I was born on November 24, 2005, in Cauayan City, the place that I proudly call my hometown. I was born as the second child in our family, which makes me the middle child among three siblings. Growing up as a middle child taught me many things about understanding others, adjusting to different situations, and learning how to become independent at an early age.
During my childhood, our family often moved between my mother’s side and my father’s side of the family. We switched houses occasionally depending on our situation at that time. Eventually, we stayed at Purok 1, Minante 2, where many of my relatives from my mother’s side were living. Over time, our family was able to have our own house and land near our relatives. Living close to family members created a happy and lively environment for me while growing up.
My childhood was full of happiness and unforgettable memories. I met many childhood friends in our neighborhood, and one of my closest friends was my cousin named CJ, who was also our neighbor. We spent almost every day together playing outside with other children in our area. We played many traditional Filipino games such as tagu-taguan and tumbang preso. In tumbang preso, we used our tsinelas to hit the can and retrieve them afterward while trying not to get caught. As we grew older, our games evolved into collecting and trading text and pogs. Sometimes, we sold the ones we won to other players so we could earn money to buy snacks or merienda.
Of course, childhood was not complete without misunderstandings and fights during games. There were moments when arguments happened because someone was accused of cheating or being unfair. At that time, those fights felt serious, but now when I look back at those memories, I realize how funny and normal they were for children. Despite those small arguments, we always ended up playing together again the next day. Those experiences taught me the value of friendship and forgiveness.
My family has always been loving and supportive. Even though misunderstandings and arguments sometimes happened, I know that my family always cared for one another. They became one of the biggest reasons why I continued striving to become a better person. My parents always reminded me about the importance of education, respect, and hard work. Even though I did not fully understand those lessons when I was younger, I slowly realized their importance as I grew older.
When I entered preschool, I studied at Cauayan School of Excellence, also known as CSE. I studied there together with my three cousins from preschool until third grade. Studying with my cousins made school less frightening and more enjoyable because I already had companions beside me. After finishing third grade, our parents decided to transfer us to a public school called Cauayan South Central School. There, two of my cousins became my classmates, and we studied under a special curriculum called the Science Class.
Elementary life was simple but memorable for me. Most of the time, I balanced my studies with playing games and spending time with my friends. Even though I loved playing more than studying, I still managed to do well in school. I graduated from elementary with honors, and that achievement became one of the proudest moments of my childhood. At that time, I realized that I was capable of achieving good things even while enjoying my childhood.
When high school started, my two cousins and I studied at the same school again. One of them was assigned to another section, but we all passed the entrance examination and studied under a special curriculum. High school life became more challenging compared to elementary, but it was still manageable. During those years, I met many new friends who remain close to me until now. Those friendships became important because we supported one another through school activities, projects, and personal problems.
However, one of the biggest challenges in my life happened during the pandemic. It started during the final part of Grade 8 when schools suddenly announced that classes would shift from face-to-face learning to online classes. At first, many of us thought it would only last for a few weeks, but weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.
The pandemic greatly affected me mentally and emotionally. Because we stayed at home most of the time, I slowly lost my motivation to study. Instead of focusing on school, I spent most of my time playing mobile games and staying awake all night. There came a point where I felt like I had already given up on studying because I no longer had the energy or motivation to do my best in school. I became lazy and careless about my academics. Even though I still managed to pass my subjects and graduate, I knew deep inside that I was not giving my full effort during those difficult years.
That period of my life became one of the darkest and most challenging experiences I faced. I felt lost and uncertain about my future. It seemed like I was no longer interested in improving myself. Looking back now, I realize how much the pandemic changed not only my daily routine but also my mindset and attitude toward studying.
However, everything changed when I entered senior high school at Cauayan City Stand Alone Senior High School. Before classes started, my mother told me something that became one of the biggest turning points in my life. She told me that the grades I would get during senior high school would greatly affect my future, especially when applying to colleges and universities. Her words made me realize that my future depended on the choices and efforts I would make during that stage of my life.
Because of my mother’s advice, I slowly regained my motivation and became determined to improve myself. I started taking my studies seriously and pushed myself harder than ever before. Without realizing it, I became more disciplined and responsible. I studied harder, completed requirements on time, and participated actively in school activities.
My hard work eventually paid off. I consistently earned honor awards during every grading period, which became one of the proudest achievements of my senior high school life. I also passed important examinations and successfully earned a National Certificate in Computer Servicing. Receiving that certificate gave me confidence because it proved that I was capable of learning technical skills and achieving my goals through hard work and dedication.
Another memorable experience during senior high school was participating in a government event where our group presented a proposal. We worked hard preparing our ideas and presentation. Even though our proposal placed near the bottom during the finals, we still felt proud and happy because we successfully reached the final stage of the competition. That experience taught me that success is not always about winning; sometimes, the courage to try and the lessons learned along the way are already achievements.
Before entering college, another important part of my life began. During the summer before college, I met my girlfriend, and until now, we are still together. She became one of the people who supported and motivated me during difficult times. Having someone who believes in me gave me additional strength to continue pursuing my goals.
When college life started, I expected it to be extremely difficult. At first, everything seemed manageable, but as the semesters passed, the workload became heavier. There were many projects, activities, deadlines, and responsibilities that required a lot of effort and time. There were moments when I only slept for two to three hours just to finish projects and school requirements on time.
Even though college life became stressful and exhausting, I continued trying my best to achieve good results. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of time management, discipline, perseverance, and patience. I realized that if I truly push myself and remain focused on my goals, I can improve greatly and accomplish things that once seemed impossible.
Currently, I am a second-year college student taking midyear classes. I continue striving to achieve higher grades and become a better version of myself every day. I know that the journey ahead will still be difficult, but I am willing to face every challenge that comes into my life.
In the future, I want to become a successful programmer specializing in both back-end and front-end development. I want to continue improving my skills and knowledge in technology because I believe that programming is not only a career but also an opportunity to create solutions and innovations that can help people. I know that achieving my dreams will require patience, dedication, and hard work, but I am determined to continue moving forward no matter how difficult life becomes.
As I continue writing my story, I realize that every challenge, failure, success, and experience shaped me into the person I am today. My life may not be perfect, but every moment taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my journey. I believe that with determination, faith, and perseverance, I can achieve my dreams and build a better future for myself and my family.
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