#riolegaspi

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St. Joseph Golden Home Foundation

I was given the chance to be immersed in the eldery center and this essay  will tell you my experiences there. I hope that you'll discover a purpose as you continue to live with others.

              Do you feel a sense of fulfillment when you are able to serve other people? Especially the old ones like the grandmothers and grandfathers?  I, personally, would have to say yes to this because I felt this when we had our immersion in St. Joseph Golden Home Foundation. There, you will meet the joyful and cheerful elderly people. We have given a 2-week immersion to willingly serve and took care of them. Although at first, some of the clients were uncomfortable of us but we understand them. We extended our patience and help them make things easier like changing their bedsheets, interacting with them, feed them, change their clothes and, lead them to where they want to go in the center. Since the very first day, we really expected that most of our clients will be annoyed with us especially that we were new for them but we were so glad that they were very welcoming. We started to work there with a group of on the job training (OJTs) students and center staffs. They report earlier than us because they need to bathe the elders early. When we arrive there by 8 or before 8 in the morning, we often witness the elders outside getting a fresh air and enjoying the breeze of the beautiful morning. 

              First things first, we bless or “mano” to each of them and greet them a good morning. It felt like they were also my lolos and lolas even if they aren’t my relatives. After a few minutes, we guide them to the lobby and then in their chapel. The center has a well-built chapel for the elders and have masses 3 times a day. We were enjoying our work because our clients were very cheerful and they make us happy all the time. We observed how the staffs assist the clients so everyday, we have our daily routines. The time for the elders is different from our time today, as for the young people because they eat and sleep earlier. Food and snacks are  served on time. When we have nothing else to do, we spare time interacting with the clients and we strive to not to be in one elder only. We  should also talk to the other elders and check on them even if sometimes they get annoyed when being talked. All of the elders have places in the lobby and even the elders know it but you can see all of them there. Some just watch a tv show, some of them choose to sleep and, some of them also wants to go outside and see the relaxing nature. My groupmates and I had different roles everyday and sometimes we do exchange of works so that everyone could experience them. 2-3 were assigned to outside works like sweeping the entrance area outside, picking up dried leaves, hang blankets  then the others were assigned into inside works like washing the dishes, mop the floor, and assist the elders. 

            The next day, the other members would experience inside works as well as the outside works. Showing love, care, and giving service to the elders as well as to the center is the most fulfilling act I have ever contributed in my life. It made me realize my purpose and that is to be the hands, feet, eyes and the ears to those people who are already incapable of doing things. I will forever treasure the memories we had with our clients and with the people I worked with. It’s not easy to be abandoned by a family member that’s why if you get to visit there, let the elders feel that they are loved and they matter.

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Conquering Your Own Fears in Life

I believe that everyone of us has our own fears in life and with this, I decided to write this essay to share to you how I overcome one of my greatest fears. I feel proud of myself when I wrote this essay and I hope it will give an inspiration to you.

           Have you ever been asked about a certain question that needs to be answered critically? How was the feeling? Did you feel anxious or nervous? Did you start to shake that you have a hard time organizing your thoughts and afraid that your listeners might not comprehend what you were trying to say? I believe that all of us have already experienced this frightening situation in our lives. That feeling when you start to speak your mind then you begin to stutter because a lot of ideas are coming in your mind, confusing you to deliver your message spontaneously. These are just but natural when we encounter these situations. Some instances would be when you are in a job interview, call center, and especially in beauty pageants.

           All of us has that one memorable moment in life that we really cannot forget because of its impact and we felt mixed emotions. Let me share to you one memorable moment that I’ve experienced. It was on 24th of November when I decided to conquer one of my fears in life, facing a swarm of people. I joined one of the prestigious teen beauty pageants in my place and that was never been an interest to me because I have an extreme stage fright and knowing that it has a Q and A portion that I’m afraid I might not be able to make it. There were the pretty girls with their make-ups, dressed elegantly, confidently carry themselves with their 6-inches heels, and wearing their priceless smiles. I was there. I was just in the corner of a not so huge dressing room, sitting patiently and getting ready for the battle. I felt very nervous, I know that you too gets nervous every time you are in a similar situation. And I reminded myself, “You can do it, Rio. You are the best.” Then deeply exhaled all the nervousness I’ve felt.

