I dropped my original plan of running away from home simply because my dear parents decided to transfer me to Manila after my second year of high school in Marbel, South Cotabato (now Koronadal City). Call it coincidence or whatever you like but what the Spirit of the Glass revealed to me before actually came true. God really works in very mysterious ways!
A whole new world startled me when I first set foot in UE (University of the East) High Sch. For the first time in my life I felt lost and deserted. I was surrounded by 49 classmates who were probably best buddies since they were in Kindergarten and for them, I was a nobody. I must admit I wasn’t the friendly type before. I was an introvert by nature (I still am). So I sat at the very end of the room, my back touching the wall. Everybody was busy talking to each other but I just kept quiet. I listened attentively to our teacher when class started. My father repeatedly instructed me to recite in class for me to be easily recognized and I assured him I would. So when the teacher asked the question “What is the scope of Economics?” and nobody dared to raise his hand, I mustered up the courage to ask “May I try?” The teacher addressed the whole class that she loved students who were willing to try. I then found myself at the center of everyone’s attention. There was complete silence that I could almost hear the beating of my own heart. Everybody waited in anticipation what this Promdi (person who grew up in the province and goes to Manila) was going to say.
The moment I opened my mouth and my classmates heard me talk, I hated myself for my guts. They started laughing at me and murmuring among themselves. I realized they were mocking my Ilonggo accent, dropping comments like “Bisaya gid.” I swear to God I could have just died right then and there. The fact that I was a school declaimer for 8 consecutive years in Marbel did not help at all. My self-confidence dropped below the ground along with my pride but not my determination. I struggled to ignore the huzz and the buzz around me and pressed on. When our teacher exclaimed “VERY GOOD!” after my introductory monologue, I was lifted up to the heavens. I instantly regained the dignity I lost and stood tall and proud. My classmates were dumbfounded and though I could feel their piercing stares, nothing could break me anymore.
On the way back to the dorm I passed by a fruit stand and asked how much was the banana. The vendor told me 30 centavos. I gave her my payment and when she gave me 1 piece of banana, I asked her why she was only giving me a single banana. Imagine the shock on my face when I learned that the price was actually 30 centavos per banana when back in Marbel, bananas were sold at 30 centavos per bunch! I tried my best not to lose my composure while the vendor was meticulously scrutinizing me from head to toe as if to verify whether I was an alien from outer space that had just landed on earth.
To be continued . . .
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