To that ever-energetic Jemar from five years ago,
Remember when you burst into tears because you weren't included in the top 10 during middle school? That day felt as if you were a failure. You didn't cross three towns to study in a science high school only to disappoint your grade-conscious parents. It felt so heavy that you needed to eat a dozen of donuts to let go. But, a bad day, doesn't mean a bad life.
You thought the world is going to end because you were 0.10% short of getting"With Highest Honors" in your tenth grade. You still had that hope deep inside that you could've been the one speaking on behalf of thousands of graduates. But, looking back and zooming out, that doesn't discount the fact that you have a bright future ahead of you.
Back then, you walk through the hallways of towering Indian mango trees, I walk through the towering achievements of crème de la crème students and professors who surround me here in the number one university in the country.
You thought I'd wear a white robe and a stethoscope but here I am wearing multiple hats in the creative function of a venture capital company.
You wrote essays about Nutrition Month, Science Month, and Library and Information Services Month, I write the overall creative direction of our company.
You thought a P50 carinderia-made pancit is already a luxury, you'd be surprised that a P50 Japanese siomai with rice is the cheapest meal I can find here. However, you don't need to worry since my internship salary can help me feed myself the luxuries you can't afford.
You flew to Davao, Koronadal, and Kalibo for free because of your writing competitions, recently I flew to Singapore for free, fully paid for by my internship company.
And if you ever feel alone in your small dorm, 25 kilometers away from home, don't worry, me too, I am living in a dormitory 500 kilometers away from home.
So the next time you feel like life is bringing you down, zoom out and see how far you've grown. Whenever they ask you the question: "where do you see yourself 5 years from now", the answer is now clear you'll become JEMARkable.
I am just one of the many possible futures you can have. And even if you didn't end up becoming me, even if you didn't choose the business path, I know you'll eventually be JEMARkable in your own way."
Best,
Jemar
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