Story By Ritzie Lao
Photos By CST-R SMO
Have you ever felt like you’re isolated? You’re caged? Well, maybe we all came to that certain point when we think that our lives have no direction. No, not because of quarantine but because of our unrealized dreams, imaginary battles, undiscovered potentials and the magic that lies within us that has not been tapped because of a moment of cowardice.
All of us have different fantasies. We do spend most of our lives admiring the different magical fairy tales and the different lives of our favorite Disney characters. Many of us aspire to become like the prince or the princess or the warrior. What we do not realize is that those characters won their happy-ever-after because they took necessary risks, necessary choices.
I used to silently cry at night and with me were my doubts and disappointments. Slowly, I picked myself up, wiped off my tears and tried facing my battles even through the avalanche of discouragement. During that struggle, I was alone save for one—God—and I found out that after all He is always greater than all of my fears and losses combined.
A year ago when I decided to transfer to CST-R for my senior high school, I thought of all the uncertainties that were waiting for me. The iconic gate on Azcona Street was the gate of uncertainty to me, plus I was hesitant to find out how much more I could grow. However, I also wanted to experience a new environment and new learning. It turned out CST-R was not just a fad and the uncertainties wore off.
My long list of new experiences started when I chose an academic strand. By far, it was my toughest choice. I was in the Special Science Class program in junior high school and I could not imagine making a transition to Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) or to Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) but my mother was a frustrated accountant and that affected my first choice. After I took the entrance exam, was interviewed and submitted the requirements, I found myself enrolled in the ABM class. In a few weeks’ time, I knew my heart was not that of a future accountant. I told my mother that I could not fulfil her dream. During that battle between my head and my heart, passion prevailed and so I transferred to HUMSS.
The journey was rigged with challenges. There were people who tried to pull me down but those who believed in me and in my ambitions outnumbered the naysayers. Opportunities to develop my potentials came and I welcomed them. I found myself growing, learning, aiming high and dreaming big.
The past 10 months at CST-R taught me valuable lessons and helped me to widen my perspectives. I learned to conquer my fears and weaknesses. The highlight of those past months was the SSC elections when I ran for president. During the preparations and campaigns, I met young but beautiful souls and I realized that the people who have never been defeated are the ones who not even put up a fight. That became my mantra.
CST-R was once unchartered waters for me but now I know that it is truly a place for great beginnings. My experiences are limited yet these provide me with unlimited realizations and learning. As I gear up for my last high school year, I can proudly say that I bleed red and gold—a true Thomasian.
John Bunyan, English author and preacher once wrote: “Although I have been through all that I have, I do not regret the many hardships I met, because it was they who brought me to the place I wished to reach. Now all I have is this sword and I give it to whomever wishes to continue his pilgrimage. I carry with me the marks and scars of battles- they are the witnesses of what I suffered and the rewards of what I conquered.”
Truly, CST-R is a timeless institution where Thomasians are treasured and groomed to transform into the best versions of themselves.
