The one where I say thanks

All these recognition means nothing if you’re not part of it.

Kuya Arthur, thank you for all the guidance may it be about the org or about life decisions. Thank you for being the first person who trusted on my skills and being my mentor to possibly every aspect of life. As the eldest in the family, I am thankful I found a kuya in you. Ate Eah, thank you for believing that I can do things for the organization, my capacity was stretched out this year but you were there to guide me so that I won’t break, that way I was able to stretch myself even more. Kuya Jules, your affirmations mean so much to me, as someone I look up to. Thank you for all the encouragement and late night zooms for tech runs last GWA, this made me ready and equipped come SBS.

The NCR Council ’19-’21 – Reinier, Jana, Cai, Azhley, Sarah, Kat, Daniel, Kate, Adee, Florence, Raj, and JM. Thank you for understanding that despite being focused on the SBS, you were there to hold the ground for our region. You were all there when needed. I admire all your passion in doing things and being available, let this remaining time for our term be our commitment on achieving our vision as a region, let’s finish strong. I can’t wait for us to do things for the National Capital Region, 1,400 strong.

Membership and Governance Committee Core– Renzo, Kersten, Leana, Alyssa, Albert, Nico, Feli, Karlo, Franz, Miyah, Jairus, and Kenneth. Just like the very first Internal Affairs Core, you’re the wall that keeps on giving everyone support whenever needed. The foundation we all have. Let’s stay that way, let’s stay as the one who keeps everyone involved. I am so proud of our efforts and the recognition we received as a committee affirmed that. Let’s continue learning on how to become better as a committee, as an individual, and as each other’s safe space.

Kersten and Cai, the only thing I remembered during that first official SBS meeting on finishing the Job Descriptions and roles of each committee member is that we slept at 5am and we gave the Deputy Chairperson role to Cai, other than that, nothing; forgive me for forgetting but I will never forget all those times that we needed each other during the whole SBS stint. More than having a group chat for official communications, we created a safe space for the three of us. Thank you for just being there especially during my lowest time while preparing for the summit. Maraming maraming salamat.

The SDG Bayanihan Summit National Organizing Committee Steering team – Cai, Francia, Maui, Karla, Jasper, Glaze, and Adee (special mention to Dars and Neil). Thank you! Cai for holding the line every time, it helps that there is always a second opinion on decision making, also for being a go-to person all throughout the summit from Day 1 of me dictating the concept note and you typing it. Francia, for just being you. I’ll always be proud of who you are today as a leader, from BGAN to now, you’ve grown to someone who calls the shots. Maui, you’re the most outstanding head for a reason. You and your team went beyond despite the concern in manpower, you did not give up. I remember when Ate Eah and I talked about SBS before I formed the team, the most crucial committees, given the situation, are ParMar and CommsPro. 50+ partners is no joke, you gave not just YFPH, but other organizations as well, a benchmark on how to deal and secure partners and sponsors. Karla, thank you for stepping up when we needed a leader for this team, your initial doubts were transformed into actions, your questions were transformed into creations. Puzzles are supposed to be messy when you’re starting but eventually puzzles, when completed, are a masterpiece, this is your story just like our puzzles, we started rough, messy, but despite that, you held on. I am proud of you and your team (shoutout to Rhyah). Jasper, you were built for pressure, you strive in it. Thank you for being so passionate on what you’re doing, I admire your dedication on what you do. Continue doing what you’re doing. Glaze, I learned a lot of things from you, on not settling for less, on not settling for “pwede na”. All these are an attitude of a great leader, I remember you saying when we first talked is that this is the first time you’re leading, I hope despite the exhaustion and being tired, you continue what you’re doing, your attention to details and not settling for mediocre performance is a great thing to have, thank you. Adee, since GWA you were called “Mr. Clutch” because of what you’re doing, when we needed a programs head, you did not hesitate on saying yes, your answer? “Kuya ano pong gagawin?”. You were ready. Thank you for your readiness, thank you for letting me guide you and help you.

The SBS 2020 National Organizing Committee, you are the reason why we got the “Bayanihan Award” last awards night, there are a lot of mentors and speakers who’s messaging me on how do we do what we’re doing daily, the only reply they’re getting is “to be honest, di ko po alam, ang galing lang nila”. All of you are the epitome of #GalingPilipinas. Special mention to the Delegate Management Committee who were there everyday, to Jed, Gel, Vince who were the ambassadors who were there almost everyday. I enjoyed working with all of you and I can’t wait to work with you with even more projects in the future. Rhyah, your wit and passion makes me hopeful for the future of SBS, please continue what you’re doing and when you get tired at some point, we’ll always be there. To all the late night conversations, among us, skribbls, and all the other stuff we did, thank you. More than an organizing committee, more than being an AdHoc team, we built friendships. I will always be grateful.

