After more than three grueling hours, I am finally back in my home, my sweet province Pampanga. I have been away for a week as I was attending the first module of my development program in DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City, and indeed, there's no place like home.
I remember when I was still in college, I would always go home every weekend no matter how loaded my study workload was. I felt that each time that I go home, I am recharged and I always dreaded Sundays because it meant that I will have to be back in Manila very early the next day.
This yearning to go home even intensified as I am both a spouse and a mother now. Being away from my family is truly a sacrifice, knowing that the task at hand is quite challenging and demanding. But as they say, we also must have a heart full of gratitude. Even if I was away from them, I am comforted by the feeling of having a very warm roommate, supportive learning teammates, and a dynamic batch of scholars who serve as an inspiration to tread on on and not give up amidst the challenges. Even the cool breeze and quiet environment in DAPCC is something that I have to be thankful for.
Going home and spending the weekend with my family is something I need to keep my mental and psychological being in a good state. The excitement to be physically present for them and take care of their needs is something that I believe will help me strengthen my resolve to embrace the challenges I am about to face.
As I continue this personal and professional undertaking, I pray for God's mercy and guidance that I have the strength of both body, mind, and heart to surpass and successfully move forward in pursuit of continuous development and growth
to help me become a leader with a clear vision and a heart to serve the nation.