We recieved this letter just a while ago. Sakto! Kaming dalawa ni Ate Trixie yung nagbabasa. :D Thought it might help you change your mind about your courses. It did for me. Gusto ko tuloy mag-animation.(Kahit late na late na. HAHA.)

hello Carmina & Trixie!

did you know that there are only 2 occassions when you should give advise? 1. when you're asked and 2. when it's a matter of life and death situation.

so since you haven't asked me, i'll consider this as a matter of life and death situation, though you're not actually in any danger of the latter.

So you're going to college and i guess you've made up your mind about what course to take by now. you SHOULD! Because i think this is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your life - aside from getting married =) - i thought i wanted to share with you some of my thoughts.

When i was in 4th year high school, i was advised (though not by my mom or dad) i should also take medicine, condidering we already have the hospital, to have a more certain future. But i knew then that i wanted to be an architect - ever since i was 8!

When the architect of Lola's house showed the plans and drawings of the big house that they were going to build, i said to myself, "Wow! I want to be like that some day!" I had no idea if there was money in it, i didn't know any architect who would help me after graduation. All i knew was that i wanted to draw and design houses and buildings. So now, everytime i finish a project, I can proudly say, I'm living a dream come true!

I may not be as rich as your other titas and titos, but im happy with what i'm doing. i'm making some money and i hope i can make even more in the future! Well, older architects all say architects don't really make it big until they're in their mid-40's...so i'm still on my way there.

So what's my point? FOLLOW YOUR HEART! It's good to listen to what others may tell you, but in the end, it's your decision...your future...your life!

What about the money? Marry someone very very rich! hehe!

Seriously, if you're good at whatever you do, money will come to you. And how do you get to be very good at anything? You should love what you do. It's something you always miss doing, something you can't wait to get your hands on, something you would do for free just because you have passion for it.

It could be anything from drawing, singing, writing, taking care of people, selling stuff, fixing things, computer stuff...the best career to pursue is your hobby. Wouldn't it be a great life to always be doing what you love to do AND get paid for it?

Be not afraid to make your own choice. At least in the end, you won't blame anyone and say...pinilit kasi ako e. There's money no matter what course you take: animation (Disney), music (do i even need to mention names?), architecture (my idol IM Pei), accounting (your tita camille), business (auntie rita), medicine and nursing (your lolo and lola, titas and titos, your parents). So what's their common denominator? They all have passion for what they do!

Follow your heart and good luck! And if your career doesn't give you the money, at least you like what you're doing. Mahirap na yun wala nang money, hate mo pa yung ginagawa mo, right? And if you're good and lucky and get rich...PAUTANG naman!!! =)

Tito Jimster =)

AWWWW.

He should've sent this to us before we took application forms for College! =)) Well, may ACET at DLSU pa naman. Nakoo. Naguiguilty talaga ako na nag-Nursing ako. Kasi naman. Well, thanks anyway uncle Jimster! Love yah! <3

Let me share you a secret I kept for years...

Actually, I really wanted to take-up animation but mom told me I didn't have the talent to make it to Disneyland. That advice pulled me down. That's the time when I also started to put my drawing pad aside and focus on Biology. In reality, I am fascinated with animals and human anatomy but these subjects were nothing compared with the passion I showed in animating and drawing. I have to admit that my drawings suck but that's not the point. The purpose of college is to teach and enhance your skills better. Now I regret having to take-up a subject that is my 2nd favorite. I never dared to write down the course that taught Multimedia Arts so there is 0% chance that I'd get into that course. I can't say mom forced me to take Nursing though. So I can't blame anyone for it.

DAD'S REPLY:
"Maganda nga yan. Kaso, applicable lang yan sa mga walang binubuhay na pamilya. Hindi ko sinasabi na huwag mong sundin yung sinabi niya. Pero isipin mo din sana kung may pamilya ka. Hindi pwedeng kaunti lang ang kinikita mo. Magugutom kayo."

I agree with him too. So, I guess Nursing won't make my life bad.

If by any chance, you are reading this and you are still deciding on what course you want to take-up in college, my uncle's letter and my dad's reply may help you with your decision. I'm not advising you to follow any of these advices. I just thought this could help you in any way. This is called ADVICE. It's a guide, not an order.

Your HAPPINESS relies on your DECISION.