A Teenage Dream

Prior to our departure, we had our orientation at De Lasalle University - CSB Hotel. I was holding my passport and the documents needed to be given to the immigration officer to the airport.

It was back in my 3rd year high school. I dreamed how was it like to be in the other country. It was just a dream. A simple dream. Yet, never had I thought it will happen sooner.

I was chosen as one of the delegates for the JENESYS batch 2011. I was a freshmen college student back then taking Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in Physics. My roommate, who happened to be one of the first batch of JENESYS delegates, compelled me to apply for the program. Countless prayer and fasting ceremonies I have attended for me to be accepted. Good heavens, I was chosen as one.

Then, a great tsunami hit Japan. I thought my dreams were vanished; that the program was cancelled. It took me a long while to recover from my shattered dreams: the dreams that I used to brag to my parents and friends. It was quite a devastating moment for me Until, an email was sent to confirm that the program will recur next year. My hopes were then high again.

On the picture (L-R): Demi, ME, and Shige aboard on one of their Maglev train at Tokyo, Japan

The three of us: Demi, ME, and Shigenobu were rescheduled on the first flight the following day after the expected departure date due to immigration problems. We are DOST scholars. As a scholar, we should secure our travel clearances from the DOST in order to travel abroad. Due to miscommunication, we were not able to secure another travel clearances issued by the Bureau of Immigration. Japan, in cooperation with Rajah Tours, was very generous to accommodate us during the process of our documents and in our arrival to Japan. We were so much indebted to them for the encouragements and assurances after the almost-heartbreaking moment at the NAIA airport.