Writing about me isn’t easy, especially when I’m bombarded with so many to-do lists. The fact is, I’ve always been out of step with the world. Though I grew up in a harsh environment, I had never become like those street boys in the neighborhood. I couldn’t be a basketball player for fear of having another bone fracture again. As far back as I could remember, I’ve been writing down all the poems, songs and stories that filled my mind. This is something that I can hole up in a room and do by myself. My high school teacher, who is now my co-teacher, told me that I have a potential in writing. My dream of becoming a writer is getting intense (or should I say, never goes away).
When I entered college I became the Chief Editor of the student publication for four long years in Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College (SSPSC) –San Miguel (in the year 2000-2004). I wrote under the num de plume of “Zalduah”. My mother thought it’s alright for me to read and write the whole day. And there had been times when my younger siblings have tried to grab me just to get my attention and play with them while I was working on with the publication. This scenario was then a typical day for me.
Everything got a new turn after graduation on March 29, 2004. When I got my Professional License as teacher (October 2005) and Civil Service Career Professional (February2005), I find myself converged with young students in the school where I graduated six years ago- the Unidad National High School, my Alma Mater. On January 20, 2006 I rendered my first government service as professional teacher in the Republic of the Philippines. In front of the four corners of the classroom I become an actor- a real actor! My students are eager to learn. My life becomes an exciting exploration with these young minds. I easily get along well with them. Everyday I rediscover myself. My life is much filled with wishes and hopes. And as days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into years, it seems that my life revolves around the school and its premises.
To learn more about me, well this is my story:
I am twenty four years old now. My friends used to call me “Undo” (my nickname). My registered name is ZALDY D. ALIMA. I am the eldest child in a brood of six of Mr. Samuel C. Alima and Ms. Carmen B. Diez. The day I was born, October 2, 1982, was a day of rejoicing (reason is: I happened to be the first child) in the Alima household in Malangas, Zamboanga del Sur. I had come into the world much like millions do daily. I used to think that I was a special child even if I knew very much that by birth was unlikely to be a part of the “happily ever after” ending story of some fairytales. I’ve been into music (No! I’m not a singer; I’m only a song composer). Some of my compositions have been sung on stage. I like hanging out alone dreaming of the stars, moons and the suns. Though I’m quiet alone, I tell you I’m not lonely! Being with myself gives me an ample time to meditate and contemplate– an opportunity to get to know myself better. How enjoyable I can be with myself this way! I simply do not want to be like a man who gets so bored being left alone with his thoughts that he had to have a book with him all the time he is not with people. Reading and writing have their place too, and an important place it is, but so have hanging out and getting acquainted with myself. This is a fascinating pastime I have ever indulged myself in!
