22/04/2026
To my 17-year-old self, this is for you.
Naalala mo? 10th Economix in Indonesia when you were in 2nd year college? Representing UST and AB Econ sana.
You made the cut. You were chosen.
Pero hindi ka nakapunta.
Hindi dahil hindi ka magaling.
Hindi dahil hindi mo deserve.
Kung di dahil at that time,
Life was about surviving.
Everyone around you was just doing their best, and such opportunities are not yet a priority - to simply put, we can't afford it.
During those times,
Hindi sigurado kung may pang-lunch ka.
Hindi sigurado kung bayad yung dorm, dahil waiting tayo sa tito mo na magbabayad for you.
Hindi sigurado kung kakayanin pa mag enroll the following sem.
At yung pamilya mo, ginagawa lahat para lang maitawid ka.
Since then, you secretly applied on every opportunity you would see online.
You doubted yourself but you kept trying.
Sayang ba yung sa Indonesia? I don't think so.
It sparked something in you.
You held on.
Fast forward to today.
Taiwan Digital Fest 2026.
Hindi ka na nagdadalawang isip kung kaya mo ba.
You took your chance. You grabbed it, you took action.
You're paving the way.
That same 17 year old girl, full of faith,
now no more self-doubt.
Taking space in rooms you once thought were too big for you.
This is for me, for the girl who kept going kahit ang daming uncertainties.
This is for my family, nag-sacrifice para makarating ako dito.
And this is for Jesus.
Thanks for carrying me through seasons na hindi ko pa naiintindihan noon.
Akala mo dati yun na yung chance mo.
Hindi pala.
Darating ulit siya—promise.
At this time…
Haharapin mo ng mas magaan.
Mas buo.
Mas handa.
To God be the glory.
