Anne Margaret G. Santos

Anne Margaret G. Santos, who prefers to be called Marga, is a second-year BA Communication student who describes herself as kind, empathetic, intuitive, and “brutally soft.” These traits reflect the way she approaches both her personal life and her role in the communities she belongs to. Her story is one of growth, courage, and learning to trust her voice.

Marga relates her journey to the story of an elephant chained to a stake. Despite being one of the strongest animals, the elephant remains restrained because it believes it cannot break free. For a long time, she felt the same way, held back by fear and anxiety, especially when it came to speaking in front of others. During recitations in high school, her hands would shake and her face would turn red. While this never affected her grades, she often wondered what it would feel like to confidently express her thoughts.

Everything changed in senior high school when she was unexpectedly chosen to host two Women’s Month events. That experience gave her the confidence she had been searching for and sparked a deep interest in hosting and public speaking. From that moment on, she realized that her interests aligned perfectly with the field of communication.

Academically, Marga has always been dedicated to her studies. She has been a consistent honors student since the third grade and has continued this commitment in college, earning recognition as a Dean’s Lister. However, among all her achievements, one moment stands out the most. She was recognized as an Outstanding Performer in Drama, and her group’s play, “Tayo Lang Ang May Alam,” won Outstanding Play in their theater class on December 12, 2025.

This achievement meant a lot to her because she knew how much effort was poured into the production. Behind the scenes were long hours of preparation, emotional investment, and teamwork. It was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, but also deeply fulfilling. She considers it the “plot twist” of her 2025 because it gave her the chance to be vulnerable and step outside her comfort zone. At the beginning of the semester, her goal was simply to feel comfortable in her own skin and learn to take up space. Through this experience, she achieved exactly that.

Outside of her Talitha Cumi family, Marga is actively involved in several organizations in Miriam College. She is part of the External Affairs Management Committee of the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Miriam. She also serves as the Secretary for the Fortification Committee and the Head of the Logistics and Communication in Action (CIA) Committees.

Through these roles, she has developed strong collaboration and leadership skills. Being involved in these organizations has also strengthened her passion for event management and hosting. More importantly, these experiences remind her that college life is not only about grades. There is so much to learn from working with others, gaining real-life experience, and contributing to causes that matter.

One quality she takes pride in is her empathy. She always tries to put herself in other people’s shoes to understand them better. Because she once struggled with public speaking anxiety, she now tries to help others feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts. If someone cannot speak for themselves, she hopes to be someone who can help amplify their voice.

For the past two years, Marga has been a financial aid scholar at Miriam College. This opportunity holds deep meaning for her because she is the daughter of a single mother who has served as both a mother and father figure to her and her siblings.

While she acknowledges that she grew up with her needs and wants provided for, she understands the sacrifices her mother makes. As the eldest daughter, she values her scholarship because it helps lighten the responsibilities her mother carries. This motivates her to work hard and strive for excellence while remaining grateful for the opportunity she has been given.

To stay grounded, Marga practices journaling. Writing helps her process everything happening in her life. She often lists the things she is grateful for to remind herself not to take her blessings for granted. It also helps her focus on living in the present moment.

One lesson that has stayed with her comes from her mother, who always says that “you never stop learning.” Because of this, Marga’s main goal in college is to gain as much knowledge as possible, both inside and outside the classroom. While maintaining good grades is important to her, she sees them as a natural result of her commitment to learning.

Her main advocacies are quality education for children and animal welfare. Her passion for education grew when she had the opportunity to tutor children at the Religious of the Good Shepherd in Katipunan. That experience showed her how meaningful it is to help young learners grow.

Her love for animals, especially dogs, also shaped her advocacy for animal welfare. She strongly believes in the message “Adopt, Don’t Shop.” All of her own dogs are adopted, including her eldest, who is a proud Aspin.

One phrase that has guided Marga for a long time is: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” She believes that opportunities come for a reason, and if they are given to her, it means she is capable of handling them. This mindset reminds her to keep moving forward, even when she feels afraid, because those moments often lead to the most fulfilling experiences.

As she continues navigating her twenties, she also carries a quote from Harry Styles: “Follow your gut, always; trust yourself and take care of you first, fill up your own cup and let them fall in love with the overflow.” These words remind her that self-care and self-trust are important. In a world filled with noise from social media, expectations, and peer pressure, she believes that listening to one’s intuition helps align actions with one’s true character.

For Marga, self-care is not selfish. It is necessary. After all, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Above all, she hopes others remember to be kind to themselves as they continue their own journeys.

Write up by: Mirachael Ugdoracion, PRO

Layout by Gen Torres, President and Khym Diaz, Secretary