After this experience, I was traumatized walking around in Divisoria. Although this occurred, I reflected and felt a sense of relief and humor after the incident.

           Two years ago, I was walking by the streets of Divisoria on a sunny afternoon. I contacted my friends using my phone telling them that I was going to see them. I walked alone from Pabayo Hayes to Jollibee Divisoria.

Out of nowhere, a guy wearing a jacket put his arms around my shoulder. I thought that it was just one of my friends however, he was a stranger. I did not recognize him at all. He asked me where I was going. On that moment, I already knew that they were plotting something bad for me. After telling him where I was going, he told me to surrender my phone to him including my money. Afterwards, an accomplice of him showed a sharp and rusty ice pick threatening to stab me if I ever tell this incident to the officials. My heart was pounding fast and my hands were shaking. After they got what they want from me, I rushed to Jollibee and cried out of being extremely terrified. My friends comforted me and asked the officials to blotter the incident. I called my parents to fetch me and I safely got home. What was funny about the situation was that I undoubtedly asked the holdupper if I could get one of my receipts. This receipt was very important for me because it was for a bookbinding that costs about 500 pesos. The book served as our grades on a certain subject in high school. Back to the situation, he just told me that they only want the money, not the wallet.

This work talks about how my optimistic and energetic self shifted to being unmotivated and weak. Although it may sound exaggerated, the last time I was sick was one of the worst experiences that ever happened to me. 

          One of the most memorable happening in my life happened the whole day during December 7, 2019. I am the type of person wherein I always feel alive and enthusiastic. The last time that I was very sick happened four years ago.

           Travelling towards school early in the morning, I felt a little discomfort but it was fine. I was still able to participate during the first Friday mass and chatter with my classmates after. Minutes after waiting for the next teacher to arrive, I told my seatmate that I felt kind of nausea. She told me to vomit in the comfort room. Then I went to the comfort room attempting to vomit. As I tried to release the heaviness and disgust out of my body, nothing went out. I felt extreme pain on the chest as I tried to vomit. The pain lasted for minutes. As I went back to the classroom, I told her again that nothing went out when I tried to vomit. She told me to eat in order for me to vomit something. I tried to spit saliva through the window. Someone was physically resisting me on doing that action just for fun. I was really annoyed knowing that I was not feeling well. Feeling weak, I refused to go downstairs. I cannot just sit in my chair waiting for a miracle to happen. I went downstairs to eat with my friends. I bought a burger patty and egg meal which is one of my favorite meals in the cafeteria. I lost my appetite as I was eating my food. I only ate about one fourth of the meal and gave it to my friend. I told them that I was going to drink a medicine from the school clinic and so they went to the classroom. I told the nurse everything that I physically felt and so she gave a medicine for my sickness. I went back to the classroom again and slept right away. I barely participated during class discussions because of exhaustion.

          I called my dad to tell him that I was not feeling well and asked him to fetch me. He fetched and drove me home during lunch time. He wanted me to eat at least a tiny bit during lunch so that my stomach has at least something inside. So I ate even when I lost my appetite. I drank my medicines and went directly to my room. The severe dizziness and heaviness started to kick in. I turned on my speakers and blasted my favorite songs on Spotify. I listen to music to help me ease the discomfort that I feel. I had a hard time sleeping because of what I felt but after minutes, I slept. I woke up and slept again several times not knowing the reason why. I just wanted to sleep because every time I am awake, I can feel the severe discomfort that this sickness has given to me. My parents left me at home as they were going to our neighbor’s house because of a birthday party.

          After hours, my father woke me up and gave me water and medicines. He also made me eat a banana just for my stomach to have something inside. After that, I was scrolling through my phone even when I was very nausea. I cannot take the discomfort that I felt so I slept again. Waking up at midnight, I felt like I was about to vomit. I rushed to our comfort room and vomited. After feeling refreshed, I went back to my bedroom but then it kicked back again. This time, I vomited through my bedroom window. I really do not like vomit. It made me feel disgusted and it made me had a hard time to breathe. As I was vomiting, I can taste the banana that I ate which made me vomit a lot more. I went back to bed feeling the disgust, drowsiness and heat that my body produced. All the time I was lying in bed awake, I reminisced the time when I was not sick. I reflected as to how sickness could affect my studies and my personal priorities. But fortunately, I felt better after that day.

We did a lot of tasks and activities during the 2-week work immersion. It was really all worth it despite the exhaustion that we felt. 

