"Sa mga mahahalimuyak at makukulay na bulaklak ng aking kabataang naisatitik para sa alaalang aking sasariwain at babalik-balikan."
Bakit 'di na tayo nagpapansinan?
Bakit naman biglaan?
Iyo na bang kinalimutan
Mga araw na ating pinagsamahan
Nakalulungkot sa tuwing binabalikan
Alaalang ating pinagsaluhan
Itatapon na lang bang tuluyan
Para 'di na masaktan
Tadhana na ang nagturo
Pero 'di pa rin natuto
Kaya't sa huling yugto
Paalam sa kwentong ating binuo
Ikaw ang araw, at ako ang buwan
Kapwa isinumpang walang hanggan
Na magtatagpong saglit at mabilisan
At habambuhay magkakasalisihan
Ang iyong mga matitingkad na ngiti
Ang nagsisilbing bituin sa kadiliman ng gabi
Ngunit sa pagsapit ng sikat ng araw
Ikaw ay hindi ko na matanaw
Marahil ito ang takbo ng ating kwento
Magmamahalan ngunit 'di magkakatuluyan
Salamat dahil kahit sa sandaling pag-inog ng mundo ko sa 'yo
Kasing hirap ba ng bundok kung akyatin
Kasing hirap ba ng dagat kung sisirin
Kasing hirap ba ng gubat kung lakbayin
Ganoon ba ako kahirap mahalin?
Bakit mas madaling sabihin ang salitang matatalim
Kaysa sa mga salitang magpapahilom sa sugat na malalim
Bakit mas madaling iwanan ako sa dilim
Kaysa samahan sa liwanag ng takipsilim
Ang pangarap kong dati'y pataas ang paghatak
Ngayo'y tila isang ibong pinutulan ng pakpak
'Di makaalpas sa mga daluyong ng buhay
Naghihintay ng iyong pagtulong at pag-agapay
The world will not give you time to heal
For healing starts when we let ourself
Free from the fresh wounds of past
Free at last to move forward and onward
The world will not give you time to rest
For rest is not enclosed in the idea of sleep
It comes in many from people around us
It comes from the person within us
The world is the epitome of the word selfishness
But we are not the world, we are own beings
Beings capable of giving love where there is none
Beings capable of giving hope where there is hopelessness
#LetTheEarthBreathe
Naghihingalo't humihikbi
Mundo nating dating maliksi
Pagkat ang tao'y humihindi
Sa pagiging katiwalang mabuti
Pero ngayo'y magbakasakali
Balikan nating muli
Ang mga pagkakamali
Iwasto natin ang paligid nating mayumi
#Eleksyon2022
Ang boses natin at tindig
Sabay-sabay pumipintig
Bunsod ng ating pag-ibig
Sa tinubuang lupang, ating daigdig
Ayaw ko ng masasayang alaala
Dahil pinapaalala nito na ang daya
Ang daya-daya ng tadhana
Na ipaparanas sa'yo pero babawiin bigla
Maski ang ngiti ay pawang pilit na sandali
Mga labi na pagsisinungaling ay kinunsinti
Dahil sa likod ng maskara ang nagkukubli
Ay mga sugat na sariwa at mahapdi
Makailang hakbang man ang lakarin
Ang multo ng nakaraan ay nakakahabol pa rin
Sa kailaliman ng dagat ng sakit ay sisisirin
Kahit hindi ikaw ang salarin, ikaw pa rin ang sisisihin
Hindi ka nila bibigyan ng panahon
Para paghilumin ang sugatan mong damdamin
Bagkus susugatan ka nang susugatan
Hanggang sa maging patay na nga at tatanungin nila: Sino ang may gawa?
Hello guys, I wanted to share this personal essay that I have written for my application to Ateneo. Sadly, my results came out this week and I got WAITLISTED. Maybe this essay will serve as a guide on what to avoid when writing a personal essay. Nevertheless, here is the essay. good luck!
SILENCE
Written by: Geomari Miguel R. Dominguez
“Silenzio, Bruno.”
A memorable line from the Disney film “Luca”. The character aims to silence “Bruno”, the voice in our head that feeds negativity, fear, and insecurity. That line touched a special place in my heart — my silent journey of self-healing from depression, which taught me the value of listening, the significance of exploring, and the power of inspiring.