           Hyped up crowd started as the lively music surrounds the mall. I can hear echoes of cheerful voices from random people. Then there were the big time panel of judges, full attention and spotting each of the lovely girls including me. All of us looked very confident but we were about to die inside because of the nervousness that weighed in our chest. Despite that, I felt like a beauty queen that have already conquered her fear and was able to make it but that doesn’t end there yet. There comes the Q and A portion. One of the most nerve wracking moment in the event’s segment where every lady must fight her stage fright and must maintain the poise and even answering the question critically. Have you heard of the word, “On the spot”? So, questions aren’t given to us. Isn’t that scary, is it? I bet it is. Really. I was so scared that I won’t be able to answer the question especially when I don’t know that is it about. I would be surely like a little kid forgot her poem piece while presenting in front of the people. Now it’s my turn. “Let’s welcome, candidate number 11!” My heartbeat can’t contain the nervousness, the fear that I am “on the spot” overcoming it. Crowd began to have a complete silence that made me even more nervous and conscious. Then I was asked a question by a woman that has a kind and friendly aura. I strived to maintain my poise, act confident, and tried to relax. I spoke. I finished my statement even that I sounded like I wasn’t confident with my answer to the audience but for me, I was satisfied with my answer. After that, I could only see one part of the audience that clapped their hands despite the silence and confused reactions of the crowd, it was my family.  That cheered me up and made my heart happy because we made it. I made it.

           Expect the unexpected? Among the 16 elegantly dressed teens, I was chosen as one of the top 5 that will proceed to the next level of the competition. There I said to myself, “You did it!” in layman’s term,”Nakaya man diay nimo.” After that I realized that, you just have to be yourself. Do not let your fears consume you. You have to do something to overcome it so slowly by slowly. Most importantly, never compare yourself to others because all of us has unique characteristics that we are proud of even if we don’t see it in ourselves. And that is the end of my most memorable moment.

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Surigao Adventure

This essay is all about my experience when we had our vacation in Surigao de Sur. I was with my family and we were able to experience first times and the relaxing place. 

         Do you get excited when you are going to travel to one of the beautiful tourist spots around the Philippines? Like you really looked forward to going to that place with your family or even with your friends? Then, you are going to spend a week or a 3-day vacation there enjoying the beautiful sceneries, calm seas, cool breeze, and pleasing environment? That is truly living life even more wonderful.

      I had all the feelings when my family and I decided to go in Sohoton Island, Surigao del Sur. I was very excited that I packed and prepared my things ahead of time. First in my mind was to bring two-piece because we will surely explore and swim into beaches. Then as we went to the place, we had island hopping and got the chance to take amazing photographs with the 7 different islands and even go inside caves. And you know what, there is that one island where I find its name weird and funny. It is called the Naked Island. I laughed about it but I figured it out that the island doesn’t have any trees in it or plants either. What was there is only a plain, white, and smooth sand. That is why it is Naked Island.

           Have you heard of jellyfishes? How do you find them? I bet you know jellyfishes sting and electrify to whoever touches it. That’s what you thought but not all jellyfish stings. In our adventure, we had a very nice experience of holding jellyfishes. There is one part of the island where jellyfishes are preserved and protected and tourists get to hold them but only in a short period of time. All the jellyfish in there don’t sting and their common color is brown so I guess color brown jellyfishes are the ones who don’t sting. Their texture when I held one of them is like a “Gulaman”, a jelly-like dessert here in the Philippines. Thank God, I was able to take photographs and videos of them. The other part of the island has already blue transparent jellyfishes and these are the ones who sting. You can see them everywhere in that island as you go farther in the deep blue seas.

           Next stop would be in the Enchanted River. A lot of tourists visit there because of its clear dark blue waters and you get to feed the school of fishes in it. In there, you can also experience Fish Spa or Fish Massage which is very relaxing and it really tickles your feet. Honestly, I was scared for the first time seeing the river because I can clearly see how deep it was and creepy because as I looked deeply to the waters, it’s black and you will feel like something mysterious creature is there. We heard stories or beliefs there is a living lady under the river and when it is disturbed, some people drown themselves there and disappear. See? It is beautiful at the same time scary that is why my family and I didn’t swim long and we just stayed in a shallow part of it. But apart from that, we had a nice bonding there, the place was well-maintained and their cottages were wide and I would rate it 10/10.

           After everything, we’re back to usual, packed up things again and ready ourselves for returning to hometown. All of us were burnt by the sun yet we had an enjoyable and memorable experience in Surigao del Sur. At least there, we had an escape of our problems and spend time with family more and bond with one another. I can see the genuine happiness and priceless positive reactions of my family when we were together.

           So now, you already have an idea of how beautiful Surigao del Sur is, its islands and the tourist spots they have. The jellyfishes, yes the jellyfishes that can give you happiness because you can’t believe you can hold one of them. Don’t you want that? Do you? You can share my travel experience to your family so that someday, you can visit there and experience more of it.

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No Other Choice

I wrote here one of my funniest and memorable moment when we had our vacation. When you read this essay, you will know one of my weaknesses in life. 

