Overcoming CHALLENGES IN LIFE

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN LIFE

An Essay

by Nisha Sokhal

In life, we are always challenged to make many choices. All choices are judged according to their effect on our lives. Everyone has problems or challenges to overcome every day. We have to overcome challenges or problems. No one in this world is without problems however we are always bound to overcome them one way or another.

Growing up is one of those challenges everyone, in time, gets to be face to face with. Imagine those inexplicable emotions which tend to trouble teenagers, not to mention those new experiences that may stress them out. Some deal with them differently and decide that they can’t beat the troubles they feel. It may come to a point that they think it has all been too much and that their life is no longer worth living. When you've reached to this point, always remember that challenges are everywhere and that life is always worth living.

Some days you just don’t feel like getting out of bed or even waking up. It could be that the stress in school is too much or your personal life just isn’t going the way you want. School is a huge stress to everyone, and I want to tell you out that it isn't that difficult if you just focus. Sure thing essays and tests always linger though there is an incredible amount of other distractions in school. But then again, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can get an incredible amount of confidence. Such will relieve the stress in your life because of the gratification it brings. 

It’s like a giant domino effect, one good deed or action can lead to an endless amount of happiness and content. Sometimes you feel like you can’t do it all yourself and that’s where others come into play. When you feel alone there is always someone who loves you and wants to help you succeed. Dealing with personal problems brings too much stress. Life may become too burdensome when your parents care in a bit of a disagreement, when you’re being bullied, or you and your best friend are looking through different glasses. There will always be greener pastures and new friends or even sometimes new parents will walk through those fields. Everything gets better even when it seems like your world is crumbling.

When those guns, pills, or knives stare at you and challenge your fate, just close your eyes and condition yourself that challenges are everywhere but people love you. Mold your life into something special instead of moping around because things aren’t quite going the way you planned. Get back on your horse and make things happen.

Suicide Prevention: Speak Now by Jenika Nero

                Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens, and the biggest killer of young women in the world. Though clearly many teenagers struggle daily with thoughts of killing themselves, families and friends are still left confused and frustrated when one commits suicide. Usually, teens who take their own lives refuse to open up about what they’re going through every day, leaving behind numerous questions when they die. If only they’ve discussed their problems with the people they trust, suicide could have been prevented.

                A girl who attempted to kill herself recovered through talking to a friend and a psychologist. “When I focused on my health, not my illness, and the things that made me happy, the things that were troubling me became less important.” Hayley Purdon, a 27 year old from Australia, admitted to having bulimia and anxiety in high school. Even after graduating and becoming a university student, her eating disorder got worse. Her anxiety made it harder for her to leave the house; she would often drive to campus and refuse to get out of her car. At age 20, she attempted suicide and was brought to the hospital. It took her three years to start recovering through the support of a friend who’d gone through a similar experience, and speaking to a psychologist who helped her better understand her anxiety. Now, Hayley helps other teenage girls in schools who also struggle with depression and suicide. She believes that it is vital for people—not just girls, but boys as well—to talk to one another about their experiences and problems.

                Schools have started to create suicide prevention programs which reach out to students who are bullied and have depression. Universities like MIT, Boston University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute have already signed on to the Jed and Clinton Health Matters Campus Program, which is a suicide prevention program created by the Jed Foundation and the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation. Their idea is to combine mental health and substance abuse services with efforts to make sure that the emotional health of the students is one of the main focuses in the campus. But then again, their hardwork will be put to waste if students refuse to reach out. The rates of suicide on campus suggest that open communication among students should be the next priority of the school. Students should learn to get over their fear towards their bullies and not to think about feeling awkward when talking to school officials in order to overcome their suicidal thoughts and the things that trigger them.

                People who have mental health issues such as depression often don’t see a psychologist in fear of being seen as the weird one or the freak. In addition, bullies take this as an opportunity to make fun of others even more. Ryan Halligan, a thirteen year old from New York, killed himself on the 7^th of October 2003 because of bullying. It all started when he was in 5^th grade. A certain kid and his friends picked on Ryan’s academic weaknesses and poor physical coordination. During his 7^th grade, his dad has had enough of the bullies and had told Ryan that he was going to talk to the school principal to stop those boys. But, Ryan told him not to do so, saying how that will only make the bullying worse. Even when Ryan was taught how to kick box and to use it on the boys if they ever made a move on him, and even when he became friends with them, the bullying continued. His parents had assumed that everything was settled between him and the bullies; they thought that he was finally living a completely normal life as a teenage boy, but they did not know that Ryan was also cyberbullied. He was called gay by the same group of bullies as was shamed by his girlfriend, who said that he was a loser and that she did not want anything to do with him. They started dating online through IM exchanges over the summer and finally met when Ryan entered the 8^th grade, when he was humiliated in front of her friends. Ryan had depression throughout his short-lived teenage years, and unfortunately committed suicide in the end.

Nobody should be blind to the signs of suicide. Family, friends, and even strangers who experience struggles just need at least somebody who they know will listen to them, will help them, will support them, and will not judge them from what they’re going through. Also, those who plan to take away their life must know that people will be there to reach out to. Through talking to each other, we can lessen and prevent more cases of suicide.

