Eric Emmanuel D. Mariano
GEC 106 A2-1
Art Appreciation
My Redemption Story
Once, lived a version of a boy, handed with the world on a silver platter. Exposure to books
and anything that could exponentially suffice his penchant for knowledge acquisition, cultivated his
naive temperament to lifelong dispositions ,to make a name for himself even with such a young
age.Elementary advented and with everything he taught himself restlessly, he was bound to excel in
every facet of himself as he had been able to cultivate his work ethic early and his grades and social
capabilities proved his fruition otherwise. He was the cream of the crop, the apex of the mountain,
even deemed by teachers as “the boy who didn’t studied but aced”. He was all that in the grounds of
academic, and this stemmed from his early philosophy, which led him to be so competitive, never
giving inch to every competition he faced. But this grandeur shell doesn’t just stop on academics, he
was an athlete, a man that assist the man in cloth, a student leader, and a confident singer.
Everything he earned came from his hunger to try new things and to excel in.
But the tides have initiated a shift, one he didn’t anticipate. High School came, and he
transferred to the most extravagant school near his periphery. He wasn’t on the top anymore, and he
realized that to be on top he must abandon his cloak of being carefree. He can’t rely on his wits
anymore, if he wants to ace he needs to burn his eyebrows. In the first year of High School, he was
able to attain top 7 in the highest section of the school, and for him it was all he can do. As he
stepped on the staircase for the next year, he realized that he wasn’t enjoying learning anymore.
Simply, he gave up the idea of accolades. He didn’t study and fallen prisoner of online games. His
grades started to plummet, but deep inside the boy who enjoyed learning already died. From grades 8
to 10, the theme was monotonous, he constantly flunks, he never studied, he never joined
organizations, but never came home early. He was playing League of Legends until his gas ran out.
The applications for senior high school started. Together with his unenthusiastic persona,
and nonexistent drive, he steered the course. He never wished to enter for he already knew he
couldn’t, or did he? Days went by and the results came out, tears were dropping and his cheeks were
flooded. He loathed himself, a rough patch etched a scar in his yearning heart. But every cloud has a
silver lining, so they say.
So he dreamt big, and started to actively work his knowledge acquisition again. He wanted to
go to University of the Philippines and ace every entrance examinations there is. And with this
newfound aspiration and the traumas of his failure, he started to tread his path towards greatness.
He enjoyed learning again and worked tirelessly. And the faithful shall be rewarded as he
was able to make the chimera tangible: he passed into his dream university(UP), he was top 15 in the
MSU SASE, he aced the Lyceum of the Philippines Davao exam and landed himself top 4 spot, granting
full scholarship, he was the top scorer of his batch in the University of Southern Mindanao entrance
examination, he was qualified in all the colleges he applied into . But all those accolades were for
naught to him, as conforming to his old shell was enough. Reestablished bond with learning was the
greatest gift he could ask, and until this day he enjoys the fruits of their connection.
He was a shell of a once paragon of brilliance, a former icon of excellence that have gradually
disappear through the ages. If asked to convey his chronicles then the precedent sentiment would be
his rightful title. But life is uncertain, and sometimes we are led astray by the nexuses of life, or
simply we outgrow the philosophies and aspirations of our old version. And in our path of
ascertaining our inner complexity, we might fail, alone in rock bottom, about to throw in the towel.
But one must realize that just like any redemption stories, there’s always a possibility to turn your life
around as you’re still breathing. To make things right by turning left, to bid our apprehensive hearts to
persist.
Eric Emmanuel D. Mariano
GEC 106 A2-1
Art Appreciation
My Contamination Story
Once upon a time, in a remote barrio called Banate, lived a young and energetic man named Eric. Eric
was recognized for his quick wit, cleverness, and love of technology even when it was scarce.
However, Eric's fascination in technology took a gradual left turn . It all began innocently enough, with
an interest in online gaming. Eric was drawn in like a moth to a flame by the enthralling worlds,
exhilarating challenges, and attraction of virtual successes. It began as a casual pastime, playing
games after their high school lessons. But as the days grew into weeks, and the weeks into months,
Eric found himself sliding further and deeper into the seductive grips of online gaming.
Eric found refuge in the virtual sphere, a place where he could escape the stresses and hardships of
the actual world. He lost sight of time and neglected their obligations and relationships while
absorbed in the mesmerizing sceneries and competitive conflicts.
The harmful implications soon became apparent. Eric's marks dropped, his academic performance
declined, and his physical condition deteriorated as a result of his sedentary lifestyle. Concerned
friends and family attempted to interfere, but were greeted with resistance and denial. Eric's
previously bright future became foggy and unclear as the addiction tightened its grasp. The hopes and
ambitions that previously drove him have been eclipsed by an unquenchable need for virtual
accomplishments and acclaim. And the line between the digital realm and reality began to blur,
leaving Eric feeling trapped and isolated.
In a tragic turn of events, He lost his stature as with honors and failed to qualify for his ideal senior
high school. Years of yearning has been put to place, 6 feet down. And so regrets gradually befall as
he slumber, knowing that he will tread life without that pictured snippet of his mind. Crushed dreams
made him impassionate about everything, to a point where getting out of bed felt like ascending a
slopehill. Eric's heart was touched by this moment of honesty, which sparked a stream of epiphanies
and a desire for change.
Even though he cannot retrace his steps in the past, Eric set off on a new road of self-discovery and
healing with renewed zeal. Eric gradually recovered control of his lives as the days grew into weeks
and weeks into months. He struck a balance between their passion for technology and the real-world
obligations and connections that were most important to him. He renewed his passions, exploring
artistic outlets and soul-nourishing activities.