AN OUTSTANDING CANTEEN MANAGER

Tomorrow morning if you wake up, And the sun does not appear I, I will be here

I could only stare at her coffin as I reminisced about her life-changing story. Her eyes could bring so much joy when she smiles at the students of Tibag High School. The glow and curves of her lips do not fade even though she is tired. I won’t forget you, Ma’am Leonila Balbuena, our “Mamita.” I miss the food that you cook in our canteen. Life is full of surprises. No one can tell how long we will be in this life adventure. Ma’am Leonila Valbuena served as the Canteen Manager in Tibag High School for more than a decade in the service. She left sweet memories in the hearts of the students. Providing the best for the learners in the school was the scream of Mamita’s heart. With this quality, she is not just a Canteen Manager, but an Outstanding Canteen Manager of Tibag High School. She has been the heart of Tibag High School. Because of her management, learners had never been experienced to starve. The canteen was always open and ready to serve them. Life is unpredictable. We will never know how long we can travel on this journey. We will never know what tomorrow may bring. Mamita, as we used to call her, found her happiness in this journey. She is indeed a motherly Canteen Manager. As I bid goodbye looking at her coffin, I embraced her in my mind, saying, “Mamita, you are a great public servant not just in the eyes of the students, but in the eyes of God.” My grief covers the veins of my body as I continue singing the lyrics of my favorite song.

And just as sure as seasons are made for change

Our lifetime’s are made for years So, I I will be here we’ll be together I will be here Inspired. Motivated. Influenced. I left the canteen. I continued staring at the flag of my second home, Tibag High School. The flag reminds me of the excellence of the people who serve as nation builders of education. Before I leave the portals of excellence, I promise to go back to this home of legacy holding the tassel of college dream. The infinite galaxies of my aspirations as a graduating student will keep on shining the