The highs and lows of a self-invited guest

One of the things I never fail to do when I get home for the summer or during semestral breaks and other holidays is visit my high school alma mater, Sagada National High School. In my five years of schooling in the city, I couldn’t even remember one time that I never stopped by my beloved school. I don’t really know why. I guess, it gives me a sense of pride and fulfillment every time I visit.

Yes, I think that’s it. Seeing how the fledgling school struggles to uphold its beliefs and its mission awes me to the point of bringing me way back when I was in its midst, embraced by the borrowed Bayanihan building from the nearby Sagada Central School, its own makeshift building, and the infamous ‘kababan’. Reminiscing gives me that sense of fulfillment that yes, we may be squatters to the eyes of our neighbors, poor and having a chicken roost for a classroom to the eyes of the community, but we students have never felt that we were lacking of anything. To us, it was enough that we had four walls and a roof to shade our weary minds from the striking heat of the sun. It was enough that we had the best teachers to help us learn. It was enough that we had the will to keep studying, with the help of our ever-energetic teachers and our parents to guide us along.

Seeing my alma mater’s struggle for more to enable its commitment to a better and quality education made me shed unashamed tears more often than not upon stepping on its welcoming pedestal. To this day, with the greatest efforts of parents and the local government units and non-government organizations near and far, my alma mater stands proud with its newly-furnished building, below the neighboring elementary school, which was where the ‘kababan’ stood before. The transformation was like that in a fairy tale -– from a pumpkin to a very beautiful and intricately designed coach. I feel really proud -– of our teachers, of our alumni, of our own dreams, and most especially of our parents and of everyone who helped make a difference. Now, the younger generation could enjoy the fruits of their labor. They could be comfortable and secure while they hold on to quality education, thanks to our mind-empowering and skillful teachers.

Thank you –- a never-waning word when I see what I’ve become today. I may have learned a lot of things during my schooling at Sagada National High but I never realized how important my education was then until I went into college, and after I graduated from the university as well. I am so proud to shout to the whole wide world as well as the world wide web that I am a product of Sagada National High School, that I’m from a school where quality education counts, and of which I learned a lot from. Yes, a never waning gratitude indeed. Even the world wide web less this page couldn’t take all my reasons for thanking Sagada NHS.

Thank you could not even measure how I feel for the many times Sagada NHS and faculty and students welcomed me to their very arms. Not only had it cuddled me close, I had the privilege of attending every occasion they celebrate -– from Tuesday programs, to intramurals, to Senior’s days, to foundation days, to graduation days. Yes, that’s exactly what I am -– a self-invited guest.

I’ve had the best experiences here –- the happiest, saddest, most embarrassing moments. Thanks to Sir Cal and the faculty members, the students as well for allowing myself to visit and show my way around the school now and again.

It was an honor for me to be chosen as a guest speaker for the Senior’s day last March. I never realized I could make it since I left my speech in La Trinidad and I just made another presentation the night before the big day (full story here). I also had the privilege of taking pictures during the foundation day, witnessing Tuesday programs, and assisting Sir Cal in filing admission slips and helping organize the school’s site (Hehe. From a self-invited guest to a self-proclaimed administrative aide.). I’ve also shared what I knew about editorial writing to the staff of the Hillside Echoes. I also had the chance to be one of the judges for the cheerleading competition during the recently-concluded Sagada NHS intramural. Tell me, dear readers if that wasn’t fulfilling. Tell me if that wasn’t gratifying. Tell me if that wasn’t rewarding. Because to me, it was all those.

The embarrassment and the occasional snide remarks of some unidentifiable judgmental 'objects' are all worth the experiences and moments I’ve shared with the faculty and students.

I really love to help. But despite my good intentions, there are some people out there who do not approve. Perhaps it’s my fault. Perhaps I make myself available too much. Perhaps I visit my school more often than I have to. Perhaps I’m just too blind to notice that maybe others do not need my help. Perhaps too blind to notice that I am not useful enough. Or perhaps just too insensitive to even care.

Either way, I thank the Lord for blessing me with friends and people who've touched my life. I thank God for guiding me as I aim to develop mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and psychologically -– as I aim to find myself, find a meaning to life and strive to become whole.