04/08/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | Can You Still Be Proud of Yourself Even If Your Name Wasn't Called?
There was a time when hearing my name felt normal. I grew up collecting certificates, medals, and awards, believing they were proof that I was "magaling." Every recognition made my parents smile, and somehow, I began to believe that those pieces of paper were the only way I could make them proud.
But as I grew older, the spark slowly faded. I don't know if it was academic burnout or if I simply wasn't the same kid anymore. There were times when my name wasn't called, and I remember how terrified I was. I felt like I had lost the only thing that made me worthy. Achievements stopped feeling like victories; they became expectations. Every award brought relief instead of happiness, and every missed recognition made me question if I was still enough.
But I realized that the greatest achievements are often the ones no one applauds. Because the time I chose to keep going despite disappointments, clapped for others' victories, and continued believing in myself even without those certificates, medals, and awardsโthose were victories that remained unseen, but I know they were just as real.
Now, I think I finally understand. A certificate can recognize an achievement, but it can never measure a person's worth. Maybe it can commemorate a moment but surely cannot define a lifetime.
So to everyone whose names will be called, congratulations; you deserve every applause. But to those whose names won't be, I hope you know that your story isn't any less meaningful. You are more than a medal. We are more than a medal. Our effort, our courage, and our determination to keep goingโthey do matter just as much.
And maybe that's the answer to the question I've been asking myself all along...
Yes, I can still be proud of myselfโeven if my name wasn't called.
Words | Guen Stephanie Ariola
Art | Guen Stephanie Ariola
