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Who am I?

I’m Dainiel Aguilar, 19, from Alicia, Bohol. My family and relatives call me Dan, while my friends know me as Dain or Deyn. I’m the quiet-observer type at first—but once I’m comfortable, I get loud, funny, and full of stories. I overthink everything, ramble a lot, and laugh at the most random stuff.

I love curating outfits, organizing messy spaces, and staying up too late binge-watching series. I’m currently obsessed with makeup and skincare—yes, I’ll bring lip balm over a pen any day. I talk fast when I’m excited and can multitask like hell. I'm expressive too—through fashion, facial reactions, even how I type.

Most of the time I’m chill, but when it’s about work, school, or the people I care about—I’m all in. I get emotionally attached to things easily but hide it by acting okay. I like to joke around, but I’m also reflective and aware of what’s going on around me.

That’s me, in layers—soft but strong, quiet but not silent.

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Where did I grow up?

I grew up in three different regions in the Philippines, so I guess you could say I’ve moved around a lot. I was born on September 19, 2005, in Brgy. Darangan, Binangonan, Rizal. I was baptized there as a Roman Catholic, and we lived there for almost four years before relocating to Brgy. Santolan, Pasig City, where my father was working.

Pasig became home for most of my childhood and early teenage years. I have a lot of memories from that time — good ones, weird ones, and everything in between. That place still holds a big part of me.

After around 12 to 13 years in Pasig, my parents decided to move again — this time to my mother’s hometown, Alicia, Bohol. I was excited about it. I hadn’t been there in years, not since I was a toddler during short summer visits. Finally living there felt new but also familiar. We stayed for seven years.

Now I’m here in Tuburan, Cebu. It’s been almost a year. I’m still adjusting, still growing, still learning.

One thing I’ve come to enjoy is picking up different cultures and languages along the way. I’ve lived in Luzon and Visayas (through family ties), and it’s made me multilingual — I speak Tagalog, English, and Bisaya/Cebuano. I wouldn’t say I’m great at English, just average, but I always try my best and that’s enough for now.

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What is my educational background?

Right now, I’m a first-year college student at Cebu Technological University – Tuburan Campus, taking up BAEL-ELSD. I made it to the Dean’s List in my first semester, which I’m proud of.

Before college, I graduated from Alicia Technical-Vocational High School (ATVHS), where I took the STEM strand and finished with high honors. Back in elementary, I studied at Santolan Elementary School in Pasig City.

My education hasn’t followed the usual “all-in-one-place” setup. A lot of people I know studied in one region from elementary to college. I didn’t. I moved around — Rizal, Pasig, Bohol, now Cebu. But honestly, I like that about my story. I’ve learned to adapt, experienced different school systems, and met all kinds of people. I’m grateful for all of it.

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What are my hobbies and interests?

I have a mix of hobbies, depending on my mood (or how much free time I actually have). I play online games — mostly Mobile Legends — to unwind or kill time. I also love watching movies and listening to music, especially when I need a break from school stuff.

Sometimes, I’ll just clean or organize things. It sounds boring, but it actually helps me feel calm and in control. I can cook too — nothing fancy, but enough to survive and satisfy cravings.

Fashion is something I’ve always enjoyed. I like curating my outfits and trying different styles. But lately, I’ve been obsessed with makeup and skincare. Not just the products, but the process — it’s therapeutic, it’s creative, and it makes me feel good. I guess I’m still figuring out how I want to express myself, and these are part of that.

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What are some of my proudest accomplishments?

One of my proudest accomplishments is excelling in academics, especially considering how I started. Back in elementary, I was always placed in “Section A,” where all the smart kids were. But I had really low confidence and self-esteem then. I often felt outshined or invisible, like I didn’t belong.

Things shifted in Grade 6, when the school decided to spread students more evenly across all sections — more like a homogenous setup. That gave me space to breathe. I started building my confidence, joining activities, speaking up more. It felt like a reset.

Moving to Bohol for high school was a major turning point. That’s where I really found myself — discovered my strengths, realized I had talents, and stayed consistent in working on them. I started getting recognition for things I never thought I’d be good at.

Now in college, living in Cebu, I consider it another accomplishment. It’s not easy — new place, new people, culture shock, and all the pressure that comes with growing up. But I’ve adjusted. I’ve handled it, even if it hasn’t always been smooth. That alone is something I’m proud of.

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What are some of the challenges I've faced in life?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is discrimination and bullying. Growing up, even my own family, relatives, and childhood friends would bully me for being feminine, fragile, and not interested in the usual “boy” stuff like aggressive outdoor games. I preferred playing with girls — it was quieter, more accepting, and I didn’t feel judged.

