The Sunbeams of my Life

By: Cielyn Joyce Garcia

This year has been like no other. And while we can think of multitudes of lost opportunities and
unrealized plans claimed by the unsparing pandemic, I still believe it is vital to honor and celebrate all the
small victories we make while keeping our heads up in hopes of a better tomorrow.

Truth to be told, I was just once a dreamer who didn’t know how to make her dreams real and
possible, but on January 26, 2018, I received the greatest blessing that immensely changed and impacted
my life. When this scholarship was granted to me, I pondered what act of kindness I did to deserve it
because, sincerely, my future was uncertain and dreams are hard to obtain, but since the day that
GAPASCA came into my life, everything gets easy, possible, and light. I wouldn’t experience helping
others while studying if not with the help of the kindest people behind GAPASCA. It felt so good and
overwhelming whenever I received the words “Thank you” and “God bless” from different people who
benefitted from the medical and dental mission held by the GAPASCA for consecutive years. I didn’t just
receive financial assistance from GAPASCA, but also love, care, family, and a reliable support system.
They became my second family who always touched my heart and core, even in the slightest ways.

I used to believe that a particular career was mapped for me from birth, that I would become a
doctor or a lawyer or a chef, and I would have no say in the matter. However, when Ralph Waldo Emerson
said that “the only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be,” I realized our destiny
depends on our choices in life. As for me, it’s my destiny to become a teacher because that’s the path I
chose to take. As time passes by, I realized that I decided to become a teacher because I always aspire to
touch the lives of many people and be the reason for their success. Honestly, it pains me to see street
children asking for alms, who are supposed to be in school, so I am beyond delighted that I was able to help
those in need with the help of my newfound family.

This might only be the conclusion of my roller-coaster ride in college, but this also marks the
beginning of so much more because life is a never-ending journey, and we have studied its trail and
aqueduct. A one-page letter is not enough to express my gratefulness for being part of GAPASCA and
meeting the kindest people who have only good intentions and pure hearts. Before I end this, I want to say
that the GAPASCA family is the one who made me recognize that true happiness and success are not
determined by money, medals, and awards. Sometimes, happiness and success are about seeing the people
you love happy and safe and simply helping other people in the best way you can. It’s you, GAPASCA,
who continuously infused lessons in my life and made me want to always go out of my comfort zone. And
it’s because of you, why am I about to reach my diploma despite the uncertainties of life. Thank you,
GAPASCA, you made my life easier and you turned my can’t into cans.