# MY SHORT STORY

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#### INTRODUCTION

Hi! My name is Michael Joseph M. Layao. I live in the Philippines, province of Lanao del Sur 4th St. MSU, Marawi City. I was born on November 29, 2004. I am actually only the second child to be born out of two siblings.

#### GROWING UP WITH MY FAMILY

Growing up with my family wasn't really that hard for there weren't very big conflicts with I as a child. I can actually say that I have grown with a family that is well-balanced. I got so much love from them even until now. My father is a basketball coach, probably the most prominent here in Lanao del Sur, and a faculty along with my mother at College Of Sports Physical Education and Recreation. And we have been together travelling to different places, and Hong Kong was our farthest so far. I and my sister both are in high school in the same school. I am glad with the family I'm in. I know that there is no such thing as a perfect family, I will still accept and love them no matter what.

#### DEALING WITH A DIFFERENT RELIGION AND CULTURE

I've been at least thirteen years (To be exact, I estimated the times we were out of town) here living in MSU, Marawi that is the only Islamic city of the Philippines. Here, especially in Mindanao State University, you can find a variety of people but dominantly Muslims. Their culture and religion are contradictory to mine, as for I am a Roman Catholic, but we still adhered to ours. Actually, in reality, even though you have opposing beliefs, there are no tensions with every day living with them. I can still talk my talk, laugh my laugh, or freely move and converse just like a normal citizen. Therefore, it's really true that humanity is not blocked by differences in culture or religion.

#### ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS

Through these years, I have really been an achiever myself. Dominant are in academics, and in my one precious sport, badminton. With the help of my parents who shared sports willingly with us, siblings, we were focused in badminton. Therefore the most major achievement of all my life as an athlete was to be able to participate in Palarong Pambansa which is the largest sporting event in the Philippines. In my place I was representing ARMM. This happened when I was in grade 5. In academics, the most major achievement was when I finished as a Valedictorian in elementary. I couldn't really enumerate them all, but those were just on top of a hundred/thousand achievement list. But I must say, an achievement or a success don't really need to be having a medal, or a certificate, or a prize for it to be considered so, you can't just see it, but every small thing is an achievement. Just like cleaning your area, finishing a personal project, hanging out with friends and a lot more.

#### WHAT'S UP WITH MY DREAMS?

Apart from being an achiever, I am also a certified dreamer. As what they say, "Success in life starts with a dream." Therefore, we should dream big dreams. And it actually starts with us on when we should set our plans for fulfilling our dreams. Of course, I dream to finish my academics and become a doctor. I also dream to show people my talents. I also dream to be a successful athlete. Actually, I have so many dreams apart from what was mentioned. It depends if which dream come true is given to you. It also might be that what you didn't dream of will come to you. We will all get our break. And dreaming is not just daydreaming, it should be hard work.

#### HOW'S LIFE SO FAR

Life for me so far is great! I really feel the challenges of it and I believe the level gets higher once we step up our age as we get more responsibilities. Life is truly a rollercoaster, or also a wheel. Sometimes you are up, and can I say most of the time you are down? But this is what makes life beautiful, the paradise after a long journey from the sea of nowhere. As what a priest during his homily has said, he said that if it weren't for sacrifice, we would have gone astray in our lives. This means that every daring situation has a great change if we sacrifice our time, our bodies, our minds, and what we would have liked to do. I've been through so many problems and despair just like all of us. And I want to keep my life as colorful as it could be and cherish every triumph with God.