I was born on December 20^th, 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.

Continue to Part 2