The fight for survival

She haven’t seen this world yet when her first struggle began. She was the strongest of the million sperms of her father, she was the first to reach the finish line. The unborn her was quite a fighter. Never quitting just easily. Her fight went on. Her umbilical cord was tied all around her neck and she did not cry when the doctor pulled her out of her mother’s tummy. Her pulse is weak and she would be dead in any minute. She fought for her life. And it was a miracle. She survived.

I was six when I first heard the story of that baby. Yes, the baby was me. It is quite amazing that now, the girl that was once a newborn who’s fighting for life still had that blazing hope. That very strong will for survival.


Growing in a small, simple family, I had dreams of pulling my family out of the drowning sea of debts we have. My father is just driver and my mother has no job. Though we never had less nor more that what we need, we still have difficulties financially. With my father as the only provider, I think of being successful someday, of being able to give not just the needs of my loved ones but also their wants.

For years, I thought that the miracle of me being born was the greatest in my life. I never knew that I was so wrong. Because the fighting for survival would have been the most difficult when a moment of tragedy came as a surprise. An all I can do is pray for another’s life, for my father’s survival…

I was in Boracay together with my group mates. We were doing our research for our thesis, a magazine production. It was our second day there when my sister texted me that my father met an accident. I never got the chance to finish reading that message since the tears started to fall. My body was shaking and I don’t have any idea of what to say nor do. I was helpless.

I gathered all the strength I had left after the weakening blow of the bad news. My father was driving his van from Caticlan to Kalibo when he and his passengers encountered a landslide. She said that that was the only thing she knew. She doesn't know if my father was okay. If he has injuries or if he was brought to the hospital. I was bewildered.At that moment my heart was beating so fast as if it wanted to get out of my chest. I was thinking of my father lying somewhere inside the car unconscious, maybe alive, maybe dead. I felt devastated.

I never knew that the thought of losing someone would be the biggest blow that would change me. I never expected that that would be the biggest test for me. To have a strong will not for my survival but my father’s.

Hours after that, I called my mother. She said nothing when she answered the call. I was about to cry but I stopped myself. I kept on thinking that everything was okay. We were silent for about a minute. And that was the longest minute in my entire life. I was imagining horrible things. So horrible that I wanted to shout that time. To let my grief overcome me. I was about to ask her what happened when she told me that tatay isn't dead.

I was overjoyed. I was altogether crying and laughing. I may have looked like an idiot to my friends but I did not give a care. I was happy. I was so thankful to God that He did not take away one of the most important persons in my life.

The van’s windshield was shattered. The bumper was hit by not only soil but also rocks. Tatay only had minor injuries. He just had a stiff neck and some bruises but he was okay. My mother assured me that everything’s fine. I no longer need to worry. I thanked God after that. I was so grateful to him because he protected my father.

That almost-tragedy taught me a lot.I learned to value time that very moment. A few minutes spent on useless things should be spent for my family and friends. A whole day of thinking that your loved one died is more than a reason to start spending time with them. I also learned that praying really helps. Whether in a good or a bad situation, God never hesitates to hear our prayers. I thought to myself that I should start talking to God always. He’s the only one that could understand me.And most of all,I learned that my loved ones could be taken from me any minute. And before that time comes, I should already have told them how much I appreciate their sacrifices and concern for me. I was never able to say “I love you” to my father before. I should have told him a plenty of times. For all the fights and struggles I've encountered. I never expected that that would feel worse. Before,. I thought that only self-survival is important. Now I know that the survival of others would mean a lot to me too. Especially if I love them.