What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?

Rex Anthony Sabilano, Laguna: I think it’s not significant anymore what mistake I made or how I made it right. What’s important is how I made use of that mistake to improve myself.

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: I’m almost tempted to tell the whole world about it. But it’s too personal. I’d rather keep it to myself. Sometimes, there are words better left unsaid.

Course preference

Jeffrey Ferrer, Cabanatuan City: The big mistake that I made in life was choosing a course I took up in college on my friend’s bidding. I tried to correct that mistake by motivating myself to study hard and by praying to our Lord to help me pass. I can say that my efforts are paying off because one year from now, I will be graduating and ready to take the board exams.

Rene Poder, Manila: Journalism should have been my major (major), but it’s too late now to make it right.

Roger Caravana, Bulacan: During my first and second years in college, I was a slacker. However, on my third and fourth years, I made up for lost time.

Doubting God’s existence

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I have committed many big mistakes in my life but the major, major one was when I believed that God did not exist and that he was just a product of our imagination. But even if I was a non-believer for almost 20 years, I was not really a bad person because I am also charitable, sincere in my commitment and honest in my testimonies compared to the bunch of hypocrite believers. Due to continuous debates with believers, I challenged God to prove to me that he is real. In the early hours of August 26, 1979, while half asleep, God spoke to me in person. At that very moment, I felt that I was born again and I declared to my family and friends that God exists as our Heavenly Father. Nothing changed in my life except that I am now active in church ministries. As a child of God, I offer to Him the many Christians who are fond of preaching but are not walking the talk.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: During my student-activist days, I was an atheist and that was my biggest mistake. But I repented and I’m now a firm believer in God; a true Christian.

Breakdown of family

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The greatest mistake I made in life was when I almost broke my family due to my hardheadedness. I was charged with a P1-million libel suit because of a news I wrote in a local newspaper. My wife cautioned me not to do that but I did not listen. I made my mistake right by winning the court battle.

Lack of trust

Juna Beatriz Corpuz, Nueva Ecija: The greatest mistake I ever made in life was when I didn’t trust my mother enough for me to share my problems with her. But now, I am very close to her and she is one of my best friends whom I can turn to anytime.

Taking education for granted

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: When I was younger, I made the biggest mistake of not finishing college because I chose to work and help my parents with their household expenses. I found out later that having a college degree makes a lot of difference, so I went back to school and persevered and through hard work and determination, I was able to get my diploma after seven years. Now, I am enjoying the benefits of a good education. Committing mistakes in life is inevitable. No one is perfect. Besides, having mistakes helps a person become stronger and wiser.

Driving drunk

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Driving drunk! I vow never to do it again and just take the cab or jeep when my “dosage” is way past my normal intake.

Unfaithfulness

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: I cannot remember any major, major mistake I had committed. If cheating on your wife is a big mistake, well, almost every husband in the neighborhood is a Tiger Woods follower. Sabi pa nga nila, man is by nature polygamous. I’m just being natural, o di ba? But seriously, what I did to correct my mistake was ask forgiveness from my wife, which she readily accepted, and I vowed never to do it again. My wife said, “Oy! Alam kong di ka na uubra, kasi bukod sa diabetic ka, meron ka pang ED!

Part of life

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Learning from mistakes is part of life since no one is perfect.

Leslie Valentino, Nueva Ecija: For me, committing mistakes is just normal. So, even if I have done big and small mistakes, I never regretted a thing or two because those blunders made me stronger and a better person.

Faulty assumptions

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Life is a journey. In our travels, the road is long and winding, sometimes rough and bumpy, so it cannot be avoided that sometimes we miscalculate due to faulty assumptions, in the process causing setbacks. But having faith in our skills honed through life-long learning, knowing the direction we want to take and preparing for our journey will make us confident and comfortable in our adventure. There are actually no big or small mistakes, just fundamental lessons learned to help us face life’s twists and turns while on our way to our destination.

