Quick Reflections

It was the first week of school and I was in Grade III. I was honored to do the job fit for an eight-year-old:

I was elected Sergeant-At-Arms.

That meant whenever Mrs Gomez, our Grade III teacher left the room, I prevented the boys from acting up and causing trouble. I was able to stand up to them, just like I defended myself from a baboy-stealing jackstone opponent. I had a notebook to write the names of those whose butt got off their seats. My position was a big deal.

The second electoral position I had was the Secretary. Thanks to my mother, a Grade III teacher herself, I learned the beautiful cursive handwriting method. From Grade IV to VI, I was nominated Class Secretary, the Girl Scout Secretary, and the Pilipino Club Secretary.

I seem to like being in the forefront, so by High School, I entered school politics. I campaigned hard every election year. I made fancy cartolina posters. I distributed nice bookmarks. Said hi to anyone who was polite enough to acknowledge me. I posted big, fat streamers that said "Vote: Cheryl Joy for Governor". Our political party strategized to win, from campaign slogan to dance number routines.

Mayor to Governor, Secretary to Vice President to President. The Student Council. The Squirettes. The Pilipino Club. The Reflector. As if I didn’t have enough thrills in my life, I kept volunteering as coordinator for almost every school project: cultural contests, the interschool basketball tournament, the Hampang Kitahanon, the JS Prom. Additionally, I was the church organist for the 730am mass, First Friday mass, some saint’s birthday mass, occasional weddings and funerals.

By the end of high school, I was drained. I was only 15 and made a lot of enemies. Students refused to pay tickets they have used. Teachers subtracted 10 points from my final grade because I organized the JS Prom. I felt unappreciated when I learned that extra-curricular activities never add points on your final grade.

So, without warning, I stopped being in the political limelight. Cold turkey. I didn’t join any clubs or organizations in college. I avoid all Fil-Am clubs here in the U.S. My political life was so over.

Thinking back, I look at myself as a teen with a purpose. And I had fun. I made lots of friends. I acquired some leadership and negotiating skills. I learned to smell critics a mile away. And I can boisterously say that I did civil service at one point in my life.