              Work Immersion is a requirement for the grade 12 students conducted by the Department of Education. We, the grade 12 students from the Humanities and Social Sciences and the General Academics strands had our 2-week work immersion which started on January 20 and ended on January 31. We were grouped and assigned into different centers. Out of the three centers in Lumbia, I was assigned in a center called Tahanan ng Kabataan. The center was established by the City Social Welfare and Development Department where males aging from 13-17 years old that violates the law are situated.

           The first day was the day wherein we had a lot in our minds. We gathered in Corpus Christi School in order for our strand coordinator to remind us the dos and don’ts during the immersion. As we entered the area on the first day of immersion, the first two centers that I saw looks like typical houses. The last center that I saw looks different from the others. There was a fence and a gate monitored by a guard. As we entered our center, the clients were furiously looking at us. All of us were in silence because we were not used to this kind of environment. We had an orientation with the staff, giving us information about the center and our tasks. At 10a.m., we entered the area wherein clients gathered around to have a therapeutic community approach. “Good Morning Family” was the phrase that started the activity. We started praying both in Christian and Islamic way. During the gathering, I noticed several things that they need to talk about. The staff further talked about each and every one of their cases. Theft, drugs, rape and murder were the usual cases of the clients. First part of the gathering, the clients were given time to speak up about their conflicts with each other which they call it as “pull ups”. The clients who were involved in the conflict were asked to stand up. Some of them gave advices after. Second thing that they did is to express as to whom they were grateful for. Third, they showcased their talent, mostly singing and rapping, which they were confident enough to do so. At the end of the program, we prayed again and started singing with arms crossing with each other singing a song which concludes the program.  At lunchtime, we started getting our lunchboxes and ate with the clients. Another thing that I noticed was that the clients ate their meals using their bare hands. The meal’s serving looks a little unsatisfying because the rice were massive with their viand looking so limited. After lunch, they had a siesta wherein they rest and sleep from 12 pm up until 2 pm.. In the afternoon, my classmates and the clients had fun playing basketball. In the center, I learned that the therapeutic community approach in the morning, lunch, siesta, and basketball at 3 pm. were the daily routines. Our chaperone, Sir JM, lets us write a reflection paper wherein we expressed our feelings, learnings, and observations at the end of the day.

           We had a lot of different tasks during the immersion. On the first week, we conducted a Zumba session wherein all of us have to exercise and dance with the beat of the song. We also let them play different games. We removed the unwanted grass off of the soil and swept the dried leaves that were surrounding the court. We tutored the clients with basic English and Filipino spellings and mathematics. There were some that were knowledgeable enough and some were also not but at least, the clients were participative on the activity. On the second week, we went to the center’s garden and rehabilitate it. We also swept the dried leaves not just inside the center but also outside wherein we have to pile them up and set it on fire. We also chopped wood which will then be used as fuel for them to cook. On the last day, we had our culminating activity wherein we conducted a boodle fight and said each and every one of our concluding statements after.

           All I can say is that most of my observations during the work immersion experience were delighting and positive. The clients were very polite and kind to us. We hung out like we were already close with each other. We set aside our differences and created an unbordered bond with the clients. As to what they have said, the clients were thankful for we gave them fun and joy even though we had limited time. Also, the staffs of Tahanan ng Kabataan center expressed their gratitude. They were thankful that we did a great job in our service in the center. The staff mentioned the bond that we have created all throughout the experience, highlighting the part wherein we spent our lunch time not by eating outside the center but by eating together with clients.  

This essay talks about my work immersion experience. I realized and learned a lot of essential insights after this experience

           Work Immersion in the HUMSS strand equates to social work wherein we were grouped and were able to help individuals on different centers. During the last two weeks of January 2020, the grade 12 students from HUMSS and GA had a 2-week work immersion. We were grouped accordingly and were assigned into different centers. Out of the three centers in Lumbia, I was assigned in a center named “Tahanan ng Kabataan”. During immersion, I learned that the clients in Tahanan ng Kabataan were males aged 13-17 years old who were involved with theft, drugs, rape and murder.          

