They say your shoes often reflect your personality; that footwear alone can reveal so much about who you are and your general style. Although they are frequently overlooked in OOTDs, they are still one of the things that tell a lot about your individuality.
Perhaps this is why people usually spend a lot of time and effort choosing shoes, meticulously weighing every factor such as size, brand, color, style, cost, and comfort. And if you only try to look back at all of the shoes you've owned, you will realize that there is actually an unspoken pattern in your footwear selection.
And if you only try to look back at all of the shoes you've owned, you will realize that there is actually an unspoken pattern in your footwear selection.
But wait, I will not be discussing in this article the different kinds of shoes ever designed and the information they convey about their wearers. Our subject is much more interesting. It is about specific kind of shoes, the sorts she used when she was only beginning as a dreamer, and how these shoes helped and comforted her to become the Roslyn Vea Domingo Damasco, the woman who topped the September 2021 Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) — Secondary Level.
Image from Roslyn Damasco Facebook Account
Our 2021 LET Top 1 is Roslyn Vea Domingo Damasco, who hails from the house of Mammangi Festival, Ilagan City, Isabela. She is the eldest daughter of proud parents, Vanessa and Manuel Damasco III. According to Teacher Roslyn, she was only a third-year high school student when she began strategizing her path toward success. At that time, she had known her first step had to start in a place where her heart had constantly desired — the University of the Philippines. She saw no harm in dreaming, believing, and praying. God-favored, she qualified in the UPCAT!
Roslyn with her parents, Vanessa and Manuel Damasco III at UP Diliman during her graduation ceremony
So all the way from the province, Teacher Roslyn graced the walls of the College of Education in the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), bearing one goal in mind: to top the LET.
“I want to top the LET. I will top the LET,” she declared to herself.
So, in her first year of college, she took proactive efforts to achieve her goal. She began by gathering reviewers and seeking advice from UPD topnotchers. She was adamant about taking all steps necessary to make her plans and aspirations a reality, which eventually grew in number as she advanced through university.
Her life, however, appears to have taken an unexpected turn after she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2019. She thought everything was going as planned, and she was even looking forward to a slew of opportunities, but she was proven wrong.
Because, for one reason, Teacher Roslyn was turned down for a job at a well-known school in the NCR during her first job application. You are mistaken if you believe it is due to her lack of competence, education, or personality traits.
Teacher Roslyn was rejected because of her regional accent. It was very absurd, right?
“I was devastated because I studied for four years to improve my content and pedagogy, but I got rejected for my accent — something that is innate to me; something that I can't just change,” she said.
Rather than dwelling on her failure, she used it as motivation to reach out to her professors, who at that time were more than willing to lend an ear to Teacher Roslyn's frustrations. After pouring out her emotions, they carefully assessed her situation and told her that to ace the licensure exam, she should stop making things that could jeopardize her performance.
Teacher Roslyn heeded.
However, an even more painful battle went through her way. At the time when Teacher Roslyn was about to take the LET, her grandmother became terminally ill and later on perished. Her entire family suffered, and she experienced depression. Teacher Roslyn admits she was deeply devastated at the time. She felt as if she had no one to run to.
So she ran to God. She clung to her faith in Him. She was certain that God would never abandon her and that He had greater and better plans in store for her. As a result, she was more eager than ever to take the exam in March 2020. However, due to the Covid-19 virus, the exam was postponed and rescheduled twice last September 2020 and March 2021.
A new wave of anxiety and worries attacked Teacher Roslyn as it felt like new problems continually sprung up when things seemed to be going her way. But the natural fighter that she is didn’t let them take over.
Finally, last September, the LET pushed through, so Teacher Roslyn didn’t let it pass her hand.
“The exam was very hard. I felt weak, but I know that when I am at my weakest, I am also at my strongest, for God is at work on me.”
Teacher Roslyn Damasco has garnered a rating of 93.40%, tied with Teacher Vincent Casona Bayawa of Cebu Normal University.
Now, are you wondering what shoes have to do with Teacher Roslyn? Well, our topnotcher revealed that throughout the steps she took in her journey, the kind of footwear she mostly wears are the flat ones. She tried wearing the kinds with heels but always ended up breaking them.
For her, her flat shoes represent her humility and simplicity as a simple dreamer who only wants to provide financial support to her family, inspire others, and serve God and draw people closer to Him through her chosen profession.
"For her, her flat shoes represent her humility and simplicity as a simple dreamer who only wants to provide financial support to her family, inspire others, and serve God and draw people closer to Him through her chosen profession."
“I always thought na yung dreams ko noong pumasok ako will also be the same ones when I graduate, but no. I have better, more realistic, and selfless dreams now. I realized that I entered the university not for myself, but for the people and our country.”
"I always thought na yung dreams ko noong pumasok ako will also be the same ones when I graduate, but no. I have better, more realistic, and selfless dreams now."
What a wonderful ride Teacher Roslyn has had! She began as a young girl whose sole ambition was to enroll at the University of the Philippines and pass the licensing exam, and she grew into a lady whose ideas and aspirations are centered on the Supreme Being, our country, and her family.
Now that she has entered a new chapter of her life as a licensed teacher, she couldn't wait for more surprises that life has in store for her. And she thinks that the best way to begin her new journey is to try on new shoes, exactly like her family and relatives advise. Teacher Roslyn is open to the idea of changing her footwear selection as she thinks their suggestion symbolizes their desire to lift her feet which she had kept on the ground for so long.
"Teacher Roslyn is open to the idea of changing her footwear selection as she thinks their suggestion symbolizes their desire to lift her feet which she had kept on the ground for so long."
Graphics by: Sofia Vinuya
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