Alethea Bondad. As I am typing this, I see red underlines. Microsoft Word can’t even recognize it. It’s foreign and it’s weird that students and teachers alike mispronounce it most of the time. Here in the Philippines where I come from, “ale” means old lady, and “bondad” is a cruel substitute for the term pertaining to being bloated or pregnant: “bundat.” I found myself slouching as low as I would behind my desk every time my name was announced during the first day of class, paper and card distribution days, even on my graduation. I wished I had another surname like Cruz or Santos – any name was common among Filipinos.

But as time went by, I got to redeem myself and raise my status from being an invisible loser to a dignified geek and I was happy about it. My reputation as someone who is good in academics and art helped me gain friends and admirers, confidence and enthusiasm. Hearing my name on others’ mouths became music to my ears.

“Adversity builds character,” as the saying goes, and those years of being emotionally tortured by others served as a stepping stone for me to develop my character. “Who am I?” is the primary question everyone’s trying to answer. As of now, I do not have all the answers to it, but this is what I know so far:

1. I only speak when I have something important to say.

2. I always say what I mean and mean what I say.

3. It is not in my nature to seek revenge.

4. It is not in my nature to hurt either by word or by deed. If necessary, I allow myself to get hurt so others won’t be. (My dad always tells me to be considerate of others first.) “Treat others the way you want to be treated,” he always say.

5. I cannot be someone I am not. I am transparent.

In summation, I live by truth and kindness. A product of the Bondad household.

Alethea is a Greek word that means “truth.” Bondad is a Spanish word that means “kindness.” Alethea Bondad literally means “Truth & Kindness.”