User talk:Mankinton

The scene before my existence (According to my mother) A very Special Wednesday, November 14, 1992; my father went to his work as a laborer to his cousin’s business; and he went home sometimes during lunch. His duty is from seven o’clock in the morning to seven o’clock in the evening. While my mother with my elder brother and sister Ivy left at home. When the sun on that day sets, my mother had been started to feel that it was the day that they were waiting for because the baby (me) started to move and ready to face the world. Our neighbor, who was the companion of my father at work, told my father that his wife was enduring pain because the child that she bore was ready to go out, then my father immediately went home to comfort my mother and then he immediately looked for the mid-wife and was rushed. While my father was very busy looking for a mid-wife, my mother felt that I was coming, and without suffering I came out. They were so happy, knowing that the baby was a boy but it was already late when my father and the mid-wife arrived. It was a mysterious delivery that made them so afraid upon knowing that the baby was dying because the baby did not cry out, and stayed so silent. After that, the baby cried out surprisingly, and they were so very happy.

Daclan Children: God blessed the marriage of Mr. Wilfredo Brao Daclan and Mrs. Procora Arais Geolagon-Daclan with four children- two boys and two girls. These children are as follows: 1.	My elder brother named Dexyl also known as “Dex” or “Tata” is the first child of the couple. He was born on July 17, 1988. He has the God-given talents, he knows how to dance, he is very good in art works like drawing, painting, and etc. He sacrifices his two-year of studies just to help our family from being drown in crisis. At this present time, he is studying at Holy Cross of Davao College taking up the course of commerce. He is also a member of the mountaineering club under “AMOSS”- Apo Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Society. He is fond of adventure like me. He was able to go in many different places, different tribes and in different events of climbing with a cause; and I am very lucky to have a brother like him. 2.	My elder sister, Ivy also known as “Ivz” is the second child of the family. She was born on October 26, 1989. She does have initiative. She helps my mother in doing house works. She has also the talents in dancing and in art works and others. When she was going to enrolled herself at St. Mary’s College of Baganga runned by the RVM Sisters, she wanted to take up Information Technology or IT course but when the principal, Sr. Ma. Cynthia V. Cliano, RVM saw her grades, the principal suggested her to take up education. She discovered and developed her talents in dancing and in art works at that school. She often becomes as the leader of the workshops activities to train students who are willing to develop their dancing skills. She graduated last March 2009, year of our Lord; and at present she is teaching at Saint Mary’s College of Baganga, and my parents are very proud of her as well as on themselves because despite of our situation they still able to spend money for us until college level.

3.	I am the third child of the family. I am so very foolish since childhood, and was lessen my foolishness when I entered the religious group in our parish. I was installed as a sacristan and then installed as a lector; since then many achievements followed. I entered the seminary after my graduation in high school on the year 2009 to respond to God’s call, and I took the required one year pre-college at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Pre-college Seminary, Mati City. A million of thanks to God, I was able to pass the first level of my chosen vocation. At present time, I am studying my college philosophy at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XACOSE), Davao City.

4.	My younger sister, Kyla is the fourth child of the family. She was born on the 12th day of January 2003. When I have had not yet entered the seminary, I used to quarrel with her because of her bad attitude; however I love my sister. She is very good in dancing and in other matters. We are trying our best to discipline and guide her in order for her to grow morally and a God fearing person.

The early period of my existence I remembered the time and when it was still blurred in my eyes; my grandmother together with my relatives from Leyte visited us. My grandmother took care of me because I was still almost six months old at that time. We ate our breakfast together then I was sitting above the table and they were laughing, maybe at me? We went to Bohol to visit my grandparents- the parents of my mother- and at that time I was still practicing how to walk and it was my first time to step on the island of Bohol.

