OnLooker

I am Stephanie Jane Lagura a Senior High School Student. I am 17 years old and I live in Sta. Josefa Agusan del Sur. This motorcycle incident happened on April 26, 2017 at Purok-9 Barangay Poblacion in the Municipality of Sta. Josefa. It was around two to three in the afternoon when I heard a loud screech. I was just sitting in the wooden chair outside a Sari-sari store busy chit-chatting with my cousins namely Jean and Mary when I heard it. I thought it was just nothing but extreme shocked was evident on my face at that time.

I literally stopped myself from talking to my female cousins and I stand immediately. They were so shocked as well. Both of us screamed "HALA! UNSA MAN TO?". We then looked to each others eyes and decided to look of where the screech came from.

We ran as fast as we could lucky enough that it was just 30 meters away from where we came from. Sweat was all over me, dripping from my forehead onto my face down to my neck. My hands were on my knees trying to catch some oxygen.

My eyes began to widen as I saw a familiar scene. There was blood in the road coming from the body of a man who is approximately 5'4 tall and whose age is around 30s.  Many people were there in the site whispering and talking of the probabilities as to why it happened. He was the only one riding the motorcycle and fortunately he was wearing helmet at that moment. Just a matter of minutes the police came and did some investigations. The man suddenly moved to his right facing his back at us. By his movement, I then confirmed that he was alive. I ran back to the Sari-sari store and report what I have seen to my Aunt and mother.

Flying Without Wings

I became a Journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world. - Anonymous.

Originally, I was chosen by the late Mr. Vildon Romero to be a member of the Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting team to represent the school for the Division Schools Press Conference 2014 held at Agusan del Sur National High School. I was really in the state of shocked when my co-journalist informed me about the sudden news. At first, I hesitate to join thinking about the possibilities which might happen. I kept on asking myself of "why me?" really, I do not know.

I am not the kind of person who likes to write different articles about what was happening in the world. I don't like writing and reading various news write-ups because I easily get tired and get rid while doing those kind of stuffs.

However, despite of having those negative thoughts like "I cannot make it.. and I am not good with this.." I still tried my best and took all those encouraging thoughts and positivity. I eagerly joined everytime we had our workshop and I'm really excited to learn new things and acquire new experience. I always reminded myself to focus and have a better output to submit on time.
         
In my first journey as a journalist, I was able to go out of my comfort zone and learned to stand on my own. I went to other school and met different students from various institutions. I have experienced being away from my family and trained myself to socialize with other people. During my first play-off as a member of the Radio Broadcasting team, I was awarded as 3rd Best News Presenter among several students who have joined the said competition. I wasn't expecting about winning but rather to be simply appreciated by everyone for representing our school and doing our very best.

I considered myself lucky enough to be chosen again to compete, together with my team, for the Division Schools Press Conference 2015 to be held again in Agusan del Sur National High School, San Francisco Agusan del Sur. On that very moment, I could say to myself that I am ready. There were no room for hesitations and a space for negative premonitions.

For the second time in my life I was awarded and chosen by the judges as a 2nd Best News Presenter for the English category. Although, I was picked as a second best but still I couldn't make it to the Regional level. There was a feeling of sadness but what matters most was that I did my best and got an award which was not easy to achieve by anyone. It requires effort, patience, and dedication for you to have it. Also, I am very thankful and always will to my mentor, Ma'am Fatima Honey Vi Lapidez for sharing her knowledge to us which made everything possible.

The feeling of being acknowledge, stand on stage and received an award was still fresh in my mind. Everytime I think about it I could not stop myself from smiling. I was so happy to discover the other side of me. I am indeed very thankful and blessed to have those people around me who were very supportive and have put their trust on me. Now, I will never get tired of writing and reading different news columns. I have known and greatly appreciated the effort of every journalist who had made various commentaries to open our close minds to what was happening in the world. Lastly, I am now willing to give my time to come as close as possible to the heart of the world and continue to fly without wings.