Report by Rainier | Acosta Layout by Angilene Dableo
In the gloom of negativity, the concept of strong and complete families is the beacon of hope. While the world deals with various problems, these families provide a new paradigm for the power of togetherness that is grounded on love, support, and unity. Benedict Nierva, a second-year Communication Student from the College of Arts and Social Sciences, symbolizes the spirit of this idea. Through his familyy’s journey, we can explore how joy and resilience can flourish even difficult times.
Dogs as the Key to Togetherness
Like most families, the Nierva family once found themselves falling apart caught in the whirlwind of busy schedules. Every member of the family came home late and had few opportunities for meaningful conversations, they rarely shared common experiences.
However, when their pet dogs entered the picture, everything changed. The once-deserted house became a home and place of laughter and warmth. The dogs sparked conversations which gave the family something to bond over. These four-legged companions ignited closeness, drawing them together in ways they never would have predicted.
“Noong dumating yung mga alagang aso namin feel ko doon kami naging close as a family kasi kada uuwi kami ng bahay lagi naming pinag-uusapan yung mga aso. Doon kami nagkaroon ng something in common at mas naging masaya yung bahay namin.” Benedict shared
Since then, the family’s interaction has changed, with their pets becoming their key to refreshing togetherness. The dogs didn’t just bring joy—they restored the spirit of connection in their home.
Watering the Passions
Outside family life, Benedict’s passions have also flourished, especially his love for playing mobile games. He’s an avid Mobile Legends player, a hobby fully supported by his parents as long as he keeps his priorities in check. Last year, he became part of a championship-winning team during the CASS Sports Fest in Mobile Legends.
“Yung paglalaro ko ng ML nagbibigay sa akin ng saya dahil marami akong nakikilala at marami ang humahanga sa akin.” Benedict says while smiling.
Another passion of Benedict is videography, a craft he discovered through a school project. It started as an assignment and quickly turned into a hobby he was eager to explore further. However, there was one challenge—he didn’t have a camera of his own.
That all changed when his birthday arrived. Unexpectedly, his family gifted him the camera he had long dreamed of. Benedict couldn’t hold back his tears of joy because he was overwhelmed with emotion. The gesture reinforced his deep gratitude for the love and support that his family showed him.
Grilled Memories
While most of the members of the family’s lives are occupied, they still cherish the traditions that keep their bond strong. Every New Year, the family gathers outside, waiting for the countdown. They grill mouth-watering BBQs, exchange tales, and fully enjoy the festive spirit, a tradition that has become a cornerstone of their celebrations.
Movie nights are another cherished tradition of the family. Though they no longer happen as frequently as before, these nights are filled with laughter and warmth, bringing the family closer with each shared film.
Even during simpler times, like mealtimes, their home comes alive with playful teasing, usually initiated by Benedict’s older brother which keeps the atmosphere light and lively.
It is always the simple moments like these that makes life just a bit more bearable — with the touch of one’s family carrying over a small dust of hope unto the shoulders of its members.
Struggles and Triumphs
The Nierva’s journey has been etched with the pain of tribulations brought about by the pain and hardships of reality. They have trembled within the edge of uncertainty, battered by the fiercely winds of financial problems, and the aching void of familial loss. Dreams of the past, as fragile as they were, seemed at times to shatter like glass. But in those darkest moments they found strength, a love that wove their fractured hearts together. Their journey, from the depths of despair to the heights of newfound joy, sings of the resilience that blooms to the human spirit, reminding us that even the most broken wings can find the sky again.
“Masaya ako dahil finu-fulfill ng mga magulang ko yung mga pangangailangan namin at hindi na namin nararanasan yung hirap naranasan namin before.” Benedict reflects.
This story serves as a reminder that no matter how insurmountable they may seem, are not the end of the journey. Instead, they are opportunities to discover the strength and bonds that hold us together. The Nierva’s journey taught us that even in the darkest hours there is a path forward – one paved with love, perseverance, and the unwavering belief in better days ahead.
The Nierva’s message resonates as each family gathers around their own tables – that a family is not just a bond of blood but a woven memory of shared struggles and commitment to one another. Their story encourages everyone to cherish those they hold dear, rise together above life’s hardships, and have faith that even in their darkest moments, there is always a way to rekindle the light, like a flame finding its spark in the night.
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