My Childhood Days After our vacation in Bohol we went back to our home in Baganga. I was so very happy during my childhood days because in our place there were many children who had the same in my age and they stood as my playmates. I remembered, every afternoon and I was playing with my playmates, my father always took me home to have nap and sometimes if I feel that my father was getting closer to me, I will immediately run and hid myself but unknowingly he runs faster than me. That’s why I was forced to take a nap. When I was already at my room together with my father, I will let him close his eyes until he got sleep, likewise I did, I closed my eyes to make him believe that I was sleeping and slowly remove his hands from me and then slowly I will walk silently going to the door and then run immediately to continue in playing outside. Sometimes they were angry at me because of being an odd child. They punished me and I suddenly cry in order for them to make believe so that they would stop punishing me. Every time my kuya Dexyl and ate Ivy do not have a class, they taught me together with my childhood friends at our home, sharing what they had learnt from their school. They used to give spelling contest, drawing competition, and many other activities. That was why my parents brought me a cheapest toy as a reward because they could not afford expensive toys; but because of my curiousness, my toys won’t last long. I also experienced kneeling on mongo seeds with books above my hand, and sometimes got bruised because of their punishment to me however, I learnt something from them.

My Frolic Age During my play age, I used to play many kinds of “Larong Pinoy” like: tumba lata, takyan, tago-tagu-an, bahay-bahayan and other games and plays. Early in the morning after waking up, I used to watch television, especially cartoon network- while waiting for our breakfast. Before taking my breakfast, I must take first a bath so that I am fresh and ready to receive God’s grace. After taking my breakfast, I brushed my teeth because they trained me and disciplined me well. After that, I would go to our neighbor and asked them boastfully if they have already taken their bath and then I would invite them to go to our house to watch cartoons together or to play inside our house. Sometimes if there was a misunderstanding, trouble will occur. I did not fear to have trouble, at that time. I did not even think what consequences that trouble would bring. However, I like the attitude of a child when it comes into trouble because they can easily forgive and would forget. As the Sacred Scriptures says, “Unless you become as little children you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” I also took part in the rosary procession of our Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC/GKK) at 3 o’clock dawn with my childhood friends every October, the month of Holy Rosary and in any activities of our chapel. I also attend mass together with my mama, kuya and ate every five o’clock in Sunday the morning. I am so very lucky to inherit the religious nature of my mother.

School Age On the year 1997, and I was still 5 years old, my parents sent me to school to study my Day Care level. My mother always accompanied me there even in times of rainy or shiny days. I started to master in writing my name, to count numbers, to read an alphabetical letters, to identify shapes, colors and the like. I was still a little bit chubby at that time. I was so very excited and curious about everything especially when it comes to toys. There I met many new friends whom they stood as my playmates during our play time at our school. During our Graduation, I got the third honor. I studied at Baganga Central Elementary School (BCES) for my Kindergarten studies. There I met many new friends and I began also to love a girl and I called it “puppy love.” When the school year ended, I got the second honor from our class and my parents extended their heart-felt gratitude on me by promising me to buy a new bag for the next school year as a reward. I faced the next level of studies, and the first part of it was very challenging because I was exposed to a greater number of students and a widen-place. At first, my mother accompanied me in going to school, then after few days I went to our school by myself or sometimes together with my kuya Dexyl and ate Ivy because we were studying at the same school. Later, I was able to memorize the way going to our room. I experienced many common illnesses like: fever, cough, colds and the like. When I was still Grade One I was attacked by a great fever that made me suffer most, because I did not know yet what to do. I could not carry my pencil even though how many times I tried to lift it up, until our teacher noticed that I had the difficulty in writing and with tears flowing from my eyes. I didn’t know what happened. When I woke up I was already in our house lying on the bed guarded by my family. As what I had known, it was my first sickness. I thanked God and my parents for my fast recovery and continued going to school. I also experienced having an attraction to my classmate in the opposite sex (I still remembered them.). As what I have had observed during those years, every new school year there was also new girl that I had been attracted (only crush). On the other matter, I also joined some activities and corporations of our school just like: Drum and Bugle Corporation, drawing, dancing, oration, coral speech, singing and many others. I was so participative in any activities of our school that’s why I received many medals and ribbons. When I reached grade five, I was influenced by my classmates who were older than me and from them I learnt how to do gambling, cutting classes just to play basketball and many other bad doings. However, I did not abhor my studies, that was why I was able to finish my elementary level of studies.

