Stories of Life

What Lies Within

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The sun was just beginning to rise over Tacloban City, casting a soft golden light over the sleepy streets. Liza stood in the kitchen of her family's modest home, her hands deep in a large bowl of grated taro root, mixing it with coconut milk, sugar, and condensed milk. The familiar, earthy scent of the ingredients filled the air, a comforting reminder of the binagol that had been a part of her family for generations.

Liza had never imagined she would be here, in this kitchen, at this point in her life. She had once been a college student with dreams of earning a degree, moving to Manila, and making something of herself. But all that had changed when she found out she was pregnant. Her boyfriend, who had promised to be there for her, had left her for another girl. The future she had envisioned crumbled before her eyes, and she was left with nothing but a broken heart and an uncertain path.

But despite the nightmares of her past and the uncertainties of her future, Liza had something within her that she hadn't fully realized until now-a strength that had been quietly growing inside her, waiting for the moment it would be needed the most.

After dropping out of college, Liza had returned to Tacloban, to the small home she had grown up in with her parents. Her mother and father had always been humble vendors of binagol, a sweet delicacy made from taro root and coconut. It was a business that required hard work, dedication, and patience, qualities that Liza's parents had passed down to her.

When Liza told her parents about her situation, they didn't judge or scold her. Instead, they welcomed her back with open arms, offering her the only thing they had-the family business. "Anak, life doesn't always go as planned," her mother had said gently, "but we have to keep going, no matter what. You have a future, Liza, and it's up to you to shape it."

And so, Liza took on the responsibility of carrying on the binagol business. It wasn't easy at first. The physical work was demanding, and the emotional weight of her situation made it even harder. But Liza refused to let her circumstances define her. She poured herself into the work, finding solace in the rhythm of the kitchen-the sound of the coconut being grated, the steady stirring of the mixture, the sweet aroma that filled the air as the binagol cooked.

As the days turned into weeks, Liza began to notice a change in herself. The pain of her past still lingered, but it no longer controlled her. She was discovering a strength within her that she hadn't known existed. This strength wasn't about denying her pain or pretending that everything was okay. It was about acknowledging her struggles, facing them head-on, and choosing to move forward despite them.

One morning, as Liza was preparing the binagol, her mother entered the kitchen. "Liza, may dumating na customer sa tindahan. Gusto kang makausap."

Liza wiped her hands on her apron and made her way to the front of the house, where their small stall was located. A woman in her forties, with kind eyes and a warm smile, was waiting for her.

"Good morning, ikaw ba si Liza?" the woman asked.

"Yes po, ako po si Liza. Ano po ang kailangan ninyo?" Liza replied politely.

The woman smiled wider. "I've heard a lot about your binagol. Sabi nila masarap daw at sulit. I'm actually organizing an event for a company here in Tacloban, and we're looking for local delicacies to serve. I'd like to order a large batch of binagol for our event."

Liza's heart skipped a beat. This was a big opportunity, one that could help grow their business. But it also meant more work, more pressure. The old doubts began to creep in-what if she wasn't good enough? What if she couldn't meet the expectations?

But then, Liza remembered the words her mother had spoken to her, and the quote she had read long ago: *"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."* She took a deep breath, summoning the strength she had found within herself.

"I'd be happy to take the order," Liza said confidently. "We can provide you with the best binagol in Tacloban."

The woman nodded, clearly impressed with Liza's professionalism. "Thank you, Liza. I'll leave the details with you. I'm looking forward to it."

As the woman left, Liza felt a surge of pride. She had taken a step forward, not just for the business, but for herself. The nightmares of her past were still there, but they were no longer the defining force in her life. She had a future to build, and she was determined to do it with the strength that lay within her.

In the weeks that followed, Liza threw herself into preparing for the large order. She worked tirelessly, perfecting each batch of binagol to ensure it was just right. Her parents helped her, guiding her with their years of experience and offering encouragement whenever she felt overwhelmed.

When the day of the event arrived, Liza delivered the binagol with a sense of accomplishment. The company's event was a success, and the binagol was a hit. People praised the delicacy, and soon, more orders started coming in. Liza's business began to grow, and with it, so did her confidence.

One evening, as Liza was closing up the stall, her mother came to sit beside her. "Liza, I'm proud of you," she said softly. "You've faced a lot, but you didn't let it break you. You've shown that what's inside you is stronger than anything else."

Liza smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. "Salamat, Ma. I've realized that life isn't just about what happens to us-it's about how we choose to respond. And I've chosen to keep going, to keep building, no matter what."

Her mother nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "That's my girl."

As they sat there, watching the sun set over Tacloban City, Liza knew that she had found her true strength. It wasn't in avoiding the pain of the past or worrying about the uncertainties of the future. It was in embracing who she was, in trusting that what lay within her was enough to overcome any challenge.

And with that knowledge, Liza felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.