I was born on December 20th, 2004, at nine o’clock in the morning in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. I am the second child in our family, arriving two years after my older sister. Not long after I was born, our family decided to move into a house located close to the warm and welcoming home of my grandparents. This move meant that my earliest memories were always filled with the comforting presence of my grandparents and relatives living nearby.
When I was only one year and ten months old, life took a turn that would shape my childhood. My mother made the difficult but brave decision to work abroad so that she could provide a better future for our family. With my father working long hours as a truck driver, my sister and I remained in the loving care of my grandparents. Their guidance, stories, and everyday lessons became a foundation of my character.
At the age of six, tragedy struck when my father passed away because of high blood pressure. Losing a parent at such a young age is a pain that lingers, and there were moments when I felt a quiet envy toward children who still had their fathers beside them. Yet that loss also strengthened the bond I had with my grandparents and my sister, as we learned to lean on one another for comfort and support.
My childhood was lively and sometimes a little reckless. In kindergarten I experienced an accident that left a small scar on my forehead a reminder of the day I bumped into the sharp edge of a wall while playing. Even now the mark becomes visible whenever I sweat or when my skin is oily. I was playful and curious, even swallowing a marble once, to the great alarm of my family.
Elementary school brought many memories, both joyful and sad. One of the best things that happened was meeting my classmate Richmond Lasama. From those early years up to college, Richmond has remained my closest friend, someone who truly grew up alongside me. But there were difficult times too. In Grade 4, we lost a friend to a tragic accident just before graduation. That experience taught me how fragile life can be, even for children. Another significant moment came in 2014 when my mother remarried, adding new dynamics to our family life.
High school opened a new chapter. During the vacation before Grade 9, while I was finishing Grade 8, our family welcomed my youngest sister a bright and happy addition who brought great joy to us all. High school life also came with its own misadventures. I once found myself in the principals office after being caught up in a fight not because I threw a punch, but because I happened to be with friends involved in the incident. It was a lesson about the importance of choosing the right company.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and changed everything. Classes suddenly shifted online, and I had to adapt to a learning style that felt unfamiliar. I have always learned best inside a classroom with teachers and classmates, so the adjustment was challenging. Despite the difficulties, I pushed through and even formed new friendships with people I met virtually, proving that connections can flourish even when we are apart.
Not every moment during that period was joyful. On September 9, 2021, my beloved grandmother passed away unexpectedly because of bleeding. Her sudden departure left a heavy sadness in our family. After the pandemic eased and I graduated from senior high school, another painful event followed: my grandfather passed away. I had been helping to care for him during his illness, and on the day he died I was away processing my college requirements. Coming home to find him gone was heartbreaking, yet I felt grateful that he had lived long enough to witness many of his grandchildren, including me, graduate from different levels of school.
College life began with its own set of challenges. Adjusting as a first year student after the pandemics disruptions was not easy, but I eventually found my rhythm and successfully completed my first year. That same year became memorable for a happier reason: I reconnected with Juliana Paraton, a classmate from Grade 9. We started chatting again, spent time together, and our friendship blossomed into a relationship. Meeting Juliana again and becoming a couple is something I will always cherish.
Now, as a third year college student, I remain focused on my dream of graduating and building a stable, successful career. My ultimate goal is to give myself and my family a better life. Every challenge I have faced from childhood loss to pandemic struggles has strengthened my determination. I hold on to the hope that all these efforts will one day turn into the bright future I envision for the people I love most.