Wherever we go and whatever we have achieved in life, we owe all of it to our teachers and to our schools who have been so generous to teach us valuable lessons.
From the simple subject verb agreement in English, the different planets in the solar system, the parts of a newspaper to the most complicated mathematical problems, we can all agree that educational institutions have played such a huge part to transform all of us to the individuals that we are today.
In fact, if we were to enumerate all the skills we have acquired from our elementary, highschool, and college years, we can attest that the list would be endless.
Here are three dreamers from Pacita Complex National High School (PCNHS) in San Pedro Laguna who have shared how grateful they were to their high school alma mater.
Alyanna Grace Frago
She is a 22-years old Computer Science graduate from Polytechnic University who had her most memorable years as a highschool student at PCNHS.
Alyanna, being the competitive student back in high school shared with The Film Dream that PCNHS has helped her a lot to overcome her doubts and become the phenomenal woman that she is.
"I was a transferree student at PCNHS. Nag-aaral ako sa Catholic school and then nagdecide ako lumipat sa PCNHS dahil gusto ko ng bagong environment at gusto ko ring tingnan kung kakayanin ko. Ang challenging when I was at PCNHS already is really adjustment. Hindi ko rin ini-expect na ang mga magiging classmates ko ay mga valedictorian din. Under ako ng science curriculum kaya naman my first year was really a struggle kasi ang daming gawain pero because of that marami din kaming natutunan.”
She also added, "noong unang mga taon, mahiyain talaga ako pero after a year, I tried to join different contests sa school. Ang satisfying lang na yung passion ko, and 'yung mga gusto kong mai-try ay nagagawa ko dahil sa decision ko na lumipat sa PCNHS."
According to Alyanna, there is one particular advice from one of her teachers that really resonates to her even up to now. And that is to take risks despite all doubts and to always choose kindness. She also shares that because of the people who have helped her reach his dreams, she remains humble and grateful to everyone who has tagged along with her journey.
“Im thankful to PCNHS because they brought out the best in me. Hindi ko ini-expect na magiging pabibo ako nung highshool mula sa isang mahiyaing elementary student. Naboost talaga ang self esteem ko.”
Claudio De Guzman
Claudio, fondly called by his friends, "Third" is pursuing Marketing Management at San Pedro College Business Administration. He is also an alumna of Pacita Complex National High School and he believes that because of PCNHS, he was able to harness his confidence.
“Dati mahiyain talaga ako. Hindi ako sumasali sa programs ng school kasi feeling ko hindi ko kaya. Pero sa tulong ng teachers ko sa PCNHS, binaon ko lahat ng lessons na 'yun sa college. Mas participative na ako sa ibat-ibang activities and mas naipapakita ko na rin na I can do better."
Whenever Third recalls the happiest moments of his high school days, he immediately thinks of the friendship he was able to make at PCNHS.
"Naaalala ko nga yung mga panahon kapag kasama ko ang mga classmates ko. Simula noong pagpasok ko sa PCNHS, nakahanap ako ng mga bagong kaibigan. Yung bestfriend ko nung high school, kapag wala akong dalang pagkain namamahagi talaga siya at sabay kaming kumakain."
In addition, he also mentioned about his chemistry teacher who have impacted his life so dearly, "huwag daw ako mahiya, kailangan ko daw magkaroon ng confidence. 'Yung teacher ko noon sa chemistry, ang ginagawa, isa-isa niya kaming ina-approach para lahat kami ay may matutunan. Natutunan ko rin sa kanya na maging masaya kahit ano mang pagsubok ang dumaan.”
Who would have thought that this shy guy back in high school would double or even triple his confidence. In fact, at present, Third is trying to venture into acting. Recently, he just made a music video and even tried to portray a role in a theater play.
Jade Congcong
This 20-year old Financial Management student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines is another pride of PCNHS. He enjoyed most of his high school years by participating in journalism conferences such as radio broadcasting competitions.
“Nung time na sumali ako, maingay na talaga ang pangalan ng PCNHS sa journalism. Yung school paper adviser namin is ini-encourage kami na mag-join. Nag-try lang din ako and nakita ko siyang magandang oppportunity to gain experience and more knowledge."
“Noong nasa broadcasting team ako noong high school, lagi kaming lumalaban for DSPC and doon naboost yung pagiging goal-driven ko. Simula noon hindi na ako natatakot humarap sa mga bagong ganap or challenges. Hindi ako natatakot sumubok ng iba.”
When asked about how PCNHS had helped him become the goal-oriented person that he is now, Jade shared that he owes a lot from his teachers who has tirelessly and patiently spent years on teaching him and the other students. He even shared a remarkable anecdote, “once is enough, twice is too much. 'Yan yung laging sinasabi nung isa kong teacher sa PCNHS. Dapat pag nagkamali ka, dapat natutunan mo na yung lesson mo. Dapat hindi ka na ulit magkakamali doon kasi kapag paulit-ulit, magiging isa na siyang habit.”
Moreover, Jade narrates that through the help of PCNHS, he was also able to boost his self-esteem which is very crucial in facing the real world.
“Sobrang nakatulong ang PCNHS to boost my confidence. Nagagawa ko humarap sa ibat ibang tao. Hindi pwedeng tatahi-tahimik ka lang sa labas at pahiya-hiya kasi ikaw lang din 'yung mahihirapan.”
At present, aside from being a financial management student he is also pursuing his love for theater arts and acting. He is currently a freelance actor and he will soon appear in a movie starring Jeric Raval. He also revealed that he is eyeing to penetrate filmmaking by attending to workshops in scriptwriting.
"Tuloy-tuloy lang ang pangarap. 'Yan din ang natutunan ko sa PCNHS. Para kasi tayong isang libro na hindi pa kumpleto ang pahina. Ang kailangan nating gawin ay unti unti natin itong sulatan ng ating kuwento para unti-unti itong mabuo.”
These three stories of these three dreamers is a living proof that education can really take you to different places. Different journeys but same stories of learning experiences, humility and gratitude.
That is their story. How about yours?
If you're a pursuer of dreams just like Alyanna, Third and Jade, this is your chance as The Film Dreams conducts its first workshop since the pandemic.
PCNHS and The Film Dream Present: WHAT'S YOUR STORY A digital storytelling workshop which will happen on August 7 and 14, 2021. Open to all PCNHS students
For those who are interested, you may register for free, email us at storytellers@thefilmdream.com