Life is indeed full of mystery. One of its mysteries that I really love is the Blue Rose. I fell in love with its beaut and elegance and I adored it even more when I found out about its background and also about The Legend of the Blue Rose. 

Hi everyone, I am Prince Hannah Salvador Labordo. I am 18 years old, born on June 16, 2001 on SPC Medical Center. I am currently a Grade 12 HUMSS student in Philippine Christian University - Dasmariñas. I do hope that you'll realise lots of things through my work. God bless!

ROOTS
With its (Rose) thick and strong anchor roots which helps it to store nutrients, Roses are able to be as beautiful as when we see them. And just like a Rose, my roots grow very deep and strong. I came from a family who's not rich nor poor. I was raised to believe that it is not the house that needs to be beautiful. My dad used to tell us, "What will you do to a house that's so beautiful, if the people that lives there are 'trash-like'? It's better to be kind and humble, than to live like that." As I grew older, living seems to be more difficult and challenging. But I have to admit that after every challenges that I overcome, I become stronger and braver. How? I'm not sure either, but maybe it's because of how my roots were planted and how it was taken care of.

To my family who used really good soil (words and deeds alike) to nourish me as I grow, thank you.

I also want to appreciate all these 'fertilizers' that helped me to be a better person. I love you all. 

My sister from a different mother and my best friend. God knows how thankful I am to have her. 💙

My 'siblings'. Despite all our stupidity (lol), I hope our season won't end. 

To our Tita's! I miss you both and I love you! 

And of course, kudos to the Father Almighty for giving me the 'seed' of life. 

STEM

Folk dance was the first dance I ever learned to dance. I started when I was in 2nd grade in elementary. I was taught to stand tall: chin up, stomach in, and chest out. Just like how a Rose has its stem that contributes to its beaut, standing confidently helped me feel that I am beautiful. I don't need to hear it from other people, I know that I just need to love and accept me and stand proud yet humbly.

I want to take note here that I really didn't know how to dance before. Point here is, ones talent isn't just what he/she already has. It can also be something that is learnt. Your efforts will never disappoint you.

This picture was taken during our dress rehearsal for La Jota. 

I was a 4th grader and I joined the first Paru-paro festival mass demo and street/parade dance. 

When I paint, things really get this messy.  

THORNS
People build their own walls to protect themselves from what may hurt them. The stems of a Rose are often filled with sharp prickles. I once read somewhere that a Rose's thorn is the only thing that protects it from those who wish to 'harm' it. That it is so beautiful to the point that everyone would like to have it for their own. And it's just like the same for us, humans. We tend to enclose ourselves in the walls that we built. The higher and stronger it is, the better. We also have situations where we escape or ignore something that we know will hurt us (either physically, mentally or emotionally). Believe me when I say that none of it is wrong. People's feelings are so fragile that taking risks need a lot of courage. Do it in your own phase and in your own way. Take your time as much as you want and never let other people decide for what you should and shouldn't do/be. Protect yourself 'cause who else will if you can't do it on your own in the first place?

My brother, sister and I used to train Muay Thai. I stopped after a few sessions since my body can't keep up with the immense training.

Then when I was 9, I started training in Taekwondo and I trained for almost 3 years.

Another way of representing thorns is that it can also be the hardships or struggles that we face in life. We can never grow without experiencing and surpassing any obstacle that life offers. It's not like we don't have a choice, 'cause we really do. Either you'll let life defeat you, or you'll live life to be the better you.

Thinking out of the box, those thorns could be swords or daggers that was stabbed into the Rose, causing it to be hurt. The Rose just proved that you can use your wounds to make you even more beautiful.


PETALS
The petals, in general, is like the face of a person. And all of its petals are like the different characteristics, traits, behaviour and even emotions that an individual has. The process of how a Rose blooms is much like the process of how a person opens up to someone (or to the world). With utmost care, love and patience, the flower is able to bloom elegantly. And if not, it withers. With sincerity, trust and respect, even the hardest of hearts softens.

Blue Rose actually means unattainable, or unachievable for it doesn't exist in nature. But by giving it to someone can mean, “you are extraordinarily wonderful and unique.” Defeating life may seem like that, too, but it doesn't mean that there's no other way or option.

Through this blog, Through Petals and Thorns, I hope to inspire and to let people know that moving forward, even though sometimes you stumble, is way better than staying slumped in the dirt. As the title suggests, no matter what happens, whether you're wounded or not, always and always choose to be you.




(Disclaimer: I do not own any of the pictures that I wasn't shown, source: PicsArt)