THE PERSON BEHIND THE MASK

Hi! I’m Joni Joy Dumasig, 13 years old and a first year high school student at The University of the Philippines. I’m the eldest in the brood of three. I’m a quiet person AT SCHOOL, but one of the NOISIEST PERSON at home. I can’t stop myself from talking. People may say that I’m a dishonest person in terms of showing my real personality. I admit that I don’t show to other people the real ME but I just want to say, that I’m not a SHOWY PERSON who shows what he or she really is. I’m very much concerned of the reactions of people around me especially those who thinks that I’m a very good person. No one is perfect --- NO ONE except God!

At home, I’m a very talkative person. I keep on talking to my cousins and other relatives the latest happenings at school. I’m glad that their ears are always ready to listen to my stories. I am not only a talkative person, I’m also a sleep-lover and most of all I love to watch television every now and then. I am also a strict sister to my two younger siblings especially to my younger brother. Honestly, I already broke a “hanger for our clothes” just because I hit him. I am also a hot- tempered person. I get angry easily when someone makes noise while I’m sleeping. Honestly, I got this attitude from my father. I also feel very irritated every time someone asks or disturbs me while I’m doing something very important! Have you ever felt that? It is very irritating, isn’t it? I really want to shout at that person but I just control my temper.

You may wonder why I have been a quiet person at school. It’s because I made a promise to myself and to God, when I was still in Grade Six, that when I become a high school student, I will change all those negative attitudes that I once possessed. I know that it is hard to change the way you used to be. But I believe that this is a right decision. I know that I can do this with God on my side. I know that He is always there to help me.

That’s why I turned to be a quiet person at school. I tried very hard to become a good person to everybody. But this doesn’t mean that I want to be a perfect person. All I want is to please God and to show to people God’s love by treating them nice.

But I can’t avoid myself from getting angry with other people or getting irritated with them. I once got irritated with one of my classmates. Actually, she is very naughty and she keeps on asking me about this and that. Because I felt very irritated, I shouted at her and told her that she is already making me sick! I know. I can feel it. She was hurt. I don’t mean to do it. I tried myself not to get irritated with her but I can’t help it. She has been a good classmate to me, but what did I do in return? Shout at her just because she asked me of something! It’s not fair! I was very much affected with what happened that day and I’m pretty sure that my classmate with whom I have a little misunderstanding was affected also.

So I promised to myself not to feel irritated easily again. CONTROL YOUR TEMPER! I hope that this will not happen again.