Things happen when you usually do not expect it. I usually over think about the things that surround me. I keep on predicting what will happen next in a certain situation. I assume and I expect... But there was one thing I did not see it coming... The time where I became a champion.
(I posted this to share, not to boast.)
I do not excel in extra curricular in our school before until I got this opportunity to be a campus journalist in our school paper. I was even hesitating to join realizing my lack of knowledge and a weak heart about journalism. But then I decided to grab the opportunity and started to train and learn about my field. Funny also because it was never the sports writing I chose to be in. Feature writing was my first choice however, there was already someone got the spot and I proceeded to sports wherein there was no one yet having the spot for it.
On the other side, frankly speaking, I just also joined to get some academic points in contributing for our school paper. I do not have other chances to get points because I really do not participate or it will always be the top students who will get the chance in those extra curricular activities so I thanked God for giving me this experience to show off myself to others.
It was also a good shot for me because I already liked sports especially basketball just even before I enter journalism. It felt like the last piece of a puzzle completing the game--it just feel so right and fulfilling. Having this job (yes, job. I take this as a job. Haha) also made me even more updated about my favorite teams not just for compliance that I need it to know because I write sports. It did not seemed a serious work the way it should be but it made me enjoy it more, both sports and journalism.
Just in the late year of 2013, I and my co-journalists (also the broadcasters) went through a contest, the Division Schools Press Conference 2013 (DSPC 2013) held nearby in our school. I was very nervous that time but confident enough to face and write what write. It was a good run for me that time in my contest proper. I was confident in my finished article and very hopeful to get a place in the awarding. And yes! I did! I did get a place--6th place to be exact but not enough to get in the next level in the Regionals. They just got the Top 1-5 places and I was just 6th that time.
It was a bittersweet feeling. Yes, I am happy I got a place out of 28 school participated in sports writing event but sad because it still did not make it for the Regionals. Somehow, I went over it and even pushed me harder to pursue and improve myself. I promised to myself after that day that the next time I will join the DSPC, which was the following year, I will surely bring home the bacon and make it to the Regionals.
On the other side, frankly speaking, I just also joined to get some academic points in contributing for our school paper. I do not have other chances to get points because I really do not participate or it will always be the top students who will get the chance in those extra curricular activities so I thanked God for giving me this experience to show off myself to others.
It was also a good shot for me because I already liked sports especially basketball just even before I enter journalism. It felt like the last piece of a puzzle completing the game--it just feel so right and fulfilling. Having this job (yes, job. I take this as a job. Haha) also made me even more updated about my favorite teams not just for compliance that I need it to know because I write sports. It did not seemed a serious work the way it should be but it made me enjoy it more, both sports and journalism.
Just in the late year of 2013, I and my co-journalists (also the broadcasters) went through a contest, the Division Schools Press Conference 2013 (DSPC 2013) held nearby in our school. I was very nervous that time but confident enough to face and write what write. It was a good run for me that time in my contest proper. I was confident in my finished article and very hopeful to get a place in the awarding. And yes! I did! I did get a place--6th place to be exact but not enough to get in the next level in the Regionals. They just got the Top 1-5 places and I was just 6th that time.
It was a bittersweet feeling. Yes, I am happy I got a place out of 28 school participated in sports writing event but sad because it still did not make it for the Regionals. Somehow, I went over it and even pushed me harder to pursue and improve myself. I promised to myself after that day that the next time I will join the DSPC, which was the following year, I will surely bring home the bacon and make it to the Regionals.
Almost a year being off in the contest, just waiting for the big day, I still continued to study and practiced writing where my reading habits helped me to do so and the new season of the PBA went off. Starting this blog also helped me to enhance more of my writing skills and explore more about my field. Until the DSPC was fast approaching, I doubled my time in writing and reading articles to make sure I will have enough to write when the contest goes on.
We went finally to the venue of our DSPC as it finally took place. It made me happy because it was a bit far from our school and it gave me to travel together with my team. It was a new environment for me that refreshed my mind.
It was early in the morning, just after few minutes we arrived in the venue, the facilitator announced already the events that will start first thing in that morning. I was shocked and a bit disappointed because I was really hoping that my event will take on the second day of the contest but still, I went through and faced my opponents.
First we had a lecture with our proctor, which I believed that he still came from Manila but he was a Davaoeno. He was even a writer from where I read articles in the internet. I fangirl-ed the time I knew that he was and was so happy because I was listening to a very professional and good writer.
He made us write any topic that we want both English and Filipino that made relieved because it was easy as it seemed. I was very nervous but I really do not why. I should not be nervous because I know I have the capabilities but I am really nervous that time. I guess it was just really my hormones working over time. I even thought of putting my pen down and surrender because I was also having a hard time fathoming my ideas and put it into an article however, I also thought that it would be shameful for me and what will my opponents say to me if I ever did that? So I continued and wrote what was on my mind and finished 15 minutes before the allotted time ended.
