It takes a lot of guts to be an idol in a certain community. But how does actually one become an icon?
Somebody can say that a person is an icon if he makes a name for himself, if he makes distinction from the other comrades, if he pleases everyone. Being an icon is leaving a living legacy in a complex community of different people with different perspectives. Let me tell you the ones whom I considered icons when I was in high school. Well, until now, they are still. Also, they are much older than me.
Jason Paul Laxamana
Way back when I was in first year high school, this person inspired me to wear his shoes. Every time that I saw him entering our classroom to announce something important about a school activity, my nerves of my brain work so well, telling me to perk up and strive for the gold.
The day when my fourth year came, I remembered him — I recalled the time I saw him being a quiz master in a contest. Again, that time, I said to myself, “I will be like him.”
My mentor in English told me that he is now in a gangster-look. I was totally surprised as when I saw Jason before, he dressed appropriately. But I was in disbelief.
Before I started writing this entry, I visited our high school section’s website and clicked on a link, making Jason’s website appear on my monitor. I read clusters of his blog entries and I got myself in amusement when I read that I unknowingly did the same thing he did when his fourth year was about to end. He and his classmate wrote an article entitled “A Need for Renewal” which talked about the teachers who only taught the best only when the principal was observing, about the sipsip students who were getting high grades, and other stuff. In my time, I wrote about the “corrupt employees” of my high school, about the deprivation of the freedom of the press, about the unfair employees. Jason passed his article in his time, so did I in mine. Sadly, our articles were disapproved for publishing, and Jason and I were scolded and warned about withdrawing our diplomas and entry in UP Diliman, respectively.
Both of we thought that in UP, what we did was a two-thumbs-up. What a super coincidence, right?
Jesito Ponio
Who could forget this small-but-terrible guy. He is the former Commentators and Lectors Guild president. Idol ko yan kasi matalino. He was the one whom I’ve gotten the information about the “corrupt employees” from.
Kristine Lopez
For goodness sake, almost all the awards were gotten by her during their batch’s commencement exercises. She was awarded as the Top Outstanding Student in Angeles City. She was the valedictorian of her batch. Basta alam ko she got many awards but I can’t enumerate them all. Right now, Ate Tin, studies in Ateneo de Manila University. I always ask her at the present time whom she will vote in the coming elections. Well, that’s a form of teasing. Haha!
The first thing to consider is the innate talent/skill/knowledge/hobby/self-esteem for somebody to become an icon. If someone has a potential to go further, he will surely attain the peak-point as long as his purpose is constant.
The second is having an inspiration. Without inspiration, one cannot aim for his dreams. In my opinion, an inspiration keeps one to continue walk on the path.
Can I say that my colleagues and I are icons? Uhm, I guess so. Who cannot forget Neil Lopez for being our batch’s Valedictorian and Math Wizard, for passing the entrance tests of the BIG FOUR Universities; Keithly Otchengco for being our Salutatorian, for being the c rush the bayan, for being loving; Jay Mark Ong, for being remarkable upon finishing any task; Stalin Francisco, for being the Pautakan’s Asset; Artoni Ang for being the great thinker; Denver Sanchez for being a leader and a heartthrob; and me (Naks ang kapal! Haha! Pagpasensyahan niyo na.) for being the Speechfest champion and Religious Council leader.
Now that we are at the foot of Mount Fuji in college, we face another challenge to tread. The question now is, “Are we going be in the Hall of Fame?”
This blog entry was inspired by Jason Paul Laxamana.