Kristine, thank you babe. Thank you for being there from the start, thank you for your affirmations, support, and love. I know that we’ve been through a lot lately, and just like what you said, you are also my strength, both of you. Thank you, for being there. I will always be here for you, I am proud of you as well. I love you baby. Sophie, you might not understand this right now but thank you. Thank you for keeping me grounded, thank you for inspiring me to do things beyond what I can do. I love you. Mahal na mahal ko kayong dalawa, sama na natin si Simba. Mahal na mahal ko kayong tatlo, kayo ang bakit ko.

To all the people who believed in me, who trusted me, thank you. These awards are nothing if not for all of you. I can’t mention everyone (sorry if I forgot to mention someone), to Sarah, Kuya Franz, and Kuya Maco, thank you for all your encouragements!

All our setbacks are just setups for something greater, let every mess be a message, and let our heartbreaks be our breakthroughs. I am excited for what is in store for all of us, and just like what Ali Sangalang of Linya-Linya said in the closing ceremonies of SBS 2020, let’s not just do content creation rather let’s do impact creation. Starting today, let’s all be impact creators.

Maraming maraming salamat! I share all these recognition to all of you!

For the Global Goals and the Filipino Youth,

Ranze Aaron Calderon
Youth Integrity Awardee, SDG Youth Awards 2020
The Force Recognition for Exemplary Leadership Awardee
Chairperson, SDG Bayanihan Summit 2020 – Recipient of the Bayanihan Award, 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines Inc. 4th Anniversary & Awards Night

14

Pitong buwan na simula nung unang hi at reply na heyaaa.

Pitong buwan narin simula nung naamaze ako sa fact na maliit lang talaga ang mundo. Parang ang tagal na rin, pero nangyari lahat sa loob in maiksing panahon. Ang dami kong gustong sabihin, sobrang klaro pa sakin lahat ng tungkol sayo. Kung paano yung gusto mong luto ng spam, yung pagkahilig mo sa brownies, yung pagtatalo natin kung ano yung pancit palabok at malabon, yung chicken biryani, yakult, puro pagkain pala to, yung random sending ng mga kanta, yung after ng una nating paguusap nagmessage ka para magtanong ng advice kasi sabi mo pag sa mga close friends mo ikaw nagtanong babatukan ka lang nila, yung fact na parehas nating paborito yung Suits, yung pag-introduce mo sakin ng Pinocchio kasi paborito mo yun kasi gusto mo talagang maging journalist, yung netflix parties, bigbang, at marami pang iba. Sobrang klaro pa sakin ng lahat, yung araw na nagkita tayo, yung kahit hindi ko tinignan yung phone ko para icheck kung nasan ka na, paglingon ko sa kanan alam kong andon ka.

Pasensya na kasi nasaktan kita. Marami kang tanong na siguro pinili nalang na hindi sagutin o malaman yung sagot. Sana mapatawad mo ko.

Nagpapasalamat ako sayo. Lagi ko naman sinasabi sayo yon, na I thank you for the gift of you. Ikaw. Nagpapasalamat ako sa araw-araw na may ikaw. Kasi makalipas ang ilang taon, katulad ng sinasabi ng maraming tao, pinili ko naman yung sarili ko at sa pagpili ko sa sarili ko, pinili kita, kayo. Isa kang produkto ng pagdarasal na sa panahong handa na ako, dumating ka. Maraming salamat, sa pagmamahal na binigay at pinaramdam mo, sana kahit sa kaunting panahon naramdaman mo rin yon galing sakin kasi kamahal mahal ka. Deserve mo yung pagmamahal na dapat natatanggap niyong dalawa. Sa pagkakataong to, pinipilit ko paring ginugusto na matutunan kung paano yun at kung paano araw-araw niyong matatanggap yon.

Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga naging kaibigan nating dalawa, may mga nasabi, nagawa, naipakita man ako na hindi kaaya-aya, pasensya, hayaan niyong pagbutihin ko pa at pag hinayaan ng pagkakataon at tadhana na magkita-kita ulit tayo, mas maayos na kong tao.

At para sa’yo, Kristine, maraming salamat. Mahal na mahal kita, mahal na mahal ko kayo. Darating ang panahon na baka magkita tayo sa isang lugar na hindi natin inaasahan, wag sana tayong mahiyang batiin ang isa’t isa. Katulad ng pag hi at heyaa natin nung una, Ang dami ko pang gustong ikwento sayo, sa susunod nalang siguro. Sobrang proud din ako sa accomplishments and business mo.

Ingat ka palagi, kasama ng pangako ko na hindi ako susuko sayo ay ang pangakong lagi rin akong andito para sayo, so kung kailangan mo ko, dito lang ako, palagi.

Hanggang sa muli,
Ranze