Clean Up Drive: Kuya, Papa, Mama, and Me!
I am raised in a family who's main priority is our membership to the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
I am about to finish my 3rd grade when our assigned minister that time confronted my parents and proposed to send me to a Christian school instead of in a pure Catholic school. Both of my parents were convinced and yes, they sent me to Holy Nazarene Christian School where in I was thought to sing praising songs addressing Jesus as the Lord. Not just that, I was awarded as first honors in our batch where in I know to myself, I'm not putting extra efforts on academics. Both parents of mine made a conclusion that this school has low curriculum.
They sent me back again to OLHRS-DLSS where in Rosary hours are done during fridays, there are masses every first wednesday of the month, they celebrate fiestas, class sections were named with saints, prayers before and after classes always start in a sign of the cross, and so on. Haaaay! I was about to take my studies on a environment where all beliefs of everyone are different from me!
As I mentioned above, I started kindergarten at this school and had no idea that I entered an opposite world. But as I grew and matured, I became aware of the surroundings. I started to realized that I should not join them and should stand for my faith.
During my high school years, I was involved in many debates, of course, in relation with faith. The topic will start in a joke manner but as my classmate keep on throwing his bad expressions and criticisms regarding my faith, I would be alarmed that this debate will last until dismissal. The scenarios were all the same. I never stop answering back to my classmate, as well as he is. The only thing that could stop us was our adviser.
In my senior years, I quit a contest that could increase my extra-curricular points. As a student running for honors, extra curricular activities are big deals. The contest was Christmas Caroling. Obviously, it was December, and as an INC choir member, we were preparing for the upcoming Thanks Giving Worship Service and it involves devotional prayers. I attended 4 practices already for the contest but still decided not to join. It was because when we had a monthly meeting in our district, the district minister told us that as choir members, we should use our mouth and voice in good terms. Before the 5th practice, I immediately approached my adviser and told her I was quitting. I explained that I am not about to be found in any activities with relations to Christmas that we, INC's do not believe.
One moment was when my section celebrated Saint Pedro Calungsod's canonization and they planned to do a paraliturgy during our flag ceremony. I chose not to attend the ceremony but my classmates keep on calling over my phone and begging me to attend and help them to organize the event since I was the Class Mayor that time. I was forced to go to the school but refused to help them because as what I mentioned, I was not about to be found in any such activities relating to any Catholic traditions. I just watch them just to show them my presence that day. After the ceremony, we went to our classroom where in foods were placed well on the table. Though I love foods, I know I should not eat any of those because those were offered to Calungsod. I just sat on the teacher's table and play my adviser's laptop. They keep on offering me foods. One of my naughty classmate had this idea: He placed a plate full of different dishes on my table and ask me to look for it and not allow anyone to take from it. He was laughing then, and I know what he was planning. He thought that I would be tempted to taste any of those but I strongly stand for my dignity. I just laughed at him, but then he shouted to the whole class: "OOOOY! BIGYAN NYO NG MARAMING PAGKAEN SI MIKAAAAA! PILITIN NYONG SUBUAAAAN!" And my classmates did. They went all to my direction. I was forced but then I keep on pushing them away. Haaaay! Whats the problem with them?!
Another worth sacrificing moment was when I decided not to attend the JS Prom. I am aware that proms are not allowed because INC is conservative. And again, my classmates were keep on pleading me to attend the prom since this will be the last prom we'll experienced. They keep on persuading me, especially my adviser, who asked a time for us to talk one on one and explain all to her why I'm not attending. She thought that I wont attend because of my partner who happened to be my ex M.U. I was shocked that time her conclusion never crossed my mind. Why would I feel bitter with my partner?! To end our conversation and to satisfy her, I told her that I was not allowed by my parents and that we, INC's are conservatives and proms are prohibited.
I also refused to join our batch retreat. I was on batch recollections for years and I know what things are talked during those events. Retreat requires an overnight stay, and I feel this feeling of irritation with my batchmates because as I observe them everyday, they slowly became self-centered and stubborn, maybe they were not just aware of their behavior, or maybe, I am maturing and they are not, or maybe because of the fact that I am raised in an all INC family members and they are not.
On the last day of our school year, I let them write a dedication for me in a cute notebook I bought. They all express their amazement regarding my commitment to my faith.
I graduated in high school with my head held high as I received honors and recognitions. I believe that these are the blessings God thinks I deserved.
FOURTH YEAR SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD
JS PROM
SENIORS' RETREAT
GRADUATION DAY
