21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

Ateneo de Davao University

Senior High School
Grade 11

PAA #4: Reflective Essay

This activity is your final output of Creative Nonfiction and from the Outline Writing Activity
you had last session.

Guidelines:
1. This is an individual activity.
2. You will create a reflective essay based on the outline you created in Lesson 6.
3. Your essay must not exceed 150 words.
4. Lewd, profane, and suggestive language is strictly prohibited.
5. You will submit this in Hurtado.
6. Filename: Activity7_NAME_Section

ESSAY (Individual)

Name: Rena Christine V. Bustamante

Grade and Section: 11-Kostka
Date: September 30, 2021
Question:
Imagine that you are the main character from your Chosen Text who overcame a struggle
through the help of AdDU SHS' core value. Because of that, you are given a chance to write a
motivational essay for today's youth. What specific AdDU SHS core value would you want to
highlight to motivate them in their life experiences?"
 Everything Begins with Commitment

Scientist Steve Maraboli once said something powerful enough to make you think: “To embark
on the journey towards your goals and dreams requires bravery. To remain on that path requires
courage. The bridge that merges the two is commitment.” This reflects what happened to my
life but I was swayed by the thought of experiencing life in the garden of Eden. Commitment is
the sign of new beginnings, the small light you see ahead of the tunnel, and in my case: the one
thing that helped me out of my past and is now taking me to my future.

Growing up, I felt powerless. I desired freedom, and the more I reached for it, the more I became
like Ares, ready to face the war on the battlefield. It resulted in my poor life choices, particularly
drug dealing. Stone-blinded by euphoria, I was captive of my own actions, like the Israelites
enslaved by Egypt. But what happened to me opened an opportunity to acquire new values,
knowledge, and experiences that will build me as a new Franz Maranan; as I commit, I hold the
string of hope with a passion that whatever the outcome, I will still gain a new perspective. I
begin my pace by committing and think critically, and I know everyone can also do it.

Making mistakes is a part of life, and being able to identify and embrace them is a gift in itself.
The challenge begins when you finally take the risk, not let your past dictate you, and commit
to improving your life. I want all of you to realize that you mustn’t be afraid of commitment.
Even if you don’t reach your goals in life, you become a better version of yourself because of
the acquired values and knowledge that will guide you.

*Submit individually as a PDF file.