My High School Days After my graduation in elementary, I spent my high school studies at St. Mary’s College of Baganga, a private school. I was very lucky to study at that school because I developed and discovered my God given talents and skills. Even though we are only in the average stage of living, my parents was able to spend money for my studies. I did first was to observe and to study the atmosphere on that school because I was only a newbie there, and so that I would know the atmosphere and express to them who I am. At first, I had the difficulty to adjust in all the aspects of that school in terms of academics, time, and their practices, especially being exposed to the greater number of students. I am a shy-type person that’s why I stayed so silent for almost two weeks; and as weeks passed by, I was able to get together with them. On the other matter, I also participated in our school activities like drawing, acting, dancing, and many other activities; even though I did not know what to do but I was force to do so. Many of my classmates, especially the boys were so foolish and I was again influenced by them. We had many foolish and unforgettable moments during our high school days just like cutting classes just to play billiard or computer, gambling inside our school, jumping over the wall, and many others. We also drunk almost every night and sometimes I went to the computer station and played there until dawn. I was a computer addict before, and I went home at dawn or sometimes early in the morning. Nevertheless, I was able to depart from that addiction through serving God by being an altar boy. From there, my darkness was being illuminated by the everlasting light of Christ; and I was able to have a new way of living. I worked hard for almost three months as a trainee so that I would become an altar boy. I was awakening to the truth, I learnt how to sacrifice, to think ethically, and be a good Christian. When I was installed as an altar boy, I valued most the things for God even though I have only nothing for myself. I am willing to offer my life to God and to be formed according to his own will. Only spiritual things were on my mind, and I did not even eat my meal just to go to the church, to clean the church together with my companions. From first-year to fourth-year, I almost came to school late, but in serving God during the mass I never came late. In the other hand, because of being a good boy, there was a girl who had attracted to me. She was cute, beautiful, rich girl and a lead singer of the choir of our school, but I did not have any feelings for her. I treated her as my friend. If I did not have any serving schedule for the mass, she always approached me to go with her in hearing mass. Until such time, I was developed to her and she told me about her unexplainable. I doubted if I would court her or not, because I have had already decided that I would enter the seminary. Unfortunately, I had nothing to do but to express also my feelings to her, and that was why I courted her. I courted her for almost three months and I experienced a lot of unexplainable mixed feelings, but when she became my girlfriend, all the sweetness, loveliness and unexplainable feelings were slowly and slowly fades away. Until such we decided to broke-up our relationship. As she said, “If you are ready to love, you must also be ready to get hurt.” I realized that all the good feelings starts at the beginning and nothing is permanent in this material world. From those feelings, I was able to write a poem and until now that poem is being treasured on my mind. When we finished taking our examinations, I asked permission to our teacher that I would be absent because I would be taking a search-in program at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Pre-College Seminary, Mati City for my college studies. During the practice for graduation, she (my ex-girlfriend) was looking for me as what my classmates said to me; and when I came back, she asked me about what she heard, that I would be entering the seminary. I just smiled at her because before she became my girlfriend, she knew it already that I already decided to enter the seminary. I thanked God for all of us who successfully finished and graduated on our secondary level of studies. The high school years helped us to face a new beginning in the course preparation for our individual vocation; and so each one of us took the path that God prepared for us. “In every ending, there is always a new beginning.”

