Hand-Me-Downs: Letters from the Pathfinder

The role of an older sibling is not easy; all of the firsts in life are experienced by them. Along with that, building sibling relationships is often difficult because some (age-leveled) experiences do not coincide with each other. When siblings reach a certain age where the older one is out in the real world and the younger sibling is still in their nests, their connection with each other can be disrupted. On top of that, the art of sending letters slowly becomes a lost art. The sentimental value of messaging decreases over time as well. This collection aims to reform love in the eyes of the older sibling. It's a series of letters composed by an older sister about her coming-of-age experiences and what lessons can be learned from them. The ate narrative creates a path for people who are navigating their parts through their teenage years. It can bond distant sibling relationships, relate to fellow ate figures, and comfort those who wish to have brothers/sisters who tell them life gets better.

**This is an undergraduate CNF thesis submitted to the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Arts and Letters, and was finished in April 2023.**

While all of the stories are based on the author's real life, the names mentioned have been changed for confidentiality.