But things got worse at school. That’s where the bullying really intensified. I became an easy target, and it felt nonstop. Eventually, I got used to it. I reached a point where I just stopped caring about what they said. Instead, I focused on getting to know myself and learning how to stand my ground, even quietly.

Another challenge I still deal with is being a people pleaser. I find it hard to say no. I always say yes — to favors, tasks, anything — even when I’m already overwhelmed. People are so used to me being the “one call away” type that they take advantage of it. It’s exhausting and has taken a toll on my mental health.

I know I need to set boundaries, and I’m working on it. I hope I’ll eventually learn how to put myself first without feeling guilty about it.

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How have these challenges shaped me as a person?

These challenges taught me hard lessons early. For a long time, I kept trying to please people, kept quiet through the bullying, and ignored my own needs just to make others comfortable. But over time, I started realizing that I wasn’t taking care of myself at all.

It hit me slowly — that I needed to stop stretching myself thin just to be accepted or liked. I reached a point where I told myself, this time, it’s my turn. My turn to focus, rebuild, and take myself seriously.

It’s strange, because I was still a teenager when I had this shift in mindset. Still young, still figuring things out — but also slowly becoming more self-aware. Immature, but learning. It wasn’t a sudden transformation, but the more I reflected on what I’d been through, the more I knew I had to make space for myself.

These experiences shaped me into someone stronger, more grounded, and more intentional. I’m learning to set boundaries, protect my peace, and take ownership of my life — even if I’m still growing through it.

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What are some of my future goals and aspirations?

One of my biggest goals — and probably the most common among us Filipinos — is to give back. I want to provide a better life for my parents, support my siblings, and be able to help relatives and friends who stood by me. That’s always been at the core of why I keep pushing forward.

Another goal that’s close to my heart is to become a registered nurse. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember. Right now, I’m taking BAEL and I’m genuinely happy with it — but that dream of nursing? It still lingers. I know I’ll pursue it in the future, no matter how long it takes.

I also dream of traveling and possibly migrating someday. Japan and the U.S. are at the top of my list. I’ve always imagined building a life somewhere new, learning from other cultures, and just seeing how far I can go.

These goals aren’t just plans — they’re promises I’ve made to myself and the people I love.

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Random Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me

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Random Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me

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What are some fun facts about myself that others may not know?

I’m the type of person who watches movies or TV series not just for fun, but to actually learn something new. Shows like Young Sheldon, Anne with an E, Bridgerton, and The Crown have taught me things in ways that textbooks never could. I enjoy stories that dive into history, science, and human behavior — I even have 911, Grey’s Anatomy, and Big Bang Theory on my watchlist. For me, watching feels like hitting two birds with one stone — I’m entertained, and I’m learning too.

Another thing about me: I can’t stand having dirty hands. I always bring alcohol or wash my hands as often as I can. Call it picky or obsessive, but I just hate the feeling of being sticky or dusty. I’d rather be overly clean than risk getting sick. Clean hands, clear mind.

And here’s one more that’s kind of funny — I can’t leave the house without a mirror, or without checking my reflection. I probably look at myself in the mirror a hundred times a day. Maybe I just admire myself too much, haha. But honestly, it gives me confidence. It's like a quick reset or check-in throughout the day.

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What is my philosophy in life?

Life isn’t always fair, but I believe in showing up anyway — for yourself, for the people you love, and for the future you want. I’ve been through phases where I felt invisible, out of place, or too drained from pleasing everyone. But those moments taught me something: if you keep choosing yourself, little by little, things start to change.

For me, it’s about learning as you go. You don’t have to have it all figured out — you just have to keep going, even if it’s slow. Growth doesn’t always look loud or dramatic; sometimes it’s just waking up and deciding to keep trying.

I also believe in being kind, but not at the expense of your own peace. Helping people is part of who I am, but I’ve learned (and am still learning) that it’s okay to say no, to pause, to rest. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

At the end of the day, I just want to live a life that makes younger me proud, and future me grateful.

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Who are my biggest influences and inspirations?

My family, definitely. I’ll admit—there was a time I held resentment toward them. They doubted what I could do. They questioned parts of who I am, including my identity and interests. But things shifted when I moved to Cebu. The moment I saw them cry before I left, something clicked. I realized: no one will ever be as solid as your family. Sure, friends come close, and I’m grateful for the ones who support me. But at the end of the day, it’s your family who stays in your corner—even after the doubts, the conflicts, the misunderstandings. That kind of support sticks.

Also, my younger self inspires me more than anyone else. He was ambitious, full of dreams, fearless in a way I didn’t fully appreciate before. I owe it to him to keep going—to keep reaching for the things he once believed were possible.