My Seminary Life I took the search-in program together with my “kababayans” at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Pre-College Seminary last March 15-17, 2009. We were five from our parish who took the search-in program. We were only four who passed and only three who entered the seminary (from our parish). We were only two from our parish who finished the Pre-College, and I am the only one left from our parish who continued my college formation in the seminary. When I entered the seminary, I met a tall, dark, scary priest, a Nigerian priest named Fr. Thaddeus, an SDV priest (Society of Divine Vocation). At first, I was afraid at him because of his looks. Only his eyes and teeth are light in color; but when he interviewed me, I found out that he is a philosopher. He asked me a question upside-down. I couldn’t speak good English at that time and I was very thankful that there was a brother who stood as our translator. I was very thankful that I passed the search-in program for Pre-College. Before I entered the seminary, I had my saddest moment because my uncle died and I had nothing on my mind but only to go on my own way straightly. After the tears, I was able to see clearly and I found such joy in living a life with God. I started traveling by myself at the age of 16, going to the City of Mati to enter the seminary. I was not yet familiar of the place but after a week I was able to memorize the ways and shortcuts on that place. On my first day in the seminary I met many new faces, different races, different voices, and different choices. We made good friends, they treated me very well, they stood as my brothers and my second family; hereupon I developed my bonding to them that made me feel at home inside the seminary. i followed the rules and regulations in the seminary –but not truly all because I have also some lapses sometimes- and that help me to be formed and became a special product. During our semester break, I attended the “Urban Trek5 – a walk for a greener Davao” together with my kuya Dexyl, my cousin, Rhonel and many other climbers. I was able to see different beautiful creations along our way. It was a priceless event. After that I moved to our town, Baganga and spent my vacation with my family and the Church. I also took part in promoting vocations to encourage the youth to enter religious life or to help them in discerning what vocation each one belongs. After our semester break, I went back to the seminary to continue my Pre-College formation. Almost two months passed and we were sent back to our home to have our Christmas break; before I went home, I first went to Davao to attend an adventurous event with my kuya Dexyl. The event was called “Technical Climb” and was held at Barangay Osmeña, Sulop Davao del Sur. On that event we offered some free services like free medical check-up with free medicine, clothes, food and many others, for the native people living there. On the second day we need to take a step for almost five hours before reaching the entrance of the cave; and from that we entered the cave by batch. The cave was full of darkness and bats. We should be always careful in using our headlamps or cameras because the bats are afraid of light and if you turn on your headlamps, the bats would fly and that could possibly hit our head. After that memorable and priceless event, I went back together with my brother in going to our home town, Baganga. I spent my December break together with my family. They heard mass and me, as usual, I served mass. I was very glad that even though we were far from each other, we were able to be gathered together as one happy family. After spending a few weeks of vacation, I went back to the seminary to continue my formation; until I finished my Pre-College formation. I learnt a lot from my Pre-College formation; my English grammar was no longer from the rubbish. I have had made my English correctly but not yet perfectly. I learnt also some foreign words, phrases and songs; and most of all I found out the difference when I was still outside the seminary. After my Pre-College formation, I applied the summer job offered by the government; and I was accepted. I worked at the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) under Mrs. Mabel P. Gloria, the head of the HRMO. I had my work experience for almost one month and at the same time I received also a salary as the fruit of my hard works and that I used for my college expenses; and I gave to my parents half of my salary. I went to the City of Mati to comply all the requirements for my college studies, incidentally we were gathered together with my batch mates in Pre-College and we had our bonding; we took the opportunity that we were gathered together; we visited the Pre-College Seminary and we also heard mass at the Carmelite Monastery, then after our bonding we returned back to our respective homes. After my Pre-College formation, I have been spending my College formation at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XACOSE), Davao City. At first, I was trying to adjust myself to the environment because when I was still in Pre-College, our population was more or less 16% of the population here in the College Seminary. I find this place very preservative and suitable place for our formation because only in this very kind of place I could see the preserved creations of God, especially the trees, fresh air, animals, and many other creatures of God; and it doesn’t mean that until there, but also the rhythm of the life of all creatures. I am very glad to all my “cavzkies” here in SFXCS who treated me well as their brother and that made me feel at home in this very place.

Exordium Life is full of adventure, just like you are traveling, using the different kinds of ways, in order to reach the true meaning of life and to be satisfied. This kind of biography that you will going to read is about the man who faces the adventure of his life. Do you want to know who he is? Are you excited? Sure? …if that so….look below on this paragraph and read the story of his adventurous life.

My Parents – “The roots of the fruits” My mother, Mrs. Procora Arais Geolagon-Daclan is the elder daughter of Mr. Quirico Monteron Geolagon and Mrs. Catalina Balagonsa Arais-Geolagon. She was born on April 9, 19__. She comes from Tabu-an Antequera, Bohol. She does have a kind attitude and a careful mother of her children My father, Mr. Wilfredo Brao Daclan is the 6th son of the nine children of Mr. Lorenzo Miones Daclan and Mrs. Emilia Brao-Daclan. He was born on February 15, 19__. He comes from Sogod, Southern Leyte. He is strict yet jolly person and a good father of his children.

