We're Sorry Part 1 (For Parents with so-called "troubled" teens)

Why do teenagers commonly hate it when we are being told off? Why do we hate it when you pick out the mistakes we make and suddenly go onto a screaming marathon about it?

We're sorry. 

For me, I hate the fact that my parents see the small mistakes I have and make a big deal about it. I'm ashamed because I can't satisfy them as much as they have satisfied my whole life. Lavishing me in food, clothes, technology and so much more just to make sure that I have BOTH my wants and needs. And seeing the small crease in between their eyebrows just makes me cry. 

We want to be perfect for you, but it's just hard to meet the levels we've set for you to be proud of us. We scream for you to stop lecturing us because we're tired of hearing how broken we are. Specially when you start lecturing us about how your friend's child is better than us and how we should be following that example, we're sorry, but we feel as if we're not enough for you. We feel as if you'd rather have them as your child. 

We're tired. Just tired. We make mistakes and we're judged at our school. All we just really want is to go home and see our parents and siblings just smiling at us, like they see us as a gift from God. 

We're not saying that you shouldn't tell us off, because we also need the attention you give us. We're just trying to explain why we do this. Please try to understand us. We're sorry for being such a huge luggage to you, but we're just a teen struggling to get through high school and college. Trying to get a job so we can start repaying you. 

(I was inspired to write this from the story I read in wattpad and a teen posting a video in youtube about she hates her parents. I think that it's unreasonable for us teenagers to say that we hate our parents, I believe that we just have our heads in the skies, too proud to admit that we're hurt.)

Stickers for the Future

Development Communication. 

Dream Course ko to mga pre. Hindi pwedeng hindi ako papasa. Kailangan ko to. (This is my dream course. I can't accept that I won't pass. I need this.)

I was at the brink of being paranoid knowing that I didn't pass my dream course. God knows how much I've cried, prayed, knelt down, and just hugged myself because I didn't pass. I pitied myself. I looked crazy, I was being ridiculous.

My mother picked me up and held me by my shoulders as she stared at me. 

"Pulutin mo yang sarili mo. Hindi mo pa to katapusan. May paraan pa ang Panginoon. Nagkulang ka lang siguro, punuin mo yang kulang mo." (Pick yourself up. It's not the end. God has plans for you. Fill up what you have lacked.)

I'd like to share this story once I've made something out of myself. A teacher for the youths’ minds, a broadcaster covering stories, or hopefully, simply a journalist traveling the world.

Being a journalist maybe my biggest dream. I remember waking up at 4 in the morning every Wednesdays just to watch stories on iWitness. Seeing hunger, extinction, poverty, corruption, and everything else that makes you sigh and just cry out, ‘what happened to the paradise we call Earth?’

I maybe young, but dreams are for everyone. Before I was scared, ashamed to be honest, to answer adults on what I wanted to be when I grow up. I always wanted to tell them, “I want to change the world.” There was always that thought that they were going to laugh at me and say that my answer was immature. But it’s true; I want to change the world.

I’d want to see knee cuts on children because they were playing too much with their friends, rather than just skin and bones.

I would prefer seeing couples hand in hand than 10 children on a mother’s back while her husband is pushing them on their kariton.

I would rather see Politicians screaming and debating on how the country will rise up, rather than their backs turned against each other with their pockets full.

The media gave me this image of our world; some were entertaining, Do-it-yourselfers recipes and fashion tips, but mostly were eye openers. I salute the people who have the guts to click the ‘post’ button and letting the world see reality. And I want to become like them. I don’t want to become the journalist who covered on the story of how a bank was robbed; I want to become the person who helped shape the world.

This dream started when I was young, the beginning of my second grade. A storm passed by the Philippines, and thousands were struggling to get themselves back on their feet. I was exposed to my church’s activities to help people who were affected by the storm. At a young age, I remember my mom telling me to come with her and help our church’s volunteers to carry the plastic bags of relief goods.

I recall being left at the jeepney we rode as the adults were talking about something I didn’t bother asking. I was holding little stickers I achieved from our school fair that day just by picking out 3 balls with the same color while blind folded. Admiring at the pink flowers and butterflies, I was excited to place them on my closet door. I shoved it inside my skirt and as I looked up, a girl with a runny nose and nails covered with dirt was staring at me. Being the common 8 year old girl I was, my manners told me that I should wave and smile at her, but pushing that aside, I was disgusted by the young girl.

My manners overruled and I waved at her. While looking back to see if my mom was still busy, I asked her to climb into the jeepney with me. My memory is failing me, so, I forgot her name but the only thing that I do remember is that she had 6 older brothers and 1 baby sister. We talked about her school being flooded and how classes weren’t still resumed. Before we could even really play, my mother came back and told me that we were leaving in a few minutes. I looked back at the girl and took the strip of stickers in my pocket, giving it to her. Next thing I knew, she was giving me a toothy grin, ironically, and she had both of her front teeth missing.

