Creative Writing E-Portfolio

Submitted to Mrs. Catherine Palmera Blanco, MA, LPT

Course Coordinator

Submitted by Ms. Nylvie Loire Aviles Collamat

April 25, 2021

Assessment Task 1:

Pen Portrait

Oh, To Be Like Her

 “Here she comes! Hurry up!” My classmate exclaimed. “She really scares me. I don’t
know why.” Another classmate responded. I knew who they were talking about. Indeed, Dr.
Ninfa, the dean of the School of Liberal Arts (School of Arts and Sciences now of Mountain
View College), was someone you can never mess with. She commanded respect and had an air
of dignity around her. Whenever she entered the class, the room goes quiet. She spoke calmly yet
with conviction. She was one of the teachers I had in college that really left a mark on my life.
The way she spoke always left me in awe.
When I was a freshman, I enrolled in the Logic class. Three teachers taught the subject.
So, I had the option of choosing which Logic class to join. The sophomores who finished the
course told us not to pick Dr. Ninfa because she was very strict. Unfortunately, the other classes
were already packed, and my only option was to choose Dr. Ninfa’s class schedule.
“Lord, help me,” I whispered in my head as I slowly made my way into the classroom. It
was my first day of class with her, I was nervous. I was a sixteen year-old, fresh from high
school student thrust into a room filled with competitive people about to join a class with a terror
teacher. I wanted to leave, but I had to muster my courage to go through the lesson for an hour
and a half without a hitch.
Dr. Ninfa walked in with her head held high. About forty-five students in the class were
busy conversing, but the room fell silent when she walked in. She was a petite woman barely 5-
foot in height, but she had a commanding presence of a general in Napoleon’s army. I stared at
her, amazed. When she spoke, it was with a quiet, gentle yet powerful voice, “Good morning,
class. Please rise for prayer.” We all rose quietly and bowed our heads. Then she prayed.
After the prayer, the lesson started. Dr. Ninfa animatedly discussed the lesson as if she
memorized it since birth. Throughout the class, my attention was on her. And like a kid, I told
myself, “when I grow up, I want to be like her.” “Oh, to be like her, what would it take?” I asked
myself. That thought fueled my desire to give my best in every endeavor to stand on the same
stage as she did.
Unfortunately, I was enrolled in nursing school. I only got one subject with Dr. Ninfa. I
really wanted to join her Literature II: World Literature class. But it was not in the nursing
curriculum. Luckily, after finishing nursing school, my parents consented to my request to study
AB-English. Dr. Ninfa was retired by then, but she still taught part-time in the languages
department. I was one of the blessed students who got her for a teacher in most of my major
subjects.
To a few, she was a strict, uptight mentor. But, to me, she was a nurturing teacher that
shared so much about life and really equipped me to be who I am today. Although other teachers
also contributed to who I am today, this particular professor made an extra effort to guide me.
I treasured every conversation I had with her. I got to laugh with her and discovered how
simple her life was. While she was in MVC, she used to walk around campus, do gardening with
Dr. Shadrach, her husband. She even shared stories of her travels. To me, she was not just a
teacher, but she was like a mother. I cannot speak for others. Other students might have a
different experience with her. But, to me, she was somebody I look up to. Dr. Ninfa Santosidad
was a great mentor and an excellent example of a Christian.
“She’s coming!” my classmate screamed silently. “I know,” I replied calmly. “Aren’t you
scared of her?” She insisted. “I am not. She is one of the best. I want to be like her.” I stated
matter-of-factly with a whiff of determination. Thinking back on that conversation made me
evaluate myself after almost eight years from graduation. “Did I become like her, the best in
what I do?” or “Am I still climbing the ladder to get to where Dr. Ninfa is?” Only time can tell,
and only my students can attest. All I know is that I am doing what I can to get to where I want
to be because she inspired me to. I may not be exactly like her, but I know her influence is buried
deeply in my own way of dealing with students and education.
Comments and suggestions:
Ms. Ellaine commented on my pen portrait that it started with a bang. However, she said
that I wasn’t able to maintain the excitement of the piece until the very end. So, I revised my
story and ended it with a “bang.” She recommended that I add more dialogues, especially in the
last few paragraphs, to be consistent with how I started the story. Aside from these suggestions,
my other classmates commended my piece. In fact, after writing the final paper, I sent a copy to
the teacher I wrote about in my pen portrait.
Assessment Task 2:

Future Piece

Traces
 The smell of the freshly mowed grass wafted into the open glass window on the right side
of the room as she sat on her swivel chair behind the desk right next to it with her back at the
door. August mornings bring nostalgia with a bitter after-taste. She reveled in moments like this
when the building was yet to be filled with the buzzing sound of busy educators and students
going about their daily activities. She went to the office early to savor the calmness before going
about her daily battles running a college.
Looking back brought tears to her eyes and a sense of achievement, making her realize
that every struggle she underwent brought her to where she was at the moment. She could not
help but think of the difference all those trying years made in her life. Her silent reminisce was
broken by the gentle, happy tone of her secretary sticking her head at the door, saying, “Good
morning Doc.” She turned her chair and replied with a quiet, cheerful voice, “good morning.
What are we up to this morning, Janice?” “Nothing much, doc. Just a short meeting with the vice
president for finance at eight-thirty and the academic dean at ten.” Janice replied. “Thanks,
Janice. I guess today will finish in a blink.” She facetiously replied.
But most of her days were not as easy as this one. Often, she would go about forgetting
lunch or even dinner. Running a college as the president is like running a country filled with high
intellect individuals who felt entitled. Her climb to her current position was a grueling effort
passing through roads of uncertainty and self-doubt. Others branded her an ambitious, conniving
woman who coveted the seat of presidency. But deep in her heart, she knew that she only wanted
to initiate change to a somewhat static education system ran by self-gratifying educators who
envisioned success in academe as an individual laurel crown. Her desire to make a difference in
the education system drove her to go to greater extents of planning and prayers. In order to
achieve a more significant result, she understood that she had to be in a position with greater
influence and power. This brought her to the position she now held.
She remembered the day when she finished her doctorate degree some years back. The
taste of success was sweet yet left her with a desire to use her degree for something significant.
She remembered the graduation speaker telling the graduating class, “What you have achieved
now is something you can use to make a change.” Those words were entombed deep in her heart,
igniting the dream to lead and make a difference. She was elected president of the college five
years after graduation, and she wasted no time making things happen. Still sitting on her swivel
chair, looking out the window, she questioned herself, “Did I make a difference?” challenging
her inner consciousness to answer the scrutinizing question. She closed her eyes, hoping to find
the answers to her debatable question and trying to find validation.
She sighed, “I think I did make a few remarkable changes.” Her mind went about
enumerating the changes she made to the college through the years of leading. Her recollection
was stopped by a gentle rap on the door, “Doc?” The vice president for finance administration
spoke gently. “Come in, Doris.” She invited. The vice president entered and took the seat across
the president’s desk. “Doc, I brought with me the financial report for this month. I think you
need to look at this.” Doris offered with a smile. “Alright, are there any financial problems
requiring immediate intervention?” She asked. “Nothing serious to consider at this moment, Doc.
Our finances are stable. Thanks to the effort of the administration in making changes in the
expense budget of the school.” Doris replied. A quick thought flashed in the president’s mind.
“This is one of the changes I made.” She smiled secretly, knowing that Doris’s words were
validation of the thought. But the finances of the college were not always like this. The first year
of her term started with financial crises. She made huge decisions that left a dent in the faculty’s
hearts that was not wholly fixed even up to the present. Yet, those changes were necessary.
Bringing improvement in the financial status of the college.
The meeting went on for a couple of hours. Doris left after the meeting, and the vice
president for academic affairs entered the office. “Good morning Doc,” he greeted. “Good
morning John. I trust you are here to report on the CHED memorandum recently passed?” She
replied. “Oh yes, Doc, and we are in a serious situation regarding that.” He replied with a tone
