“Diskarte Lang!”

While riding in a motorboat via Masbate to Pilar, I accidentally talked with the Captain of the so called lantsa, as Masbateño calls it. Along with our conversation, I asked him a question, “Ano an guina himo niyo pag-naga biyahe sa oras san tagbaludan?” He replied me, “Diskarte Lang!”

I remember when I was still a child, I dreamed myself riding on a sailing boat, which was blown by the strong wind to the distant place; a place where no one could be found, away from family and friends. Longingness then engulfed my solitude. I cried. In the midst of my consciousness, I found myself lying on bed. Suddenly, I asked myself, “What does it mean?”

This dream indeed bothered my innocent mind. But, as I developed my spiritual dimension, I have realized that this was the leading path of my adventures.

Undeniably, during my college life, I found myself in the underworld where Hades invited me to surrender. However, because of my faith in and love of God, I survived. I was being free from burdens and confusions.

This started my journey on earth where I found somebody’ and nobody’s who comforted me much in time of troubles.

On earth, survival is always the course of the study. To exist is to earn perseverance, without it, no one will survive.

Being once a student like the other, I valued most both intelligence and diligence. I worked as a Student Assistant, earning P10 per hour. I worked as a local writer, earning P2,000 per month. I worked as a family tutor, earning P1,500 or more per month. And I served the college publication for almost four years.

To sum it all, intelligence plus diligence equals my achievement.

In contrast of my achievement, tearfully walked the whole campus of the University just to send the communications, which were done by a certain office where I was assigned. I fearfully wrote assigned topics and hesitantly accepted the money, which our publisher gave to me. Sometimes, I angrily called the attention of some of my tutees whenever the shown me disruptive behaviors. How many times I prepared their foods whenever their mothers lately arrived in their home. But, I was so happy when one of the mothers of my tutees invited me for snack, lunch or supper either and gave me sum of money for my fare. Thus, I felt I was floating in the air when some of the readers appreciated my articles. But, I was discouraged when some of my professors gave me a very unfair grade.

Yet, I never regret.

I never blame my professors whenever I received unsatisfactorily grades because it was my fault. I put myself down. I did not join in the class discussion if my professor was boring. I did not listen well to what the discussants tackled about. I was busy in fact talking with strangers for my articles. Sometimes I was doubt to go for home because of family problems. That is why, I used to go to the bar to gain more courage. It was then the sublime of a bottle, which actually encouraged me to stand. But, no one knows this, I have spent my religious hours in the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration where I meditatively confessed and talked with God all the burdens within me just to gain power for my spiritual battle.

Despite these, I never regret.

For me, the value of P10 per hour, P2,000, and P1,500 per month is equivalent to the value of my service. But, a grade of 2.8 or 3.0 either is not the value of my academic performance.

Still, I never regret.

What is 1.0 if I would only develop my personality in the four corners of the classroom? However, when the registrar posted the names of the graduating students, I have realized that a grade of 2.8 is the merit of diploma.

The Quality of my diploma does not only the prize of my efforts and sacrifices, but of course, it is the worth of my family, friends, tutees, professors who are the unsung heroes and heroines, and most of all the unending spiritual guidance of our God.

Look! Still Mona Lisa’s smile dressed my world; the world of unemployment; the world of materialism; the world of political upheavals; the world of poverty; and, the world of uneducated degree holders.

In spite of my world, I never regret.

As a young completed teacher, I wish I shall be patiently taught my student in the pursuit of a valued-academic excellence, shall inspire them to restore the lore and glory of our folks, and shall encourage them to ne the catalysts of the insurrected pasts.

Yet, I may not be a perfect teacher of the people. I may not be a perfect teacher by the people. I may not be a perfect teacher for the people. But, I can be an epitome of a great teacher. A great teacher who is not off with the people. A great teacher who cannot be bought by the money of the people. And a great teacher who is for the poor people.

If these not happen, I will regret the whole chapter of my life.

With this, I must regret.

Finally, after six years in college, I miss nothing. I feel contented will all my sorrows and ecstasy. But, all the things, which I should miss is that, how impossible I survive.

As the captain of the motorboat replied, “Diskarte Lang!”