"MULTONG BINASAG NG LIWANAG” BY MEDALLO, STAN RHE B.

  

"Multong Binasag ng Liwanag"

 “Minumulto ako ng damdamin ko”—a line that everyone experiences. In a world full of ‘multo,’ I agree that ‘something’ hurts more than ‘someone.’ Do you know why? I have always believed that people remain, but those ‘somethings,’ such as traumatic events, missed opportunities, regrets, and drawbacks, don’t remain. They are simply an event in the past that we cannot dwell on anymore. These events serve as evidence that time is indeed a thief.

As I entered the 4th year of junior high school, I knew I had to do better, to depart from my comfort zone. I had to push myself better than ever. I chased a title that meant a lifetime of glory in exchange for blood, sweat, and tears. My mind was not contented by just being part of the ‘cream of the crop’—it craved for more. Being the class valedictorian is only meant for the best. I used to be the top 1 in Grade 9; however, Grade 10 felt different. I saw that actions speak louder than words. My academic rivals are not my classmates; however, it is the person in front of the mirror. I let my mind control my actions without realizing that high school will never be like this again. I had forgotten to enjoy it. Chasing this title improved my skills, abilities, and capacities. I had crossed so many lines that I had never attempted to before. It was like jumping off a cliff, just to reach the other side of the higher mountain. Obviously, it was reflected in the numbers that my mind was never satisfied. Those times taught me that I really do have potential in certain capacities, like writing, public speaking, and teaching. This trial proved to me that I am more than capable of the things I used to fear. Therefore, I had to chase my monsters away, seeing the daylight after a long stay inside the cave with handcuffs on me. As I saw daylight, it immediately turned somber. I thought I was already claiming the title and was worthy of being one. There is no doubt that my former classmates were chasing the title that I also chased. Our actions proved humility rather than pride— yet at the end of the day, there can only be one winner. Unfortunately, I was not the chosen one. I am not disdainful of the title; it just proved the fact that she was more deserving of the title than I am. It became my ‘multo’, that seems to haunt me every time I struggle. Being a class salutatorian is no doubt a vanquished victory. I reached a point of maturity and gained an insight that this is the effect of stepping out of my comfort zone. As I am in my senior high school era, this ‘multo’ served as my insight to lower my expectations, to accept hitches, and to develop a mindset that “As a door closes, another one opens.”

  After the 2nd Quarter recognition ceremony, I had thought about how I felt that my efforts were invalidated. I was being one-sided at that time. I questioned God, “Why? ”. “Why didn’t you give me that? Were my efforts not enough? When will I see my worth? ” The world that I used to build strong pillar foundations crumbled and collapsed in the blink of an eye. My partial point of view was selfish, narcissistic, and absurd. I cried and invalidated my efforts. I was being unfair to myself. However, on the 7th of February 2025, I was hospitalized due to a road accident. It was not that serious; however, I needed to undergo certain medical laboratory tests to ensure that there was no fracture in any of my skeletal systems. Eventually, this became my second ‘multo.’ A peak of maturity knocked on my mind. I started to reflect on this tragic event not from a partial point of view, but I started to be inclusive. I started to look at the holistic point of view. It is perhaps the reason why I should take things moderately. I should not be too focused on chasing the valedictorian title. This event opened my eyes, and I started to see my self-worth. It helped me develop a mindset that I do not need to prove anything to anyone, and I am already doing the best that I can. This was a sign from God and told me to take things as they are and enjoy my high school life. Honestly, after the incident, I had no regrets about analyzing the holistic point of view. I started to enjoy my high school life while maintaining my academic ranking. The people who surrounded me, like my loved ones, showed me that I am validated, I am appreciated, and I am loved. At that point, the storm that once destroyed my life now broke me free, and I have finally seen the daylight. I felt the rays of the sun intertwining my body. I congratulated myself. By understanding the holistic point of view, it helped me gain another insight: that each trial really does have messages and lessons for them to make you a better version of yourself and all you need to do is to look at the holistic point of view. Consequently, I rebuilt the pillars of foundation in my mind, and this time, it was more sturdy. It was a lesson that improved my character development and my maturity. I may not have finished junior high school as the best, but surely I was the best at philosophizing about myself and my trials. 

      After the moving-up ceremony, I had realized that life was never a race to begin with. There was no disparity present during the ceremony. We received our diplomas, medals, and certificate of completion. As time passed by, I realized that indeed life was never a race. Because at the end of the day, all those titles that our batch once had will just turn into a legacy, and people might not always remember them. Those moral lessons that I have learned from my ‘multos’, and trials are true– because it increased my self-awareness, diminished my stress level, and improved my empathy especially that I have learned how to love myself and whenever I apply them in my senior high school era, it really comforts me and motivates me to strive for academic excellence. With utmost moderation and in my own learning pace, I do not need to compete or to push myself beyond my limitations, because I choose to enjoy my remaining high school life and I will make sure that I will always cherish every moment with my peers and loved ones. High School life only comes once in a lifetime. Being open-minded not only to others, but also within yourself makes you a better person that can validate your feelings, comprehend your thoughts, and it reduces biases by looking at the holistic perspective. Prioritizing holistic perspective rather than partial perspective helped me as a person by enhancing my decision-making skills, enhanced understanding about my trials, and increased empathy to myself. These holistic points of view are the evidence of truth in which my ‘multo’ didn’t come to haunt me, but rather to always remind me to avoid repeating the same mistake as I did. These ‘multo’ are the evidence that I became a better person than I ever did before. 

“My 'multo" is a cave that imprisons and haunts me, while the holistic perspective is an opening that leads to the truth.”