NMDRLJ: Editorial

Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady The Musical

7:45 PM

Kevin Villanueva, The Man Who Can't Be Moved

8:52 AM

"Akala nyu kayo lang ang may picture kasama parents nyu :)) hahahaha ma pa this is for you and i hope that you are proud of me :))" - Kevin Villanueva (photo taken from his instragram account)

The picture above obviously isn't hard to ignore; one, because it's everywhere (in your search engines, social networking sites, on the papers and on the television) and two, because it's too inspiring and touching to not know the story behind this photo.

On the 26th of March, 2013 Kevin, Kebong as many of us call him, victoriously finished college alongside with other graduates and friends. Little did we, and he himself know that it literally was the start of his dreams turning into a reality.

Kevin has been a friend of mine for four years already, he has been one of my blockmates and first friends in college; a jolly, free-spirited, spontaneous and multi-talented guy. Despite knowing very little about each other, I got to know him better when we rode the ferry boat to school and back. I can even remember when he and I had to go to school despite the storm just to know if our IT General Assembly was postponed, which was pretty hard to forget. Well, that was my own piece of story with Kebong.

I learned about the story about his family during one of our night out sessions over beer (don't worry, we don't drink and drive, because we don't have a car. Lol!) with 3 other friends, we were in junior college back then if my memory serves me right. The story about how his mother have locked him up during several occasions, her nervous breakdowns and her suicide, which had all of us shed tears, the sudden death of his father in 2009 (where he texted me to speak to our professors for him) and the struggle(s) he had during the course of his education. All of which, left me in awe and admiration of his strength and will.

Admittedly, at many times I was jealous of how free Kebong was in my own perspective - being able to go out of town, stay up late at bars and do anything he wants without parents and/or guardians to scold and ground him. But then my mom told me about this touching photo of him that turned the picture upside down (figuratively). This made me realize how lucky I am, and how I should appreciate every little thing in my life - because he (Kebong) did so even in the absence of his parents; he loved and valued family, he saw things in a different perspective, he saw the glass half full and unceasingly strive to reach his goals.

Kevin, I know all these are pretty overwhelming, nevertheless I will never stop telling you that you all deserve these - this actually may be the graduation gift you get from your mom and dad, for all the hardships you went through, for triumphantly achieving your dream(s) and for continuously inspiring people. I know that your parents, despite their absence in flesh, are very much proud of you. You have become the person they wanted you to be. You are, by far the greatest representation of The Script's "The Man Who Can't Be Moved".

A slow clap for you, Kebong! *winks*

Editorial

Graduation 2013

7:54 PM

It has been a while again since my last post, and the reason behind it is already pretty obvious.
These past few days have become so overwhelming that I didn't even knew it was happening, it was as if I was in a trance, a dream I have dreamed a long time ago.

At last, I am now a graduate. After 15 long years of my academic journey, it has finally come to an end. All the sleepless nights, headaches in memorizing dates for my history subjects, elements for chemistry and formulas for algebra and physics. The endless lines of codes in programming electives, a bucketful of technical terms in network and system electives and the heart-stopping thesis are all part now of a wonderful memory of my days as a student.

And of course, these will not all be possible without the grace and guidance of our Lord whom I am very much grateful. To my parents, mom Raquel and dad Russell who have supported me morally, spiritually, emotionally and of course financially throughout my education, loved me unconditionally, accepted and understands me for who I am, my gratitude and love for you both is endless. To my teachers, mentors and professors who have not only treated me as a student, but as a friend and as a son - thank you for teaching me not only about what's on the syllabus but also the life's lessons. To my friends from kindergarten to college, Mean Girls: the best girl friends I have, to my colleagues and acquaintances, your mere existence gave a lot of thrill during my course of stay in the school, thank you. To the awesome food in the cafeteria served by the best cooks in the Colegio, I will never forget you (the ham sandwiches and Mang George's chicken). The list could go on and on and on, this post isn't even enough to show how thankful I am for having these people around me, who made my everyday a joyous one and made me feel loved, again thank you.

Lastly to my Alma Maters; Ususan Elementary School (UES), Pateros Catholic School (PCS) and Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) - thank you for molding me into the person I wanted to be. I will make you proud!

My graduation might have put an end to my academic life as a student, yet it also marked the beginning of my life, now as an equipped and grown-up man ready to take on the challenges of life and work (or am I, really?). All the lessons and learning, experiences and sufferings, joys and pains will all be remembered and be put into good use.

Now, it's time to take this up a notch.

I am now ready for you, world!