Just Be You

Last August was our National Language Month. In Ethan’s school, a whole week was alloted to celebrate this occasion. At the end of that week, students were requested to come in any Filipino attire or costume for a parade. I let Ethan wear the “Barong Tagalog“.

While I was about to scrap photos taken that day, I was only thinking to document the said event and write about Ethan’s first time to wear the Barong Tagalog as well as the other activities they had in school. But since the occasion was about our National Language which is Filipino, I thought of writing about it instead. You see, even though we are Filipinos, a lot of us speak English at home and in school (English is the medium of teaching here in the Philippines). So my son who happens to speak Filipino more than English ( we are bilingual at home), don’t speak the “same language” as his classmates. All of his classmates speak English although they understand little Filipino : ) I thought Ethan might not be able to communicate with them but I was wrong. Ethan’s teacher told me that he can express himself both in English and Filipino! I saw right before my very eyes how Ethan is well loved by his classmates. So in the end, I realized that even if people speak different languages and they came from different parts of the world – it wouldn’t matter – we are all capable of understanding and loving! And that is what’s more important!

Hidden journaling (pull paper at the back of the main photo): Ethan, you may not exactly speak the language of your classmates, but I never saw it get into you. You have always been expressive of your thoughts and feelings. You have always stayed true to yourself.

You are you .. you speak Tagalog a lot; you try to learn and speak English. You are witty and funny in school – qualities that your classmates love about you. I believe that that what makes you unique … you are your own true self.

I will always be proud of you, anak (son)

I love you!

About the layout:

To make the background, I used my circle puncher to punch half circles along the edges of the paper. Although I think if you use a smaller circle puncher, you’ll achieve a better look, closer to the look of a postal stamp.

Supplies used:

Playful Petals – Gabby

A Wondrous World – Nature Trail and Fresh Air

rub ons – Dream Borders, Shine

others: red cardstock, circle puncher, buttons, alpha chipboard, white, black and brown pens

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