MARIEL MAY MORALDE

Hey World! It’s Me

                Who I am, how I act, things around me have something to do with it. Parents affect their child’s being. Who they are is portrayed by their kids. For me, it’s true.

This woman with a bright aura really knocked my dad head-over-heels. Her name is Marcelina – cool but a loving mother. Right now, she is working abroad seeking for greener pasture. It’s hard living with a mom that isn’t nearby. When you face problems, you’ve got to face it alone. But somehow, it’s good because you will learn how to be strong.

                My dad who is a year younger than my mom has always been zealous. After he lost his job at a mining company which let us live in luxury for a while, he has experienced to be a driver, farmer and construction worker. My dad, Gabriel, indeed is an angel in disguise. In his face marks the exhausted look but not even once he told us that he is. Love, that’s the force empowering him to do things beyond his might.

                Their exceptional traits run through my veins. I am proud because these traits can help others. I may not have plenty of money, but I’m always willing t lend a hand to the needy. That’s what my parents show and taught me and that’s what I’ll give back to the society.

Friends who truly accept you despite your lapses are your siblings. My sisters, Margie and Marjorie, whom I argue with most of the time, are my posts. They help me stand. Though we frequently encounter misunderstandings, I know that deep inside their hearts, they love me so much. I love to talk with them because they are the most honest friend I could ever have.

I was sent to institutions that honed my talents very well. I was very grateful because I’ve been part of public school’s history. San Roque Central Elementary School – It’s where I spent my grade school and where I developed almost half of my confidence. I have met friends whom I played with and teachers changed me. In my high school days, I stayed in the portals of Davao City National High School. There, my entire identity was revealed. I have spread my wings and learned to soar higher. Right now, I’m here at University of the Philippines and slowly, this innocent mind of mine is taking part of the issues faced by the Filipino people. I, a product of public schools am very proud I came to step in their rooms.

I am who I am. My God has set my identity. I will never seek for more and try to act like somebody else. In my very system runs the influence of the things around - my parents and the society where we live in. With my chin up, I’ll face the world and say , “hey world this is me, Mariel May Suico Moralde.”

Will It End Happily?

                I couldn’t believe I was heading there. The engine started and off we went! As one of the Supreme Student Government officers, I was expected to attend the 3^rd year Basic Leadership Training that was held at the school. But instead of spending two nights there, I went to Camp Alano to attend a retreat. Someone invited me to go there. I really didn’t know what pushed me to say yes. Was it merely for respect’s sake? I swear I didn’t know. I could barely hear the taxi’s clutch. My mind was clouded with ‘what-ifs’. I couldn’t help thinking about the training. Unaware of how much time we’ve spent for travelling, I found myself standing on the grassy earth facing an old but newly-painted house. The idea of running was now consuming me. There were approximately 150 people in the place and I knew nobody. As the night went deeper, it seemed I was just starting to know myself. Orphaned, quiet and have no place to go – I was lost and stuck in the middle of nowhere. I was wrong, stupid, confused, alone and lonely. It had been awhile now since my mom left and my sister chose to live at my aunt’s place because of dad’s worsening attitude. As the eldest, I had been trying to stand firm and keep everything intact. So ironic. I could hardly even find the pieces my scattered heart. I hated everything. I despised my life. If only I had the control I would choose everything opposite. EVERYTHING. But I didn’t have it. If so, then, who could  have been manipulating my life? GOD? Why would He then unload me in such a shitty place? I burst into tears. It was a moment of epiphany. I cried as if tomorrow would no longer come. I was reminded how Jesus died on the cross, how His flesh was torn like paper and how His blood gushed out covering almost His entire body. I was not worth but He believed I was. After that first real encounter with God, I did change. When I went home, my dad was nagging me. It took me few breathes before I could talk and treat him the way I’m not used to. Indeed, i had grown a bigger heart towards people around. Jesus Christ is my destiny and I know that when I’m with my Lord, there is always a happy ending.

A REVIEW ON DEPARTURES

Before watching the movie, I had presumptions of how Departures would carry me. The first few parts of the movie made me burst into laughter. A loving husband, Daigo, has sought a job for his family and as he was already there, he learned it wasn’t what he expected and wanted.

Casketing is a job that works ‘beyond the norms’ – that’s how people see it. They just simply look at it based on how they see it not caring to look beyond and not thinking how it feels to be just like them.

Various kinds of scenes that in real life could happen were shown. Each entailed a story to be told and an emotion to be felt. Every family of the deceased was reacting in different ways. Some families were left peacefully and happily. Some were angry and regretful. I wonder how my love ones would react if I was destined to die right at that very moment. I cried.

Destiny is very playful. You can never guess its ways. I was touched and cried even more when he got the news saying his father had already passed away. Mr. Daigo Kobayashi a Mariel May S. Moralde do have a lot in common. We differ in one thing only and that is my dad isn’t yet dead. I once hated his for similar reasons. Is he that numb enough not to feel that we need him? I wanted to tell him but I was afraid he won’t listen. Is there still any room in his heart left for me? Like Daigo, I wanted to feel how its like to have a dad who is always beside you. I may be in denial but I admit I feel jealous sometimes.

We always wanted to be just like whom we wanted ourselves to be but destiny accorded ua a different fate and we play the cards of our lives accordingly. Things that are happening right now may be connected and has something to do with our future. Take it, accept it. it may look like a very heavy burden, difficult and painful at  first but treat it as a challenge instead because it will lead you to where you should be and build your identity.

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