Allowance

Gian: “Ma’am pwede po bang umutang ulet? Wala po kasi akong baon.”

Teacher: “Ano ka ba naman Gian hindi ka na umulad!”

Gian: “eh Ma’am wala pong ibinigay na baon si mommy sa akin ngayon eh.”

Teacher: “Eh lagi ka naming hindi binibigyan eh. Oh sya sya…Babayaran mo ha!”

Gian: “Sige Ma’am pag nagkaroon po ako ng baon.”

Teacher: “Oh! Yan na soup mo!”

            This scenario happened when I was in grade six. My teacher and I were compromising about me not having to buy several foods of her merchandise. I was so terrified of her that moment because she warned me that she would put a minus on my science quiz that day, plus the fact that I was the center of attention in class at that very point of time. I knew that, I had to maximize my six-peso allowance every day. But it was so difficult to save and to budget.

But that didn’t end from it my classmates used to tease me each day. And if there were barkada bonding or hangouts they would not invite me. I wasn’t able to buy enough for myself. This discrimination cause troubles of building my self-confidence. There were times that I was shy of having to wear my dull and faded old jeans and clothes when all of my friends were wearing their new ones. And there were sad times that I needed to skip lunch to buy school stuffs for my projects.

           

Discrimination was everywhere-the more I had to stay firm. Indeed, we have two choices it was either you let it affected you negatively or surrender yourself to God and let Him fulfill all the weaknesses that you have. And there were two more things that I seek my strength to stay firm from that discrimination. That is my family who guides me all the time and always there to help me. And last, my inspiration that change my life.