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PERSONAL NARRATIVE
A personal narrative is a type of storytelling that focuses on the writer's personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings, often recounting a specific event or series of events from their life. It typically involves reflecting on the significance of these experiences and exploring how they have impacted the writer's perspective or life, written in a first-person narrative style.
Finding Clarity in Cracks
by Kate Ashley DimaandalStaring at a blurry mirror, asking if “Why am I not fit with the standards that are set in this society?” was the question I used to ask myself repetitively during the pandemic. Everything to me was full of question marks since I was eager to keep up with the standards that have been set by the people in the society even if it means changing who I really am. It was a battle between wanting to keep up with it or accept myself wholly. Insecurities. Self-deprecating. Isolation. This was the cycle of my pandemic for the past 2 years of my teenage life.After turning off my phone while scrolling on social media to pass the time, there I saw my reflection then questions pop out in my head such as “How can I be like them?,” triggering my insecurities such as not having flawless skin, pointed nose, and fair-skin color leading to self-deprecating. With those insecurities, I was prone to belittling myself which is like a glass that has already cracked, continuing to use it only increases the risk of further damage leading to widening the crack shattering my self-confidence further. Due to low self-esteem, the feeling that I am not enough since I was not able to meet the standards, isolation takes place. Hence, I caged myself in a lone world while crying and pitying myself, while questioning my worth because of my flaws through my facial features. It was the mirror that reminds me of how ugly and unwanted I am by not meeting the benchmark of society.In the middle of the popularity of books during the pandemic, self-help books helped me with the interpersonal challenges I faced. Instead of dwelling so much on my insecurities, I find the courage to leave the lone world I created only for myself. Embracing the insecurities ourselves have will mean acknowledging how imperfectly beautiful we are on our own. As I stare right now in the mirror, it is not blurry anymore because I acknowledge its blurriness and choose to fix it by wiping all my insecurities away. The distortion wasn't in the mirror itself, but in the film of self-doubt due to flaws that had clouded my reflection. Also, choosing to appreciate my strengths and accept my flaws without judgment was a conscious effort to see myself with clearer eyes. Hence, we do not need to wait for our flaws to be beautiful for it to be loved.
Hope in Pink
by Kirsten Raya BingcangIn 2022, I found myself at the heart of a national rally, standing alongside thousands of people united by a common cause: to support Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan in their bid to lead the Philippines. It was an experience that would stay with me forever. An eve-opening, heart-stirring journey that not only deepened my political convictions, but also reconnected me to the power of collective hope.It all started with a feeling inside me that stirred as the election season unfolded. As the political landscape became increasingly separated, I felt a pull toward the candidates who, to me, embodied integrity, compassion, and the vision for a better, more inclusive Philippines. Leni and Kiko weren’t just politicians to me: they were the symbols of what the country could be if we chose leadership that cared deeply about the people, not just the power and the title.When I decided to join the rally, it wasn’t just about showing support, it was about being a part of something bigger than myself. As I arrived at the venue, I was struck by the energy that filled the air. The sea of pink and green, everywhere you looked, it was there, vibrant and full of life. People from all walks of life, from students to workers to elders, had gathered with one dream: to change the future of the Philippines. It was overwhelming, in the best possible way.What struck me most was the sense of solidarity. In that crowd, I felt a connection with strangers, a shared commitment to a vision of a better tomorrow. We were all there because we believed in something that went beyond party lines and political biases. It was about hope. Hope that, together, we could bring about the kind of leadership that puts people first, that values transparency, and that understands the importance of lifting each other up.As the rally unfolded, I listened to the speeches and watched as the people passionately chanted, not out of anger, but out of love for the country, for the future, for the people who deserved better. It was a moment of collective dreaming, of imagining a Philippines where every person has access to opportunities, where justice prevails, and where no one is left behind. It was a dream I had carried with me for years, but standing there, surrounded by so many who felt the same way, made it feel tangible, even.I was struck by the diversity of the crowd. It wasn’t just young activists or political idealists; it was parents with children, professionals, farmers, teachers, every person imaginable. It felt like the Philippines in microcosm. Everyone had their own reasons for being there, but the common denominator was undeniable: we all wanted a Philippines where truth, justice, and integrity would be reachable for anyone, despite the visible differences we have. It was a rare and powerful feeling to be surrounded by so much shared passion and belief.That day, I felt more alive than ever, and more connected to my fellow Filipinos than I had ever before. It was as if the rally wasn’t just about showing support for Leni and Kiko, it was about reawakening a sense of unity, about rekindling the hope that the country could one day heal and move forward together.Walking away from that rally, I was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. I knew that the journey wasn’t over, that the real work would come after the campaign, but it was an awakening. I realized that even though our country had its flaws, we still had the power to shape its future together. That day, I was reminded of the strength of the Filipino spirit, and the incredible things we can accomplish when we come together for a common cause.We realized that that was a reminder that there are always people who dream the same dream as you, who share the same vision for a brighter, more equitable future. And being a part of that, even for just one day, made me believe that change is always possible if we have the courage to stand up and fight for it.