Involvement in labor union

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: I was once too involved in labor union activities that led to my termination from work. I sort of sacrificed the survival, welfare and future of my family. My kids became victims of hunger and my wife became an outcast in her paternal side. Worse, my family was removed from the company housing project. I was on the verge of joining the underground movement and endangering the safety of my entire family again. But after some soul-searching and serving as a voluntary labor organizer, I decided to borrow money from my well-meaning friends and went to Manila to look for work. I did odd jobs just to sustain my family, then I applied for overseas work. With God’s help, I have managed to survive 27 years of working overseas.

No explanation

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: All of us commit mistakes. If there are some that feel that they never made a mistake in their life, this means that they have never tried anything new in their life at all, as per Albert Einstein. However, there is also no need for us to be telling people how we corrected our mistakes. As Adolf Hitler said, “If you win, you need not have to explain. If you lose, you should not be there to explain.”  

War freak

Rose Leobrera, Manila: I was a snob, too much of a war freak when I was younger. I had more enemies than friends. Before, whenever somebody crossed me, I would either confront the person or go to the barangay for mediation. But I have learned my mistakes and changed my ways. I searched for those people I’ve done wrong before and asked for their forgiveness. Kaya magaan na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon.

Unfulfilled dream

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: What I consider a big mistake in my life is my failure to achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer because of indulgence during my younger years. However, I was able to compensate for this failure by acquiring a doctorate in Philosophy. Through this endeavor, I can help mold others to become morally upright and productive citizens of our country.

Expressing gratitude

Ana Igloria, Laguna: One of the biggest mistakes we often commit is not expressing our gratitude to people. I grieved so much when an uncle of mine died because I failed to thank him for lending a hand during a critical moment in our life. He was so kind and generous not only to his kin but also to others. He willingly helped and never expected anything in return. Life is too short and death comes like a thief in the night. I have learned to live each day as if it were my last.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: I was not able to relay my message of thanks to my parents until they died.

Ressy Cabacungan, Nueva Ecija: One of the greatest mistakes I made was when I didn’t value the person who was always there for me and who loves me for who I am. I have learned that we must appreciate those who care for us because we are blessed to have them.

Too forgetful

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: I was overjoyed when I qualified for a photography contest that I ended up giving the judges a wrong CD that contained other pictures instead of the ones they were asking for. Thankfully, I was able to find the right CD copy before the deadline. My being forgetful in labeling my CD files almost ended my dream of joining the photo contest. I eventually lost but I still feel good with the experience that I got.

Too trusting

Rahim Hosseini, Manila: A big mistake that I have done was letting a friend/countryman, not Filipino, live in my house for four months and treat him like a member of my family. What he did in return was to accuse me of stealing his stuff and threatened to injure me unless I pay him half a million pesos. What I did was move out and find a new place.

No big mistake

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: I’ve made mistakes but none that I consider big enough and which needed to be corrected.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City:  No real big mistakes for me. Most of what I’ve done made me happy and contented and I’ll be willing to make them again if need be. I know my limitations and capacity.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: There’s no major, major mistake that I have committed in my life, only minor ones and if I have to make that mistake over and over again, I will gladly do so.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I’m glad there’s none so far. With the guidance of the Lord, I know I’m always on the right path.

Casino player

Eric Gopilan, Parañaque City: I was an impulsive Casino slot machine player before. I regret wasting my time and cash. Now, I just keep myself busy with more important matters.

Beauty of reading

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: One of my biggest mistakes in life was not knowing early on the benefits of reading. I can proudly say that Philippine STAR made a huge impact in my life.

Marrying for money

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: I married for money, kaya lang poor pala ang napangasawa ko, so I settled for love na lang.

Loving a GF

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: My big mistake when I was younger was sincerely loving a GF who jilted me. My great emotional investment was wasted. I’ve been married now for 36 years.

No family on my wedding

Louella Brown, Baguio City: One big mistake I made in life was getting married without any member of my family to witness the occasion. But since then I have become closer than ever to them.

Lack of money

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: My lack of funds encouraged me to get money from the big fat purse of my mother.

No lessons learned

Jimmy Donton, Palawan: My greatest mistake was forgetting my mistakes and not learning anything from them. That is why I keep repeating the same mistakes over and over.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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