Operation: S-P-E-A-K!

           You must SPEAK! 

Imagine a world where you couldn't speak the language everyone around you understood. This is the story of Wai Chiong, a young boy who found himself in just that situation when his family relocated from China to the bustling city of Zamboanga in the Philippines in 2017. At the tender age of ten, Wai's life took a turn that would shape his identity in ways he never could have known. 

Growing up, Wai only learned to speak Chinese and English; he couldn’t speak or understand Filipino. This presented a unique challenge for Wai, as he struggled to communicate with his peers, especially at school. The nagging question remained in his mind, "Can I survive in a world full of unfamiliarity?" 

Wai is now in 11th grade, and on his way to his classroom, he came across a group of lost students. One of the friends in the circle asked Wai, "Magandang araw po, alam nyo po ba kung saan 'yung silid-aklatan?" "I'm sorry, I can't understand Filipino,” Wai replied apologetically. The girl then uttered, "Oh, do you know where the library is?" "It's on the 3rd floor,” Wai replied. "Okay, thank you," the group thankfully responded. 

During lunchtime, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and conversation, but Wai always felt as though the sounds were far away and unfamiliar to him. Understanding others was a challenge for him, expressing himself was a struggle, and he faced considerable difficulty in creating new friendships. Seated in a distant corner, he often pondered, “Am I just alone or I am alone because I don’t understand them?” It was a puzzle he couldn't solve, a riddle with no apparent answer.

One day, during one of their Filipino subjects, Wai was caught off guard when his teacher had asked him, "Ginoo na nasa likod, ano ang iyong natutunan sa talakayan natin ngayong araw?” Upon seeing the gaze of his teacher fixed on him, Wai was startled. His hands started getting clammy with sweat, and he could feel his heart racing in his chest as the feeling of anxiety arose. Since Wai had not yet replied for some time, the room went silent as his classmates began to shift their gazes onto him. Wai, who couldn’t understand nor speak even a little Filipino, took all the courage in him and said with a trembling voice, "I'm very sorry, Ma'am, but I don't know how to speak Filipino." The teacher's face turned into an astonished manner while Wai was looking teary-eyed. "Oh, that's fine. Don't worry, we will teach you how to comprehend the Filipino language," the teacher said. His classmates started clapping their hands and upon hearing this, Wai was utterly touched. He didn't realize that they'd be this welcoming to him. Right there and then, he thought to himself, "With their help, I will survive a world full of unfamiliarity." 

In a world where communication is key, Wai's story is nothing short of a silent revolution. It serves as a poignant reminder that language is not just a means of communication but a bridge connecting hearts, a vessel for culture, and an embodiment of identity. It showcases the incredible human ability to adapt and find expression in the face of adversity while forming connections with others. 

To those like Wai, who stand on the threshold of unfamiliarity, remember that your silence speaks volumes. Your journey, though challenging, is a symphony of its own. Every step you take and every attempt you make is a brushstroke on the canvas of your unique story. 

"Speak even if your voice shakes!”