Having a self-identity and actually knowing it is probably the simplest yet most complicated thing to have and achieve. I know that “know yourself” sounds easy enough to follow but it is actually a very challenging process. What makes it complicated the fact that one’s persona is not only composed of one dimension but several ones. Everything around you largely affects who you are inside. You may not know it but your beliefs, your aspirations and most specially your experiences actually define you more than the letters written in the document proving your birth.

I have come to this conclusion because I have realized that the things in my I am and I am not list are probably the reasons why I have or have not done certain activities in my life, not to mention that these things also account for my knowledge (or the lack of thereof) on certain subjects. For example, since I am a bookworm, over the years I have amassed quite a number of books. Because I have read the works of different authors, I can say that I know Anne Rice is a gifted writer of preternatural stories. Had I not been a bookworm, I wouldn’t have read the Vampire Chronicles so I would probably have never heard of Anne Rice. On the other hand, since I am not a criminal, I have never killed anybody so I wouldn’t know how they could sleep at night as if they didn’t do anything wrong. With these examples it is clear that who we are defines our personality. It is the reason why we like certain things, why we reacted the way that we did or why we made these decisions. Basically, our identity is comprised of anything and everything that makes us different from other people starting from the way we think, down to the trivial quirks and mannerisms that we have. But then I ask what makes us who we are? How do we come by these things that sets us apart from the pack?

In my case, I think my religion, my education and my nationality greatly affects my personality. First off, being a Catholic doesn’t only define my faith but my values and sensibilities as well. Like most Filipinos I was brought up putting a lot of stock on my family, my morality, my integrity etc. and I think it shows (hopefully) in my values as a human being. Though I’m certainly not claiming to be a devout Christian, I know that the One who created me wants me to be the best person I could be so that’s what I try to do in all my actions and decisions. I always try take the high road and do what I think is proper in God’s eyes because that is what I believe is right. The next factor that has a huge impact on me is probably my nationality which translates to the society I am part of. The society is a major contributor because it dictates what is acceptable in its eyes and it establishes the values that its constituents have. I can personally attest to this because I see myself as an example of a proverbial society “sheep”. In everything I do I always take into consideration what other people would say or think about me. My sense of right or wrong, the things that I give importance to and even my perception of beauty is due to my society’s influence. I pattern my standards based on the standards that the society has so I really am in a sense, defined by the people around me. Lastly, having spent quite a number of years of my life in St. Paul, Manila Science and now in Ateneo studying, I think I can say that these esteemed institutions have imparted in me considerable knowledge. The knowledge and wisdom they gave me would ultimately lead me to realize my dreams and help me make something out of myself. They provided me with the tools I can use to make my niche in the world so they are definitely a huge factor in making me, who I am and who I will be.

Centuries ago someone once asked, what’s in a name. Now I ask the same thing, what is so special about it? Isn’t r-i-z-s-a merely a combination of letters? Can’t we see that without the factors that give it substance and identity, it would be as good as n-o-t-h-i-n-g.