Annie Mercolita Cirera

Introduction The wonder of life is envisaged when one has a full grasp of what he has been through. Knowing the things in the past which have made what one has become at present determines how far one has reached and what he still needs to achieve. Truly, recounting the instances you have crossed measures your worth. This defines the kind of persons we are; tells our strengths and weaknesses; shapes a blue print of our pursuits for our future lives; and contours the opportunities we are capable of embracing. Once we knew how we have existed and survived, we will definitely figure out the mechanisms to combat the complexities in life. It is from this point that coming up with an autobiography turns to be of significance. It is a means of knowing your life and getting in touch with the core of your own self. In other words, we will come to know who we are and what we are capable of doing. This will likewise remind us of our value as a person and as a beautiful creation of God, no matter how tough our paths and burdens may be. Moreover, this may serve as our way of inspiring and motivating ourselves to seek for fulfillment which doesn’t only satisfy our own but will also offer several advantages for our neighbors, especially in terms of establishing and nurturing a healthy connection with the people around us. Thus, this autobiography is humbly made to highlight the vital stages and milestones of the author’s life. As a memoir, the content of this is greatly treasured and deemed to be one of the author’s wealth. Blissful Birth The story of everyone’s life begins upon birth. This marks the onset of the multi-faced battle even if still enmeshed in innocence. So, let’s start unveiling the tale of my life. Typically, a couple nurtures their love for each other by bearing a fruit of it. As the eldest brood of Eddie Matobato Pasagui and Sandra Hortibano Villanueva, my entrance to the world (as I believed) has brought gladness to my parents. I have first felt the touch of the world when my mother gave birth to me last September 15, 1985 at Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), Tacloban City. Mind you, I am quite certain that I am a good-natured person because I was born at a time of freshness and tranquility which is 1:00 in the morning. I’m sure that as my voice reverberated within the delivery room, my mother’s heart leaps with joy for I have fulfilled her motherhood at the age of 22. Out of my father’s wish, I am named Carlo. Yes, I made a lot of people happy, especially my grandmother. Certainly, my parents tried their best to raise me up- the reason that I have come to live in this world up to the recent time. My Family Life grows more meaningful with the presence of people whom you can call your family. They are the instruments of God that made you feel you’re not alone- the people whom you can lean on, give you strength, and embrace you with love and care. Well, I am fortunate to have my own. Aside from my parents, I have six siblings namely Edison and Andrew both male, a Grade 9 student at Leyte National High School and Grade 3 learner at San Fernando Central School, respectively. To complete the six are my four female siblings- Ruby Anne, Julie Pearl (who are now both married), Jeca and Jade (the former is a 3rd year college student at Asian Development Foundation College (ADFC) while the latter is a grade six student).All of them of course, use the surname of my father except for my two married siblings, who also have used it when they were still single. Although, there are only few things that I have shared with them for I have grown up under the care of grandma, I still feel blessed for I know we share the same vision in life-that is to let every member of the family feel happy, cared and loved. I am aware that they care for me despite the disparities and challenges we faced in life. I am likewise blessed with generous uncle, aunt and grandma. They are a very significant part of my family’s struggle to bring me up. In fact, they are the ones who provide me with utmost support since my childhood years and even up to the present. Until this time, we have also new addition to the family, because my own offspring are added. Well, this will be another parcel of my life’s story which I wanted to share in separate section. Meanwhile, let me just take you to the realm of my childhood. Hobbies and Interests One of the facets of life that makes it meaningful are the interests and hobbies of a person. Just like any other beings, I have few things that can be considered as my passion. I love singing, watching TV, especially cartoon shows- the reason that I am often attached to kids. I also love hanging with friends. This is my way of calming from self from the different stressors in life. I have much interest on drawing and I have a passion on adventures. I have my penchant on chess game. These are few of the things that I can use to establish friendship. Childhood Account Normally, we cannot remember everything that happens after we were just born, for we don’t have any discernment as to what the world is all about until we reach the age of 6 or 7. Albeit, stories shared by the people around us ignite the soul of consciousness, making us aware of how our life started. I grew up with my grandmother since I was 5 years old. With her recounting about my life’s tale, I learned that, yes, I am truly loved by my parents who tried their very best to nurture a baby even at their very young age. I was