Gio
active now

Gio:
Anong sabi ni Gil?
Sorry, my mind was too occupied last night, I didn't check my phone.

Asha:
May problem ba?

Gio:
I have a lot on my back, Asha.

Asha:
Isa ba ako doon?

Gio:
You will never be a problem.

Asha:
Okay lang bang tanungin kung anong meron?

Gio:
I'm afraid this will turn into a long rant.

Asha:
Kung mas mapapagaan ang loob mo, okay lang.

Gio:
Are you sure?

Asha:
Oo naman( ꈍᴗꈍ)

Gio:
Well, here it goes.
I'm pressured right now. A lot has been going on lately. Midterms, hindi magtatagal, finals na naman for the first semester. Then, second sem, my last year of being a senior high student.
Nag-aalangan ako kung tama ba ang gusto kong program na i-take sa college.
Plus everyone expects me to be valedictorian.
I want to, and I'm trying, but I'm not sure if what I'm doing is enough.
My parents always tells me that they're proud of me no matter what, pero alam kong mayroon silang expectation sa akin.
Honestly, kahit siguro hindi ako Valedictorian okay lang sa kanila. They'll be disappointed, but won't tell me.
But I have expectations for myself. Kung hindi ko kayang abutin ’yon, ano'ng napatunayan ko?

Asha:
Okay lang bang mag-advice ako sa 'yo?

Gio:
Yes please. I need other people's perspective about my situation, but I'm too scared to open up.

Asha:
Valid lahat ng nararamdaman mo
Please don't be too rough with yourself. If you think you can't reach your own expectation, lowering it will not be the end.
I'm not invalidating your struggles, Gio. I understand why you feel that way, but pressuring yourself will only make things worse. At the end of the day, you'll only have yourself.
And me. I'll be there when you need help.

Gio:
Thanks, I'll keep this in mind.
Honestly, Asha, nabawasan ang pressure ko noong naging kaibigan kita.
Meeting someone new somehow made things a lot better.

Asha:
Wala ka bang friends?

Gio:
Mayroon. But everyone associates me with being the governor of the student council, a candidate for valedictorian, or "the smart one" so meeting someone who doesn't look at me like that was refreshing.

Asha:
If okay lang, ano ba ang balak mong kunin sa college?

Gio:
I'm planning to take Political Science, Public Ad, or Legal Management as my prelaw course, then proceed to law school after.

Asha:
Bakit sabi mo hindi ka sure? Ayaw mo ba?

Gio:
Sa totoo lang, gusto ko rin. I came from a family of lawyers and politicians. My grandfather from my mother side owns a law firm. My dad is his partner, while my Mom finished Public Ad and became a public servant during my childhood days. My Lola from my father side was a congresswoman before.
Honestly, I look up to them, especially Dad. He'd tell me about the cases he handled, and his stories always amazes me.
But I don't think I would want to continue studying right after finishing college.
Gusto kong magtrabaho muna, alam mo ’yon? I want to do things at my own pace.
Plus, what if I'll never be as great as them?

Asha:
It takes time, Gio.
You'll never be great as them if you're comparing yourself to their situation.
I'm sure your family did a lot before getting to where they are now.
Doing things at your own pace will surely make you a great lawyer someday.

Gio:
Thanks, Asha.
That made me feel better about myself.
I'll get back to you later.

Asha:
Sige, glad to help.