           I know that some of us have that phobia of heights which is called Acrophobia. Count me in because I personally, have also fear of heights but it’s just slight. Let me share to you one of the most memorable moment of my life.  There was a time that my family and I had a vacation in Sohoton Island in Surgiao del Sur where we visited different caves and islands. In short, we had an island hopping. I was a bit scared but at the same time amazed by the beautiful place. We had to enter not one but seven of the caves there and explore what is inside of them. At first, I was scared because that time, I still struggle to swim but I love to swim. After 6 caves down, we then proceeded into the last and final point. It was tiring but I was enjoying it. I find the last cave very unusual because when you look at it, it seemed like you don’t know where and how you would enter and how will you go out from there. I tried to pretend I was so tired so that my family would not invite me to go inside the cave but guess what? I was the first one to tell them, “Let’s go!” I was really scared because I really no had an idea what’s inside and it’s different from other caves. You know what? We had to dive underwater so I had no choice. I held my nose then went underwater for a few minutes only. The moment we explore the cave, there were bats staring at me as if like I was a prey to them. Then we continued swimming then arrived into a rocky part. Then the tour guide oriented us that we could no longer go back to where we enter because the only way we could get out of there was to dive on a top diving area. Supposedly, I would tell my family that I’m going back but never mind. After that, we had no other choice then really go to that very nice diving area. As if it was nice. Acrophobia. Am I still good about this? I volunteered to jump first because I am not really scared and my self- confidence was very high. But wait, my cousin goes first before me. I was really shaking and can’t contain the fear and the nervousness I felt that moment. I was very embarrassed and just wanted to be eaten by the ground or just disappear for a while. Then my cousin was done, she was there floating in the water, feeling the moment then waved at me. Who’s next? Me. I really did a sign of the cross before I jumped, inhaled and exhaled, then feel the moment until my uncle pushed me so I was in the edge of the diving platform and I had no other choice so I closed my eyes, jumped, and slap myself into the water creating a big splash of the water. I fell deep underwater and I could see the rise of the sun above the water then my hands and feet flaps hurriedly until I reached the top surface of the water. That was a nice experience even that I had a fear of heights because for once in my life, I’ve conquered that fear like impromptu. I want to try that next time, in my dreams. I just jumped because it’s the only way out of that cave but it was okay because I’m not only one who jumped and screamed there.

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A Rare Opportunity

As I was writing this reflection, I remembered all the memories we had in our center with our clients which are the lolos and lolas. I have realized so many things in life and how we should value every little thing in this world. 

            All of us will come that point in life where we are no longer young. We become incapable of doing things so we already need assistance from others, the ones who are younger and stronger. In short, we will get old and no one is exempted for that. And if that time will come, we feel being neglected even with our family. You are lucky if your family could still provide you with all the things you need, could take care of you, and could give you the attention and time. Unfortunately, we know that not all people have these and may not experience these things.

          During our 2-week immersion at St. Joseph’s Golden Foundation, my group mates and I took care and served 11 elders (2 males and 9 females). We get to know each one of the clients, their life stories, and why they ended up in the center. Most of them were single, no more parents, and none of their family members could not sustain and take care of them. In other words, they were already being abandoned. Some were referred by social workers to the center. After knowing their stories, I realized how blessed I am with the life that God has given me. It is because my parents are still alive as well as my grandmother who took care of us since we were still babies up until now. In return, as they are growing old, I am the one taking care of them. One common thing about our clients is that, they weren’t bitter of their lives and even what happened to them. They were still very joyful and grateful because they are provided with their needs in the center.

        Every day, our clients are encouraged to join masses and rosary prayers in their chapel. Even if their rooms are far from the chapel, they still strive to go there and pray. Sometimes, I can see that some of the clients get tired in going there but still, they choose to attend. They are very close to God.  Even in masses, they participate and sing the songs and make responses. I realized that talking to God must be prioritized and always spare time with Him because He is truly the source of strength, guidance, and peace of mind and the reason why we are still alive. Because of this aspect that our clients have, I believe this is the reason why they are still living, healthy and gifted. Our clients ages 60+ to 70+, the oldest is 104 years old and there is no time that she is not holding her rosary. She always prays. Despite their situations, they remained hopeful and still chooses to live that's why God led them there in the center. Indeed, God is so good all the time.

           I really felt a sense of fulfillment with my overall experience there together with our clients. Some of the clients were very independent except for those who cannot walk and see. They can still fix and organize their things while they still can. I realized that we, young people, aren't the only people who are very blessed every day but also the elders. It's rare to age 60+ and it is hard when you are just alone when nobody is there to be with you. That's why you choose to live independently with God. Overall, our 2-week immersion was full of learnings and realizations. It taught me to value more my parents and my lola while they are still alive. I am really thankful of the experiences that we had in the center, we've created relationships with our clients and also to the staffs that made me realize that interaction is important and as well as communication for us to know one another and feel comfortable. Time will come, I will come back there with my group mates and visit them.

