My dream when I was eight

A decade ago, I was living my childhood life without worrying about the future. At eight, I was naive and innocent about how harsh and cruel life could actually be. How I wish I could go back to those times when life is nothing but playtime and all.

Growing up, most people would find me entertaining, talented and clever as a kid. I started holding the microphone when I was barely four years old. Upon seeing this, my family would make me sing in the karaoke on normal, lazy days and on special occasions. My aunt would make me belt out high notes from the hit songs of music icons Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. I didn’t mind singing in front of the crowd whenever my Mother would make me join amateur singing contests and school activities. She even exerted the effort of enrolling me to Center for Pop music school and ABS-CBN Star Music summer workshops, which I truly appreciate and thank for.

Aside from singing, my family saw how I loved dressing up, striking poses, acting and ramp modeling as a toddler. I could remember how my mother auditioned me for SM Dasmariñas’ Little Big Star in 2009 at the event center. When asked by the emcee about who is my favorite actress, I didn’t hesitate to answer Marian Rivera who played the role of Dyesebel and Darna during those years. Not to mention when I won the title “Princess of Love” and “Best in Talent” award during our school beauty pageant in 2010.

Evidently, all I dream of at that time was to become a famous actress, model and singer. As compared to my current goal of becoming a journalist and lawyer by profession, truly, my dreams when I was eight are ridiculous, impractical and quite far-fetched. Though, it is acceptable, for dreaming as a kid knows no boundaries and limits. But as I grow older, my preferences have tremendously changed. A lot of events, both good and bad, that happened to me over the years, have already deepened my outlook in life.

Whenever I reminisce about these past moments of my childhood, I could not help but to cringe a bit and laugh at myself. I still sing, but not as often and passionately as before. Though, I can no longer see myself joining beauty pageants today. But if there is one thing I’d like to regain, that would be the high confidence and positivity level I used to have as a kid. The ability to dream without fear or hesitation. The genuinely happy and free-spirited Shaine I used to be.