Coming from a non-sectarian high school, last November 11 was my first recollection in my life. And I was also totally clueless on prayers and stuff because even if I was baptized a Catholic, neither of my parents is religious. So does my relatives, or if one of them is religious, he/she does not try to influence us to be closer to God.
At first, I was really nervous, and at the same time, quite annoyed because the date of our Saliksik was also my birthday. But my prejudices were wrong. Our Saliksik turned out to be a fun, enriching, and meaningful experience, well if not for everybody; it was at least for me.
The pillow scandal is one of the episodes in our recollection that made us realize that we, despite our ages, still act immature and cannot follow even the simplest instructions. Mr. Fajardo had us at our feet when he wrote on the whiteboard that we should go out because the pillows were disarranged, and that we could only return if we already know the value of silence, respect, and sensitivity.
When we returned, he did not talk to us. Instead, he only wrote on the whiteboard asking us what we felt when we were sent out.
Finally, after a few of our blockmates answered his query, he asked us—not orally—if we wanted him to speak. Of course, we answered yes. And he replied—again, by writing:
"If I speak, I am sarcastic, or I am afraid that I would be misunderstood, or I am afraid that no one would listen."
And then he asked us—orally now—when he saw the look on our faces: "Akala niyo galit ako?" Turns out that he was not angry after all!
"Tignan niyo, nagsusulat na nga lang ako, na-misunderstand pa ako."

One of the lessons that Mr. Ricardo Fajardo—our facilitator—imparted is how simple things are left unnoticed. Even a simple thing can make or unmake you. He even used himself as an example. In our EAFs for the 2nd term, the registrar put the name of our facilitator as FAJARDO, RICA. Sir Fajardo said that the registrar should have shortened his name to Ric instead. "See how a simple letter changed my gender?" he added.
We also had a number of reflection intervals after each activity or session. But there is a certain reflection that I could never forget. Mr. Fajardo made us trace our palm on one of the pages of the booklet given to us. After which, he made us close our eyes and imagine that God was the one singing the song More Than You'll Ever Know. When the song started to play, tears instantly welled up in my eyes. I can't stop crying even after the song was finished and we were asked to write in the palm that we drew. I was deeply touched by the song. Here's what I wrote:
"I am sorry if I always set in my mind that I am not blessed. I know that what You have given me is a blessing and not a problem. I know that You believe that I can do what I wan to do, that I can achieve what I want to achieve, that I can be the best of myself despite the situation right now. Thank You for giving me strength to live for another day. Thank You for giving me such wonderful blessings. Thank You will never be enough for me to show You that I really am thankful."
My "happy" birthday turned out to be a tearful one. Kidding aside, I then realized that God truly loves us unconditionally even if we do not deserve to be loved; even if we don't have faith in Him, even if we, or some, don't believe in Him.
After our lunch, we had a game wherein the room was filled with land mines, and only those marked boxes are the safe areas. And we had to transfer to the safe area which is across the room, passing through 3 marked boxes. We won the game without actually playing it because of the question Ruth asked.
But, Mr. Fajardo wanted to see how we would do it. We lost in our first attempt, but won in the second. We were the 8th out of 43 blocks who won that game. Cooperation and discipline made us win the game. The feeling of accomplishing something is really a stress reliever. I think most of us held our breaths because we needed to squash ourselves—all 40 of us!—in a rectangle.
Towards the end of the recollection, we had a mass and it was Fr. Francis, the university chaplain, who led it. His homily was really freaky. I would not relay what he told us that day, but I would like to emphasize that we should tell the people around us—especially our parents—that we love them, and that we are thankful for having them in our lives before it's too late.
But before the mass, we were asked to write notes or letters, which we would distribute after the mass, to our friends. And I wrote to almost everybody. Surprisingly, there were those people who I am not close to but still gave me notes. I was touched—seriously—of their messages. I didn't know that a lot of people aside from my closest friends in the block appreciate me for who I am.
That date would always have a special place in my heart. In my 17 years of living, I could say that that birthday was the best among my 16 other birthdays.
Big thanks to Mr. Ricardo Fajardo for helping me realize life's greatest lessons. And to God, I'll love You more than You'll ever know.

Take my hand
We'll walk a while, we'll talk a while
Feel my love, always there beside you
Be the one
I know you'll tell me everything
You are the one I cherish more than anything

I love you more than you'll ever know
I love you more than you'll ever see
More than my heart could ever show
I love you more than you'll ever know

Think of me
And know that I'll believe in you
There'll always be this precious time together
With every tear
A love so strong, no words could ever say
A love to last forever

I love you more than you'll ever know
I love you more than you'll ever see
More than my heart could ever show
I love you more than you'll ever know

Take my hand
We'll walk awhile,we'll talk awhile
Feel my love,always there beside you
Be the one
I know you'll tell me everything
You are the one I cherish more than anything

I love you more than you'll ever know
I love you more than you'll ever see
More than my heart could ever show
I love you more than you'll ever know

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!