MY INSPIRATION

Loreta Naoe, born seventh of eight siblings, grew up in a life of poverty. As a child, she had to
work in a small farm with her siblings in exchange for a little amount of money to buy food and
materials needed for school. She also rarely goes to school with a decent meal. Her mom, my
grandma, is just a housewife and my grandpa were a farmer. It was hard. During her
elementary days, her meal consists only of little rice sprinkled with salt. When she was in high
school, she ate pennyworth junk food with rice, just so her meal has taste.
She added that they already considered it a luxury to eat instant noodles—common items in
relief good packs sent to disaster victims. Their family that consists of 10 members lives in
barong-barong (shanty) types – poorly constructed and temporary one-room shelters.
She accepted her situation—that if she just kept on complaining, nothing would ever change,
they will remain poor. That instead of complaining, she viewed poverty as a self-imposed
challenge.
On top of going to school without a decent meal, my mom, Lorie, also returns to a home
without electric power, and she literally burns the midnight oil for her to study.
Looking back, my mom said it was those lessons that she did not learn from the books that she
would always remember. She proved that poverty is never a hindrance to success. "When you
commit yourself to an ambitious goal and sacrifice, dreams would eventually come true”, she
said.
With her determination, hard work and the support of her whole family, she finished college. At
the age of __ she moved to Taiwan where she worked as a factory worker for ___ years.
When she finished her job contract, she went back to the Philippines and support the needs of
other family members. It was there over the internet that she met my Dad, Steve, who was
introduced to her by her friends when she decided she finally wanted to date and to settle
down. They got married after a year in the US, and voila! I came out in this world.
PAINFUL HEARTBREAK
We thought it would be a perfect and happy family after all, but it was then that father
unexpectedly died due to sudden heart attack. My dad died when I was just 1. At the time, I
didn’t fully understand what that meant. It wasn’t very long though before it all started making
sense, so as I got older and began to understand what death meant, it got both harder and
easier at the same time. Harder because I realized the finality of it and that he wasn’t going to
walk through the door any time as if he had been away on a business trip or something. Easier
because once I realized his being here meant he was now in Heaven, I became less fearful,
knew he was okay, and knew that I would see him again someday. The hard part is the holidays
when he’s not here. All the milestones. Being here to teach me how to drive and when I got my
license. Graduating high school and going to college. I miss him. Every single day. I don’t wallow
it daily or let it consume me daily, but I do think about him a lot. And sometimes I want to sit
and think about him, miss him, cry my eyes out. My dad will always be my hero.

RESPONSIBILITY AT HOME
At an early age, I was already handed with huge responsibilities. As a child, I should be a
responsible daughter to my mom and not a burden. From helping around the house, respecting
her decisions, doing homework, offer help, are to name some. Moreover, setting and following
through with goals shows my mom my determination. I often tell her about my goals and I also
let her support me as I work towards them. By accomplishing my goals, I feel that I am
demonstrating my mom that I am responsible and independent. This helps me to develop a
stronger bond with her as well.
To a mother a good daughter is who, despite of difficulties, keeps herself on the right track. I
am trying my best to be a good daughter based on my mom’s teachings since I was a little baby.
I am a thankful daughter that will never forget my parents’ lessons and tries to follow them,
exactly as they have taught me, as much as I can. Besides, I visualize my parents as authority’s
figures and treats them with love and respect. No matter how old they are, they should never
lose those feelings. Responsibility is an essential quality that a good daughter should have to
accomplish all her goals in life.
RESPONSIBILITY AT SCHOOL
I attend class ready to learn each day. I show up to every class on time and always come
prepared and paying attention during class without talking or engaging in other distractions. I
always make sure I've done the homework and reading assignments, and that I have everything
I need for class that day.
I also have a timeline for the things I need to accomplish and work on those tasks in a logical
order. In addition, I decide which tasks are a priority and which tasks/projects need to be
completed before the next can be started. I am working with a tutor whenever I am struggling
with an important concept as well.
LIFE LESSONS: GENEROSITY TOWARDS THE LESS FORTUNATE

When I was a kid, there was nothing better than receiving a gift. A wrapped present was
a mystery story with an ending that was guaranteed to be exceptional. I didn't know exactly
what was inside, but I knew it was for me, and it was probably something I wanted.

We all eventually reach an age at which giving gifts becomes just as thrilling as it was
receiving them as a child.

I grew up to find that the joy of making someone happy is more powerful than I could have
possibly imagined.

Drawing from my mom’s life experiences, one of my greatest dream is to give back to the
Filipino community and be an instrument of change. Many of us are far more privileged than
others, and when we become aware of that, we often have an innate desire to help the less
fortunate.

Every time we are having vacation in the Philippines, I always make sure to have a visit at DSWD
Home for the Girls which is located near my mom’s hometown and give them donations and
goods. It is a shelter of rape victim children, victims of abuse and human trafficking as well.
They are a product of families where the basic dynamics and function has totally faded. Some
have suffered severe physical abuse from family members and a great majority have suffered
sexual abuse, rape, and incest perpetrated by a cousin, a brother, an uncle, or a father. The very
people the child looks up to for love, security, and protection are the ones mercilessly
victimizing her.

During my birthday last December 2017, we visited the girls and celebrated my birthday there,
gave each one a pre-packed gift bag of grooming items, underwear and other necessities. We
also hosted the kids and staff for a sumptuous lunch. The children were free to interact with us
and the stories each one told was just heart wrenching! These children are so hungry for loving
attention that they cling to you and beg you not to leave them. We left the Home with a heavy
heart. But I promise to myself that every time I’ll be having my vacation in the Philippines, I will
not forget to visit them often. This is my simple way of thanking the Lord for His many
blessings.

Last year, I was informed by my Aunt Gloria in the Philippines that I was awarded as an
Outstanding Benefactor during the Anniversary of the Home for Girls. She was there to receive
the award for me. It was truly inspiring and it keeps me going.

Too many people fail to grasp the power of giving back. They live by the adage “pay yourself
first.” But it’s my conviction that real success and meaning come from living a generous life,
where the focus is on helping and blessing others. Indeed, it is through giving that we enrich
and perpetuate both our own lives and the lives of others.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is
immortal.” -Albert Pine