For my 30th birthday, allow me to share words of wisdom from family, friends and teachers. May you also find them helpful the same way I find relief, comfort and assurance when reminded of them. 

1.

Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.  Misfortunes exhaust themselves. – Lolita Lutanco

2.

We have to thank everyone, even those who hurt us. Treat them as teachers. They teach us how not to treat people. – Shifu Jian Shu

3.

At this point, you don’t need new friends anymore (so be yourself and stop trying to please people you don’t even like). – Bernadette Uy

4.

Masyadong malawak ang mundo, bahala sila. Isip nalang tayo ng next (travel) itinerary natin. – Prof. Anna Tajminah Basman

5.

We respect our elders because of their wisdom. Narating nila ang edad nila nang hindi sila sumusuko. Hindi madali ‘yun. – Jasper Barcelon

6.

Whatever you have is enough to achieve your goals, – Dr. Edwin Decenteceo

7.

Me: Hindi ko po alam ano ang dapat kong gawin.

Dr Edwin Decenteceo: Baka naman wala kang dapat gawin.

8.

Normal lang ma-sad kasi tao lang naman tayo. But be in control of your emotions. – Ephraim Aguilar

9.

Ipagdasal mo na lang lahat ng mga nakakasakit sa ‘yo. – Mama

10.

It is not true that time heals all wounds. Wounds never heal without acceptance. –  Shifu Jian Shu

11.

Bakit niyo ginaganyan ang kaklase niyo? E ano kung pangit? Mabait naman siya. – Lolo

12.

Kung para sa’yo ang isang bagay, walang ibang makakakuha niyan.  – Papa

13.

Huwag mong iniisip na nakikipaglaban ka. Mag-aral ka lang nang mabuti. – Papa

14.

Hindi madali para sa ibang tao na maintindihan ang problema ng iba pang tao. Intindihin mo rin ‘yon. – Bernadette Uy

15.

Takot ang ibang tao na mag-isa. Kapag mag-isa ka na lang kasi, wala ka nang pwedeng lokohin. – Prof. Reuel Molina-Aguila

16.

May mga taong naghahanap palagi ng karelasyon. Hindi nila alam, kaibigan lang pala ang kailangan nila. – Prof. Reuel Molina-Aguila

17.

Ang mga salbahe mong kaklase ang mga pinakanakakaawang bata. Huwag mo silang papatulan. – Mama

18.

You have a beautiful face. Don’t use it to beg people to forgive you for the wrong things you say. – Prof. Antonio Santos

19.

Human interaction is naturally sloppy. Unfortunately for you (because of your profession), you have to be precise. – Prof. Edwin Decenteceo

20.

Mag-isip lang ng positibo. – Mama

21.

You have a lot of responsibilities. That’s why you need to take good care of yourself – Tito Nelson Torres

22.

It’s true, some people are unfortunate. But remember, we all have different karma. – Lolita Lutanco

23.

Is karma something random or is it a consequence of something you’ve done? – Prof. Antonio Santos

24.

Huwag kang nagkakabisa. Pekeng katalinuhan ‘yan. – Papa

25.

Everything is interdependent. – Shifu Jian Shu

26.

Hindi kailangang maging “somebody” ang isang tao para mahalin siya. –Kalvin Kiel Sanggalang

27.

According to the late Dr. David, life is a series of binomial events. – Dr. Lynna Marie Sycip

28.

Instead of asking (the Tarot cards) whether you’ll make it to your 30th birthday, why not ask how you will heal? – Martin Vidanes

29.

Huwag kang gagawa ng desisyon na sa huli ikaw ang maghahabol – Tita Karen Torres

30.

Ang buhay ay parang tren, tuloy tuloy ang biyahe.  Kung gusto mong bumaba, ok lang, sakay ka na lang ulit. Pero hindi ito hihinto para hintayin ka. – Prof. Charla Santiago-Saamong

 

[Entry 182, The SubSelfie Blog]

About the Author:

Tricia Zafra is a correspondent and anchor working for GMA News. She graduated from UP Diliman with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication, cum laude, and is currently taking up graduate studies in the Department of Psychology in the same university. She is a vegetarian, painter, and a certified open water scuba diver. Read more of her articles here.