Edward J. Laforteza
I grew up as a bully back then during my early schooling. I always see myself
having fun with my friends, playing with them in the school’s playground, and doing
inappropriate things like name calling, vandalism, and bullying. Although, I knew it
wasn’t fun at all to tease someone or even hurt him/her physically, but I felt
comfortable doing it because of having the sense of security that I have authority
above my fellow students. Also, I felt accepted by my friends who also pushed me
to do those things even though they aren’t really that of good influence to me.
However, many realizations came to me every time my parents scold me for what
I’ve done. I started getting serious with my academics and gradually, they have seen
improvements with my grades that I even made it to the top of Class Rankings. As
a result, my parents were proud of me and I felt genuine happiness from it.
I thought things will go smoothly along my way; I thought I already overcame
the biggest hurdle in my life. But I was wrong, I was only then at the beginning of
my tough journey. Back then, my mother was badly sick and she was diagnosed with
ovarian cyst. We were financially exhausted during those times. They’ve decided to
enroll me into a public school right after I graduated from elementary. Additionally,
I was also forced to live with my grandparents because I’m the one among my
siblings who they believed can easily and effectively adapt with our family’s
situation like the way I made an immediate change into myself academically. Instead
of being emotionally distant from my family, I still understood our situation back
then. In spite of everything, I was then grateful to live with my grandparents for 3
years. I lived in a simple and old rural house and I’ve learned many things such as
agriculture and poultry. I also made new friends and grew closer with my cousins,
playing outdoors without using fancy toys. And more importantly, I’ve come to
know my grandparents even more and built a stronger bond and relationship with
them. I somehow realized that all the money in the world isn’t what makes you the
happiest person. Real wealth is achieved by appreciating what you already have in
life. After all, money can’t buy everything. It can’t buy a family, good friends and a
happy home. Although, I experienced all of this because of financial problems, I am
still grateful of what happened to me because it defines who I am today.
During my high school life, I’ve luckily passed the entrance examination for
a Science Program. We usually do environmental works such as tree planting, fun
runs, seminars, fund raising events and etc. And those experiences made me opt to
protect the environment by simply doing small things like preservation and
conservation of non-renewable energy and the production of energy for livelihood
using renewable energy. Back then, I also made many investigatory project and
thesis with regards to the production of electricity by means of using mechanical
devices that will not harm the environment. I was captivated into it and brought me
to my dream profession someday. I want to be a successful civil engineer, not only
to build infrastructures that will satisfy the needs and wants of my clients but also to
use sustainable techniques and methods to ensure the safety of the environment. In
addition, I also influenced my family to live green and be eco-friendly individuals.
We usually make compost pits for vegetation and recycling plastic bags at home.
And for the last 3 years, our community occasionally conducted “Bike for a Cause”
lead by my father and his friends to raise funds for community development and to
implement the use of bicycles for daily activities/routines rather than using
motorcycles. On the other hand, I’ve become more close to God as I met a friend
who is also my spiritual mentor and pastor in our church. We always conduct bible
study with the youth in our community and students as they are the future spiritual
leaders of my generation. I’m so glad that I’m continuously learning the words of
God and scriptures from the bible, and sharing my learnings to my family and
friends.
As I proceed to college, I always chase for excellence and I’ve become more
independent; I always apply for as many scholarships as I can so that I can support
my studies and sustain my academic needs. I want to help my parents who are
currently supporting my 3 siblings’ schooling by means of these scholarships I’m
applying to. One of my dream is to make my father retire from his job as soon as
possible so that he could spend more time with us and enjoy the rest of his life not
thinking about our financial status. I really love him, I can say he’s my mentor in
life, he can almost do absolutely everything. And surely, he will do everything for
us--his family. Our life is full of changes and it is our power of choice that enables
us to activate positive change in our lives. Right now as I write this essay, the three
things that are important to me are my family, my relationship to God, and the
capacity for me to leave a positive impact into someone’s life and to the environment
as a successful civil engineer someday. I will keep these three crucial things at the
forefront of my mind every day to help myself achieve even my wildest dreams.
Ultimately, I would like to grow into someone who is loved and remembered by
people. I do not wish to be glorified, but I hope I can inspire other people the way
others helped me to become a person. I believe that the only constant in this world
is CHANGE.