IN RAGS AND GLASS SLIPPERS

The tale of Cinderella shares the story of living and aspiring for a better tomorrow

even when the world tells you otherwise. Living against all odds is the battle cry of her

fairytale, which makes anyone believe and long for the same story, but the reality is a

villain. Like Cinderella, I was raised in a community where I was not accepted. I am

flesh and blood Muslim, yet I grew up in a non-Muslim area. I knew what it felt like to be

deemed different. Although young, my eyes were already opened to the discrimination

my culture faces. My hopes to have my own happy ever after were lost for a while.

To live means to find your purpose. It means finding your glass slippers and

ensuring it fits you perfectly. As I experienced prejudices, I did not want it and the

stereotypes to define who I was. I wanted to do something that mattered. Luckily, I

found that in service. I participated in leadership programs and joined environmental

organizations which I advocate the most. There I found my purpose: to serve God, the

environment, and others. As I participated in the Let the Earth Breathe campaign, I

realized that climate change is a serious concern that only humans can solve. What

makes it even more alarming is that it imposes a domino effect, a problem causing other

problems. While growing up exposed to the poorest slums of Lanao, where my father

was from, I learned to value life and necessities, especially food. Their mountainous

community has no access to advanced healthcare services, clean water, or electricity.

Their meals are served on unclean utensils and sometimes only in leaves. It becomes

worse when the climate is unfavorable for fishing or harvesting because prices

skyrocket and food becomes scarce. The lesser access to proper and healthy meals,

the more vulnerable the people were to digestion problems.

To live means to turn your rags into your riches. It is about seeing the best in the

worst. The Maranao cuisine best represents us and becomes our way of sustaining our

appetite and quality time. We enjoy food like life. Hence, food security goes far beyond a safe-to-consume meal as it is also about how we can savor food to the fullest. The

Maranaos are optimistic. How their smiles still shine despite the cruelty of life

encourages me to advocate for those in far-flung areas to experience better means of

digestion.

After all, to live means to live for others. No one lives only for themselves. As a

future leader, I want to help build a better life for my people by providing achievable

solutions. I will listen to their cries and pay full attention to what they are experiencing.

Perhaps it is like becoming a fairy godmother where my magic is my voice. A leader

listens, stands, and is there for others. This is what being alive means.