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The Great Provider

I am a firm believer of God and I know He exists. In this personal testimony, you'll find out how God helped me overcome a challenge in life. Keep in mind that no matter how life gets hard, just know that there is a God that is working on with it. 

            “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

           Struggles, problems, and challenges in life are inevitable. All of us have these as we live but these are just natural and I believe God has a purpose why He is giving these to us. He wants us to remain firm and deepen our faith to Him. Although this may be tough for us but in the end, God will always be with our side to overcome and lead us in the right path. In successes and in failures, we must highly acknowledge God for his goodness to us.

           There was this time that my family and I had a financial problem and there are many expenses to be paid including our tuition, other fees, and bills. It was the very first time that I witnessed my mother and my eldest brother had a fight due to financial problem. And that time also, my father have not reported to his work for almost 6 months so he has no income. I was very clueless. I didn’t know what to do. Knowing that my mother is a single mom and has no stable job, instead of quitting school, I used it as a strength to pursue my studies and do well because I know that will surely be a greatest gift for my mother. I didn’t lose hope. Although, I was in the point of giving up, I remember God. I talked to Him about everything that has been going on in my life and in that particular moment. I was in tears when I talked to him, I felt like He was really there beside me, comforting me, and listening to me. I prayed for my mother and peace for the family. After that, I felt a relief. The next day, a good news enlightened us. My father, who still supports us financially, called on the phone and told us to get the money he has sent. After hearing it, I prayed to God and thanked Him. Then, I saw my mother exhaled a sigh after knowing the good news.

           I can tell that God really exists. If we would just have the faith in Him, entrust everything to Him, He will always provide whatever needs you are asking. In Him, you will find peace and satisfaction. Even in your problems, He is always there just believe in Him and His powers. Life can be a chaos. You will be bombarded with so much problems, wrong decisions, and regrets that tests you to give up in life but you shouldn’t. You must know that there is God and He is real. You may not be able to see Him, but the blessings, the opportunities, the improvements shows that He exists. Everything that is happening around you involves our God. He is the reason of everything and He will never leave your side no matter what comes in your way.

           I am telling you right now that if you feel like you don’t know where your life is leading, talk to God. He has better plans for you. You will be in a right path. Problems won’t go away but it will become easier for you to handle them because God is with you. Whatever you’re experiencing right now, open it up to God. He will forever be the light of your life when in times you’re put into a bad light. Everything will be all right, you just need to believe that something beautiful is going to happen and God will grant you that. Just keep the faith in yourself and in God and do not forget to talk to Him.

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An Activator of the Five Senses

In this critique paper, I got interested with what the author wrote about her experiences when they had a vacation because she wrote on detailed in her essay partnered with creative words. You will feel like you are also in the vacation with her. 

            Travelling gives you a relief because it is an escape from all the stresses and problems you are experiencing especially when you are with your family. First of all, I would like to commend my partner’s/author’s nice and interesting travel essay. It’s obvious that she really had a great time when she and her family went on a vacation in Manila especially that it was her first time to ride an airplane. However, I recommend the author to put a title so that the readers will have an idea what will be the content or what the essay is all about. Also, it would be better if the author used justified text so that the output will look more organized and neat. What’s nice about the author’s output is that, it uses figurative languages that can create visual images in the mind and also she allows the readers to unlock unfamiliar words then discover its meaning and how they are used in the essay. The essay activates the readers’ five senses taste, smell, touch, hear and, sight. I like how the author organizes her thoughts and how she puts in order to create a sequence of events that are understandable. The author didn’t only put herself in her essay but took consideration of the readers. It also brings the audience in her experiences during her vacation which is catchy and worth to be read. It provides moral lessons and memorable experiences that the readers can also relate especially when having a vacation.

             The essay also evokes emotions and feelings which are important to be able for the readers to know what the mood and tone of the author in her output and what the readers would also feel. You could really imagine how beautiful the place they were in because of how the author wholeheartedly made her essay. Good thing about the essay is that, every paragraph has a different setting and not that discussed very detailed which is fine because too much detail about a certain topic causes the readers to get bored and find your essay uninterested. The essay consists enough words for the readers to understand and imagine what was happening in it. After I read it, I feel like I want to go on a vacation to those places where the author have been. I want to experience what she experienced and unwind too.

             Overall, if I would to rate the essay from a scale of 10, it would be 8 because it entertained me. It’s just that it has no title and justified alignment of the texts which I believe could be corrected and edited by the author. I suggest also to the author to add more of her experiences in her essay because I, personally, would want to know more or explore more of her vacation. Although the essay didn’t have to be that long, it ended well with a lesson. The author produced a well-made essay and she is very creative with her thoughts and used flowery words that added more impact in the essay and for the readers to enjoy reading it.