The scene before my existence (According to my mother) A very Special Wednesday, November 14, 1992; my father went to his work as a laborer to his cousin’s business; and he went home sometimes during lunch. His duty is from seven o’clock in the morning to seven o’clock in the evening. While my mother with my elder brother and sister Ivy left at home. When the sun on that day sets, my mother had been started to feel that it was the day that they were waiting for because the baby (me) started to move and ready to face the world. Our neighbor, who was the companion of my father at work, told my father that his wife was enduring pain because the child that she bore was ready to go out, then my father immediately went home to comfort my mother and then he immediately looked for the mid-wife and was rushed. While my father was very busy looking for a mid-wife, my mother felt that I was coming, and without suffering I came out. They were so happy, knowing that the baby was a boy but it was already late when my father and the mid-wife arrived. It was a mysterious delivery that made them so afraid upon knowing that the baby was dying because the baby did not cry out, and stayed so silent. After that, the baby cried out surprisingly, and they were so very happy.

Daclan Children: God blessed the marriage of Mr. Wilfredo Brao Daclan and Mrs. Procora Arais Geolagon-Daclan with four children - two boys and two girls. These children are as follows:

1.	My elder brother named Dexyl also known as “Dex” or “Tata” is the first child of the couple. He was born on July 17, 1988. He has the God-given talents, he knows how to dance, he is very good in art works like drawing, painting, and etc. He sacrifices his two-year of studies just to help our family from being drown in crisis. At this present time, he is studying at Holy Cross of Davao College taking up the course of commerce. He is also a member of the mountaineering club under “AMOSS”- Apo Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Society. He is fond of adventure like me. He was able to go in many different places, different tribes and in different events of climbing with a cause; and I am very lucky to have a brother like him. 2.	My elder sister, Ivy also known as “Ivz” is the second child of the family. She was born on October 26, 1989. She does have initiative. She helps my mother in doing house works. She has also the talents in dancing and in art works and others. When she was going to enrolled herself at St. Mary’s College of Baganga runned by the RVM Sisters, she wanted to take up Information Technology or IT course but when the principal, Sr. Ma. Cynthia V. Cliano, RVM saw her grades, the principal suggested her to take up education. She discovered and developed her talents in dancing and in art works at that school. She often becomes as the leader of the workshops activities to train students who are willing to develop their dancing skills. She graduated last March 2009, year of our Lord; and at present she is teaching at Saint Mary’s College of Baganga, and my parents are very proud of her as well as on themselves because despite of our situation they still able to spend money for us until college level.

3.	I am the third child of the family. I am so very foolish since childhood, and was lessen my foolishness when I entered the religious group in our parish. I was installed as a sacristan and then installed as a lector; since then many achievements followed. I entered the seminary after my graduation in high school on the year 2009 to respond to God’s call, and I took the required one year pre-college at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Pre-college Seminary, Mati City. A million of thanks to God, I was able to pass the first level of my chosen vocation. At present time, I am studying my college philosophy at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XACOSE), Davao City.

4.	My younger sister, Kyla is the fourth child of the family. She was born on the 12th day of January 2003. When I have had not yet entered the seminary, I used to quarrel with her because of her bad attitude; however I love my sister. She is very good in dancing and in other matters. We are trying our best to discipline and guide her in order for her to grow morally and a God fearing person.

The early period of my existence (Stated from my mother) During these years, I had the development in terms of physical and emotional as what the normal child develops these years. I learned how to move, to turn my body, to creep, to hold an object, to sit, to laugh, to cry, to smile and other developments and changes in my self. When I was more than one-year old, our family went to Bohol to visit the parents of my mother- our grandparents. They trained me how to walk with the guidance of them. As months passed by, I was able to walk to walk alone.