When I was in 6th Grade, I was part of the “Pilot Section”, where all students who were assigned there were recipients of the academic excellence award from the previous level. My classmates were all gifted with intelligence, talent, and determination contrary to my happy-go-lucky personality.
The “Bruno” inside my head whispered that I am mediocre compared to my peers. The fear, pressure, and constant comparison from myself, my teachers, and my parents were the turning point of my depression.
The personal battles were then followed by family problems. I have to deal with my mediocrity, my depression, and my struggle with family.
My own “Silenzio, Bruno” came in the form of a poem entitled “Footprints in the Sand”. The beautifully written poem tells the narrative of a person running in the sand with God. In the good days, there were two sets of footprints, and in the bad days, there was only one set. The person asked God why there is only a single set of footprints in those bad times. God’s answer gave me consolation in those trying times and I quote:
"My precious child, I love you and will never leave you.
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Mother Teresa once said, “ God speaks in the silence of our hearts. Listening is the beginning of the prayer.”
That moment taught me that in the silence I prayed to Him to help me, to comfort me, and to love me. In the event when I remembered the poem, came the realization that it is important to listen. The value of listening taught me that God’s answer has always been there waiting to be discovered.
In High School, I began to process self-healing. I recollected and reconnected to my old optimistic self. I gave myself the chance to explore Volleyball, Teatro, and Student Council.
I played volleyball for Intramurals in 9th Grade and 10th Grade. I made friends, learned new skills, and improved my sportsmanship.
I also joined the Teatro Filipino Club in 10th Grade. We performed two plays namely: “Kasali ang Lahat, Lahatay Kasali'' and “Himig ng Lipunan”. Both of which tackled social and political issues. It opened my mind about the issues like the Oplan Tokhang, the abused farmers, and the struggles of the LGBTQIA++ Community.
At that same level, I was asked to run for the position of Vice President. I was enthusiastic during thecampaign and Miting De Avance. I may have lost, but that opened the opportunity for me to be part of the committee. As a part of the committee, I was assigned to host the two programs of the Student Council which are: “Kislap High School Dance” and “Christmas Party for the High School Department”. Because of that, I found a new side of me that I love hosting.
I have read a quote that said, “ Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show." That showed me the significance of exploring, which allowed me to discover possibilities and opportunities that made me grow as a person. The once self-deprecating and mediocre view disappeared for
I immerse myself in the world to learn, to develop, and to progress.
There is a saying by Nelson Mandela that goes, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” In life, I learned that my goal should be to inspire other people that they can overcome and win the silent battles and struggles they are facing. It does not end with journey I experienced — depression, self-healing through exploration — I have to share it to inspire other people to have a positive outlook, a strong faith, and a good attitude in facing life.
I was privileged to host our class’ Outreach Program to the elderly in the Home for the Aged in Provident Village, Marikina City. It was for our celebration of our Patron Saint: Saint Francis of Assisi. My classmates and I shared our experiences and stories with our grandparents. I got the chance to chat with them and bond with them as an “apo” during that day. I learned so much from their wisdom and their life experiences.
I have the habit of writing letters to my friends and family members. I write whenever it’s their birthday, or it’s Christmas, or just a normal day. I give it to show my love, care, and affection to them that I cannot express verbally.
February this year, I started my blog with the name “Kasibulan”, which means spring, growth, and youth. My main objective in starting this blog was to share my experience in poems, short stories, and anecdotes. I hope that I inspire someone who experienced the same and be the source of hope to overcome their struggles.
The “Brunos” inside our heads hinder the growth and development of our minds, hearts, and souls. When we let it consume us, we become the slave of our weakness. However, hope is always present. We can overcome our struggles and battles as long as we find time to reflect and contemplate in silence. In that silence of our hearts, we learn and grow. And, I grasped those life lessons — the value of listening, the significance of exploring, and the power of inspiring — when my depression happened.
For light is seen when all is dark, and His voice is heard in the silence of our hearts.
“Silence is the greatest source of strength.”
-Lao Tzu
Ako ay talinhaga Nakagapos sa tanikala Nakabusal ang bibig Nakapiring ang mata Nilisan ng pag-ibig Yaring puso at diwa Ako ay talinhaga Na...