Becoming Me

In respect of my birthday, I felt like it would be appropriate to tell you guys how I came to be. How I became me. I also felt like this was long overdue since I didn’t really have an about page on this blog, so without further ado, this is the story of me! Oh, and if I met you in the past 19 years, then chances are you might be on this blog, so keep your eyes out!

Now, as many of you know, I like telling stories, but I suck at telling them. Kinda like how I enjoy teaching, but I am the worst at it so just bear with me. Also, I obviously didn’t know about myself during my early years nor do I remember most of it, so most of it comes from the stories I have heard.

It all started when young me was born in the Philippines on June 26, 1996 on a Wednesday night (I think). I was as purple as a grape when I came out cause I’m pretty sure I was born a little early of my due date. I just couldn’t wait to see the world! Anyways, growing up for me, as I recall, was the most exciting time for me. I didn’t have tons of papers to write, no stress, no commitments, and no responsibilities. Just imagine little JP. Running around in his diaper. Sitting on top of the trunk of a car looking cute (True story, btw). I remember vividly about the experiences I had with my aunts, uncles, and cousins, because we practically lived in the same street. I spent a lot of time going to and from their houses and feeling special because me and my brother were always the center of attention when we were around. They pinched our cheeks for hours! (Not really, but you get my point) As I look back now, I would say they were definitely an inspiration to me because they acted as my role models even though I didn’t know it at the time. I guess if I had to sum it up in one sentence, it would be definitely the fact that they were so close to each other, and being a part of that made me feel really special.

Learning through my younger years wasn’t always as easy to me as it would be in future years. Now, there’s two aspects to my learning: academic and moral. The first sentence still applies to both. Academically, I struggled with many of my classes. I needed help from many people, including one of my beloved aunts. She was basically like a second mother to me and my brother because she lived with us and took care of us. She was pretty much always there in everything we did. Sadly, she passed away young. I still remember how I felt during her funeral. During the days before the funeral, I didn’t think that she was gone. She might have been in a casket, but she was still very much with us in my head. It was only when she was placed in her tomb that I truly felt separated from her. From then on, I still think about this experience as my first wake up call into the real world.

Now, onto the moral part. I think everyone around me had a part in my moral upbringing, but the most important lessons I learned were from my parents. My dad taught me how to be courageous, how to stand up for myself, and how to think for myself. Most importantly, he taught me how to respect. Specially respect. That was the one that truly stuck to me, and I thank you for that if you’re reading this. From my mom, I learned how to be humble, kind, and loving. She taught me how to be generous and give back to those in need. And a little respect, too. These traits are really what define me today as a person, and I wouldn’t be the same if I grew up in any other way. (Love you guys!)

Onto the big move! I moved from the Philippines to the US with my family. That to me is one of the biggest things that changed my life. Of course, I had to leave all of the friends that I have made over the years plus the family that we loved. In that period if time, I learned how to let things go because what a better way to learn that than to leave behind everything that I knew and grew up with. It wasn’t that I was going to forget them completely. It’s just that my life was changing, and I needed to adapt to that (Ooh. Another post!). Moving to the US gave me a whole different perspective about life and the things I have and will experience (Side note: I think a very liberal and capitalist mind came from here, too).

The next few years (paragraphs?) flew by like a second. Probably because I was a little older and relatively more mature. Going into my first school in the US, I was sure to myself that I wasn’t going to make any friends. Not because I was anxious, but because I didn’t want to feel the same way as I did when I left my friends back at home. But alas! I made some of the best friends in that tiny county school, and up to this day, we’re still really good friends (You guys know who you are). Then on my last year of middle school, one of my friends asked me if I wanted to play football. If you didn’t know me back then, then just imagine the skinniest, most uncoordinated, and most unathletic kid that you have ever met. Now, with that being said, I was horrible at it. I never really played sports before, so looking back at it, I’m not really surprised. Plus I had no idea what football was until I got to the US. Anyways, although I didn’t excel so much in the football field, I think that I gained something truly more valuable: being able to listen to others and taking their advice. Being able to be coached and learn from the mistake of others. Of course, all of this came with a lot of yelling, but I think it was worth it.

Going into my freshman year of high school, I continued to play football to better myself. I remember my dad telling me that if I wanted to play sports, I needed to keep my grades up, and I did excel in my studies. My grades were probably still better than my athletic skills, but I was willing to improve. I also decided to take up soccer, just for the fun of it. I made some friends on the way as well as many more outside the fields. Looking back at my athletic career, I could never really say that I became the best athlete that I wanted myself to be, and I’m perfectly okay with that. What I did take away from it, to name a few things, are motivation, dedication, perseverance, hard work, finishing what I started, tradition, still being able to be guided by others into the path that I want to go towards. Most especially, and I cannot place this anywhere else I don’t think, is my new found confidence that I have made throughout the years. Plus a new estranged love for exercise (Don’t judge). Now, there is a turn around to this story if you’re still worried about my athletic career. On my last year of high school, I decided to join the swimming team (I know. Busy life). Swimming became the sport that I enjoyed the most, even though I only did it for a year! Because of the sports I did in the past, I was already in pretty good shape going into swimming. If anything, I was always so proud of myself for reducing my time by a second or two. (Thanks for pushing me, Coach. And congrats!) It was some of the best times in my life. And to all the coaches, team mates, staff, and crew that helped me through all of this, I just wanted to say thank you for all that you guys have done for me.

A few names do stick out of my high school experience, and I wanted to point some out. To Mr. Campbell, the craziest and most exhilarated teacher I have ever met, you have inspired me to become a better person in every aspect of my life, and I thank you for pushing me to question everything around me and for reigniting my passion for learning. To Coach Pierce, one of the most brilliant people I have ever met to this day, thank you for being an inspiration to me and being a true mentor when I needed you the most. To Mama Gouge, the most lovable, courageous, and witty teacher I knew, I wish I would have sang throughout all of high school! Thank you for being there for me during my darkest hours where you my shining light. (Haha. Love you Mama!) Thank you for pushing me to my highest potential in singing and having someone to talk to during those long car rides! And to the many teachers I have had the pleasure of having in high school, I just wanted to say thanks for all that you do and all that you guys have done for me. I cannot express how much I appreciate all of it.

I specially left out an extremely important person in my life because I wanted to dedicate this one paragraph to him. He is the dorkiest, extremely fun-filled, and most germophobic person I know (You are a nurse). To me, you were my mentor, role model, inspiration, and best friend while we grew up together. Even though I was under your shadow, you helped me find my true self and identity. You helped me through thick and thin, and you helped me with whatever it was that I needed. So, to my good brother, and I’m very proud to call you that, the one and only, I say thanks Broham!

I know that I left out a ton of details and specially a ton of people, so this is for a special thanks. To the family that I haven’t seen in a long, long time. To the friends and family that visit us every summer. To the many memorable friends I have made in college as well as to those I have yet to meet. To all of my mentors and all of who inspire me in one way or another. To my future teachers. To all of the random strangers who I have met in some way or another and have had the pleasure of talking to. To God for giving me the many blessings that he did as well as giving me the opportunities that I received to get to where I am now today. To all of my many fans and followers who adore me so very much (So very much). I really, really, REALLY, thank you guys for everything that you guys have done for me. It has been a great 19, (EDIT: er… 26) years, and many more to come.

As to my future, I have big plans. I don’t want to spill any of it out right now, but just to let you know, they’re really BIG! I am an optimist. So watch out world! No further questions.

Oh and by the way, congrats to the many people who can get married now. You guys made it happen! What a great birthday gift.