Yesterday, in the jeepney ride on my way to work, I saw a girl wearing a COCC pin. COCC means Cadet Officer Candidate Course. I bet she’s a 3rd year high school student. Then I had a realization. I asked myself why I opted to join the Drum and Lyre Corp instead of COCC.

Ok, here’s a little background. In our school, if you are a member of the Drum and Lyre Corp, you are exempted from CAT (Citizens Army Training). That means no wearing of fatigue and shirt on Fridays; no training and unnecessary bullying from cadet officers. That was my motivation when I joined the Drum and Lyre Corp when I was in 2nd year high school.

Yesterday, during the jeepney ride, I realized that maybe, I could have done better if I joined the COCC instead. Why? Because I don’t have the gift of music. Yes, I like to sing and I’d love to learn how to play an instrument or two but it is just very hard on me. I think back and I can’t remember what other pieces I was able to play correctly (without pretending) other than the Philippine National Anthem. The feeling sucks but I have accepted this fact now.

I can see that Ayex loves to sing, play her guitar and improvised drum. I hope that she has the gift. I hope that unlike me, she’ll be musically inclined. And if she has it, I will definitely do my best to hone her talent.