I am a Winner

"We are winner in our own different way. We maybe failed so many times, but there are still reason to smile and shine."

When I was in grade school I dreamt of becoming an honor student. But how can I make itif my grades are playing in 75-77-76-75. I lost my hope and just ignored that dream. But came my intermediate year. I dreamt again and I got those good grades that I want but still wasn't good enough. I didn't make it until the graduation day.

Then came high school, I find even harder because there was a big competition. Honor students from different school are in the battle to be included in the honor roll. Some are valedictorians and salutatorians from famous school. I had more doubt that time. But because of perseverance and faith I made it. I ranked 4th. I was happy defeating those honor students. Second year, I didnt make it. I became just an achiever. Dahil daw sa barkada. But I didnt blame them, besides choice ko naman yun. I learned to drink and smoke. Gumala kung saan-saan. Pero hindi ko sila sinisi, sinikap kong bumalik at balansihin ang oras ko. Then I made it. During my junior year, I got the 6th spot. And during our graduation I was awarded with honors, having the 5th place in the whole graduating class. I even received other awards. Hindi ko pinagsisihan na napabarkada ko dahil sa kanila natutunan ko ang tunay na realidad ng buhay. Hindi sapat ang mga medalya para gamitin sandata sa kung ano mang pagsubok ang darating. Nadapa ako, pero bumangon. Hindi ko iniwan ang barkadang naging kasama ko sa saya at hirap. Ang mga barkadang naging dahilan "daw" ng aking pagbagsak. Pero sabi ko nga choice ko yun walang dapat sisihin kundi sarili ko. Ngayon proud ako dahil ang mga barkadang yun, sila pa rin ang mga kasama ko until now, matatag at napatunayan kong mga tunay na kaibigan. People change ika nga. Ngayon, kami ang iilan lang sa mga magkakaklase na naging successful sa buhay. Hindi ako likas na matalino, pero naniniwala ako na walang taong bobo. Sipag lang katapat ng pagkamit ng diploma natin.

After graduation, hindi ko alam kung saan ang tutungo. Mahirap lang pamilya ko. walang permanenteng trabaho mga parents ko. I came from a struggling family. Pero luckily I got a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology. Opo! DOST Scholar ako.Isa ako sa mga nakapasa sa mga requirements and exams na binigay nila (hindi nakapasa yung ibang honor students). Winner na naman ako!Nung college, hindi sapat yung grant kaya rumaraket ako. Taga-gawa ng project and research ng mga classmate kong tamad. OK lang at least nakatulong ng malaki. Salamat sa pagiging tamad nila.

Ngayon, Im proud kasi ang isang below average student, may stable na trabaho. Ako lang naman ang pioneeer and longest in service na Digistar Planetarium Control Operator dito sa Pinas. At dalawa lang kaming nakakaalam ng technology ng DIGISTAR 3, a state of the art digital theater system dito sa buong Pilipinas at una sa Southeast Asia. Dahil sa pagtitiyaga ko, I was able to send my two younger sisters in school, One in college and the other one is in high school. As much as possible I'm providing all their needs, yung mga hindi ko na-experience, sinisikap kong makuha at ma-enjoy nila.

Pero hindi pa dyan natatapos...Life is not always like a blue sky with colorful rainbow in it. My father was diagnosed with liver cancer last year. And just last August, he ended his battle. My father passed away.

I never thought about the time I would have to step into my own father's shoes. He was always there to fill them. Then suddenly, he wasn't. And now I have had to step into them. I didn't feel prepared for the role, but I have to. Now I clearly understand how it is to be the father. What it takes to be the head of the family. It is all about self-sacrifice. Sacrifice for the people you value and love the most. As the eldest, I need to show my Mom and my siblings how strong I am, even deep in my heart, I am totally broken and grieving.

Now, I need to show them the days of mourning is finally over. I don't know where to start for I still remember how easy it was when my father is still around. There is still a little doubt in my part, but I have to face the coming days with enough courage . The sleepless nights of thinking ends when I just realized that even though my father is gone, he still left me with something great. His advise and love is the best legacy he'd given me. I was never left alone or empty-handed. It is my inspiration to seize the days with pride. I am grateful to have been raised by a man who is so kindly predisposed to the wacky and the unexpected. My father is a testament to the great values of kindness, hard work and taking care of us. I will never forget the image of him among the crowd as I go up the stage to receive my awards in school, my first day in high school where he accompanied me in my first classroom, the happy moments we've shared near the lake and fishing, those days that we need to go up the mountain to get some guavas which I will sell in the school to have "baon", the times he took care of me when I was suffering from broncho pneumonia and holding my dextrose patiently as I play around when I was a kid. Thank you for encouraging me without being cloying and as a result, I felt supported but never pushed. Thank you Tay, for taking me in a real life adventure, where I learned the greatest lessons and experienced a different kind of excitement and fun. I can say that I am again a winner in this because of the inspiration that my father gave me.

Because of your blog Mr. Jayson Biadog, Winners Place , I was able to join contests and fortunately, I won gadgets like mobile phone, DVD player and most memorable sa lahat yung makuha ako ang isang spot sa Boracay Bloggers' Tour courtesy ng isang local airline company. Oh di ba WINNER na WINNER.

Bloggers in Caticlan
Presentation of winners in Microtel together with the SEAIR and Microtel's Executives

Hindi ko na isasama ang iba pang competition na sinalihan ko, baka kasi magtunog na mayabang na ako. Wala pati picture kasi lahat yun natangay ng baha, walang natira. Pero I'll try to look for some and update this para may proof..hehehe

Marami na rin ako mga contest na sinalihan, minsan natatalo, minsan nananalo. Pero para sakin hindi sapat na nakakuha ka ng mataas na marka, na cum laude ka or suma cum laude pa, na marami kang certificates, trophies and medals. Dahil sa totoong hamon ng buhay, sipag, tiyaga at paniniwala sa sariling kakayahan ang magdadala sa yo sa tagumpay na inaasam mo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYSON!!!

I wish you all the happiness in life and good health. More contests to win!!!Hope to see you soon...