My Childhood Days After our vacation in Bohol we went back to our home in Baganga. I was so very happy during my childhood days because in our place there were many children who had the same in my age and they stood as my playmates. I remembered, every afternoon and I was playing with my playmates, my father always took me home to have nap and sometimes if I feel that my father was getting closer to me, I will immediately run and hid myself but unknowingly he runs faster than me. That’s why I was forced to take a nap. When I was already at my room together with my father, I will let him close his eyes until he got sleep, likewise I did, I closed my eyes to make him believe that I was sleeping and slowly remove his hands from me and then slowly I will walk silently going to the door and then run immediately to continue in playing outside. Sometimes they were angry at me because of being an odd child. They punished me and I suddenly cry in order for them to make believe so that they would stop punishing me. Every time my kuya Dexyl and ate Ivy do not have a class, they taught me together with my childhood friends at our home, sharing what they had learnt from their school. They used to give spelling contest, drawing competition, and many other activities. That was why my parents brought me a cheapest toy as a reward because they could not afford expensive toys; but because of my curiousness, my toys won’t last long. I also experienced kneeling on mongo seeds with books above my hand, and sometimes got bruised because of their punishment to me however, I learnt something from them.

My Frolic Age During my play age, I used to play many kinds of “Larong Pinoy” like: tumba lata, takyan, tago-tagu-an, bahay-bahayan and other games and plays. Early in the morning after waking up, I used to watch television, especially cartoon network- while waiting for our breakfast. Before taking my breakfast, I must take first a bath so that I am fresh and ready to receive God’s grace. After taking my breakfast, I brushed my teeth because they trained me and disciplined me well. After that, I would go to our neighbor and asked them boastfully if they have already taken their bath and then I would invite them to go to our house to watch cartoons together or to play inside our house. Sometimes if there was a misunderstanding, trouble will occur. I did not fear to have trouble, at that time. I did not even think what consequences that trouble would bring. However, I like the attitude of a child when it comes into trouble because they can easily forgive and would forget. As the Sacred Scriptures says, “Unless you become as little children you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” I also took part in the rosary procession of our Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC/GKK) at 3 o’clock dawn with my childhood friends every October, the month of Holy Rosary and in any activities of our chapel. I also attend mass together with my mama, kuya and ate every five o’clock in Sunday the morning. I am so very lucky to inherit the religious nature of my mother.

School Age On the year 1997, and I was still 5 years old, my parents sent me to school to study my Day Care level. My mother always accompanied me there even in times of rainy or shiny days. I started to master in writing my name, to count numbers, to read an alphabetical letters, to identify shapes, colors and the like. I was still a little bit chubby at that time. I was so very excited and curious about everything especially when it comes to toys. There I met many new friends whom they stood as my playmates during our play time at our school. During our Graduation, I got the third honor. I studied at Baganga Central Elementary School (BCES) for my Kindergarten studies. There I met many new friends and I began also to love a girl and I called it “puppy love.” When the school year ended, I got the second honor from our class and my parents extended their heart-felt gratitude on me by promising me to buy a new bag for the next school year as a reward. I faced the next level of studies, and the first part of it was very challenging because I was exposed to a greater number of students and a widen-place. At first, my mother accompanied me in going to school, then after few days I went to our school by myself or sometimes together with my kuya Dexyl and ate Ivy because we were studying at the same school. Later, I was able to memorize the way going to our room. I experienced many common illnesses like: fever, cough, colds and the like. When I was still Grade One I was attacked by a great fever that made me suffer most, because I did not know yet what to do. I could not carry my pencil even though how many times I tried to lift it up, until our teacher noticed that I had the difficulty in writing and with tears flowing from my eyes. I didn’t know what happened. When I woke up I was already in our house lying on the bed guarded by my family. As what I had known, it was my first sickness. I thanked God and my parents for my fast recovery and continued going to school. I also experienced having an attraction to my classmate in the opposite sex (I still remembered them.). As what I have had observed during those years, every new school year there was also new girl that I had been attracted (only crush). On the other matter, I also joined some activities and corporations of our school just like: Drum and Bugle Corporation, drawing, dancing, oration, coral speech, singing and many others. I was so participative in any activities of our school that’s why I received many medals and ribbons. When I reached grade five, I was influenced by my classmates who were older than me and from them I learnt how to do gambling, cutting classes just to play basketball and many other bad doings. However, I did not neglect my study that was why I was able to finish my elementary level of studies.

