The beautiful, strong, and phenomenal me

Today, let me tell you a story about a young woman who loves fried chicken but hates the wings part, watches Korean drama for pastime but cries over the villain’s backstory, and someone who has social anxiety but managed to make it this far in her college life as a Communication student. Yes, that beautiful, strong, phenomenal but goofy woman is yours truly.

At this juncture, allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Beverly Shaine J. Bautista, a 20-year old 3rd Year college student of Communication Arts. I am a writer, campus journalist, resource speaker, freelance copywriter, twin sister to my fraternal twin brother, and a daughter. I am one of our school’s full academic scholars and student officers serving as the Communication Society Representative of our department’s student council, Public Relations Officer of our Communication Society, and the Associate Editor of our school publication, The Magdalo.

As an ambivert, it is not everyday that I get to share my story to other people. Even so, I am grateful to have this wonderful opportunity to share with you who I really am, what object do I identify myself with, what makes me unique, and the kind of legacy I want to leave this world behind.

There are many things that I identify myself with, but if I were to choose one it would have to be a book. Not only that I love to read books of different genres, but the characteristics of books resonate to me a lot. Simply because just like books, people often judge and define me by my exterior, but there is so much more to me than my outer appearance and personality. Like a book, you have to open and read through my pages for you to know what is inside. I may not be one of those best-selling and popular books out there, but I do have amazing stories to tell. Just like books, I also went through different chapters and stages in my 20 years of existence. The people or characters I met through my journey contributed big time to who I am right now. They are the characters who made my life even more challenging, but worth sharing and cherishing.

My whole life, by itself, is like a book filled with plot twists and turns. More than just being an outgoing person, people only know the tip of the iceberg in my life story. At an early age of 5, I lost my father to cardiac arrest. Since then, our mother had to shoulder the full responsibility of proving for and taking care of us siblings. Despite the hardships our family has been through, my faith in life never faltered.

I want to be remembered not just as the Shaine who dreams so high, but the Shaine who dreams deep not just for herself but for the people within her reach.

Growing up, I was a very active kid. From elementary to high school, I used to join different competitions inside and outside our school. I made sure to always give my best in everything that I do to make my school, city, but ultimately my Mama proud. Because of my passion for storytelling and journalism, I was able to travel to places, meet people of different backgrounds, explore various cultures, and listen to other people’s life stories from people who lost their homes to fire, to meeting Kara David, Jiggy Manicad, and Bernadette Sembrano in person. Most importantly, I got to share my experiences and learnings to my fellow young writers who also aspire to go far in their campus journalism lives. These are the pieces that make me the unique puzzle that I am today.

People often ask me how I want to be remembered when I leave this planet for good. This may sound philosophical, but I want to be remembered as a human. As human beings, we are not immune to heartbreaks, disappointments, regrets, and mishaps. As a human, our journey is not linear. I want to be remembered not just as the Shaine who dreams so high, but the Shaine who dreams deep not just for herself but for the people within her reach. The Shaine who naturally commits mistakes but constantly tries to learn from them and be better. The Shaine who dreams of empowering the underrepresented and marginalized through my craft. The Shaine who has done something for her brethren and community. I may not be there yet, but I am on my way. That alone is what makes me beautiful, strong, and phenomenal. I believe you can, too.

Once again, this has been Beverly Shaine Bautista. In case nobody has ever told you today or in the past few days, you are doing a great job. Let us keep the faith and keep on pushing through in our equally remarkable journeys. Thank you so much.