A Letter To My Sweetest Child
by Ma. Angelita Magisa
To my dearest child,
I don’t know how to start this letter without getting emotional. I am over the moon; I feel so light-headed, and it’s so surreal to see you walking down the path you have chosen — 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
Since you were young, this has always been your dream. Every year, you would tell me that you wanted to be an 𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘰. You would often talk about the course you wanted to pursue and how you would be one of the fortunate ones to wear the 𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘺. God knows how much I prayed for you to achieve this dream. During the times you’d say, “Gusto ko pong mag-aral sa UP,” I would find myself thinking: Should I let you stay in a dorm for your comfort, or should I let you face the battle of rush hour and traffic every day you attend your dream university?
I just can’t imagine letting you go yet. I have so many worries, so many thoughts of what may happen to you if you were no longer by my side. You were just a kid; my dear baby. And now, here you are, pursuing your dreams, working so hard to become an 𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯.
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And my child, I have not prepared myself for this time yet. I didn’t give myself enough time to accept that you would soon be a college student, on your way to adulthood.
If I had only known how hard this would be, I would have braced myself earlier so that when this day finally came — when you officially become an isko — it would not hurt as much as it does now.
Anak, there might be times when I seem like I don’t care, but believe me or not, I always do. I am proud of what you’ve become, of the things that you have achieved, and of the goals I know you will reach someday. I am proud that despite all the hardships, you haven’t given up. Instead, you’ve grown stronger and even more ready for the bigger battles ahead.
I hope your heart remains strong, I hope you continue to believe in your capabilities. The UPCAT is just one of the many college admissions tests that’s offered to you — but my heart hopes that you will achieve your long-awaited dream and be part of UP.
Galingan mo. Alam kong kayang-kaya mo iyan. Baunin mo Nawa ang mga aral at ang pagmamahal ko sa iyo.
In time, anak, Mapapasaiyo rin ang sablay ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.
Nagmamahal,
Nanay/Mama/Ina/Tatay/Papa/Ama