My High School Days After my graduation in elementary, I spent my high school studies at St. Mary’s College of Baganga, a private school. I was very lucky to study at that school because I developed and discovered my God given talents and skills. Even though we are only in the average stage of living, my parents was able to spend money for my studies. I did first was to observe and to study the atmosphere on that school because I was only a newbie there, and so that I would know the atmosphere and express to them who I am. At first, I had the difficulty to adjust in all the aspects of that school in terms of academics, time, and their practices, especially being exposed to the greater number of students. I am a shy-type person that’s why I stayed so silent for almost two weeks; and as weeks passed by, I was able to get together with them. On the other matter, I also participated in our school activities like drawing, acting, dancing, and many other activities; even though I did not know what to do but I was force to do so. Many of my classmates, especially the boys were so foolish and I was again influenced by them. We had many foolish and unforgettable moments during our high school days just like cutting classes just to play billiard or computer, gambling inside our school, jumping over the wall, and many others. We also drunk almost every night and sometimes I went to the computer station and played there until dawn. I was a computer addict before, and I went home at dawn or sometimes early in the morning. Nevertheless, I was able to depart from that addiction through serving God by being an altar boy. From there, my darkness was being illuminated by the everlasting light of Christ; and I was able to have a new way of living. I worked hard for almost three months as a trainee so that I would become an altar boy. I was awakening to the truth, I learnt how to sacrifice, to think ethically, and be a good Christian. When I was installed as an altar boy, I valued most the things for God even though I have only nothing for myself. I am willing to offer my life to God and to be formed according to his own will. Only spiritual things were on my mind, and I did not even eat my meal just to go to the church, to clean the church together with my companions. “Today, we will translate the words of the Scriptures into deeds”-St. Jerome

From first-year to fourth-year, I almost came to school late, but in serving God during the mass I never came late. In the other hand, because of being a good boy, there was a girl who had attracted to me. She was cute, beautiful, rich girl and a lead singer of the choir of our school, but I did not have any feelings for her. I treated her as my friend. If I did not have any serving schedule for the mass, she always approached me to go with her in hearing mass. Until such time, I was developed to her and she told me about her unexplainable. I doubted if I would court her or not, because I have had already decided that I would enter the seminary. Unfortunately, I had nothing to do but to express also my feelings to her, and that was why I courted her. I courted her for almost three months and I experienced a lot of unexplainable mixed feelings, but when she became my girlfriend, all the sweetness, loveliness and unexplainable feelings were slowly and slowly fades away. Until such we decided to broke-up our relationship. As she said, “If you are ready to love, you must also be ready to get hurt.” I realized that all the good feelings starts at the beginning and nothing is permanent in this material world. From those feelings, I was able to write a poem and until now that poem is being treasured on my mind. When we finished taking our examinations, I asked permission to our teacher that I would be absent because I would be taking a search-in program at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Pre-College Seminary, Mati City for my college studies. During the practice for graduation, she (my ex-girlfriend) was looking for me as what my classmates said to me; and when I came back, she asked me about what she heard, that I would be entering the seminary. I just smiled at her because before she became my girlfriend, she knew it already that I already decided to enter the seminary. I thanked God for all of us who successfully finished and graduated on our secondary level of studies. The high school years helped us to face a new beginning in the course preparation for our individual vocation; and so each one of us took the path that God prepared for us. “In every ending, there is always a new beginning.”-jzYxs

