Today is the 200th Birthday of St. John Bosco & I want to post this today. Last year, during DBS’ (Don Bosco School) 25th Anniversary, I was so honored to be one of the DBS Silver Awardee as an Outstanding Alumni.
My parents learned that there was a new Don Bosco School (DBS) in Manila that accepts girls, and since my dad and mom’s brothers were Bosconians, they were eager to enroll me here.I was accepted and I was lucky to become one of the first batch of students in DBS way back in 1989 and proud to be one of the first graduates in 2000.In those eleven years, I thought I was only here to study, study, and study. I have learned a lot, but not only lessons from textbooks, but DBS also taught me about life: what life is, how to value life and how to live it well, not by myself, but together with everyone. And all these form a big part of who I am today.
In August 2004, I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 or NF2, a very rare genetic disorder of tumor growth in the nerves, including the brain area. When my doctored told us about it, I was okay and accepted it immediately without feeling something negative; just a bit sad, of course. But I was suddenly comforted with the thought that God was there with me and He’ll always be with me and there is a good reason why He let it happened to me. That time, I didn’t know it yet and placed all my trust in God.
With my current condition, my world may seem to turn upside-down right? But I don’t believe so. My life just cart-wheeled and after turning, I am standing confidently again (not literally though). I still have my life and I’m still myself in spite of all the things that I had experienced during that turn in life.
I am able to share my story and inspire others. I am doing this not because I wanted popularity but because I want to let everyone know how amazing God’s works on me are. Amazing blessings! And I am so grateful for that.
As St. John Bosco said, “Do your ordinary duties extraordinarily well.” We were reminded of these words countless of times during our schooldays in DBS, which is why even without much effort, I habitually give my best in everything I do.
Anyone can make a positive impact on the lives of other people. All we have to do is live our ordinary lives extraordinarily well. Be happy and positive. Do what you love and love what you do. “…be of service to all you know, and be a friend for all.” That was quoted from the lyrics of one of my favorite Salesian songs and I know most of you know this too. It ends with, “…with Don Bosco we can make it now.” I’ve always kept those lyrics in my mind and been living by those words.
