Shaira Luna on growing up as a gifted child: 'Kailangan 99 out of 100 'yung pinakamababang score'

Before she was a top photographer, Shaira Luna was a child genius with a career set in medicine.

After appearing in a commercial for a milk brand, Shaira wowed Filipinos with her knowledge of anatomy at a young age.

In an interview on "Share Ko Lang," the photographer and content creator talked about growing up as a gifted child.

"I was always studying. Parang I always had it in my head that I could do things na hindi kayang gawin ng other kids at my age, and wala rin akong kalaro at that time," she said.

Shaira added that she was raised in an environment where every second must be about learning to maximize her gifts.

"Laging academics ang main focus back in that day for me," she said. "Kailangan 99 out of 100 'yung pinakamababang score."

Shaira looked back on being asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, with her parents answering for her, "Ayan mag-doctor anak ko. Ayan mag scientist 'yung anak ko."

She added, "Pero syempre when you're young, it doesn't really mean anything to you. It's just something people say and [you answer] 'ay sige paglaki ko.' It's the standard response."

And at that age, Shaira said she didn't understand the words "stress" or "pressure."

"'Yun lang alam mo kasing gawin, so susunod ka na lang. And since kaya ko naman, ginagawa ko na lang din since I guess I found it easy to learn back in the day," she said. "Wala rin naman akong ibang outlets, so I just usually [did what] I was told and try to do my best kung saan man ako isalpak."

But despite that, Shaira said that she was very fortunate to have her parents' support.

"I think it was very lucky because parang sobra-sobra 'yung support. Like anything I wanted to try or anything I wanted to do, nagagawa ko naman. Pero ang pinaka-importante sa kanila at that time 'yung academics," she said.

She said everyone around her expected her to become a doctor by 19 years old, but she eventually found her own path.

"I guess woke up like, wait a minute, what did I get into? Parang I know I've been waiting for this in my entire life but is this really I want? Because this is what everyone wants and I already did it."

When she failed a subject in college, she did not feel sad even when people got disappointed in her. That's when she began thinking about herself and where she's headed.

"When that happened, parang hindi pala ako nabawasan, parang my being as star or genius as they called me, it wasn't me, it didn't make up me. I didn't know what I was at that time pero at least alam ko parang may iba pa akong
puwedeng gawin, hindi lang ito."

Shaira eventually fell in love with photography, and she has now made a name for herself as one of the top photographers in the Philippines.

—Nika Roque/MGP, GMA Integrated News