“Expressing One’s Emotion, Finding Peace Through Navigation”
Have you ever confronted your emotions and faced life’s uncertainties, even just once? It
was hard, especially when you’re a man expected to be strong and manly at all times. A man who was expected to stand up even when life was full of downs. But sometimes, a rollercoaster ride was the one that brought us comfort; it was because the ride is what makes us proud of who we
are today. There are moments in life when everything feels too heavy, yet we still carry it because
that is what we think strength looks like. But throughout this journey, I realized that real strength
also means acknowledging that we get tired too and expressing one’s feeling is some thing we
should normalize despite our gender. As Master Oogway once said, “Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Those words reminded me that facing the present no matter how difficult is already an act of courage, and learning from past mistakes makes us stronger than ever.
November 27, 2025, is the day of retreat of St. John’s Academy Inc. grade 12 students.
Everyone is excited despite the burdens of school tasks. At 5:20 a.m., we departed from Bataan,
and we are headed to Tagaytay. The morning air felt colder than usual, and the sky looked peaceful,
as if it was welcoming all of us into a journey we didn’t know we needed, because we are used in
bottling up our feelings. There are various stopovers, including NLEX, Our Lady of Manaoag at
Tierra De Marie in Tagaytay, and as well as Picnic Grove, before we arrive at our retreat house. Each stopover felt like a small reminder to breathe, reflect, and appreciate the simple moments we
often ignore. The girls stayed at the Sisters of St. John the Baptist House of Prayers, while we
(boys) stayed at Angels’ Hills. This retreat lasted for three days and two nights, starting November
27 to November 29. For some, it looked like just a school requirement, but throughout those days, it slowly became something deeper — something that touched our emotions, tested our thoughts,
and allowed us to see ourselves differently. Different from the one’s we tend to see each day.
“If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you must wake up and pay attention”. This retreat offered valuable lessons in life, providing an opportunity to confront our
emotions and struggles. Many of us carry self-doubts, family challenges, financial concerns, and fears about the future. Yet, these very challenges became the reason why the retreat was meaningful
and impactful for us. It was in those quiet moments — during sharing sessions, reflections, and
even during silence — where we realized that we were not alone. Others were fighting battles we never knew, and somehow that gave comfort, the comfort of knowing that we understood each other more than we thought we did.
A word that resonated deeply during this experience was ‘JOY’—Jesus first, others second, and you at third. Placing “Jesus” at the center of everything reminds us that, in every situation, we
should never forget Him. When life feels heavy, expressing our problems and emotions through prayer can help ease our burdens. Writing personal prayers highlighted how expressing our emotions can be a source of relief and guidance. Those small pieces of paper became containers of truth — truth about our fears, our doubts, our hopes, our dreams, and the things we often fail to
say out loud — especially to our parents.
The principle of “others second” emphasizes empathy and action. Each of us faces unique
challenges, and offering support or simply being present for others can provide comfort and encouragement. Even a simple gesture, a listening ear, or a shared silence became meaningful. It taught us that help does not always come in huge forms; sometimes, it comes in the form of staying
beside someone when they feel lost. Finally, “you third” reminds us of the importance of selfreliance. Sir Luis quoted, “Mawala man ang lahat, nariyan pa rin ang sarili mo”, even when people or circumstances fail us, we can always lean on ourselves. Despite life’s difficulties, hope remains,
and we have the strength to persevere. We were reminded that self-worth does not disappear just
because life becomes difficult.
The future is uncertain. Challenges may arise, but it is ultimately our decisions that shape
our path. Facing doubts and maintaining a positive mindset are crucial for personal growth. Our
perspective influences our actions, and these actions, in turn, shape our future. In every choice we
make, we slowly build the kind of person we are becoming. And sometimes, it takes a retreat—three days away from our usual world—to understand that the future may be unpredictable, but we
still have the power to decide who we want to be, and these days offered valuable times for
ourselves to express our emotions, face our fears, conquer our self-doubts, and leave the mistakes
from the past.
This retreat was a reminder that, while life is filled with challenges, placing faith at the center, showing empathy toward others, and nurturing self-reliance can guide us through life’s
uncertainties. It taught us that strength comes from honesty, courage comes from acceptance, and
hope comes from believing that we are capable of more than we think.
And as we returned home from Tagaytay, we did not just bring souvenirs or pictures — we brought a clearer understanding
of ourselves and a deeper appreciation of the journey we are all taking.
