Isaiah Dela Cruz
I only realized how much words like “goals”, “persistence’, and “motivation” meant to me when I got speak to young adults about what gives them hope in times of great uncertainty (keyword: the pandemic) for a project in college.
My early years were spent growing up in Manama, Bahrain before I moved to Manila, Philippines. Like many, “goals”, “persistence”, and “motivation” were the big words shared by my parents and family members who moved and have been working in the Middle East. These were the words they valued dearly and continually shared to me growing up. Though I wasn’t the best in school and required hours of help, I knew that trying was the best I could do. Then, it was when I moved countries and started high school in the Philippines in 2013 that I began thinking about what exactly I wanted to pursue in college. I thought, hmm, a pre-med degree doesn’t sound so bad. Next thing you know, the pandemic hit.
At that time, I was enrolled in a Methods class taught by my previous professor now collaborator and friend, Dr. Tracy Simon. For my term project, I was mainly motivated to understand the waves of uncertainty on what I was experiencing at that time (Should I still pursue medical school? Do I want to pivot elsewhere? What would my future look like after the pandemic?). Conveniently, Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo, now a close mentor, joined the Department of Psychology who theorized the locus of hope, a theory that describes how family, peers, and to some, spirituality guides individuals in their pursuit of their goals which guided the project I had in mind. The project led me to the realization that social and economic downturns of the pandemic surely affected young adults’ experiences (and my own), but they all had one thing in common: their deep connections. Questions about social connections and interactions and how they motivate one’s goals ignited my drive to pursue this line of inquiry.
When I first saw the movie C’mon C’mon (2021) on my little laptop screen, I realized how much we can learn about ourselves through children. We share the same world and also view the world differently. It was in grad school where I took this curiosity with me and dug deeper to what that looked like academically. I felt supported by incredible Early Childhood researchers and friends who showed me the excitement of getting to work and support children’s development and relationships. I hope to continue down this joyous path of learning and unlearning for many years to come.
Outside of research, I enjoy walks around the city and and catch up on any TV, movie, or book that I had been preoccupied with. I equally love trying out new restaurants, cafes, and activities. I especially love going to the movie theaters around the city alone or with friends in my free time. I recently discovered that ice cream that has any sort of berry flavor will always be my go-to.
