Dearest Anak,
I saw your photo and you are payat yata.
Actually aside from looking slimmer, I’ve noticed some changes in you.
The self-confidence that disappeared in 2016 and 2017 is back. The way you approach things is more methodical. Though thousands of kilometers away I could sense some kind of maturing that comes with age and maybe from the many experiences you’ve had in the past two and a half years, both good and bad, happy and sad.
I am happy you’ve found some new friends– from Costa Rica and Japan! I hope they will turn out to be real friends in the true sense of the word. Learn from your past mistakes with your so-called friends here. Limit your association. You know what I mean.
I am happy you’ve earned your Master of Arts in International Studies despite tremendous odds. I know it was difficult to focus on studies while facing serious challenges. I was proud of how you stood strong during those most difficult times.
I am impressed at how you are seriously pouring in your time and effort to earn another degree. What a surprise I no longer hear any whining from reading volumes of notes and from the very long and tiring commute to and from school. And no more complains about not having enough money for food.
I know it’s going to be several years of intense studying because the school wants to make sure you are deserving of their name, reputation, and diploma.
Would you like to go to Yale or Harvard Law afterward? Knowledge is power. Without knowledge, you are less than everybody else. Everything that you sow now you will reap in the future. The glory will be worth every pain.
Problems and challenges are still here but fight lang tayo anak. Cultivate strength using your faith. Fight to vindicate yourself. Fight for your own place on earth. Fight for your own self-preservation. Fight for your own glory.
Keep on living, loving, and fighting anak. I love you so much.
Mom
Good advice