A Letter to the President

 

Dear Mr. President,

I’ll be honest with you, Mr. President—this letter is not just a thank you, but also a cry of frustration. Yes, I will admit that you have helped a lot of people. I cannot deny that there are programs and projects that made a difference. But at the same time, I cannot close my eyes to the fact that many people are still suffering, and it feels like their cries are being ignored. It feels unfair that while some are helped, others are left behind, and as the leader of our country, you should see everyone, not just the ones who cheer for you.

What hurts me the most is the confidence I see in your leadership—not the kind of confidence that inspires, but the kind that feels careless. It feels like you believe people will continue to support you no matter what, simply because you had 31 million votes. But my question is, are they still supporting you now? Votes are not permanent loyalty. Those 31 million people are not just numbers—they are real lives with real struggles, and some of them are starting to ask if they made the right choice.

I’m angry because leadership is not about being comfortable on the throne, it’s about facing the uncomfortable truth: that many Filipinos still wake up hungry, that workers are still underpaid, that students like me feel uncertain about our future. And yet, instead of urgency, what I see is a leader who is too sure of himself, as if the support of millions during the election is enough to last a lifetime. But it’s not. Respect and trust must be earned every single day.

You might not know this, but you became one of the reasons why I want to become a lawyer. Not because I want to follow your footsteps, but because I want to make sure people’s voices are heard when leaders fail to listen. Your leadership taught me a hard lesson: that silence in the face of suffering is dangerous, and that justice should never be optional. I want to be someone who fights for people who feel abandoned, because no Filipino deserves to feel invisible in their own country.

So yes, thank you—for the help you’ve given, but also for opening my eyes. Thank you for making me realize that I don’t want to lead with overconfidence, but with compassion. Thank you for teaching me, even through anger, that our country needs leaders who care about all Filipinos, not just the ones counted in the millions of votes.

I am just one student, but I refuse to stay silent. And I hope one day, you will look beyond the numbers and see the faces, the voices, and the lives that are still waiting for true change.

Thematic

 

Small Acts, Big Change

The day began with us preparing the materials that would help us make a change—because proper preparation makes the work lighter and more organized

Inside the barangay hall, we cleaned with care—showing that cleanliness begins within the spaces where people gather

Trimming the overgrown grass, we saw how small actions can bring a big difference, making the area safer and more pleasant for everyone

Divided into two groups, we worked as one—proving that teamwork speeds up the work and teaches cooperation.

In the south part of our barangay, our hands worked while our hearts served, contributing to a healthier and more welcoming environment.

We gathered together, riding the bike and motor provided, showing resourcefulness in reaching areas that also needed attention

Arriving at another location, our energy did not fade—expanding our service meant more places benefited from cleanliness.

We ended the day with pride as we submitted our signed papers, proof that our simple service contributed to unity, discipline, and responsibility.

Small acts of cleaning and caring for our environment may seem simple, but they create a lasting impact on our community and the Earth. Every small effort, like picking up trash or planting greenery, contributes to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. When we work together, these little actions grow into big changes that protect our planet for the next generations. 

Food at Nutrition Security!

This year’s Nutrition Month was something I’ll never forget. It started out like any other school activity—full of excitement, pressure, and yes, competition—but it ended up becoming one of the most meaningful experiences of my high school life.

At first, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to join the NutriJingle contest. I was nervous, unsure, and honestly a bit scared of what people would say. But something inside me said, “Do it. Try.” And so I did. I ended up helping choreograph some of the dance moves too, which was both fun and challenging. I never thought I’d enjoy being creative like that, but when I saw our group practicing and following my steps, it felt so rewarding. We spent hours rehearsing, sometimes even skipping breaktime, staying late, sweating, and laughing through our mistakes. Our voices cracked during singing, and a few of us kept forgetting the lyrics—but we kept going anyway. Those moments, though chaotic, made us stronger as a team.

This one was taken just before we performed on stage. We were nervous, excited, and a little out of breath from warming up. Even though we didn’t win, the energy we had that day was amazing. We poured our hearts into the performance. That moment taught me that effort matters more than results. And also… that glittery props are harder to handle than they look!

 

When the day of the NutriJingle performance came, we gave it our best shot. I was nervous but excited. We didn’t win, and honestly, that stung a bit. What made it worse was that some people, even from other teams, made fun of us. They expected more from us just because we came from the “special class,” as if that meant we had to be perfect. That kind of pressure really got to me at first. I felt embarrassed and disappointed. I even questioned if all those hours of practice were worth it.

But now that I’ve had time to reflect, I see things differently. We may not have won a trophy, but we won something better—confidence, friendship, growth, and a sense of accomplishment. I know how hard we worked, how much we pushed ourselves, and how we stuck together no matter what. That’s a win in my book. And besides, we had some hilarious moments that I’ll treasure forever—like when someone tripped mid-dance and just turned it into a cool freestyle move. We all laughed so hard after that!

Then came the cooking contest. This time, we were more focused and determined than ever. We prepared carefully, worked as a team, and gave it everything we had. And this time—it paid off. We won first place! Out of all the Grade 10 sections, we came out on top and represented Grade 10 with pride. I still remember the moment our name was announced. We screamed, we hugged, and some of us even got teary-eyed. It wasn’t just about the food—it was about proving to ourselves and everyone else that we are capable. That moment reminded me that failures don’t define us—how we rise after them does.

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Here we are after all the events—smiling, joking, and just enjoying the moment. These candid photos say it all: tired but happy, win or lose, we were proud of what we did. The memories we made will last way longer than any medal or certificate.