I would do anything to see a smile like that again. By the simplest act, she gave me the brightest smile I have ever seen until this day. It beats the fact of me passing into this University.

I tried my best to get into this course and the nights I cried my eyes out because I was losing hope, were all worth it. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I felt like I was closer to the new Earth that I’ve dreamed off and I was seeing even more smiles just like what the girl I met years back had.


And I can finally see myself closing my eyes and sighing in content. 

#UniversityGoals (When is a UP student called an Iskolar ng Bayan - Eng 1 feels)

                UP took the name Iskolar ng Bayan or Scholars of the people from the University’s original purpose: “A university conceived for the Filipino and funded by the nation.” Given that, a UP student then is different from an Iskolar ng Bayan.

                Buying a UP shirt that everyone wears defines you as a UP student, but wearing it with pride and honor makes you a real Iskolar ng Bayan. It needs a bit more than just passing and studying in the university to be called an Iskolar ng Bayan.

                First, have the “change the world” dream. You do not go to this university to get a high paying job or to brag that you are a UP student. You need to set a goal for the people. An Iskolar ng Bayan is not satisfied, so he wants change. He does not wait for the government or anyone else but he takes the action himself. UP has given us what they want, “Shaping the minds that shape the nation.” It is time to serve the people for the years that they funded your studies. Help the country rise up. We need to fulfill the changes needed using willpower, knowledge and more.

                Second, stand for what you believe in. A lot of people say, “Ayan na naman ang Up. Nagrarally na naman.” For we believe, therefore we do everything for the change that we want. Most of the professors encourage students to debate and voice out. Do not be afraid to speak. You will have to endure people telling you what is right and wrong, because you were too shy. You cannot forever disagree with them in your mind, so make them believe that you are right.

                Respect. Do not bad mouth the opinions and beliefs of others even if you are definite with yours, because yours are opinions too. Those who defend by using insult are usually at the brink of losing.

                UP – University of Pila. You have waited in line for enrollment, getting your photo taken, dorm application, tuition paying, medical and so much more, before you entered the UP gates. The deeper meaning of this is as long as you get your goal, then you do not mind the hardships. Professors and upperclassmen joke about the possibility of staying here longer during orientations. Do not give up no matter how long it takes. It already took us this far. Especially when you were a wait listed and had to do more waiting. Not only with the enrollment, but for signing up for new subjects for the new semester. When you’ve experienced this, then you are an Iskolar ng Bayan.

                Seeing eye to eye. Understanding equality is a yes for being an Iskolar ng Bayan. Do not brag what you have. We are equal here, even if whoever you were in your high school life. We all passed the UPCAT, so we are just as good as you are. You are a forever UP student for it does not end in the walls of the university. Do not boast about it, instead use it to educate other people what you have learned. Together we can change the world for the better.

                People choose UP, because of the high quality of education and low costs. UP is different from other universities who have high facilities. Real Iskolars ng Bayan are used to simple lives and not being lavished, because we are witty and look for alternatives.

                Learning to love learning and being eager for more knowledge drives the mind of an Iskolar ng Bayan. That’s why we are diligent in studying. We have the humility to pay the country back more than the knowledge we are ready to offer.

                An Iskolar ng Bayan knows, not the answers to the Stat 1 exam but to the ways of the university. Organizations orientations for free dinners, the cheapest karinderyas, landmarks, University pranks, tambayans, the number of lines on the pedestrian lane, and different tips for the UP life (eg. Pakulos to present so the teacher will accept pre-rogs). But most importantly, he knows the country struggles that he needs to solve when he graduates.

                These may also be goals you set for yourself when you enter the University of the Philippines, just like how I did from the years I’ve spent observing UP. I am hungry for more even though it’s only been my first semester here. They say that, that the University life is scary in a sense with the activities you do, such as budgeting and being careful to the people you talk to. But education-wise, it is an amazing experience. These experiences will help you answer the questions you have to ask yourself – how am I to help my people in the future?

                Iskolar ng Bayan. We are being funded by the nation for the nation. He carries the Iskolar ng Bayan name until his deathbed. He serves and changes the people for the better. People should see hope and change, and not arrogance, when they see you wear the UP logo. Because, that is what a real Iskolar ng Bayan is, he works for the people and not for acknowledgement. They realize that they owe the people a better future using “Honor and Excellence.”

And freshie tips for those entering UPLB. Remember, the umbrella is your life line for our university is the University of Pila and Lakad ng Bongga.