A Paradise Lost

Moving On

Rianna finally finished the book. She went to the fountain to drink water.

“Rianna, is that you?”

Rianna turned around. She was surprised to see Spencer, her classmate in photography class during summer.

“Spencer, how are you? I am glad to see you studying in the same school with me. What course did you take?”

“I took Business Administration. How about you?”

“I took History.”

“Awesome. Are you free this weekend?”

“I guess so. What’s up?”

“I would like to invite you to our photoshoot in Camotes Island.”

“That sounds exciting.”

“Do you want to join us?”

“Count me in.”

“Great! Don’t forget to prepare your costume. Our theme will be pre-Spanish period.”

“Sure, I will.”

Rianna went to her history class. She smiled at her ex-boyfriend and best friend to show them that she was doing fine and she had already moved on. She could feel the prying eyes of her nosy classmates. It seemed like they already knew about their friendship and betrayal. She didn’t care anymore what they think about them.

“Good afternoon class.” Mr. Mao Ramirez greeted.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“I have a surprise for all of you.”

“Is it a surprise quiz, sir?” Rianna asked.

“Yes, you got it right, Rianna.”

“I am just actually kidding, sir.”

“No I am not kidding. You have been studying history even since you were in grade school until college. I want you to write an essay about your understanding in Philippine history. Your must have at least 100-200 words. I need you to submit your essay before the end of class.”

Rianna wrote her essay as fast as she could. She needed to finish her essay before 5:00 PM so that she could go to the dance club and borrow a costume for her photoshoo. She submitted her essay to Mr. Mao Ramirez.

“That was very quick.”

“Can I go home now?”

“Of course. But before you go, I want you to read your essay to the class.”

Rianna was a little bit irritated because she was in a hurry. She stood in front of her classmates anyway.

The True Identity of the Filipinos

Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed or set foot on Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own customs and traditions embedded in the history of our race.

Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in our folk stories. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet which was different from that brought by the Spaniards.

In short, the Filipinos were already refined and civilized even before the coming of the Spaniards. They possessed a distinct culture that distinguish them from other race.

Despite the influences of foreigners that invaded our country, is there a way for us to restore our true identity as Filipinos or rather as Maharlikans?

Well, the answer to that question is up to us.

We can only restore our true identity if we open our hearts and minds to seek and accept the truth about our past rather than accepting what the foreign invaders had written about us. We will only learn to appreciate our rich culture by seeking the truth about our true identity. The key for our country to be great again is by digging our past, sacrificing for the present, and looking forward for a brighter future.

Everyone clapped their hands.

“That is a very short but powerful essay. You may go home now.”

Rianna went to the dance club to borrow a pre-Spanish costume for her photoshoot. She was lucky to find a perfect costume.

Rianna felt happy and contented once again after her breakup with her boyfriend and the betrayal of her best friend. Her painful breakup that lead her to the discovery of the ‘A Paradise Lost’ book was not an accident. She felt like fate put her to an unpleasant situation to lead her to the most important matters in life. She felt like she had a very important mission that she needed to accomplish. She was looking forward for a brighter future and also the right man in God’s perfect time.