If you told me a few months ago, while I was still a senior in Ateneo, that I’d be teaching kids for a (very humble) living, I would’ve rolled my eyes. Before graduation, I was a hundred percent sure about two things:

1. I would never ever go corporate.
2. I wanted to write.

But I never thought I’d go back to teaching.

I used to teach in Sunday School when I was a teenager. The first time, I was 13. The second time around, 16. The most recent time was last year. It made sense to me, seeing as I love kids. But to pursue it even after college wasn’t really part of The Plan.

You see, every college student has a Plan. Some vow to make their first million by the time they hit 30. Others set a deadline for matrimony. My plan was to travel and write and live a fabulous Carrie Bradshaw-esque life…without all the meaningless sex.

But a week after graduation, I started working in Masterpiece and now, I teach Creative Writing to the kids at The Master’s Academy.

The TMA stint kind of came out of nowhere. It started with my mom’s friend, Tita Mia. Tita Mia grabbed Tita Lally and suddenly I had two students: Iela (short for Itiela – “God is with me”) and Felicia. Our first few meetings were haphazard and raw. I didn’t expect them to churn out magnificent writing (although I was very open to the possibility). I just wanted them to have fun with it. Because the curriculum was self-made, our activities adjusted as we went along.

Then one morning I got a phone call from a woman named Dahlia. We talked for around 30 minutes. At the end of the call, I had 15 students.

I was scared of being unable to handle 15 (!) teenagers so I asked my high school friend and batch valedictorian, Mintey, to help me out. I am so lucky she obliged. Together, we teamed up to make The Best Creative Writing Curriculum Ever over bubble tea and Japanese food.

And after our first class, we had to agree. We have the best students ever.

I don’t remember what it’s like to be 13. I don’t even remember much of what I was reading (besides Harry Potter) but these kids are funny and smart and I’m really looking forward to spending more time with them.

Last week, we asked them to describe their superhero alter-ego. Here are a few excerpts from their works:

Lawrence –

Then, I woke up to see myself with powers. I could see angels and demons. I walked around town and saw them do things. I also saw in the mirror that I had muscles like Arnold Schwarshenegger in Commando and I could read minds and teleport.

So I created myself a robotic costume that looks like the monster from the movie Predator, and fought against evil demons and helped God expel evil from this Earth and also other bad guys.

I called myself Demoniak. And my only weakness is real diamonds.

Joshua -

If I were a superhero, I would be called Commander. I would be very strong. When I punch floors, I’d create shock waves and save the people who are in danger. The villains’ plans will fail when I defeat them.

Iela -

Iela is my name but when kids need answers to exams, they call me Brainy Girl! I’m so smart, when people look into my eyes they get perfect test scores for a whole year!

There are a whole bunch of other funny and sweet ones but I’d rather save them for the portfolio we’re working on to cap off our ‘semester’ with them.

Here’s the thing about working with young kids: your goal becomes less about making them great writers and more about breaking their walls down. You want them to let loose on the page, share their heart and use their imagination to create a whole new amazing world.

I really want to succeed.

I’d like to echo the words of Jenny Grogan (played by Jennifer Aniston in the movie ‘Marley & Me’): But, this. This is better than The Plan.

And if it isn’t, then at least it’s the most fulfilling consolation I know.

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” – my life mentor, Steve Jobs

Sneaky stolen picture of our class in action.