An Old Man’s Longing for A “CANDY” Cane --- Zhayriel Mae Tabinas

                 Do you remember that exciting childhood feeling of seeing a candy store with lots and lots of mouth - watering candies… or do you still feel that right at your age? Isn’t it nice to be given chocolates on Valentines’ day, or to see a handful of gummy bears after long hours of work? Well for me, nothing beats the peppermint-flavored candy canes in delightful red, white and green throughout the Christmas season. The taste of candy is so youthful that sometimes, I’d wonder “Would I still meet this wonderful feeling as I climb up a ripe old age?” But on second thought, who says candy is only for kids?

Candy is for everyone! But, there are also exceptions like when you’re diabetic, you can’t have too much candy or when you’re just skin conscious, sweets would be bad. More like love, when you’re too young and immature, you might not find your true love yet, but when you’re too old, that would be too late for the norms of the society. Well, mixing different things together is a trend these days, what about letting cupid shoot his arrow to the hearts of the old and young? Nah… that would be crazy, but according to Philippine Music Legend; Freddie Aguilar, “…'Andun na, e. Ano pa ang magagawa ko?' Aatras ka ba noon, e, na-in love na, e?”

True. Love doesn’t look on age, the appearance nor the status of an individual; that’s why they say, you just fall in love, you don’t have to look for it. The question is, is it really love that’s between Aguilar and his 16 year old girlfriend? Maybe, maybe not, it’s just so hard to think that a 16 year old would fall in love with senior citizen 44 years older than she is… unless, if she wants money or fame, just like how Aguilar is getting attention to get back on track. This girl never spoke a word on interviews; it was all Freddie, Freddie, Freddie. And according to him “"Hindi ko alam na sixteen siya noong niligawan ko…” so, does that mean, the girl doesn’t look like she’s sixteen? Or maybe, your eyes are just too damaged already Grandpa Freddie.

Reality is there are a lot of people having this kind of relationship, and it’s not bad, they’re happy together and they’re not hurting anyone else. So, why make this a big issue? Yes, Aguilar is a legend, that could be a reason, but they’re still people, they have their own lives, their own feelings and they have their own preferences. When asked about the girl Aguilar said, “Actually, ang maganda sa kanya ay she's trying na bumagay sa akin. Ako naman, bumababa ako sa level niya. Halimbawa, gusto niyang mag-Jollibee, sasamahan ko siya doon. Minsan naman, gusto kong mag-fine dining, sasama naman siya sa akin.”

Isn’t it nice, feels like the sweetness of candy, but candy would be too boring if it was all sweet, its better with the sourness of the criticisms of the netizens and the relieving coolness of Aguilar’s replies when asked about the girl’s parents, “"Yung mga magulang niya, tanggap na rin siguro. Sabi lang daw sa kanya, 'Mag-ingat ka diyan, babaero daw 'yan! "Mag-iingat ako, kasi kung may magrereklamo, alam mo na, baka may magkatuwaan. Pero yung consent ng mga magulang, nasa akin."

Any old man can still long for a candy cane instead of an ordinary wooden cane. It might look awkward at first, but as we get to see that ripe old smile from those wrinkling lips, it feels like eating a candy for the very first time. Norms, are up to the society, but as long as we’re open-minded, these situations would seem like nothing to us.

THE WORLD OF ADVERTISING - Ekim B. Manacap

                Advertising has been part of our lives. We see and hear them in all forms of media. It has changed the course of the industry, politics and even the people’s personal lives. The world of advertising is continuously changing and innovating.

           Advertising your products is a great strategy. It persuades future customers thus, making your business profitable. It does not only benefit  the entrepreneurs but also the country’s economy. On the other hand , disadvantages are also rampant. Scams and hoaxes are growing in numbers. Most advertisements are unfortunately dwelling more on flattery than exposing the truth. Most of the things you see on television are superficial. Study the products well before you buy them or you regret such action.

              Do not believe in all the things you see. Advertising is not bad because it is intended for marketability however, this is not  an excuse for spreading plausible ideas. The world of advertising truly is constantly changing. You need to change with it.

PHILIPPINE EDUCATION - Jemimah F. Trazo

            More learning means more earning. In our educational system, a student spends ten years in elementary and secondary level. Ten years is not enough to let a student gain more learning therefore two more years should be added.

           The K+12 program will help solve poverty in our country. Students who cannot afford college can already go to work after graduating high school. Those who can afford college will be more equipped and ready. Adding years in basic education will make students more job-ready. If many people will have jobs, it will help boost our country’s economy. Philippines will also be internationally competitive.

            Well, we need to experience difficulties in order to achieve success. We need to sacrifice by spending more years in school to help our country be progressive.

SPORTS WISE. Caim Hermoso at division meet  with intensive training for intense achievements. (Photo by Virgil John Lomocso) 

(Caption by Ekim Mañacap)

Seniors declare war against Malnutrition. (Photo and caption by Andrew Esposa)

LET’S GO ECO. Seniors promoting environmental awareness, “Be one with nature.”(Photo by Ekim Mañacap) (Caption by Cheia Remonde)

ACTION. Capturing every frame as Kristin James Bacalso proudly ranks 1st place in Badminton Singles. 

(Photo and caption by Ekim Mañacap)