Maria Theresa Laroco
I really appreciate the 1 Liter of Tears (Ichi Rituro no Namida) which is a Japanese J-dorama series based on the true story of a girl named Aya Kito who was stricken by a cruel disease called Spinocerebellar Degeneration. This disease affects Aya’s nervous system and as the name suggests, it poses a degeneration of her movements, and will eventually affect her mobility, speech, and even her ability to eat before she succumbs to a comatose state and finally, death. The theme of this series is very bleak but the overall tone in which the series conveys is, in spite of some tearjerking scenes, are very heartwarming. Aya Kito’s diary was made into a bestselling book and the series follows her trials and tribulations as she struggles to find hope, strength and courage to face such a devastating disease.
Aya is a normal 15-year old with high hopes of having the time of her life in high school. Imagine, she is only 15 year old to have a cruel disease which makes her life so short. And on that very short time, she wrote a diary when she was still 14 years old and it serves as her witness in her daily life happenings. With a loving family, teachers and friends, she never felt about being alone. And, when she got this disease, she ask to herself, to her mother, to her doctor and to God why that the disease choose her.
Every time she thinks about her future, tears come out again and again. Sometimes she feels like her body doesn't belong to her. As days goes by, her body gets weaker and weaker. And also, she realizes that she can never turn back the time and it’s enough to try her best in all her doings on that time. She’s trying to be healthy and strong to be able to be with her family and friends for a long time. For her, just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful feeling.
I simply loved this series without a doubt; this is one of the most effective and beautifully acted series I’ve seen in a long time. As the title suggested, I cried one liter of tears for Aya. I didn’t mourn for her dark fate but I mourned for her because she was so well-loved by everyone who met her and because the character of Aya is so relentlessly courageous and hopeful. There were so many chances that the director could have taken with such a tragic story. But luckily, instead of solely focusing on the tragedy, the series instead placed a huge emphasis on the affection and close-knit bonds of family and friends that surround and protect Aya as her health declines.
Not only is this series such a life-altering series to watch, it also has a gorgeous theme song to go along with it. “Only Human” by the K. Each time the song comes on at the end of each episode where real photographs of the real-life Aya Kito appear onscreen, my eyes tear up.
I’m so glad to have found a thought-provoking series like “1 Litre of Tears”. It breaks my heart to know that this series is based on a true story. Yet, I feel so grateful to get to know Aya and her family and to appreciate the lessons that she taught me. More than anything, Aya taught me the use of two words – love and hope. That was her legacy. Aya embodied all the best that a human being can hope to be. To continue life in the face of such adversity and to contribute joy to everyone whose lives she has touched is a miracle — and that makes Aya a miracle.

Name:
Maria Theresa Lopez Laroco
Nickname:
Tisay
Age:
15 years old
Birthday:
March 16, 1994
Address:
Poblacion, Manolo Fortich Bukidnon
School:
Manolo Fortich National High School
Zodiac sign:
Pisces
Birthstone:
Aquamarine

FAVORITES
TV Series:
1 Liter of Tears
Actress:
Erika Sawajiri or known as Aya Ikeuchi
Actor:
Nashikido Ryo or known as Haruto Asou
Song/s:
-Only human(Susume Ueda)
-soundtracks of 1 liter of tears
-Taylor Swift’s songs
-Korean Songs
Singer/s:
-Taylor swift
-Remioremen(Japanese)
Favorite words of wisdom:
“Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing.”