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Acta Diurna
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he trees sway to the melodic breeze of the cold wind and the sound of the crickets echo in the deep silence of the dark. As this relaxing atmosphere envelope the home of a family in slumber, a sudden, unfamiliar sound broke the serene melody of what they thought would be a typical and peaceful night. A gunshot was heard… then a second gunshot… The family woke up in great adrenaline and shock for they then realized that the gunshots were aimed towards their house. Then a third shot… another… and then one after the other… The next thing they knew, they resorted to filing a case against their perpetrators for them to fight for the tenancy of their current shelter. This horrifying incident might be nightmarish to most of us but for a young lass, this was no ordinary bad dream. In fact, it’s as real as it can get. Mary Eurydice Responte, or known to her family and friends as “Dice”, is an 18 year old Chemical Engineering student who struggled her way to where she is right now.
A Night to Remember
A story of how a near-to-death experience fueled the life of a scholar
Born in a family where the only source of income is the work of her father, life was not much of a smooth trip for her and her family. Growing up, Dice saw how her family grappled against the unfortunate wheel of fate. Their family had to sell their land back then because of financial incapacities and living was unfavorable for them. There are times when the only food that’s left for them to eat is camote (sweet potato), camoteng kahoy (cassava), lugaw (rice porridge), or bulad (dried fish). Being exposed to the tough realities of life at an early age, Dice’s flame of willpower to be successful sparked even brighter. Dice capitalized on everyday that God made through persevering in her academics. Even though living and schooling is very difficult, she makes it to a point to let both ends meet.
Volume 1 October 2013