MANILA, Philippines - Dear Antoinette and to the fresh grads out there,
I have read your column in The Philippine Star and that was pretty impressive. Everything you wrote there was true. I am writing this letter because I want to share my experiences right after I left the happy halls of my university. By the way, Antoinette, I got your 2010 and 2011 planners and actually wanted to ask if you are having a 2013 planner.
I am inspired to share something from what you wrote. I hope our letters would make the drama kings and queens lesser.
Moving on, I want to say to the fresh graduates that in this competitive world, will is the key. I know it sounds like a cliché but hey, I've been to that stage too. I am not saying that I am a master or guru, but we gotta be tough. You know, learning doesn't stop right after you received your diploma. The world has a lot to offer to you, and just like what Lourd De Veyra said in the UP Commencement Exercises, "Bawal maging tanga." Every single thing that you do has a lesson.
I have been working for three years and I've been to several jobs and it wasn't easy to go from one job to another. I do not know if jumping to different jobs is right or wrong. All I know is I couldn't find my place, I didn't know what exactly to do with my life. It felt like I can do anything but it seemed that I cannot do them all at the same time because I was not born with a golden spoon in my mouth. But, I didn't give up. I am still living in the realm of my dreams. After all, they are the only things that keep me going.
Let's take one step at a time. I've seen a lot of fresh grads living the life. There's nothing wrong with it if you can afford to have the lifestyle that you want. You're young and the energies are pretty skyrocketing. You know, there's nothing wrong with knowing your limitations and parameters and please the YOLO mentality doesn't apply to everyone.
Everybody says that you’ve got to have passion.
When I was out there looking for a job and feeling like a New Yorker in the bustling street of Ayala under the scorching heat, I asked myself what my passions are and if ever I have one. I ended up getting myself a bottle of water. I wasn't able to answer myself. Passion is either determined or undetermined, don't get too excited nor get too lazy to know and discover it. Things change as well as our dreams and passion. Just be sure that they won't fade away.
Don't be hard on yourself. Accept the fact that there are things that you cannot change. You don't have to be great, just learn how to dance with life and with the people around you.
Enjoy and never give up finding yourself.
Au Revoir!
Sincerely yours,
The twenty-four-year old who still doesn't know what to do with his life