Autobiography (Part 1)
Every story begins in a place that shapes who we are. Mine started in Cauayan City, Isabela, a city that became both my home and my foundation. Growing up, my first words were in Ilocano, but life has a way of teaching you how to adapt. Surrounded by people who spoke Tagalog, I learned to switch languages, not just with my mouth but also with my mind and heart.
Like many stories, mine had struggles early on. In elementary school, I faced bullying because of my weight. It was not easy being singled out, and I often ended up in the guidance office for fighting back. Looking back, those moments didn’t just show my temper they revealed my resilience. I wasn’t someone who stayed silent when I felt wronged.
When I stepped into high school, my journey took a different turn. The classrooms were not always my world. Instead, the basketball court became my second home. Often, I would attend class in the morning, but when lunchtime came, I’d head home or find myself in the court rather than my afternoon classes. My focus wasn’t on academics, yet somehow, despite my lack of seriousness, I still managed to graduate. It wasn’t my proudest time, but it was part of my story a chapter of distraction, discovery, and unfinished lessons.
Everything shifted when I moved to Cauayan City Stand-Alone Senior High School. New surroundings meant new chances. For the first time, I found myself drawn toward academics. I met people who encouraged me, inspired me, and challenged me to do better. Slowly, I began to see my potential, and soon I became a consistent honor student from Grade 11 to Grade 12. It felt like I had unlocked a version of myself that had been waiting all along a student who could excel, not just exist.