#entry10

Nobody ever told me that a tower could attack a city! Although, it is true, this one was a Carapaceon. A huge, really huge Carapaceon. I am still impressed. It was so big, that the earth would shake at each of its footsteps!

I brought my strongest hammer, and hit its legs as hard as I could. I wanted to make it fall, to see what its head was like, as I couldn't see it when it was up there in the mist.

Or perhaps was I just curious whether there'd be an earthquake should that Monster fall.

Either way, it paid off. I managed to deal considerable damage to its enormous head, enough to kill the beast before it completely destroyed the town I was in charge of.

Jon could still remember the hustle and bustle of the 9/5 life and the dreariness of knowing there was nothing more out there.

Cars, tv, diamond rings, running the rat race, just trying to make a living.

But then Wonderland came.

It came like an explosion, a sudden rending and upending of all they knew.

The most average people ran.

But many got stuck and a few chose to stay.

Nowadays, the giant toadstools and humming flowers were a part of everyday life. Most people still grumbled. But Jon could never get enough. Wonderland was more his home than anything had ever been.

Alex Benetel -

“Disney in Isolation” is a series of modern portraits of Disney characters in isolated areas with objects relating to their characters.

I graduated college without joining any organization, which was something that I kind of regretted because it was something that I could talk about during job interviews. It could be helpful as an insight to my future employers about my interpersonal relationships and work ethic. Hence, when I got out of it, I decided to start joining one as a small step, with an encouragement from my thesismate and friend, Ed.

He recommended a lot of organizations since he is affiliated with many. But later on, I decided that I want to join or be a part of something that I am truly passionate about. Not just because I want to add more lines on my resumé. So, I did my own research and was led to Youth For Mental Health Coalition, Inc., also known as Y4MH.

It is an organization founded in 2016, and is composed of students and youth advocates promoting mental health, a cause that is close to my heart, a cause I could relate to, and one that I think everyone needs. And luckily, I was accepted without a hitch.

After a few months of becoming a member, I recently participated in an activity called Project Hilom. It was a program with the goal of forming support groups within its members due to the pandemic and quarantine. I was very hesitant at first because it was a new experience for me, but I was very glad that I took the courage and met the amazing people pictured below.

I spent five Sundays having Zoom meetings with them at 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.

The first meeting was kind of shy, awkward, and uncertain. But was also open, honest, and raw. I remember thinking after the first meeting, “Wow, una pa lang pero parang ang lalim na nung nabuksan sa akin”. And it was only because of one simple question of, “Kumusta ka?”.

The succeeding meetings just got better as we did face reveals, games, the usual kwentuhan, kamustahan, advising, sharing, and goofing around.

I literally went from being reserved around them to the one throwing jokes and being more vulnerable about my real life problems and situations that some of my friends were not even aware of. I did not know if it was just the magic of being strangers because I cannot call them that now. I already knew them, their stories, their struggles, and least of all, now friends with them on Facebook. We even promised to still check with each other or have our inboxes open if we wanted to share something, which I hope will truly happen. I do not want it to end in just that—words without actions. Because I hope that we still get in touch with each other even after the project ended.

But I have high hopes with these people, even only after meeting them five times and not even in person. I know in my heart that I will be friends with them for long, even if we do not constantly talk with each other. They are those kind of friends. And I am really glad that this project made me take a step out of my comfort zone, helped me meet new people, and pushed me to change for the better.

Thank you Y4MH and Project Hilom.

And thank you my new friends, Jas, Alyssa, and Carl.  ♡