My Seminary Life I took the search-in program together with my “kababayans” at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Pre-College Seminary last March 15-17, 2009. We were five from our parish who took the search-in program. We were only four who passed and only three who entered the seminary (from our parish). We were only two from our parish who finished the Pre-College, and I am the only one left from our parish who continued my college formation in the seminary. When I entered the seminary, I met a tall, dark, scary priest, a Nigerian priest named Fr. Thaddeus, an SDV priest (Society of Divine Vocation). At first, I was afraid at him because of his looks. Only his eyes and teeth are light in color; but when he interviewed me, I found out that he is a philosopher. He asked me a question upside-down. I couldn’t speak good English at that time and I was very thankful that there was a brother who stood as our translator. I was very thankful that I passed the search-in program for Pre-College. Before I entered the seminary, I had my saddest moment because my uncle died and I had nothing on my mind but only to go on my own way straightly. After the tears, I was able to see clearly and I found such joy in living a life with God. I started traveling by myself at the age of 16, going to the City of Mati to enter the seminary. I was not yet familiar of the place but after a week I was able to memorize the ways and shortcuts on that place. On my first day in the seminary I met many new faces, different races, different voices, and different choices. We made good friends, they treated me very well, they stood as my brothers and my second family; hereupon I developed my bonding to them that made me feel at home inside the seminary. i followed the rules and regulations in the seminary –but not truly all because I have also some lapses sometimes- and that help me to be formed and became a special product. During our semestral break, I attended the “Urban Trek5 – a walk for a greener Davao” together with my kuya Dexyl, my cousin, Rhonel and many other climbers. I was able to see different beautiful creations along our way. It was a priceless event. After that I moved to our town, Baganga and spent my vacation with my family and the Church. I also took part in promoting vocations to encourage the youth to enter religious life or to help them in discerning what vocation each one belongs. After our semestral break, I went back to the seminary to continue my Pre-College formation. Almost two months passed and we were sent back to our home to have our Christmas break; before I went home, I first went to Davao to attend an adventurous event with my kuya Dexyl. The event was called “Technical Climb” and was held at Barangay Osmeña, Sulop Davao del Sur. On that event we offered some free services like free medical check-up with free medicine, clothes, food and many others, for the native people living there. On the second day we need to take a step for almost five hours before reaching the entrance of the cave; and from that we entered the cave by batch. The cave was full of darkness and bats. We should be always careful in using our headlamps or cameras because the bats are afraid of light and if you turn on your headlamps, the bats would fly and that could possibly hit our head. After that memorable and priceless event, I went back together with my brother in going to our home town, Baganga. I spent my December break together with my family. They heard mass and me, as usual, I served mass. I was very glad that even though we were far from each other, we were able to be gathered together as one happy family. After spending a few weeks of vacation, I went back to the seminary to continue my formation; until I finished my Pre-College formation. I learnt a lot from my Pre-College formation; my English grammar was no longer from the rubbish. I have had made my English correctly but not yet perfectly. I learnt also some foreign words, phrases and songs; and most of all I found out the difference when I was still outside the seminary. After my Pre-College formation, I applied the summer job offered by the government; and I was accepted. I worked at the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) under Mrs. Mabel P. Gloria, the head of the HRMO. I had my work experience for almost one month and at the same time I received also a salary as the fruit of my hard works and that I used for my college expenses; and I gave to my parents half of my salary. I went to the City of Mati to comply all the requirements for my college studies, incidentally we were gathered together with my batch mates in Pre-College and we had our bonding; we took the opportunity that we were gathered together; we visited the Pre-College Seminary and we also heard mass at the Carmelite Monastery, then after our bonding we returned back to our respective homes. After my Pre-College formation, I have been spending my College formation at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XACOSE), Davao City. At first, I was trying to adjust myself to the environment because when I was still in Pre-College, our population was more or less 16% of the population here in the College Seminary. I find this place very preservative and suitable place for our formation because only in this very kind of place I could see the preserved creations of God, especially the trees, fresh air, animals, and many other creatures of God; and it doesn’t mean that until there, but also the rhythm of the life of all creatures. I am very glad to all my “cavzkies” here in SFXCS who treated me well as their brother and that made me feel at home in this very place

Conclusion At this current time, he is still studying at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary, striving hard to reach the meaning of his life. He wants to become a holy and good priest, if God wills it for him; and if otherwise, he will never cease serving the only one true God. He found out that the meaning and satisfaction of his life could exclusively found in God. “My heart is restless, until it rest in Peace”- St. Augustine —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.106.191.64 (talk) 06:18, 3 October 2010 (UTC)