The Story of Juan Miguel - Part I

I knew this young man for twenty-six years. I saw him grew up. I witness every chapter of his life. He was Juan Miguel, born in the province of Pampanga. Northern part of the island Philippines. This young man was a happy person on the outside, considered a geek, but inside of him is a heart full of hatred, anger, rebellion and vengeance.

Let start this story when he started to go to school. At the age of six, this young man has showed intellectual prowess. He always tops the class. And that was a reason for he to perform beyond what he can do because his parents and other people that knew him were always expecting him to excel. Despite being smart in the class always grabbing the top rank, what he does is always not enough in the eyes of his father. His father becomes his perennial critic. In return, Miguel want to do things free of blunder, a reason why he grew up afraid of committing a mistake.

In his youngsters, this boy grew up without permanent friends. He does not have much time to play and mingled with children of his age. Because of his asthma, this prevented him to have more time playing physical games. And whenever he plays with his friends, no one would ever want to be his teammate and if ever joined a team, he will be blamed for the teams' lost. Then he will tell me, "I wish I was a soldier. Then I'll ask him why¦ He will reply "So I could have a gun. Then I'll be asking him again¦ "Why you need a gun? Miguel will be replying "So I could kill my opponents, and we will become the winner. Then he will start running away going to his home.

He spent his time more on his room, in the school and in the church. He served as knights of the altar for ten years. He goes to the church almost every day. He then dreamed of becoming a Priest someday. During his stay in the church, he learned good things such as serving the people and doing good things to his fellow. But at an early age, he discovered anomalous things inside the house of God. He was introduced to these hypocrites and charlatan-servants. Miguel more often described them as the "People of God Community during Sunday Mass for they do served God during Sunday mass only. And after a couple of months exposed to the reality, he quits serving. He quits praying. His dream of becoming a Priest all of a sudden vanished. He never believed in the Catholic Church. After quitting as a Church servant, he had more time to spend in his room.

In his room he had a guitar and a radio cassette. During this time, he spent listening to grunge music. He was greatly influenced by Kurt Cobain's work of art. All Miguel does all day long is to play the guitar and listen to the Cobain's music. He then wants to form a band. Fortunately, he met friends with the same interest and he began to feel sense of belongingness. Then suddenly, his self confidence was slowly building up. He would always say, "Thanks to my guitar, without this no one will be talking to me. Few months has passed, his mother told him to stop playing in the band. At some point, Miguel considered his Mom's decision as if she is taking his liberty. Then afterwards, Miguel considered his Mom's decision is something good for his own sake.

As he turned sixteen, he is now ready to take new challenges¦ a life in college. Miguel was overly excited as he entered the door of his University. He was hoping that he will meet new friends and hoping that he will meet the girl of his dream. During the first day of the class, he met this very familiar guy. He remembered that he was one of the participants in Math quiz bee in their region. His named was Erwin. Since they are both going towards the North area, they go home together. Erwin became Miguel's best friend but also his greatest nemesis.

During theses days, Miguel was always animated to go to the school as early as he could. Not for the books in the library nor for the free internet access but for Cristina. She's the girl that drives him crazy. She was the reason why Miguel suffered insomnia. Even though they had the time to talk to each other, Miguel was never given the courage to speak of what he felt about Cristina. Even when he had the courage, he had no chance. Miguel always told me that "You have to own a car before you own Cristina or "You have to drive your own car before you can drive Cristina crazy.

The summer is approaching and everyone is thrilled to have a vacation not for Miguel for he will not see Cristina and he'll be only spending much of his time playing his old guitar and listening to his old radio. But he is excited to get his grade cards hoping that he will get high grades and his parents will be happy for what he will receive. As soon as the final grades were released and those students belong to the top ten ranks were posted. Miguel was happy but a bit disappointed for he is ranked fifth. This is Miguel's first time not to be the usual number one. In his college times, he met students who were smarter than him and even wiser than him. What I mean by wiser is that a person that will do anything just to get on top. One of the smarter one was Erwin, his best friend. Miguel can score 95 while Erwin can do 97. Miguel can do 99 but Erwin can do 100. Miguel's performance was always under the shadow of Erwin. Miguel's mom was very happy with what he is doing in college but his Father, as usual, always want something more. His father is always pushing Miguel to go beyond what he can. Put more time on studying. Depriving Miguel to have fun with friends.

TO BE CONTINUED...