I am still so sleepy and they had to wake me up. I forgot what the time is but i hurried and went for the phone (they woke me up because someone's on the line). But it's not there already. He or she must've waited for hours. I expected that it was my classmate (i get excited when they call me, wishing it's another bonding activity). I went to the kitchen then and checked my cellphone. I found messages, one from Eulilah and i forgot how many texts ma'am Jean sent me. BUT, i was quite shocked. Ma'am Jean, our second year Biology teacher, asked me if i want to join the Essay-Writing Contest (Science). I thought for how many times and finally with a trace of reluctance, i decided to. She texted me that we will meet with the other contestants at Dunkin Donuts, coach us and others.Oh no! Division Level. I've always been so pessimistic. I am kinda nervous at first but i wanted to join for the first time.
The day of the meeting had arrived and i saw there Abraham and kuya Herald, the enviroquizzers with ma'am Fuentes (the Science Teacher), their coach; ate Stephanie, another Essay-writing contestant and ma'am Jean, our coach.
I forgot to tell you ma'am Jean told me to write an essay. She gave me the theme and i dunno exactly what to do and where to start. I guess my effort wasn't enough.
"Now what am i going to do? I have nothing in my mind. It is so blank." I felt relief when ma'am Jean told me that it isn't necessary to make it right away, maybe the day we'll meet, there i have to write it 'on the spot'.
Now what?
I made such an ugly composition. I was shy enough to let the others read...I was not confident. Ma'am Fuentes also gave me some tips about it and i've had time to think. I guess the reason i don't have any idea in my mind is that i don't really have an idea what the theme is about.
Yet i was determined. The enviroquizzers studied and read all the encyclopedias given to them; i dunno if they also read other references. Their coach told them to do some things (i forgot what exactly it is that they were researching) on the internet...gave them money. And me. Ma'am Jean also gave me some money for me to research and get ideas that will help me with the essay. And i did. As those sites tranmitted their knowledge of the current issues and past informations on me, i remembered what ma'am Fuentes told me. I should not just focus on 'food security' (as far i can recall, the theme was all about how Science Technology and how it is connected with Food security). I was wrong with what i meant with security. That was just the one thing that i was looking for. Then plans bursted in my head! I'll write this, i'll write that...put this...put that. It was totally great that i did all those. At least i would not have the reason to lose just because of writing very extraneous materials.
After all the long wait (if i actually did wait for it), the contest had started. Division Level. Oh! That uniform looks so smart on her. I scrutinized the girl wearing ICEHS uniform. And she was reading some papers. Memorizing maybe. Alas! I did not just memorize the essay, i studied it, i understood it.
And aaawwww.. So touching. My classmates spake some encouragements to me. They even wrote on the backboard: Go Kevin Marc! (They were decorating the board and named what contest is being held in our classroom.)
I looked and looked at my competitors and never did underestimate them. (Although my mind was surely preoccupied with judgments based on everything i am seeing.) I really prayed to God with the 100/100 of my heart. That is a whole. And i really beseeched Him to give me the moment.
And with a suprise I said, "I won't be expecting that You will give me this...but i sure do hope."
"Do not expect...just hope," i repeated that sentence over and over again.
October 2, 2008. I was nervous but i was able to manage myself. I was a little excited also that time. And i really prayed that i'll win. Just for that contest. I really really asked God to give me the chance to be at the Regionals. I said to Him that it'll be okay if He wants me to stay in Iligan but i would be very glad if He sends me to Camiguin.
I went to my friends, the very supportive ones, and stayed with them. We sat at the ESEP building as i wait for the result. My cellphone rang. It was a message. A surely shocking message. I opened it and learned that it was ma'am Jean...
She said i won! 1st place! Do you believe that?
I don't. Yet i shouted, "Fetch!" And then the others knew about it. I cannot really believe this. i won. I won. Can you say it? I won!
My heart was jumping because of pure happiness. I was so speechless...speechless.
