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This photo was recently taken last February 14 at Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, Cebu City.

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What trips have you taken that add to your autobiography?

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What trips have you taken that add to your autobiography?

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I always include the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino on my trip list of places I want to visit every month. Every time I come in here, blessings will flow to me in the coming days. I pray a lot and express thanks for the blessings I've gotten despite the difficulties and adversity I've faced.

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What other events shaped your life (i.e. accident, disorders)?

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What other events shaped your life (i.e. accident, disorders)?

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Rejections and failures, I believe, shaped my life as well. I have no experience with accidents or disorders; nonetheless, being rejected and failing in various circumstances is one of the things that defined and molded my life as who I am today. Many things in life can be learned and realized via rejections and failures. Keep in mind that the more times you fail, the stronger you get. Failure and rejection are both natural parts of the success process, and they both foster progress. If we wish for a better tomorrow, we shall receive one.

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What special knowledge do you have that set you apart from other people?

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What special knowledge do you have that set you apart from other people?

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My story background distinguishes me from other people in my personal narratives. Since my true mother abandoned me when I was six months old, I've never known what it's like to be loved and cared for. With that, I learned to be self-sufficient at a young age. I never considered becoming rebellious. I usually try to look on the bright side of life because I know how unfair life can be; yet, what I should do is focus on my life goals. Even though I had some failures, it was perfectly fine because it was all part of my growth and development as a person.

And now I can say that I already met the broken version of myself but also the strongest. The special knowledge of being true to my authentic self and learning how to be strong to any adversities that I may face sets me apart from other people.

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What achievements in your life have you mastered and would adversity did you overcome to do so?

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What achievements in your life have you mastered and would adversity did you overcome to do so?

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You know what, while working in a pore area in my community, I discovered that it was a lack of support, rather than poverty, that crushed their hopes. There was someone who approached me and said, "Kuya, it's just not my life and those dreams are really not meant for me." As LGBTQ members in our barangay, we constantly make sure that we can inspire and push people to dream big since there's nothing wrong with it. And I believe that this is one of my biggest accomplishments or achievements that I have done to be able to help others and inspire them to believe in themselves that they can because they will.

I know that it is not easy to help others, to give them what they need, and also to push them to fight against adversities. However, to be able to overcome it, I would always stick to my core which is to continue inspiring others and focus always on the goals. I believe that every problem, adversity, or challenge that we may encounter has a solution. We just need to think wisely and act appropriately.

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How much formal education, school, and college do you have?

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How much formal education, school, and college do you have?

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I have already completed kindergarten, elementary school, high school, and senior high school. All of them go under the category of "Formal Education." And I am currently a second-year student at Cebu Normal University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics. I am hoping that, by God's grace, I will be able to graduate on time.

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What relationships in your life have defined you?

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What relationships in your life have defined you?

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I think the relationships that shaped me throughout my life would be my relationship with objects, friends, family, self, and spirit are the most important ones that I can cultivate. These relationships have defined and shaped me into the person I am today.

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My few achievements in life are depicted in the photo attached.

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What hobbies, skills and specialties are you familiar with?

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What hobbies, skills and specialties are you familiar with?

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I really love making tiktok videos in my own. Since the pandemic started, it became one of my favorite hobbies to do. Aside from that, I am a gamer, I play Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in my leisure time. I also play badminton and volleyball. I love doing recreational activities like walking, mediation, dancing, singing, acting, and many more.

When it comes to skills, I have three that I can identify: leadership, organizational, and social skills. Working with an organization or in a group has always been a passion of mine. In 2013, I joined the Caraga Region's Regional Red Cross Team. In high school and senior high school, I was a member of the Supreme Student Government. I've advocated for two causes: drug awareness and resistance education, as well as sustainable education for all children. As a result, Congresswoman Lolypop Ouano-Dizon named me one of the best students in Mandaue City for the academic year 2019-2020. In the school years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, I also received high honors with Most Outstanding Student and Best in Arts. Hard work, dedication, and diligence can be acknowledged for these honors and achievements. Last May 2018, I also participated in the Cornelio Faigao Annual Writing and Drama Workshop at the University of Cebu Main Campus (UC-Main) as a director and writer. These opportunities allowed me to hone my leadership, organizational, and social skills. In addition, I recently became the Youth President of our Purok. I also serve in the church as a psalmist, choir member, and dance ministry member. I also work as a community server for our barangay's LGBTQ organization.

I do not think I have any specialties, but one thing is certain: I always give it my all in everything I do.

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What was your family life like and how did it impact you?

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What was your family life like and how did it impact you?

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I was saddened to realize that we did not have a family picture of the entire family. Would you like to know why? And the story goes as my father and mother separated when I was six months old. We still don't know what triggered their problem why they ended their relationship. Some claim that my mother had a relationship with the other man. Also according to some, they fell out of love with each other. Urhhgggg! There were many rumors about why they ended their relationship. And I do not want to elaborate more because it is too personal and I might cry.

I know that my family's life like before was a mess but that is totally okay. I know that every family is not perfect. Despite coming from a broken family, I consider myself fortunate since I have a father and siblings who are always there for me. And I believe that what counts most is what I have right now, which is them.

They are the best of the best for me because they influence and impact me in a good way to become a better person so that I can achieve greater things in life and explore more paths of learning in order to have a bright future.

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This is me when I was in my early childhood days.

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What were your early childhood struggles like?

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What were your early childhood struggles like?

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I was born and raised in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, in a traditional family where religious values play a huge role in children’s education. Ever since I was a little boy, I was dressed up in a shirt and pants, thought to be masculine, was asked to always help with men’s work.

I believe that my early childhood challenges and struggles, such as initially, I was hiding my true self or identity at the time. My family had no idea who I was or what I liked and enjoyed doing. They assumed I was straight, but I was not. I think I didn't tell them immediately away because I was scared they'd be furious at me, but I was incorrect in the end. I was very grateful that they embraced me for who I was as a whole when they found out who I was.

And also during my early childhood, I felt it unusual that I was held to different standards than other individuals my age. "You have to do this and do that with no buts," they always urged, and I felt pressed every time I heard that line from them. They have a lot of expectations for me, and sometimes at a young age I forgot to be myself, and I don't think I had any flexibility in my decisions about what I wanted to do with my life at the time. I knew my family wanted the best for me, but there was a time when I faced them and told them that I wanted to be myself more, that I wanted to do things my way, and that I promised them that I would make my life worthwhile. And luckily they listened and let me do what I want.

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Before anything else, I would like to introduce myself, I am Mark Jufrithirn Ga Origenes and I currently living in Casili, Mandaue City, Cebu.