English Gave Me Wings (and a Few Bumps on the Way)

There’s something special about English—it’s not just a language. It’s a bridge, a challenge, a comedy show, and sometimes… It’s a total disaster. 😅

If I had to describe my journey in English, I’d say it’s like learning to ride a bike. I fell. I cried. I laughed. But eventually, I flew.

Let me take you back.

The First Time I Heard English and Didn’t Understand a Word

I was about 6 years old when I first watched SpongeBob SquarePants without subtitles. Everyone was laughing… except me. I was just sitting there, eyes wide, trying to figure out what "Krusty Krab" even meant.

I turned to my cousin and whispered,

“Why are they laughing? What did he say?”

That was the moment I realized English was something I didn’t fully understand—but I really wanted to. I wanted to laugh too. I wanted to get it.

So I started paying attention. Watching cartoons. Repeating lines. Even when I got the words wrong (like saying “barncools” instead of “barnacles”), I kept trying.

The Funny Mistake I’ll Never Forget

At the airport on the way home, I tried to be polite and thank the flight attendant. I meant to say,

“Thank you for your assistance.”

But I said,

“Thank you for your existence.” 😳

She paused… smiled… and said,

“Well, thank you, I’m happy to exist.”

I wanted to melt into the airplane seat. But at least now, I laugh every time I remember it. 😂

But There Were Times I Wanted to Quit

English hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had moments when I felt too slow, too unsure, too “Filipino” to sound fluent.

I’ve been laughed at for my accent. I’ve been corrected in front of a crowd.

But every time, I told myself:

“This is part of it. You can’t grow without being uncomfortable first.”

And you know what? That mindset helped me improve. A little every day.

Why It Matters

For us Filipinos, English is more than a subject in school. It’s our connection to the world.

It helps us talk to people from different countries. It gives us access to better jobs, better content, and better opportunities. And sometimes… it just gives us something to laugh about later. 😄

So don’t be afraid of mistakes. Keep learning, keep talking, and keep laughing—because one day, those embarrassing moments will be your best stories.

💬 Have you ever said something in English that made people laugh? Or made you proud? Share your story—I want to hear it!