To be honest, I’m still figuring things out. There are days when I feel confident and proud, and there are days when I feel unsure or afraid. But that’s okay. I believe that growing as a person takes time, and I don’t have to rush it. What matters to me is that I keep going, keep learning, and keep trying to be true to who I really am.

Living as my true self isn’t always easy, especially in a world that doesn’t always understand or accept people like me. But I’ve come to realize that I don’t need to change just to please others. I deserve to be seen, heard, and loved for who I really am. And I’m slowly learning how to love myself too.

I’m not perfect, and I don’t have all the answers. But I know I want to live a life that’s real, one where I can be open about my feelings, my identity, and my journey. I want to grow into someone who is strong, kind, and honest.

This is who I am right now: a young person trying to understand himself, trying to accept himself, and trying to live with courage and heart.

The first place is Sumon, Tuburan, Cebu. This is where I was born and where I spent the early years of my life. Back then, I was still very young and full of curiosity, especially about myself and my identity. I come from a big family, and when I was younger, we were four siblings. Now we’re five. But even then, I was the only boy. Growing up as the only son, I started to feel different. I didn’t fully understand my gender or my identity yet, but I knew there was something in me that didn’t fit the usual expectations. My father had strong opinions, he didn’t want me to be gay. I still remember him saying he would put me in a sack of rice and throw me into the fire if I turned out to be gay. Looking back, it sounds so extreme it’s almost funny, but it also hurt. It was a scary thing to hear as a child, especially when all I wanted was to be accepted for who I am.

The second place is Tapon, Asturias, Cebu. We moved here when I was in Grade 4. We were just renting at that time, and life wasn’t easy. But this place taught us how to survive. It was here that I first saw how hardworking and strong my mom really is. She started a small sari-sari store, and that little business helped us a lot. It supported our daily needs and taught us the value of simple things. In Tapon, I also started to grow a little more as a person. I was still hiding a part of myself, but deep inside, I was beginning to understand who I really was.

Finally, the third place is Luym, Poblacion, Asturias, Cebu, the place I live in now. This place holds some of my happiest memories, but also some of the most painful ones. This is where my family slowly started to break apart. The same father who once built a home full of laughter and togetherness became the reason it all fell apart. So many things happened here, things I never expected. It hurts to remember, but I carry those memories with me. They remind me of what I’ve been through and how strong I’ve become.

These three places, Sumon, Tapon, and Luym are the pieces of my childhood and growing years. Each one holds a chapter of my life. I grew up in different homes, faced different challenges, and learned different lessons. But through it all, I kept moving forward. And even though the journey wasn’t easy, I’m proud of the person I’m becoming.

Looking back at my school journey, I started my elementary years in Sumon, Tuburan, Cebu. I studied there for Grades 1, 2, and 3. Then, I transferred to Asturias Central School, where I continued my studies and graduated from elementary. I have many good memories from those days, and I learned a lot from my teachers and classmates.

After finishing elementary, I went to Nangka National High School for both my junior and senior high school years. High school was a fun and challenging time. I joined many school activities, and I tried to be active in school events. I enjoyed participating because it helped me grow and become more confident.

Now that I’m in college, I continue to be active in school. I was chosen as the class mayor, and I’m proud to serve my classmates. Being a class mayor is not easy, but I learned how to lead, help others, and be responsible. It also taught me how to manage my time and communicate better with people.

So far, my educational journey has taught me so many things—not just from books, but also from experiences and people I met along the way. I believe that every step I took in school helped me become the person I am today. I still have a long way to go, but I’m excited to learn more and reach my dreams one day.

So far, I have already visited some beautiful places like Molobolo, Blue Hole, Mantawihan Spring, and Chona Beach Resort. Each place gave me a different experience and memory that I will never forget. I enjoy spending time with my friends, swimming, taking photos, and just enjoying the view. Every trip reminds me how amazing nature is and how important it is to take a break sometimes.

Aside from traveling, one of my interests is taking pictures of sunsets. Whenever I see the sky turning orange, pink, or purple, I feel calm and peaceful. Sunsets give me a comforting feeling, especially after a long or stressful day. It’s like nature telling me that everything will be okay.

But then I thought, maybe this is a chance for me to grow. I decided to accept the challenge even if I was scared. I spent many days preparing for my speech. I practiced every day, reading it over and over, trying to speak clearly and with confidence. It wasn’t easy. I had many doubts, but I kept going.

The day of the speech arrived, and my heart was beating so fast. When I stood on the stage and saw all the people looking at me, I felt like running away. But I took a deep breath and started speaking. Little by little, my fear started to go away. I focused on my words and shared my thoughts with confidence. When I finished, people clapped, and I felt something I had never felt before—pride.

Later on, they announced the top speakers, and I couldn’t believe it when they said I was ranked 2nd out of 256 students! I was shocked and so happy. I didn’t expect it at all.

This experience taught me that sometimes, the things we fear the most can help us grow the most. I will always remember this proud moment, not just because I got an award, but because I overcame something that once held me back.

When I was younger, I used to be very close to my dad. I looked up to him. He was like a hero to me. But as I got older, I started to see things differently. I began to understand how much pain he caused, especially to my mom. He committed adultery and broke our family. That was something very painful to see as his son.

What made it even harder was that he never accepted me for who I am. I’m gay, and instead of supporting me, he made me feel like I wasn’t enough. He couldn’t look past that part of me. He judged me for it, and I felt like I disappointed him just by being myself.

As I grew older and saw the truth, I started to distance myself. The man I once admired now feels like a stranger. He’s still alive, but it feels like I already lost him. I mourn, but I do it in silence. It’s not easy to grieve someone who is still here, but no longer the same in your heart.

Because of this experience, I became stronger and more independent. I learned to protect my heart and to choose who deserves a place in my life. I realized that family is not just about blood, but about love, respect, and acceptance.

This challenge also taught me how to love myself. For a long time, I tried to change just to make him proud. But now, I know that I don’t need to change who I am to be worthy of love. I have the right to be myself and to be happy. (salbahis paminawn nu? but truth hurts)

Even though it still hurts sometimes, I use that pain to grow. I focus on the people who support me, and I try to become the kind of person I wish he was—someone understanding, kind, and full of love.

In the end, these challenges helped me see life more clearly. They helped me know myself better. And most of all, they made me the person I am today—braver, wiser, and stronger.

I cried while watching the film.