Looking Through Eagles' Eyes

Soaring high above the clouds, playing along the mountains' airy peaks, the eagle. As the wind ruffles its feathers and rushes past its majestic face, one can only imagine the elation at such an experience. The King of the Skies, a mighty hunter, a majestic flier. The eagle is one of nature's most glorious animals.

Such perhaps is this glory that it has become an emblem, an insignia, a symbol of patriotic traits. There is no question that the Eagle has gained fame as a symbol of pride. No question is posed to it being our school's emblem of choice as well. It aspires us to soar to new heights and to challenge ourselves to surpass our own boundaries.

The years I spent in CSA have been the most eventful, eye-opening and fulfilling years of my life. Much more so, perhaps, now that I am in High School. I have not tried to build a reputation as an academic in this institution, but it seems that I have ascribed one. I am in no way condemning myself to a life of pure academic purpose. As it is, I have been trying to expand my boundaries and explore untapped potentials.

If you were to ask me, what the most memorable level in CSA was, I would really have to say, First Year Highschool. It was the best yet at the same time worst year of my life. Not at all because of the teachers. IN FACT! The teachers greatly contributed to it being the best year of my life!

It was during this time that I discovered myself, and found true friends. Even now, we might not be complete, but I still feel the friendship that we once shared. To say anything beyond being good friends would be foolish. This is because everything, from the moment we met, up to the details we share are fully confidential. Well, not really, but still, you get the picture.

Recently, I have felt the presence of God in my life. I have felt His presence at a level I have not felt ever before. In fact! let me share an experience. Last week was THE best week of my life! Everyday, something monumentally GIGANTIC happened. I would attribute everything to me and my friends' daily habit of going to the oratory.

The strange thing is that everyday, sometime in the afternoon, while at school. A single white feather would float down in front of me. I took it as a sign from God! My belief in his greatness has been strengthened tenfold.

Now, looking at my life through an eagle's eyes, I can say, I have a LONG way to go.

Driven by my Passion

Some people say that life is so unjust. We only sought a life of comfort and ease and nothing more. Living without problems to be worrying about, tribulations that would be perturbing us. All of us want to get what we desire. But that’s not what life is. Let’s just say that there are things that do not go according to the plan. There isn’t always relieve and the simplicity. We are fated to face these tests. Challenges that might make us fall; but stronger and more determined as we stand, driven by our passion.
It was dawn in the 11th of November; I was first introduced to the exquisiteness of this world. Fortunate as they have said, for my mom to deliver me safe and sound because before I was born my mother suffered from miscarriage which cost the life of two brothers. A tiny form of being, never had thought of the life he was to undertake. A middle child of three siblings, I was surely lucky to have been blessed with loving, supportive and hardworking parents. My older sister is a nurse who never forgets of helping and being a model to us. Like my younger sister, I am proud of being an Augustinian.
Ian Gabriel, a name that isn’t really common or unusual to the ears. But behind that name is a person of great dreams. I believe that every person wears a mask, a mask that conjures a reserved personality that is much different to the person’s real personality. The only time they take off that mask is whenever they’re with their family, friends and certainly when they are alone. As I should say my friends and my family are the ones who really know me. Well, I’m a jolly person and likes cracking jokes, though I can be serious at times, I can easily make friends and I make sure that there’s always a smile on my face. I am a very optimistic person and a competitive one. I like drawing and enjoy reading books, a lot.
When I first stepped into High School my mom would always tell me how scared I was to go to school during my Pre-school years. She told me how much I would cry, scared of being alone at school. Well, during those days, I never thought that the one I feared the most will be the most significant place in my life. Our school is like our second homes. It is the place where we learned how to write, read and do all sorts of stuff. It is also the place where we experienced great happiness, grief, embarrassment, excitement and many more. Of course, I myself have experienced all of these, I fell, and I commit misdemeanors. Sometimes I become successful, sometimes I don’t. But for every downfall that happened to me, I learned from the mistakes I committed. Every year, I do my best to be able to achieve an award or so, just to give thanks to my parents for all the things they had done and given to me. Certainly, these will not be possible without the help of my friends and my schoolmates. To sum up everything, I can say that our school had always been part of our lives.

Saint Augustine is the Doctor of the Church. He was a genius, although a genius to God means nothing. However, a holy genius means everything to God's body. He is called the Doctor of the Church because of his miraculous transformation out of sin to the service of God's people. – Since the year 1999 I have been an Augustinian in body and mind, and I think that this is what motivated me in choosing the career that I would want to take in the future. Every since I was young I have always dreamt of being a doctor. Not just a doctor, but a successful one. I chose this field of knowledge because of my desire to help others and to gain knowledge. I know that the path I chose to take will not be an easy one, but I believe that we great effort, determination and support, I’ll be next to my goal in due time. So that’s who I am; and since I’m still doing my best to make the most out of my life, this would never be the end.