given all the care that I’ve needed. However, with the inconveniences that my parents have gone through, my grandma decided to have me with her. So I lived with her since that time until my adolescence years. This has made me earn a lot of memories at 59-A Sampaguita Village, Tacloban City. Under my grandma’s custody, this is where I learned to mingle with childhood friends; played the childish games-tumbang preso, hide-and-seek, etc.; and enjoyed the benefits of TV programs and shows. Despite the longing for my real parents’ caresses, I feel complete because of my grandmother who strive harder to nurture me and even send me to school since elementary. I can barely remember all the things I have come across when I was very young, but I felt so lucky to have experienced being brought to malls to buy childish stuff and other basic needs. My contentment with a childhood life has been spiced with my freedom to clamor for what I want to do and want to have. I can exactly recall that my grandma used to cook food for me, prod me to take a bath, and sing nursery rhymes so I can sleep. She likewise does the laundry. Whenever I’m sick, grandma takes care of me. In short, she completely acted like my real mom. Thus, I do not feel that I am away home because I got more than what I’ve expected. All these made my childhood life comfortable despite some odds. It is from grandma that I learned the basic ABCs and first ten numbers including the mother tongue equivalent. On the other hand, growing up is not all about the smooth and sweet flows of life. Yes, I have experienced being whipped but I know it is just a part of disciplinary actions that taught me to become a good man. I can’t set apart the spiritual aspect that grandma has really tried to instill in my mind. Yes, starting from my naivety, I have discerned what is right from wrong in terms of the laws of God- all that my innocent young mind can truly understand. Childhood Practices Undoubtedly, growing up is not easy. You have to follow certain rules and practices imposed by the gods at home. I am luckier though that I only have a goddess with me who has set certain rules at home. As a child I was bound to sleep in the afternoon or I need to observe siesta time. As an oldest belief, I need to sleep so I will grow faster. Aside from that, we observe Angelus. I am always obliged to take half bath before I go to bed. Saying a prayer before going to sleep has been a part of my routine. In the morning I should fix my bed before going out for tooth brushing and taking a breakfast. These are all my routine when I have not started school. Entering School Life No matter how we dislike school sometimes, we can’t avoid it, because we need it for our future. When I started school, that’s my elementary education, I was very glad though. San Fernando Central School is a very nice place to stay. This is where I’ve met new friends. Definitely, this is where I started to learn a lot of things apart from what I have acquired from grandma. Not just all about academics has been imparted to me but also the valuable manners that a child must exude. I have gone through some childish activities like sharing and asking baon with and from classmates. I have indulged into teasing especially with crush talks- yes, it’s true even if it’s not proper yet. I knew how it feels to run around the plaza, enter from one room to another, asking for assignments, and doing the rest of childish gigs that happen when one is in school. However, I have always emphasized that part of the reality is the dark side of the coin. As a normal child, I have experienced, too, how to be bullied. I had crying times then. But I am always lucky as that grandma is ever ready to console me. Years have passed and I have finished my elementary years. Bingo! High school years came. This is the time that I started to live as a responsible person. I studied at Leyte National High School (Night High School) while I work during the day time. The state of real struggle has begun. But this was a very significant milestone for I know this has created a great scaffold so I can be what I am. Although my parents have not totally abandoned me, I have gained support from my close relatives. Indeed, my high school life is a combination of tears and joy; laughter and tears. I have encountered puppy love but consequently banished. It was just a part of inspiration though. I have a hard time coping with the academic projects and other scholastic requirements. But, I am always fortunate to have friends who are there with me during trying times. Grandma has always been there. Luckily, high school life was over. Since it is in this that I speak about my education, let me insert the story of my college years though I have actually stopped studying for quite a time before I finally settled to be in tertiary level (the other details are to be presented in another section of this craft). I enrolled at Eastern Visayas State University hoping to earn a degree Bachelor of Science in Machine Technology (BMT-MST) of with the support of my uncle who is a dentist by profession with whom I live with at these recent times. (See? He is very successful and blessed, for he has a good heart). I have stayed with him for more than 3 years now at 73 Nulatula Regina Heights Subdivision. Looking into my college life, I have realized how really hard it is to pursue for success. Nevertheless, I enjoyed being into it. I tried to run for SSG President position. This is one of the most