Even after I finished my contest proper, I was still having a hard time breathing. My heart still hurts and I really do not know why. Thanks to my funny and very cheerful team who were cracking jokes every time and we had also a rosary before we slept in our first and last night of stay there. It helped me to ease and put my worries away just for a little time just before the awarding day goes off.
We went finally to the venue of our DSPC as it finally took place. It made me happy because it was a bit far from our school and it gave me to travel together with my team. It was a new environment for me that refreshed my mind.
It was early in the morning, just after few minutes we arrived in the venue, the facilitator announced already the events that will start first thing in that morning. I was shocked and a bit disappointed because I was really hoping that my event will take on the second day of the contest but still, I went through and faced my opponents.
First we had a lecture with our proctor, which I believed that he still came from Manila but he was a Davaoeno. He was even a writer from where I read articles in the internet. I fangirl-ed the time I knew that he was and was so happy because I was listening to a very professional and good writer.
He made us write any topic that we want both English and Filipino that made relieved because it was easy as it seemed. I was very nervous but I really do not why. I should not be nervous because I know I have the capabilities but I am really nervous that time. I guess it was just really my hormones working over time. I even thought of putting my pen down and surrender because I was also having a hard time fathoming my ideas and put it into an article however, I also thought that it would be shameful for me and what will my opponents say to me if I ever did that? So I continued and wrote what was on my mind and finished 15 minutes before the allotted time ended.
Even after I finished my contest proper, I was still having a hard time breathing. My heart still hurts and I really do not know why. Thanks to my funny and very cheerful team who were cracking jokes every time and we had also a rosary before we slept in our first and last night of stay there. It helped me to ease and put my worries away just for a little time just before the awarding day goes off.
The awarding kicked off in the afternoon of our last day in the contest. I was very happy to see and conclude that I and my team did our very best to compete and show our talents in the field of journalism. We got already three placers in other events just before the announcement of winners in my event.
I was losing my hope already because I was never confident in my finished article but I was praying to win a place, even it was just 5th place just to get in to the Regionals. And they started to announce the winners in my event, English first, in ascending orders. The three places were already called and I started to really lose hope. It even got worse when the second placer was called. I already gave up. I did not think that I will get the first place because I know it was very impossible so I just waited for the champion to be called.
Unexpectedly, I was the one who was called as the champion in my event! First place!! Aaaaahhh! Just even my first name was still called, my team was already screaming. I and my coach went to the stage to get my medal and while we were walking, she told me she was very proud of us. I was also happy because of that. Making my coach and everyone proud. At last, I really made them proud!
I was losing my hope already because I was never confident in my finished article but I was praying to win a place, even it was just 5th place just to get in to the Regionals. And they started to announce the winners in my event, English first, in ascending orders. The three places were already called and I started to really lose hope. It even got worse when the second placer was called. I already gave up. I did not think that I will get the first place because I know it was very impossible so I just waited for the champion to be called.
Unexpectedly, I was the one who was called as the champion in my event! First place!! Aaaaahhh! Just even my first name was still called, my team was already screaming. I and my coach went to the stage to get my medal and while we were walking, she told me she was very proud of us. I was also happy because of that. Making my coach and everyone proud. At last, I really made them proud!
I really thankful to the Lord for giving me such honor and strength and having this award makes me feel so accomplished that finally I reached my goal this year. Of course, that does not just stop there. I still need to practice and improve more for my next endeavor. But this time, I am just really happy and seeing all of my efforts and sacrifices were already paid off even more that what I deserved.
I learned and realized in this endeavor that never give up and believe in your talents. As well as love your work to be successful. I also learned to be patient and hopeful, waiting for the right time--my right time and now, it finally came. I even felt the presence of God that no matter what happens, He is always there for you. He was the one who I trusted when I think I can not do it anymore. He gave me strength in the battle and most importantly, He does not turn His back on you even in the last minute.
I am thankful to my coach, to my team who was with me in my endeavor. To my partner in my event who was always been helpful and open to me in terms of confusion. To my parents who was been very supportive and proud of me, this one is for you guys. To my friends, who never doubted my ability to write. To the person, who was there pushing me to get better when no one did. And lastly, to the Almighty Father who gave me strength to over come such. Thank you Lord!
I learned and realized in this endeavor that never give up and believe in your talents. As well as love your work to be successful. I also learned to be patient and hopeful, waiting for the right time--my right time and now, it finally came. I even felt the presence of God that no matter what happens, He is always there for you. He was the one who I trusted when I think I can not do it anymore. He gave me strength in the battle and most importantly, He does not turn His back on you even in the last minute.
I am thankful to my coach, to my team who was with me in my endeavor. To my partner in my event who was always been helpful and open to me in terms of confusion. To my parents who was been very supportive and proud of me, this one is for you guys. To my friends, who never doubted my ability to write. To the person, who was there pushing me to get better when no one did. And lastly, to the Almighty Father who gave me strength to over come such. Thank you Lord!