The Adventure In Literature

Books, has always been a part of my life. Now let me present to you my top three favorite books.



Coming in the third place: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair
This story is about a boy and a girl traveling to whole new world, the world they called "Narnia". I like this story because it's about adventure. I love reading books that talks about adventures and mystery.



Coming in the second place: Kapitan Sino
This book was written by Bob Ong, my favorite author. This talks about heroism and how we can make a difference to change our world. This story focuses on Rogelio Manglicmot, also known as Kapitan Sino. He gave everything he could to save his people even if his life is at stake.



And to top it all off: MacArthur
A story bout five men who have their different problems to solve, and different lives to live. But one thing in common about them is that they live as ordinary persons. These five men's lives signifies the different lives of Filipinos. These boys got each other's backs. And they've stuck with each other through thick and thins.

Pages bound to numerous places ...

The Swiss Family Robinson

By Johann Wyss

Love, trust and determination, these are the ones that kept the Robinson Family united and unperturbed. This tale about a family of survivors from a shipwreck lets us travel to a world where wit is the key to survival. It will let us journey to a place like no other, filled with mysteries and beauty - a paradise like no other. We will witness as the family faces challenges that for once, they have never thought of conquering. Be with them as they make progress in their lives in the island, discovering its wonders and making it suitable for living. Many years have passed and they have established a feeling of home and belonging in the island, but when the time comes that help will be offered; will they stay or will they return to Sweden, their beloved homeland?

Of all the books that I have read this is the one that enthralled me most. It enriches the essence of love within the family. It tells us how the impossible would be possible even amidst all the obstructions of life. Indeed, this book is very fascinating; it has an inspiring message and an exquisite plot. Without any hesitation, I would recommend this book to all, young and adults and certainly to readers who are yearning for a story that’s one-of-a-kind.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling

The last of the Harry Potter series and a certified work of art by Mrs. Rowling, for the last time “The Chosen One” comes back to clash with the man who had killed wizard and muggles alike, beyond any can imagine. The last of the Harry Potter series but only the beginning of an adventure at its best.

Personally, I have read and collected all of the books in the series and I could easily say that the last of it is the best. It has the right blend of emotions and really makes readers crave for more as each chapter ends. It was made to its best from the beginning till the end, applause to Mrs. Rowling and to her brilliant mind.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magicians Nephew

C.S. Lewis

This book is the first of the series and the predecessor of the movie hit, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It sets readers to a marvelous place called Narnia where fascinating creatures are Under the shadows of its brother in the series, I find it as an undiscovered treasure. I have collected and read all of the books in the series and without any doubts or hesitation; I can tell that this is one of the best in the series.

I find this story great because having watched the movie version of the second book in the series, reading this book will let you discover the tales behind the events or the characters in the movie. This is the start of the sequence and I believe that to fully understand the tales of the rest, I suggest that you should also read this book.

Learnin' In CSA

As I reached the fourth year of my life, I started to go to school in Colegio San Agustin Biñan Laguna. This has been my second home for ten years now. I've learned a lot of lessons and values in this school. I've met a lot of people from different walks of life and they've done a great part of shaping myself.

I've been an average student, with average grades. I had been an awarded throughout my grade school years and I've been a part of some competitions. I am also a part of the star section for a year and this year shall be my second year in the star.

First stop, Pre-School Years. I've been an active student who loves to participate in school programs. I remember this one time when I was in prep that I danced together with some other girls for Teacher's day. We danced to this song called "Angelina". At first I was hesitant to join, but then I like to dance so i grabbed the opportunity of performing. I have always been supported by my family in things like this. I also did really good in academics soI've been a part of the over all top ten when I was in Senior Kinder.

Now let's go to my elementary years, where that jolly lil' kid has been hidden for six years. I've been the exact opposite of that lil' dancer. I've been invisible and shy ever since I entered this stage of my life. I've been quiet and I don't talk in class. But I never failed to make friends, I think they just come to me..God never wants me to be alone, because no man is an island. And again, I haven't failed to receive awards and certificates during the end of the school year. I graduated and later on become a freshie.

Ahh, at last, High school life. New building. New classrooms. New faces. Everything feels weird and new to me. I made it into the star and I was happy about it. But I feared the competition in this section so I kept quiet and just observed them on my first day. I observed that they were just like normal kids who loves to have fun. They were not serious at all and they fool around like immatures. This scenario made me comfortable and it had been easy for me to warm up to them.

It had also been very hard for me to adjust to this new environment. Believe me, it took weeks to get used to this situation. There where so much fuss and stress in this department! But my friends always managed to make me happy. My friends and I always hang out and waste our free times trippin' and laughin. Indeed, they were right when they said school is fun.

Another school year passed but I still have the same set of classmates so no problem at all ;)