filled with concern. “The entrance exam we designed needs updating. The CHED memorandum
clearly stated that entrance examinations should test students holistically. Unfortunately, our test
only focused on the academic field.” She thought, “There was not even an entrance examination
when I started.” She smiled despite the situation knowing that she made this change—another
validation for her efforts. “Well, we need to form an academic committee to address this
concern, John. I suggest you talk with the school deans regarding this matter.” She replied with
ease. This is one of those moments when ideas or solutions come to her quickly to resolve
matters. “Okay, Doc,” John replied submissively.
The meeting went on until she heard the ring of the bell signaling the end of the morning
classes. The vice president for academic affairs left the office, carrying a solution in mind to the
concerns mentioned in their short meeting. She leaned back on her chair, turned, and stared at the
antique desk clock. “Time, what I needed the most.” She whispered. She realized she needed it
more. Her term in this office is about to end, and yet she still felt she needed more time to
continue what she started. She had the unquenchable thirst to do more. She rang for Janice on the
intercom. “Janice, you can now go for lunch. I will just eat here. My husband is bringing lunch.”
She told Janice. “Alright, Doc. By the way, the vice president for student affairs requested to see
you at two this afternoon. Will that be, okay?” Janice queried. “Sure, Janice. I don’t have any
other meetings set for today anyway.” She answered. The lunch break went on uneventful. And
before she knew it, it was time for the two o’clock meeting.
The vice president entered the office. He brought a folder she assumed was filled with
reports or perhaps a case needed to be discussed. “Good afternoon, Doc.” He greeted politely.
“Good afternoon, Daniel.” She replied. “There is a concern regarding the student enrollment
process. Some procedures needed an update.” He continued. At the back of her mind, she heard
herself say, “there wasn’t even an organized system before.” Snapping out of her thoughts, she
asked, “Do we need to change the system online?” “No need to change the system, Doc. The
system is perfect. It just needs updating. You made sure of that, Doc.” The vice president for
student affairs replied. A flicker of thought flashed in her mind. That was another statement that
validated her success in making positive changes. The meeting continued for another hour,
leaving her exhausted but pleased.
The day ended uneventfully. Yet, in her heart, memories of every fight were etched
deeply that whenever she closed her eyes, a panoramic view of her successful life is played over
and over again, reminding her of what dedication and faith can do.
Nearing her retirement, she knew that what she achieved in her tenure in the president’s
seat of the college will be forever remembered. She hoped that all her efforts could touch
students’ lives and showed the true example of a well-lived life.
Looking at the setting sun on that late August afternoon year twenty fifty-one, still
leaning on her swivel chair, is a woman with a head full of grey hair, almond-shaped eyes
embraced by the marks of age yet filled with knowledge, a woman with a steady heartbeat of a
warrior who has gone through life’s battles and conquered them, sat with confidence and dignity
declaring to herself, “Thank you, Lord, I have lived.” She stood slowly, reached for her black
leather handbag, closed the windows, and walked towards the door. Reaching the threshold, she
turned and read the plaque on her desk, “Dr. Nelly Loraine Cometa, President.” A weary yet
triumphant smile formed on her lips, then she turned off the light.
Comments and Suggestions:
In my future piece, I wrote a story that was not typical of a dystopian setting. Usually,
future works are set in a dystopian setting where the writer talks about technology in the future
and primarily science fiction. The story I wrote mainly focused on the future of a person. I also
managed to write a future piece that is ironically looking back at the past. Most of the comments
that I got from my classmates and teacher were that my writing was uniquely written. They
commented on how I used beautiful descriptive words and made the readers feel how the
protagonist of the story felt. The only recommendation I received was to check the punctuation
marks and make sure I use them properly. I think the future piece that I wrote was the best that I
have written so far.
Assessment Task 3:

Children’s Story

Kindness Repays
 “Hurry up, you nerd!” yelled the twelve-year-old Stephen, the school bully. It was 12
noon, and he wanted to eat. Eric ran towards him, gave him his lunchbox, and stepped away.
Stephen opened the box and saw three sandwiches and three hotdogs. “Good lunch,” he smirked
and told Eric to step away.
Every day this is what happens in school. Eric, the school nerd, is bullied by the school
bully. Eric sometimes wished that every day were the end of his life. But one day, everything
changed.
“Eric!” “Eric!” Eric turned and saw the class president Kelly coming towards him. “What
is it, Kelly?” “I’d like to offer you a job for the school paper. Please ask the seniors their dreams
and ambitions in life. I need them for the school paper.” “Sure, Kells,” Eric replied excitedly.
“Thanks.” Whispered Kelly as she walked away.
Eric was so excited to be part of the school paper. So, he hurriedly planned who to ask first.
Then, a thought crossed his mind, “I have to ask all the seniors. Stephen is a senior.” He could
taste the dread on his tongue. “How will I approach him?” Eric was worried. So, he decided to
save Stephen for last. After school, Eric started to interview his classmates about their ambitions
and dreams. He collected a few and decided to finish it the next day.
Eric crossed all the names on his list, and there was a name left to cross out. It was
Stephen’s. Eric decided to talk to Stephen at lunch. Every tick of the clock made Eric’s heartbeat
faster. He could feel the trickle of his sweat down his back. His mind was a myriad of thoughts,
and he almost fell off his chair when he heard the bell rang, signaling the morning classes’ end.
He stood up, filled with determination. He knew that he had no choice but go and ask
Stephen his dreams for the future. He walked towards the cafeteria, wishing that his legs will take
him away from school. A few steps later, he saw the cafeteria’s enormous double doors swinging
open then close when a student enters. Gathering all the courage from every cell of his body, he
walked and pushed the doors open. He looked around the room, scanning every corner for a tall,
big boy wearing a cap, trying to bully students into giving him their lunch. But to his surprise, he
did not see Stephen. Not even his shadow. Eric did not notice the sigh of relief he did, knowing
that Stephen was not around.
Eric chose a spot in the cafeteria and gobbled his lunch, scared that Stephen might appear
any moment. As soon as he finished eating, he looked around, but Stephen was not there. He stared
at his list, and he felt a smile forming on his lips. The bully is not around. It brought happiness to
Eric, and the afternoon went on without a hitch.
The next day, Eric was anxious again. He thought perhaps Stephen will be around, but he
was not. It happened again the next day, then the next. It went on for several days. Everybody
wondered where Stephen was. Although most of them were relieved that he was not around.
Everybody was relieved, but not Eric. It was true that Stephen was a bully, but Eric could
not stop thinking about him. So, he decided to go and check on Stephen. However, Eric did not
know where Stephen lives. He tried to recall which direction Stephen took going home. And then
he remembered seeing Stephen pass by the park near Eric’s home. So, Eric rushed to go home and
crossed the road to the park and walked across it. Eric continued walking across the park and
turned to the right. He saw houses along the street. But these houses looked old, and some gates
have broken hinges. He continued walking and looking at the houses, checking if Stephen was
there. One by one, he checked the homes along the road. Eric continued walking until he reached
the last house of the row, then Eric froze. He saw Stephen sitting on the porch rails, face on hands
and sobbing.
Eric did not know what to do. He stared at Stephen. Questions were running through his
mind, “What should I do? Why is he crying? What happened?” Eric carefully walked towards
Stephen. He froze when Stephen looked up and stared at him helplessly and surprised. Eric crossed
the distance between them and sat next to Stephen, patting his back. Stephen tried to brush away
Eric’s hand, but Eric did not move.
After an hour of silence, Stephen finally spoke. “What are you doing here?” He murmured.
“I just came to check on you. You missed a lot of classes, you know,” Eric replied. “Is everything
alright?” Eric continued with concern in his voice. “Why do you care?” Stephen snarled. “You