important experiences I had. Although, I lost the battle for only 2 votes, I gained something significant. What matters most is that I had a healthy and good fight. It was truly an experience that helped me boost my confidence and enhanced my skill in dealing with people. Moreover, my college endeavors, which I still hold on with up to this time shaped me into a stronger and more persevering person. I just realized the importance of education so I told myself that I will never quit. Yes, and here I am continuously striving to surpass my college years. Surely, I faced diverse challenges that really saddened me and almost made me give up. There were times that I got INCs because I have not met the standards of my instructor. There are moments that I was sent out of the class because I mispronounced just a word in my speech class. There was an instance that my research report has been repeatedly corrected yet I persistently tried to correct and submit it, when in the end I was given a mark of “INC”. These are quite frustrating, right? But it never stopped me from going. And now, I am almost there but still hoping that I will endure all the tests, challenges and requirements. I am very much eager to taste and savor the fruit of all my sacrifices thereby make my family members proud of me. This effort is sincerely dedicated to my parents, though I have been away from them for so many years; to my uncle and aunt; and especially to Grandma. The Life’s Ups and Downs Our future is shaped by the turning points in our lives. These sculpt our pillars of success. In addition, the successes in our life play as our fuel to soar higher. Thus, I count all my ups and downs as vital parcel of my being. Let me start recounting the reason that I stopped going to school after high school. Because of financial scarcity, I failed to pursue college immediately. Thus, I opted to work. I have been a worker at Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc. as warehouse in-charge. I have rendered services at City Hall as Security Guard. I became a part of IP Gasoline Station as gasoline boy. Then I have been a construction worker and a bagger at a market. Because of poverty, I have embraced all these jobs for quite a time. The splendor of adult life has given me 2 sons. However, it was not really a good mode of getting into a relationship. I have impregnated a woman at my young age-that’s when I am 22. Because of misunderstanding, we were not able to make it through. That was another turning point in my entire life but I’ve learned from it. By the time that I fell, I managed to get up. To continue the previously unfinished story, these two sons of mine are now adopted by my aunt. Despite all these, I also have my successes. But I prefer not to specify them all, for I believe that they are already much tangible for I have totally overcome the myriad complexities in life. On Yolanda’s Fury Over a number of years, I managed to handle challenges without fear. Not until the strongest typhoon had struck Leyte. Yolanda or Haiyan lingered in my memory. That was the moment that I’ve come to think about the end of the world. Obliquely, I have few regrets about the thigs which I am yet to accomplish. I thought I will never have a chance to do and achieve more in life. Yolanda destroyed our home. It left only a pillar of our house. After its more than an hour of attack, everything was destroyed. The place had been buried into different mode of evil deeds such as looting or robbery, which I for one has been of part of it because of the situation wherein we need to look for something to eat. We suffered much. We are fortunate that my uncle was there and we stayed with him. Yes, that was one of the darkest side of my journey. But slowly lights have come into view. A lot of opportunities were offered. Jobs are beneath our lashes. There was a downpour of donors. Then I’ve got a chance to work through Tzu Chi Foundation. From that time, I started to rise again. On Travel and Tours I have been into places where it had also offered a lot of realities to see. I’ve been to Davao to visit my aunt. It is at that place where I’ve come to meet beautiful set of people ( not just about physical appearance but “inside and out”). I have perused the grandeur of nature that Davao City has to be proud of. Likewise, the famous (and once just an imagination) Simala Church in Cebu became a reality. It made me discern the reason why more people visit this place. It is actually the part of religious belief that tourists flock to this area. Indeed, I have a lot of travels but I consider these two as the most memorable for I was with the very important people in my life. Love Affair We are destined to love. Love gives us life. So it is inevitable that we have to value the essence of love. As a normal being, I have been attached to women. A bit was mentioned about my love affair in the previous section. That was just a part of my love story. However, it has stopped there until I found my true love with a person who is so dear, understanding and so lovable. She is a teacher by profession. And as a teacher she possesses a lot of traits that a man would ask for. In short, she is not just a teacher to students, but she has also taught me a lot when it comes to dealing with life. Right now, she has been my partner in facing the twists and turns of my life. I opt not to mention her name, for I likewise consider it as something sacred that should not be known to people because of light reasons.