Maybe I Was Never Meant for a Cape

I’m not just meant to wear a cape, but to spread my wings and claim what I’ve always deserved.

As I stood on stage, hearing my name being called, I looked ahead and saw students waiting for theirs, for the medal that seemed to say, “I’ve made it.”

For a moment, I froze. Not because I was afraid, but because I found myself questioning something deeper. What does it really mean to be worthy?

It wasn’t envy. It was realization. As more medals were handed out, I began to wonder if the word “excellent” still holds the same meaning today.

Everyone is eager to show their skills and character, yet the true essence of excellence feels like it’s slowly fading. Recognition has become louder than purpose. Those who carry quiet determination, the ones who have potential but struggle to show it, are often left behind.

We tend to look up to people easily, until the promises they once made begin to lose their meaning. At times, those who stay true to their word remain unnoticed. But if you pay attention, their actions speak louder than recognition ever could. Because of this, those with genuine intentions are often the ones who fall behind.

Every 9th of April, we commemorate Araw ng Kagitingan, remembering the bravery of Filipinos during World War II, especially those who endured the Bataan Death March. Their courage was not measured by awards, but by sacrifice and endurance.

Yet as years pass, the meaning of their actions slowly fades. We remember the date, but not always the depth of what it stands for. If we truly understand this, then why are the people who continue to serve and build our nation often left with so little?

As of January 2026, unemployment in the Philippines stands at 5.8%, affecting around 2.96 million Filipinos, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. The labor force participation rate is at 62.3%, or about 50.89 million Filipinos. Meanwhile, underemployment is at 13.2%, which means 6.35 million workers are still seeking better opportunities. Despite giving their effort, many are still left wanting.

Even those who shape our future are not spared. Teachers spend at least 400 hours each year doing work beyond what they are paid for. That is equal to about 50 full working days. Instead of focusing only on teaching, much of their time is spent on planning, checking, and completing requirements. They are meant to guide our ambitions, yet the system often weighs them down.

As a journalist, I choose to hold on to what is right and continue to speak about realities like these. Excellence should not be defined by recognition alone, but by purpose and impact.

We should not honor the past through posts and hashtags alone. We should carry it forward by living out the values it represents.

Now I realize that I am not meant to simply wear a cape. The history before me is already enough to lift me. What matters is how I carry it forward and give meaning to what excellence truly is for this generation.