The One I Called Brother - EPISODE 4: “THE JOURNEY OF DREAMS”

Confession Series #2 – The Stories of Us

📍 Butuan City – SJIT Campus | Gingoog City | Year: 2002

> I still remember that day — the sound of the drums, the fluttering banners, and my name being called on stage.

It was my graduation day at SJIT–Butuan, and for the first time, I saw the pride in my parents’ eyes reflected in my own.

Janice was there, standing among the crowd with Jude and Mariel. She was wearing a simple white dress, her hair tied neatly — but when I looked at her, it felt like time paused.

“Congratulations, soon-to-be seafarer,” she said with a shy smile.

I wanted to tell her that she was part of the reason I made it that far — but all I managed to say was, thank you.

That night, we celebrated in San Juan. Laughter filled our home, music played from a borrowed karaoke set, and even Jude raised a toast.

“To Christian,” he said, “the dreamer who’ll soon conquer the sea.”

At that moment, I thought my journey was just beginning.

I didn’t know that every dream also comes with a storm — and that love, like the sea, can be both a gift and a test.

TO BE CONTINUED...