Oona F.

Coronel HUMSS 1221

EMPTY SEAT

There was a time when the course of action I’ve ever known to interact was to

follow the phase of the crowd and strictly on rules. I was a dog of the campus

regulations considering that I am the Class President and also a member of the SSG

(Supreme Student Government) which is the most powerful and highest governing body

in the Institution. It composed of officers duly elected by the entire student body in the

secondary level. I couldn’t help but think that I was bland and boring through their eyes

because I couldn’t follow their phase of their definition of fun. I was always busy

accommodating my duties at the Student Activity Office and fulfilling my work as an

officer, I am almost forgetting my time for myself, friends, and family.

Humans normally experience fear starting at an early age, many students

experience varying degrees of anxiety or fearfulness. Reasons why you should be

afraid to break the rules and regulations. The most common in school is that the only

reason we obey their commands is because they have the power to control our

academic grades. Fear of breaking the rules can cause students to experience adverse

responses physiologically (e.g., shortness of breath), cognitively (inability to focus or

concentrate, obsessive thinking, replaying in their minds problematic incidents that

occurred in previous classes), and emotionally (easily agitated, overcome by excessive

nervousness, frustration, and other negative feelings). Bledsoe. T.S., & Baskin, J.J.

(2014).

There were times that I would blame myself for my friends forgetting me when

they go on an outing, neglecting my social circle not realizing that I’m sacrificing my
Oona F. Coronel HUMSS 1221

social state to a temporary commitment that doesn’t reward me in the future. It was the

start of my Grade 7 days when an empty seat was occupied by a new classmate. “Hello

everyone! My name is Miles Mallorca, 14 years old and I lived at Doǹa Soledad

Subdivision. And I like to play basketball and online games”. Well my first impression of

him; a loner and demure guy. But I was wrong, he always acted so unruly and

hyperactive. The first encounter I’ve had with him was unpleasant and it occurred during

our first school activity on Nutrition Month, where me and the class officers were

preparing for the said event. Miles was shouting and singing while banging the chairs

with his companions disturbing our discussion about planning for the activity. That

encounter made a bad impression on me, ever since, I saw Miles as a delinquent.

When I observed him I always see him goofing around running with his friends and

chasing each other playing tag. Almost everyone in the room was influenced by his

schemes to play around instead of behaving, always causing a commotion inside the

room.

Seeing Miles always acting childishly really made me irritated and uneasy

thinking it might show a bad image to our section. There were many times that I’ve tried

to control and stop him from playing around but he always ignored my instructions and

continued doing what pleased him anyways. His slacking off and goofing around made

me think that he would not progress in school. But there was one time that I couldn’t

stop myself from being so angry and scolded him in front of many people because he

was gossiping and laughing with his friends. I yelled at him saying “Mga wala mo’y

respeto! Naa si Teacher sa atubangan!” I said to show some respect, the teacher is in

front of us. This made him shy and embarrassed. He then replied silently “Ayaw pod
Oona F. Coronel HUMSS 1221

nang permi ka higpit Oon, makasakal na sa amua!” then left. He said I must not be that

controlling for I was already depriving their freedom. I never really felt sorry after what

happened and we didn’t have any interaction whatsoever after then.

One afternoon, we’re all scolded by our Adviser, “Saba na kaayo mo ha!,

complaining why are we all noisy. “Naunsa naman mo mura mog mga bata! Asa man

ang mga Officers?” She said what’s wrong with us, why we are all acting like a noisy

child and where are the Officers. “President kaya nimo pahilumon imong mga

classmate?” She ask me if I can handle my classmates. I did not respond. Our Adviser

kept talking of how irresponsible we were, especially me. I felt so bad that all my

confidence and courage are fading away. I put all the blame on me.

Suddenly, there is like an angel saving me from darkness, from misery. It was

Miles, he handed me a piece of earphone and put it to my left ear. “Oona ayaw ka

down, okay ra na!” He said everything’s gonna be alright, don’t be so disappointed.