           Work Immersion was very exhausting but it was memorable. My experience during our work immersion was a blast. I have learned, felt and realized a lot before, during and after the immersion. I learned that we should not judge an individual because of what they have done in the past. Even though they violated the laws, I think that they are still good people. They were just confused and desperate resulting to the things that they did. Teamwork and cooperation would lead to success. Every single one of us in the group really helped each other by dividing and doing our tasks wholeheartedly. I also learned that joy can be earned by giving joy to others. We gave joy to the clients by giving them what they lack. We provided games, food and tutorials for the clients. As time passed by, all of us were comfortable interacting with each other. We have created a bond regardless of our differences. I realized that their life is I think that we should be contented as to what we already have. We shouldn’t complain on the little things that bother us because there are other people who want to live the life we have.

        This experience was definitely fun and essential to me. I really learned a lot from our work immersion. I reflected on how my life differs from the life of a client. Doing what you love which could bring harm to yourself and to other people is not happiness. You can do what you want as long as you are happy with it, as long as you are not hurting anybody and as long as you will not regret it in the end.

This experience was not specific because it does happen everyday. This was one of the most life-changing decisions that I ever had. 

           I was born and raised in a Christian family, specifically catholic. Since then, I have learned a lot of beliefs and practices of being a Christian. My family and I are all believers of Christ. We have a strong faith with the Lord. Since the day I first knew about the Lord, I have truly worshipped and respected Him. My pious grandmother had the biggest influence to the family when it comes to God. She reminds us to pray and go to church every day. What is really unusual about me is that I have a strong relationship with God but I haven’t really read the Bible. But then, no matter how good and religious you are, you can still commit sins. Nobody was born perfect in this world. We are all born as sinners. Committing sins is really inevitable which is totally fine for God had accepted us already.

          To be honest, I have rarely doubted Him as I grew up. I didn’t really lose my faith in Him, it’s just that I just question His existence for I have not seen Him yet. I have also learned that some of the people I know have definitely doubted God. I also knew people who are atheists. Because of this perception, I was persuaded and really questioned God’s existence not because of my own experiences but because of the influence of others. I sometimes also get upset with the Lord when he doesn’t give me what I want. But as time passed by, I have learned that praying doesn’t work like that. Before, I sometimes didn’t really pray because of my own will. I just pray because I was told or forced to pray.

         Because of those disagreeable experiences, I made a life-changing decision to pray every day wherein I followed the A.C.T.S. method in praying. A for Adoration which means that the Lord shall be praised and give honor for he is the God of all Gods and the king of all kings. C for Confessions wherein I confess and genuinely ask for forgiveness for the sins that I have committed. T for Thanksgiving wherein I express my gratitude for all of the blessings that He has showered upon me. I also want to thank the Lord for He has let my encounter various experiences, even the ups and downs. Lastly, S for Supplication wherein I pray for my needs and the needs of others. I pray not just because I ask something from Him. I pray because I really want to say to Him what I am thankful for.

In this essay, i critiqued the author’s work about his experience in Hong Kong. There were errors but I still think this is a good paper. 

           Dweyne Mosqueda’s Travel Essay talks about his experiences in Hong Kong. He was born and raised in Hong Kong until he was grade 5. He stated that this place is a good suggestion when travelling because of its clean environment and delicious street food. What he really liked to do in Hong Kong was to eat their Chinese soups. His experience in Disneyland was his most memorable moment in Hong Kong. Below would be my evaluation on his travel essay which includes the strengths and weaknesses and my recommendations for the paper.

            There are strengths and there are also weaknesses with Dweyne’s work. What was good about the paper was that the information about Hong Kong was organized. His choices of words in the paper were not complex. In other words, it can be easily understood. He also applied the required format on writing a travel essay. He started his work by stating several and different information about the place. The body of his paper were his experiences and backstory of Hong Kong. He also stated his conclusion at the end of the paper which follows one way in writing a paper. His main idea on his work was that he stated that Hong Kong is a good place to travel. He supported his main idea with supporting evidences. His supporting idea includes how clean the place is and how delicious the foods were which supports the idea that this place is good for travelling. What was also good about the paper was that he did not only stated the wonderful things that they did, he also included his backstory in Hong Kong. These are the strengths of Dweyne’s work.

          However, there are also weaknesses on Dweyne’s work. I think that the paper lacks content. Yes, it was good that he stated his backstory but I think he went beyond a little because almost half of the paper was his backstory in Hong Kong. He could have included stating various experiences in his stay in Hong Kong. His concluding sentences were about his life lessons which is not included when writing a travel essay. He did not thoroughly proof read his work because there was a spelling error. There were also minimal words and sentences that were redundant.