MICHELLE REYES – AVEDILLO | SME Awardee | HS 1991
I always thought that they might have made a mistake awarding me [the SME]. I wasn’t a great student. I felt I was just doing what I thought was right at that time. I just studied as hard as I could; shared what I could. And back then, mostly it was my time and efforts to support the student council, my class and even just my classmates. As I was writing [this], it was only then I really realized that that was it. MME just wanted the giving and sharing ,knowing that they are with and for the Lord, for Mama Mary.
“To see the best side of others is a great gift.” This has guided me since I started in Assumption Antipolo. It wasn’t always easy as life’s challenges could be so daunting and the people involved could really bring out the worst in me. There were several times when it was really just easier to label them negatively and blame others for the failures or mistakes. But having this teaching as an inspiration kept my positivity alive. It made me look at the better side of the situation or find the opportunity in that life event. It made me realize how lucky I was with the life I was living. It made me value the blessings given to me despite the simplicity of the things I had. I am ever so grateful to have been inspired by SME over these many years. I do not think I would have the kind of family relationships, lifelong friendships and respectable business relationships if I was not inspired by her teachings.
During the pandemic, our batch’s experience when we were in 4th year high school made me ready. Our graduation motto “My Heart is Ready” stood the test of time. It was truly a test of time. We missed the annual Baguio retreat for Seniors, we didn’t hold the School Fair and we didn’t have the Seniors’ Prom as well. So petty really. But to a Senior in high school, these were all looked forward to! Not only did we adjust by missing out these events, our school life needed adjustments too. The creativity in finding ways to raise funds for Pinatubo brought us to the lobby of Rustan’s, and other Makati establishments for donations. At 17, 18 years of age, we considered not only ourselves but others. We had to be resilient and simplicity was key.
Those were good preparation for Covid-19! Finding the alternatives, coping with big changes, making sure we were safe physically and mentally, and most importantly understanding what was happening to us and the rest of the world were truly challenging! But going back 30 years ago, these looked familiar to me. We came up with programs that could help others during their difficulties through donations. On a lighter side, I had to go back to basics as we stayed home for most of 2020, and here my cooking classes paid off! It was a joy and I was happy to share this experience with my family.
Today, each and everyone of us has been inconvenienced. We have been taken away from our ‘normal’ way of living. We have been asked to give more despite of us being in a challenging situation ourselves. Our faith has been tested when our own family, our own friends and even our own selves were affected by the deadly virus. Those of us here today are lucky than most and we are continually asked to share this blessing, this joy in our hearts so others may feel the Lord; and others may feel blessed as well. If SME were alive today, she would remind and guide us on how we could be of service to others. In our own ways, let us share ourselves, our blessings and be of service to the Lord.
“The spirit of the Assumption tends towards a joyful detachment from earthly things and a going beyond trials and difficulties without complaining or wasting our time over them.”