September 24,1994- While everyone in our village was on their deep sleep and enjoying every bit of their dreams, there at a private lying-in center,my mother is laboring and shouting a the top of her lungs to release me out of her womb. After long hours of pain and crying, at exactly 3:30am, I was welcomed to earth.
After nine months of sleeping and circling inside my mother's tummy, my family was able to see me. My father was in great delight because of their advancing age of 47 and my mom 40, I was able to be completed and become a healthy baby. I'm the youngest among the five children. My parents named me Marie Madeleine. They name me Marie because my two sisters have Mary and Maria, and to complete the pattern they gave it to me. Then, the name Madeleine. my mom said, she can't remember her reference but surely found it before. So, I didn't bother to ask any more details about. To know what my name means, I initiate the searching myself... I've found out that:
"Marie" means as a girl's name is of French origin. Variant of Mary (Latin) "star of the sea" while my second name
"Madeleine",means "woman from Magdala" while and in French A madeleine is a famous sort of French butter cookie or sponge cake.
Back to my life story,during my early years from 1-3 years old, I was always left alone with my Nanay in the house because my father goes to work everyday and my siblings were all attending school. I'm the only one left to be with my nanay which made me to grew close to her.
At the age of 4, I attended my first formal schooling during the summer at Iglesia ni Cristo's Day Care Center. After some weeks, I've withdrawn from school because my parents decided to enroll me at a bigger school which is The Young Shepherd's School at the age of five. That same year, our family faced one of the lowest part of our lives. It is when my father got stroke and was diagnosed with type II Diabetes. My father stayed at Makati Medical Center for almost a month for his recovery. After that troublesome year, we welcomed the New Millennium with much blessings and hope from God because my father's condition got better and he recovered from stroke he has gone through.
At the age of 8, my 2nd grade in elementary, I transferred school. From Cavite to Manila(Justo Lukban Elementary School) because of some financial problems and an educational plan of my father. This year also, my father retired from being a life guard for 25 years at Manila Mandarin Oriental Hotel because he thought he had served enough for his job. He got some sum of money and decided to put some business and bought a van. At that year again, because I performed well in that school year, I became an honor student. As a reward, my father treat us a vacation to my Mother's province in Aklan to know my relatives there and to unwind a little. I had my first ever trip to Boracay Island for my summer vacation. For me, its one of the best & memorable summer that I spent because its the last that that I've seen my grandfather before he passed away and my first time to ride a ship vessel.
In 2003, in my 3rd grade, I became the first honor again in our class. I felt very happy because I made my parents proud and also felt fulfilled because at that time, I'm really into studying because I have a lot of plans and dreams that I want to achieve. The following year, I have to leave the regular class because my Godfather advised me to take the Acceleration Exam for me to be part of the Special Education program in our school wherein I could take Grades 4-6 within 2 years. Because of the grace and the blessings of the Lord and maybe because of some innate intelligence, I was able to pass the exam and became part of the Fast Learners Class. Time flies so fast that I haven't notice that its time for me to bade good bye on my Elementary School. I graduated in 2006 with flying colors though I wasn't the valedictorian of our class, I bagged the 2nd Honorable Mention and I'm very thankful for that.
In 2006, I entered my High School Alma Mater, Araullo High School. Because of my impressing grades in elementary, I was qualified to take the test for Special Science class. And again, because of luck and prayers, I passed. I was so happy and thought that high school years was one of the highest point in my life because I was able to established friendship from my classmates, knew more about things around, some of my questions about life were answered and of course I've come to experienced life.
During my freshman year, I joined the Theatre Guild as ascript writer. From, this club, I learned more than about writing but also things that made me realize that life is not only determined by good things but also the bad ones. I was also able to developed my self-esteem in this group and to take my inhibitions inside me through the workshops that we've gone through. Though I was not a successful script writer on our guild, I became the Musical Director for three consecutive years. Then, I realized I wanted to become a teacher because of the influences of our theatre advisers.
On my Sophomore year, I become more pro-active and sociable because of actively participating on my extra-curricular activities particularly the Girls' Scout of the Philippines. Because of that. I came to know many acquaintances and friends not only inside the school campus but also from the other schools. I always join every activities , seminars, camping and even events because in scouting, you can learn a lot of lessons and virtues that you can use for the rest of your lives from practical things up to your relationship with God.
In High School, I experienced to have my crushes, unearthly experiments, sleepless nights because of tons of school works and researches,to visit places that I haven't seen and of course the magical experience of my Promenade. And also, one of the best experience I have in these years is the camping sponsored by the DOST. In this Science, Mathematics and Engineering Camp, I've met many brilliant students around the Philippines and I was so overwhelmed because I become part of this once in a life time experience though I don't consider myself that smart enough to be in lined to those Scientists to be.
As my HS year ends,it didn't stop from giving me special memories to remember such as my 1st Baguio trip with one of my best and closest friends. Time flies again and left me only memories to remember. Though I didn't graduate with honors this time, I'm thankful enough because I was able to survive and enjoy my high school life.
After I graduated in HS, I really dreamed to be a UP Student but fate did not allowed me to because I wasn't able to pass the UPCAT ( University of the Philippines College Admission Test) and my GWA(general weighted average) didn't work for the course that I really wanted. But, I thought God has better plans for me, a more beautiful one because I did passed PLMAT. I was very grateful because I was able to make it to college though its not UP. I have no regrets in studying here. In fact, my 1st year in PLM was a blast of beautiful things. First, I have chosen one of the noblest profession, being a teacher though I wanted fine arts, I'm learning and loving to be a teacher by now. Secondly, I've met a lot of friends inside the campus, from my block mates up to my org mates. Thirdly, I'm enjoying everything that is coming along my way though there are still problems occurring.
At present, I'm being more sociable, responsible, patient and trying out more different things in my life. I am also developing and improving my self even more. On my 17th year of existence, I am trying to be the same and trying to give my best shot on everything that I do.You see, I'm always trying and trying..but the best part is I'm also gaining and for that I am thankful everyday because each day that is added to my life is a day to be remembered in my time line...and as the time goes by, more things will come along! I'll update you more if something life changing that might happen to me.As of now, that's my life, As I know it. :))))
