To my darling F.O.C.U.S. kids,
First of all, congratulations for pulling off Philippine Culture Night!
You
have made me (and I’m sure, the rest of the alumni as well) proud and
happy to have been once a part of your lives during our time in FOCUS.
When
you all stood up on that stage to take your final bow, my heart was
swelling with pride because I was truly honored that you guys are
continuing the tradition that has been 12 years in the running.
All
FOCUS alumni before the class of 2012 have never thought that PCN will
come to this point. But I have always had faith (and I’m sure the rest
of the class of 2012, as well), that you guys will soon understand why
we fight for it to continue.
We always knew you kids can do it.
Last
night’s PCN was raw, fresh and “young,” which is not a bad thing. This
just meant you guys were trying and you guys were willing to do
something new. You were willing to take a risk and to put your heart and
soul out there for people to see that you are more than just a normal
college student.
Last night, you showed the world that you understood and that you have something to show for it.
Before your heads grow bigger, let me be the first to tell you that it wasn’t without flaw.
The
point is, however, it was worth it. Your efforts were not in vain. The
point was to give a show that they’d appreciate and that you’d be proud
of. The end justifies the means and I knew when you all watched that
slide show that you forgot the loss of sanity, the sleepless nights and
the pile of homework that’s backlogged in your desk because you were
willing to go for an experience instead of a number.
The reason I was still keeping my door open for PCN even though I have graduated (to
the point that it was slightly pathetic) is not just because I miss my
baby (that I share with Steph), but mostly because I know that you will
be in a transition phase and I knew it was going to be difficult. (Trust
me, it was a struggle between the jealousy of someone else “playing”
with my (and Steph’s) baby and helping you guys out. It wasn’t always
very noble.)
I always knew that you all will be
excited that you have a project that is totally open for you to do
whatever you want. And I know that your eager minds will be full of
fascinating ideas that you all want out there. But I was not sure if you
guys will remember that there’s always a compromise between execution,
time and ideas. And I’m sure that through this process (a few tears and
bitter realizations), you’ve learned that lesson.
After
we were gone, I wasn’t sure who was going to give you guys the push to
go on even if you guys don’t believe you can do it anymore. You guys
were so used to one way and I wasn’t sure that you guys will see another
way—your way. A part of me always felt that you guys were scared to
push, execute and perform. I was afraid that you guys will always try recreate what your predecessors did.
But last night, you owned the stage. You made it yours and yours alone.
Thank you all for allowing us to witness this transition.
I’m
happy to see that you guys were proud of your work and that you all
still share the love that we had for that make shift stage in the Pryz
Great Room and the audience that have always come to see us. It’s only
going to get better from here.
Keep trying. Keep
fighting. Keep believing that you guys can do something more. You’re
heading the right direction and I can’t wait for you guys to pull off
PCN 2014.
With that, I can officially say I
found my closure with Philippine Culture Night. You guys can handle it
now. But I will still always be an email/text/phone call away if you
need me.
Why we do this is always going to be constant.
As
long as you never forget that, no one cares how you do it and what you
do because when your conviction of the why is strong, I will understand
what you're trying to say however way it’s communicated.
Sama-sama tayo!
(Ate) Nicole
