My All for Him

“It is inevitable to experience the heavy consequences. It was lonesome most of the time. I used to have sleepless nights. I encountered my downfalls without anyone to lean on. Nevertheless, I couldn’t blame them. Despite that sadness, I learned to understand.”

Dear KNOT,

I am Teresa Marie Dumandan. I am the youngest and the only girl among the three offsprings of Armando Dumandan and Maria Teresa Palgan Dumandan.

For the past seventeen years, it truly has been a roller coaster ride. The highlight of my life so far is spending it without the presence of my mother. My mother works in Japan. We don’t get to see each other that much. I barely experience what it is like to wake up hearing a mother’s voice and to start the day full because of breakfast prepared by her; which I am sure is very delicious.

My brothers lived in the city since they had to be near to their school because they were already in college. After they finished their college, they went to Japan to be with my mother and worked there, too. My father is a school head so his schedule is also hectic. Most of the time, I am alone in our house.

Since when I was a baby, my Mama already worked abroad. In a year, we would see each other in only four days to one week. She had missed many events in my life physically but spiritually she has always been with me, within me in my heart. Her physical absence did not destroy me but it created me. That personal experience created me to become independent and God-fearing. She gave me her guidance by our constant communication through the high technologies we have now. Despite her physical absence, she molded me, made me understand that a teenager must go through the ups and downs in life in order to be fully equipped along life’s journey. I thank God that even though He took my mama far away from me, He left me with good friends and great teachers from a very loving school.

In sixth grade, I became a student council officer and that was my biggest turning point. I found great joy in it. I became a leader and I kept myself busy on various school activities. Since then, I fell in love with the idea of leading my fellow youth and I continued to do so as I was in my high school years. I embraced God’s blessings. I met more people that nurtured my leadership and well-being. This experience prevented me from going wrong. It helped me avoid the lurking temptations such as joining gangs, getting drunk, using drugs or going home very late.

It was during my senior high school when bigger tasks and responsibilities were given to me. One of which was when I was elected to become the student council Vice President. Other than my family, I realized many people trusted me and I treasured that gift. I was tasked to focus on my school’s environment and its cleanliness. It was a tough job for me at first. On the other hand, it felt really good at the same time. I made sacrifices but it was all worth it. At the end of my senior high school, I can say that my fourth year in high school was my best year, considering the blessings that I received.

My school, Holy Cross College of Calinan recently won the 3rd Lunhaw Awards, an annual award that recognizes and rewards Dabawenyos in implementing sustainable green and eco-friendly initiatives.

I was very blissful as my school administrators commended my leadership together with my fellow student council officers for spearheading the preparations. I graduated as First Honorable Mention, I was given a medal for my leadership excellence from Councilor Bernard “Bernie” Al-ag and it was all more than enough for me.

I was already so happy but the best part was that I did not only receive medals for academic and leadership performance but more so I received tears of pride and joy from my family most especially from my mother for becoming an AY National Discipline Awardee, an award that is conferred to high school graduates who exemplifies discipline, integrity, self-sacrifice and courage.

I am so thankful for everything. Becoming a leader had a huge impact to me. Though I am not academically excellent and physically healthy, I am spiritually alive! I want to be an epitome of youth. I want the youth to gather all the negativities in life and use it as a fuel to make themselves a better person. We should not be selfish. We should be fair in our perception. We should think before we do something and be responsible in our actions. We do commit mistakes because we are human. We may stumble and fall but we should rise again, ask forgiveness and learn from our mistakes. We should not be afraid because that Big Man up above us is merciful and He loves us so much.

Recently, I was so blessed to join the Philippine Conference on New Evangelization and more blessed that I was able to see the Pope during the Youth Encounter last January 18, 2015. Ahhh… that magical moment! I couldn’t stop myself from crying when I saw Pope Francis. Hearing the Pope’s message to the youth, everything becomes crystal clear to me now that I am in this world with a purpose. I believe that by accomplishing my worldly goal such as achieving a diploma for Education while serving Jesus is the way to go about living.

Everything happens for a reason and as for me and for now, this is my destiny and I am very glad to share it to you all. As for my future, HIS will be done.

I love my Mama and Papa. I love my big brothers. I love my family so much. I love my teachers and my friends. Above all, I love God and I give my all for Him.