My name is Frances an only child from Iloilo City, Philippines. A lot of people think since I am an only child that I have been brought up with so much love, and whatever I want I got it so easily. In short, I was so “spoiled”. Honestly, I am proud to say that I was really raised with so much love by my grandparents and my mom and dad. I was spoiled indeed, but not a brat. Gone were the days when we were still babies. The only thing that we needed to worry about was school, the food that I wanted to eat, friends, and some petty stuff. I remember when me and my friends sneaked out and went to a hill just near our houses. We brought 2 liters of coke and chips for snacks that I stole from my mom’s small “sari-sari store” (small neighborhood store).
Just like most parents, we were only allowed to play outside until four to five in the afternoon. We were playing and talking while eating snacks, that we all totally forgot about the time. Which made our parents worried. Our parents were all looking for us everywhere and couldn’t find us. When we finally realized that it was getting late, we all hurriedly home, knowing that a belt or a broomstick was going to welcome us at the front door. We were one of the generations that experienced the kind of discipline that some parents of this generation are not in favor of. But you know what? I felt lucky that I experienced it, because it made me a better person today. When I started going to school and met new friends, I realized that life is not going to be easy. I started experiencing peer pressure, the pressure of not failing in my subjects and so much more. I started having my first crush that gave me the inspiration of going to school, despite the pressures I am experiencing. I am glad that I have got parents and grandparents that supported me and never imposed that I should be a valedictorian, or I should be on the honors list all the time. They just want me to do good and do my best, that’s all that matters.
During my college days I pursued a course of Political Science, a preparatory course for LAW. I started getting interested in politics and becoming a lawyer since I was young. My grandfather, who was once a COMELEC (Commission on Elections) employee and my aunt who was once a lawyer and now a respected judge were the people I looked up to. I even continued my LAW school for 2 years and suddenly realized that it was not really for me. Maybe because I was so young? or maybe because it was not really meant to be. I suddenly ended up and found myself working in ESL world.
Teaching English to Koreans, Chinese and Japanese exchange students was a complete surprised. I never expected to become a teacher, but as time passed, I started to enjoy and love the job. Who would have thought that a woman from a political background ended up teaching. I spent 12 years teaching, I even went to places such as China, just by teaching English. ESL Teaching opened a lot of doors for me, it was one of the best moments of my career.
I made sure that after a long hustle and bustle of work, that I would spend time with myself, friends and family. A family trip is always the best escape from the daily grind. Besides, you will never turn back time and we will only live once. So, spending time with family and friends will always be my go-to.
As time passes I got to see my parents, aunts, and uncles getting old and I don’t want to live with regret by not spending more time with them. I saw a lot of videos of children abandoning their parents when they became successful. An aunt who ended up becoming an old maid because she selflessly devoted herself helping the family, sending her nieces and nephews to school. Finally, when all those that she helps have their own lives and she asked for assistance or a little help from them they ignored her.
I know we should never expect anything in return when we help, but that’s what family is all about. Family should help each other out especially in good times and bad times. Just like what Desmond Tutu quoted that “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them”. To sum it up, whether family or not it is not going to hurt you to be a GOOD PERSON.