“Dapat i enjoy nimo imong highschool life oy paspas ra baya ang oras, ayaw gud

kahadlok makaguba ug rules sa eskwelahan”. He told me that I must enjoy my life in

high school for time flies so fast, and I won’t be able to notice it. He also added that I

must not be worried in breaking rules inside the school. And then the song played

entitled Break Free by Arianna Grande. Somehow this is my first ever time to be a rule

breaker, I silently enjoyed the music and carefully hide it. It was truly a Break Free from

rules that I was once consider as a god and I no longer as a disciple of it.

****
Oona F. Coronel HUMSS 1221

March 30, 2015, it was our Farewell Party. I was prepared to talk to Miles

thanking him for changing my perception and asking forgiveness for what I had done.

We are all present except Miles but we didn’t even mind at all. It’s too early to start the

program. While waiting for him I asked help from my officers to arrange the food that we

bring and put the decorations on the board. It’s already past 8 and our adviser said to

start the program without him. We played games, eat together and shared our first

impressions to each other. We are still enjoying our farewell party but out of nowhere

we got a call from her mother who brought the news that Miles had died.

****

Miles died from Aneurysm that refers to the weakening of an artery wall that

creates a bulge, or distention, of the artery. The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) advise that aortic aneurysms contribute to over 25,000 deaths in the

United States (U.S.) each year. Around 30,000 brain aneurysms rupture in the U.S.

each year. An estimated 40 percent of these cases cause death within 24 hours.

Preventing an aneurysm is not always possible, as some are congenital, meaning they

are present from birth. Not all cases of aneurysm need active treatment. When an

aneurysm ruptures, emergency surgery is needed.

According to his mother, Miles played all day during that time because one of his

friend was transferring to a new school and made it up to him by hanging out and

playing with his friend all day. When he got home he quickly took a bath and played

computer games all night. Because of that stress piling up in his body his artery was
Oona F. Coronel HUMSS 1221

ruptured and caused an internal bleeding that killed him while he was asleep from a

long tiring day, not realizing it was his last.

Somehow I found myself coming to his wake, seeing many of our classmates or

friends coming to mourn for his death. There I was, ashamed of myself for judging Miles

quickly and made me regret the things I’ve done to him. His friends told his

characteristics, showing appreciation and how he would always made them happy even

though it would make him in trouble, especially to his mother.

“Si Miles kay kanang gentleman kaayo na pagkatao”. She said, Miles was a

gentleman.

“Salamat Miles kasi nakilala kita”. He said, thanking miles for coming to his life.

“Miles… nganong gi bilin man ko nimo, diba mag seaman pa man ka, musakay

pa kag barko!” His sister said Miles left her already, she thought that he will pursue his

dream to become a Seaman and board in ship.

“Si Miles miskan dungol na love kaayo nako na siya!” His mom said even though

miles is a stubborn child she still love him very much.

He stayed genuine to his words and actions even though he knew that he would

get scolded as long as he would have fun. His perspective about school wasn’t focused

around what the school told him to do but what he wanted to do in school. Even though

his academics was average his social circle made him happy and contented. Now that

we are now turning to 8th graders I spent looking at the empty seat of Miles left, leaving

behind his joyful memories. Even though I failed thanking him, I failed asking
Oona F. Coronel HUMSS 1221

forgiveness for what I had done. It made me realized that I succeed changing my

perception in high school life.

Peer influence is also defined as when people of one’s own age encourage or

urging the person to do something or to keep from doing something else, no matter if

the person personally want to do it or not (Ryan, 2000). The more subtle form of peer

pressure is known as peer influence, and it involves changing one’s behaviour to meet

the perceived expectations of others (Burns & Darling, 2002). Peer influence refers to

the influence exerted by a peer group or an individual in encouraging a person to

change his/her attitudes or perception about something, values in order to conform to

group norms (Kirk, 2000). Miles is a good kind of peer influence. He unleash my chains

and set me free from my owner which is the rules and regulations and I no longer as a

dog of it.

Having no special memories that I could recall that I’ve enjoy a single day during

my SSG days. Since then I’ve promised myself that I would not only focus strictly on

academics but balancing my social circle and time management to things that would

make me happy. Wherever Miles is right now I owe him a debt of gratitude for making

me realize my insecurities; attempting to become a perfect leader and how I should

have spared my time to the important things. How I’ve long for the empty seat that you

have left my dear friend.