don’t understand anything. You are rich. You have food to eat. You have parents to take care of
you,” Stephen continued quietly, his voice cracking. Eric sighed, “you can tell me everything
Stephen, I promise I will listen, and I will keep it a secret.” Stephen looked at Eric and asked
reluctantly, “Aren’t you mad at me for everything I did to you?” “Nah, not at all. I was scared of
you, but I know you have your reasons.” Eric replied with a smile.
So, Stephen told his family story to Eric. Stephen’s mom died the previous year, and his
father became a drunkard. A week ago, his father was sent to jail, and Stephen was left to tend to
his two younger brothers. He was a bully at school because he wanted to have some food for his
younger brothers. After telling Eric everything, Eric asked Stephen about his dream. “I want to
become a doctor. I want to help people in need. If I were a doctor now, I would have saved my
mother.” Stephen replied. Stephen cried again, and Eric patted him on the back. Then an idea
struck Eric.
“I can help you! If it is okay,” Eric said with a voice filled with excitement. “How?” Asked
Stephen wiping his tears. “Well, my mom said that I could bring friends over. But since I have
only a few friends, I can invite you and your brothers to come over.” Eric replied. “But is it really,
okay?” Stephen asked anxiously. “Of course, it is!” Eric smiled. “Come on, we have to go. It’s
almost dinner time.” Eric invited. Stephen then called his brothers, and they all went to Eric’s
house.
Eric explained to his mother Stephen’s situation. He told his mother how Stephen wanted
to be a doctor. Eric’s mom was happy to help. She called the social welfare and told them about
Stephen and his brothers. Soon Stephen and his brothers were all taken in by a good family.
Eric became Stephen’s best friend. They graduated with honors and were able to finish
college. Eric became a lawyer, and Stephen became a doctor.
The story of how Stephen and Eric became best of friends was retold several times. Stephen
was grateful to Eric for his kindness that he could not help but share this story with his
grandchildren over and over again. “Kindness repays. Love your enemies, the Bible says. This is
what exactly Eric did. He became my blessing.” Stephen ended his story, looking at the setting
sun with a smile on his lips.
Comments and Suggestions:
My children’s story was written a long time ago. I wrote it way back in college. When I
reread it, I discovered a lot of mistakes in grammar and choices of words. I reflected on how far I
have reached in writing. So, I rewrote the story and improved the dialogues, the grammar, and
the choice of words. I was worried because I thought I wasn’t writing a children’s story. But,
fortunately, it came out fine. There were only a few suggestions for improvement, such as using
punctuation marks and italicizing some phrases to determine if those phrases were said aloud or
were just thoughts. Overall, I am happy I was able to deliver a good story.

My Take-Aways

Since I was in high school, I never thought that writing will become one of my most
vital assets as I entered the professional world. I had the worst experience in writing when I was
in the secondary stage of education. I did not discover my knack for writing until I studied AB-
English.
Writing my pieces was quite challenging, especially when I have so many things in mind
and find it challenging to conclude my stories. But, thank God, I was able to accomplish what I
wanted to achieve.
There are lessons that I learned along the way that helped me improve my writing skills. I
learned how to formulate sentences that are grammatically sound and literarily beautiful to read.
I learned to use descriptive words. I also learned the importance of coherence and choice of
words. After rereading my stories, I discovered several mistakes in punctuations and sometimes
the wrong usage of words.
I attribute these discoveries to the theories that we learned in the creative writing classes
and from observing the several pieces introduced in class.
There were several writing techniques that I observed that were used by my classmates
proving, that each writer has their own unique style.
I took notes on the comments on the stories that I wrote, and I am happy that most of the
comments were positive.
Thank God for giving me a gift in writing and allowing me to practice and enhance it.
Without the help of God, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this. I learned that I wouldn’t be able
to reach success on my own, and with the help of people around, I can give my very best.