Through these activities, I learned so much more than I expected. I learned about nutrition, yes—but also about resilience, leadership, friendship, and staying true to myself. I realized that Nutrition Month isn’t just about healthy eating or winning contests. It’s about learning how to take care of ourselves and others. It’s about discovering who we are when things get tough and how we can rise stronger every time.

What I’ll remember most isn’t the certificate or the medal. It’s the memories—laughing while cooking, dancing until our feet hurt, cheering for each other, and proving that we are more than what people expect from us. I’m so proud of our group. We may have stumbled, but we never gave up.

if there’s one lesson I’ll carry with me from this whole experience, it’s this: Health isn’t just something we celebrate once a year. It’s something we live every single day—with every choice we make, every challenge we face, and every step we take toward becoming better versions of ourselves.

Best Describes Me

Dancing is the soul's way of screaming silently

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Reflection

 

LESSONS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

The first quarter of Grade 10 has honestly been one of the most eye-opening times for me. Looking back, I can say it wasn’t just about lessons in school, but also about myself. There were ups and downs, struggles and little wins, and moments where I felt like giving up but also times where I realized how much I’ve grown. When the school year started, I was both excited and nervous. Excited for new things, but nervous because it’s Grade 10. the last year in junior high, and of course people expect more from us.

At first, I thought it would just be the same as before, just lessons, activities, exams, and moving on. But I was wrong. As the weeks went by, I realized it’s more than that. It’s also about how I handle stress, how I manage my time, and how I balance my studies with rest and personal life. In short, this quarter tested not just my academics but also my patience and mental strength.

One of the lessons that really stuck with me was about the timeline of the internet. Before, I didn’t even care about how it started, I just thought the internet was always there for us to use. But learning how it began from ARPANET and how it grew into what it is today made me realize how far technology has gone. Without it, life would be very different. No instant communication, no quick research, no online classes. We really take it for granted sometimes. Now I appreciate it more, because behind every innovation are people who worked hard, failed, tried again, and succeeded.

Aside from that, I also learned a lot about myself. Honestly, procrastination really hit me this quarter. I kept delaying tasks, thinking I could do them later, but then later became too late. That made me stressed and rushing. I also wasted time on distractions, like scrolling on my phone instead of starting my requirements. Those habits taught me that self-discipline is very important. It’s not just about schoolwork, it’s about respecting my time and responsibilities. I also realized the importance of balance. Sometimes I worked too much, and I ended up drained. Other times, I rested too much, and I got behind. I learned the hard way that balance is the key. School is important, yes, but rest is also important. And honestly, I also saw that being a student is not just about passing requirements. It’s about building character—discipline, responsibility, and being more thoughtful in how I live day by day.

But of course, it wasn’t easy. The first quarter gave me a lot of challenges. There were so many times I felt tired and wanted to give up. Requirements kept piling up. The moment I finished one, another came. Sometimes I just sat in front of my notes or my laptop not knowing what to do anymore. I even thought, “What’s the point? I’ll fail anyway.” Those negative thoughts made it harder.

The pressure was also heavy. Teachers expected more since we’re in Grade 10, classmates expected us to do our part in group works, and my family also had their expectations. It felt like carrying so much on my shoulders. And even when I tried my best, it sometimes felt like it wasn’t enough. Time management was another problem. No matter how much I tried to plan, it was never enough. Because of procrastination, I panicked when deadlines came. And even when I started early, new tasks still appeared. I ended up busy but not really productive. Another struggle was the fear of failure. Every exam or project gave me anxiety. Even when I studied, I still doubted myself and wasted time overthinking instead of focusing. This fear paralyzed me sometimes and made me less confident.

But even with all of these problems, I still found ways to cope. One of the biggest reasons I survived this quarter was because of my friends. They really reminded me I wasn’t alone. Whenever I felt like giving up, just talking to them helped. Sometimes they shared their own struggles, which made me realize I wasn’t the only one going through these things. Simple encouragements like “Kaya mo ‘yan” or helping me understand lessons already meant so much.

Another thing that helped me was prayer. During nights when I felt like I couldn’t handle it anymore, I prayed. It gave me peace and strength, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in this fight. It wasn’t a magic solution, but it calmed me down and gave me courage to keep going.

I also learned to take things step by step. Instead of looking at a huge project and feeling overwhelmed, I broke it down into smaller tasks. Like doing research first, then the draft, then the revision. That made things less heavy. I tried to manage my time better too, setting mini deadlines for myself, making to-do lists, and avoiding too many distractions.

And of course, I reminded myself to rest. I used to think resting was a waste of time, but I realized it’s part of being productive. Taking a short nap, listening to music, or just breathing for a while helped me recharge and continue working with more focus.

Most importantly, I worked on my mindset. Instead of thinking about failure, I reminded myself why I was doing all of this. Every challenge is just preparing me for the future. Comparing myself to others only made me feel worse, so I started focusing on my own progress, even if it was just small improvements. And I also learned that it’s okay to ask for help. Admitting I don’t know something doesn’t mean I’m weak, it means I’m willing to learn.

even though the first quarter gave me so many problems, it also taught me how to overcome them. With the support of friends, prayer, better time management, small steps, and a change in mindset, I was able to survive. It wasn’t perfect, but I learned and grew from it.

Moving forward, I want to do better in the next quarters. I know I made mistakes like procrastinating, letting distractions take over, and doubting myself too much. So, moving on, I will try to manage my time wisely and avoid waiting until the last minute. I will remind myself to focus on what’s really important instead of wasting hours on things that don’t help me grow.