This month, the Pampanga heat feels like the weight of expectations as I dive into school, fueled by the hope that my success can ease my family's worries. Amidst the pressure, a classmate’s shared colored pencils felt like a ray of light, a reminder that even in struggle, connection can bloom. Though the path ahead is uncertain, I’m embracing this new purpose, oscillating between the student I must be and the child who longs for simple joys.