"BECOMING MORE: A JOURNEY FEAR AND INTO GROWTH" BY FERRATER, KRISTABEL KIRZTEN

"Becoming More: A Journey Beyond Fear and Into Growth"

I never imagined that saying “yes” to BIDYOKASIYA, a feature event under the Division Festival of Talents (DFOT), would change how I see myself—not just as a student, but as a person capable of growth, courage, and transcendence. At first, I almost didn’t join. The schoolwork was heavy, the pressure was real, and my confidence was low. I didn’t think I was ready—or worthy—of such a stage. I doubted if I had the talent, the strength, or the voice to represent my district. But sometimes, the moments we fear the most are the very ones that shape us. For me, BIDYOKASIYA was that moment.

Standing on that stage, I realized that this wasn’t just a competition—it was a chance to become more than I thought I was. I wasn’t just presenting a video or competing—I was representing a community, a journey, and a version of myself I never thought I’d meet. That is what transcendence feels like; rising above doubts and discovering that we are more than the limits we place on ourselves.

Then came the hardest night—the night before the contest. My phone wouldn’t work. Everything I had prepared felt like it was falling apart. I cried, not out of fear of the stage, but because the stress and pressure had built up and burst. I asked myself, “Unsay pulos sa akong pag-anhi kung dili ni mo-work akong phone?” I felt hopeless.

But in that moment of darkness, people around me lit the way. Ma’am Jane told me to breathe, to trust the process, and to believe. Her words—“Relax ra, Tabel. God will help us. Our problems always have a solution.”—became my strength. Then the TWG, with so much kindness, gave me time to fix my phone. Their support reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

Looking back, I realized that I first viewed this experience from a partial point of view—one focused only on my emotions: the stress, the fear, and the pressure to succeed. 

But eventually, I began to see the bigger picture. I understood how each challenge had a purpose, how the people around me played a role in my growth, and how the experience shaped not just my skills but also my spirit. That’s the power of a holistic perspective—it helps us make sense of both the joy and the struggle.

I also learned to distinguish between opinion and truth. I used to believe I wasn’t good enough. That was an opinion built from fear, not fact. But standing on that stage, representing my district, giving it my all—I found the truth: ‘I am capable. I do belong.’ And even without a trophy, I came home with something far more valuable—growth, confidence, and pride.

Daanbantayan, you were more than a venue—you were a space for becoming. This may have been my last competition, but it won’t be the last time I rise. Because now, I know I am more than my doubts. I am someone who keeps going, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. I am someone who grows—not in perfect moments, but in the hardest ones.

And maybe, just maybe, that is what it truly means to win.