To Gain is to Experience
by Tiffany Ambher SibalLove, truly, is a wondrous yet selfish thing.Ever since I was a little girl, I had always been quite fond of the idea of love–especially in the romantic category. Whether it was in TV shows, real life instances, or just simply, from my imagination, the concept of love never really left my mind as I was head over heels by the thought of falling and being in love. However, since then, I wasn’t really (and probably still am) one of the lucky ones when it comes to love in its ideal form to the point that I’ve grown other perspectives from my different experiences in my journey through it.It all started when I began to develop crushes during my elementary years, although mostly it was only a one-sided type of infatuation. The one in which whether they didn’t frankly like you back, it would be okay as it wasn’t that serious at the time being young and free and all. Yet, being the persistent little lady I was, I was the one who pursued them eagerly–trying my best in order for them to like me back. Even if I kept on getting hurt, physically and emotionally due to how I kept getting “bullied” or teased on by them and the others, I still kept on trying. But of course, life doesn’t always go according to plan as they say. Since then, I got used to the idea of wanting to confess whenever I started to gain a crush on someone, in hopes for them to reject me and stop myself from going further down the rabbit hole of infatuation.However, there were instances to which I would be in a fling with someone and these flings would never exceed more than just a fling. Nevertheless, these flings had honestly helped me open my eyes into the reality of the real world through which, those romantic gestures, words that captivated my heart, moments that would make it seem like I was on cloud 9, would just briefly end in moments–shattering any hopes and delusions I would imagine having with them. I remember concisely in which some of the flings I had, would spend quality time with me in terms of playing sports like badminton; listening and singing to different songs; walking around the block as we would talk for hours; be in a call or text each other “good morning” and “good night”; watch horror movies during the afternoon or in the middle of the night; and buy each other food or gifts. Moments like these honestly made me feel like I was a Disney princess whom was getting swept off of her feet by her prince charming, making it seem like that being in love, even only just for a brief moment, can really guide someone in learning how to open up their heart to others.Over and above that, when I had actually started to be in an official relationship, things didn’t exactly go to plan as anticipated. Being in a relationship made me realize that I had to devote myself to someone who didn’t truly devote themselves to me and our relationship, that sometimes you will never really receive the love you’ve expected for them to give as you’ve given them. That through everything you’ve been through, all the good memories made will be masked off by the bad–lies and insincerities. That you’ll have to give out all the love inside of your heart just to satisfy them to the point that there’s none left for you, draining you thoroughly through the process of it all. The lack of prioritizing your partner when it comes to your friends, never entirely understanding them, never even giving them a moment of your day to state “hello”, or just simply leaving them on read, can truly leave scars in someone’s heart which may cause them to develop some sort of trauma throughout their next relationship. And although, there are moments in which everything would feel like it was all just a dream and that the stars start to shine once again, soon, the dark and gloomy clouds would return and start the cycle of depression all over again.Yet, even after all that, I still do believe that love is an idyllic thing. That love, in all aspects, is astonishing in all its glory. Even if sometimes, you’re the only one left holding onto that little glimmer of hope, wishing that everything would remain the same, despite the fact that it burns you. But, after all of that, I’ve realized that I never have gotten the chance to truly love the person who has been with me and my stupid antics the entire time–myself. And hopefully, as soon as I have truly started to love myself, will be the day that I can fully admit that love is selfish, yet wondrous in all angles–romantic, platonic, familial, and everything within it.
