p r o l o g u e
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"Ladies and Gentlemen, please settle down for we will start the awarding ceremony in about two minutes." Anunsyo ng emcee sa mic, na naging dahilan ng pagkatihimik ng buong auditorium.
I leaned back in my chair with my arms crossed over my chest, and my leg above the other, as I waited patiently for the ceremony to begin.
"Good Morning!" Bati muli ng emcee, "we shall now announce the science olympiad awardees, and this year's champion."
Music played in the background as they started to announce the awardees. Starting from the minor awards, then slowly progressing to the major awards, I would be lying kung sasabihin ko na hindi mo ramdam ang tensyon sa loob ng audiotrium.
I mean, who wouldn't? This was the National Earth Science Olympiad after all—the country's most oldest and prestigous nation-wide competition in the field of Earth Science. Wherein, thousands of students joining each year, and only a small percentage of that makes it to the qualifying stage. And for your name to be called and get the chance to walk on that stage ay isa sa mga pinaka-mataas na karangalan na ninanais na makamtan ng kahit sinong estudyante.
Kasi aminin man natin o hindi, bawat tao ay nagnanais ng karangalan. Bawat tao ay nagnanais ng pagkakakilanlan. At higit sa lahat, bawat tao ay nagnanais na magwagi. Unfortunately, that will not always be the case. Because in life, there are two kinds of people... those who win, and those who don't.
As for me, I always win.
Pushing up my glasses up the bridge of my nose, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko na tingnan ang suot 'kong relo ng mapagtanto ko na kumpara nung nakaraang anim na taon, this year's awarding ceremony might just be the longest.
"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for..." Muli kong sinulyapan ang emcee, bago ko iniayos ang tie ng aking uniporme. "Ladies and gentlemen, students and teachers, may I proudly present this year the champion of the National Earth Science Olympiad for 2023 is—"
Nagpatugtog ng drum roll bilang pa-suspense na mas lalong nakapagdagdag ng tensyon at antisipasyon sa bawat taong nasa loob ng auditorium.
Habang ako, hindi ko napigilan ang ngumisi...
"Keith Alexander Martinez of Clifford State University!" Naramdaman ko ang paglawak ng ngisi ko nang sa wakas, tinawag na rin ang pangalan ko.
Pushing up my glasses once again, I made my way to the stage with my head held high as triumph, satisfaction, and pride filled every inch of my body.
Stepping on stage, the moment felt perfect—the spotlight shinning on me, a certificate in my hand and a trophy in the other, and everyone's attention was focused on me.
Some looked at me with envy, and some with astonishment, wishing that they were in my shoes. Wishing that just like me, they too would be on top.
"Mr. Martinez is one of the longest reigning champion in NESO's history," dagdag ng emcee na mas lalong ikina-mangha ng bawat manunood. "Being champion for almost six years in a row, your parents must be proud!"
Naramdaman ko ang pag-igting ng panga ko dahil sa kumento ng emcee.
"Of course. Who wouldn't?"
***
Matapos ang photo ops and interviews with multiple national and school publications, I made my way outside towards the parking lot.
"Congratulations po Sir Keith!" Bati ng driver ko nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan ng sasakyan. "Saan na po tayo?"
BINABASA MO ANG
Chasing Keith Alexander Martinez
Teen Fiction• A C A D E M I C H E A R T S S E R I E S • Book 1: Chasing Keith Alexander Martinez Book 2: Loving Chase Astrid Dela Fuente __________________________________ Keith Alexander Martinez is in his last year of Senior High School at Clifford State...
