My father is Ronaldo Mailom Contreras. While, Mila Mercado Contreras                                                is my mother. My parents got married last March 16, 1995. The next                                                      year, March 17, 1996, my mother gave birth to twin baby boys namely                                                  John Derick M. Contreras and John Patrick M. Contreras; they are now 20                                                years old. They are studying at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in                                                            Calamba, both taking the course of Engineering (Mechanical Engineer                                                    and Industrial Engineer). The next year, April 18, 1997, my mother gave                                                  birth to a little girl namely Joanne Marie M. Contreras; she is now 19 years old. She is studying at San Sebastian College-Recoletos, taking the course of BS Psychology. June 8, 1999, my mother gave birth to a little and cute baby girl namely Jaymhie Anne M. Contreras. July 9, 2006, my mother gave birth to other twin baby boys namely John Ronald M. Contreras (nickname is Haba) and John Roland M. Contreras (nickname is Bilog). They are now 10 years old, studying at Don Bosco College, Canlubang as a Grade 4 student. Last December 3, 2008, my mother gave birth to a little baby girl named Janelle M. Contreras. But Janelle cannot make it to live, after a minute of her birth, Janelle died due to my mother’s illness that affects her. My story is not perfect but I can say that it’s happy.

                         

                          Close friends and relatives use to call me on my first name, but my family calls me                                     “Mhieanne”. I am born at Victor Potenciano Medical Center. I am now 17 years old. I am                           studying at Mary Help of Christians College, Canlubang. I am now a Grade 11 student,                           I belong to HUMSS family.

                         

 

                                   We have a trucking business namely DPJM Trading. DPJM means Derick, Patrick,                                        Joanne and Mhieanne. Our business is managed by my mother up to now. While                                      my father is working as a Barangay Captain in Barangay Sirang Lupa, Calamba,                                      Laguna.My parents raised me well; they gave me my needs and also my wants.

 

 

My journey as a student starts when I was 4 years old, I started going to school as a nursery year 2003-2004. I studied Nursery at Shining Angels Flock Learning Center, located in Barangay Sirang Lupa. I remember when I was a nursery student, I hate going to school because I need to wake up early in the morning. But my parents forced me to go to school they said that going to school is for my own good. They also promised me that they will give me a prize if I go to school. I remember that every time my parents fetched me after my school, we will go to the mall and have bonding. Until, the day of my graduation came. At that time, my parents are happy and proud because I completed and graduated the first stage and that is being a nursery.

                           School year 2004-2005, I was just 5 years old when my parents decided to transfer me                            to Mary Help together with my brothers and sister. I start there being a kinder student.                                That time, I promise myself that I should study for me to excel and continue to make my                                parents proud. My mother focuses on teaching me with my home works, that’s why I got                              the grades that can make them proud. Also, that time we are sleeping at my                                              grandmother’s house. One night, a man entered our house while we are sleeping. My                                mom waked up because she felt that someone is opening our room’s door. When my                                  mom saw the man she quickly shouts my father’s name, but the man run out and my father didn’t chase it. Since then, my parents decided to stop sleeping at my grandmother’s house. They hire a housemaid for my grandmother. After that incident, my mother focused her attention on our business and also on teaching me on my studies. My parents got proud when they received my class card, then they gave me a prize for that. Summer is approaching, our family decided to have an outing with our close relatives.

School year 2005-2006, where that time I was just 6 years old. I continue studying at Mary Help as a Prep student. As what I promise to my parents I continue to study hard for them and for my own sake also. There’s an incident at school where I accidentally hit my classmate using a pencil. My classmate told my teacher what happened, and as a response, my teacher writes a letter to my mom through the planner saying what happened. In going home, I am thinking of ways on how to explain that accident to my mom. When I arrive at our house, my mother wants to see my planner; as a result she saw the letter. Then, her reaction was nothing. I told her that it was just an accident and I didn’t mean to hurt my classmate. Graduation is approaching, I’m excited to march with my parents, and I received my award and my class card.

When I turned Grade 1 year 2006-2007 and I was just 7 years old. I have developed this illness that the doctor needs to get blood every 3 days. They get a blood sample of mine to test and know what could be my possible illness and how can this be treated. Every after class, my mom and I always go directly to my pediatrician to consult about my health. But the doctors don’t know what could possibly be the treatment of my illness. Even though I am sick, I continue to study hard and focus more on my academics.

Until Grade 2 year 2007-2008, I am just 8 years old and my health is not yet stable. My illness became more aggressive and it always resulted to allergies. That is why we need to stay in the hospital the entire whole day to get many blood samples to be tested by the doctors. The doctors told my parents that my illness is unidentified, until we stop going to my pediatrician. Instead, my parents continue to watch me at home and in school.

                     Grade 3 year 2008-2009, I was 9 years old that time.My parents decided to find a tutor for                      me. Because they also need to focus on our business and also to my baby brothers. Together                      with my brothers and sister, we go to our tutor every after school.  That is why starting Grade                        3; I excel more in my studies. Because my tutor focused more in my home works and how I                          will pass my quizzes.

 

 

Grade 4 year 2009-2010, I was 10 years old that time. I met one of my best friend namely Peter Marc G. Albaira also known as PM. We always do the same thing like eating together every lunch. When my parents met PM, they told me that he is one of my cousins. Then on, we started to hang-out with each other. We always do together our seat works. We also do silly things together with our other classmates. Even though I do silly things, I continue to focus on my studies. Grade 4, I continue to go to tutor, that is why I need to go home early.

Grade 5 year 2010-2011, I was 11 years old that time. I met a boy namely Esteban Jose B. Pacada also known as Esjo. I told PM that Esjo is cute and nice. Then, starting that moment PM started to tease me even though Esjo is around. PM that time focuses on teasing me, which is why some of our teachers that time know that I was struck by Esjo’s nice attitude and cute face. Some of our classmates told me that Esjo has a crush on one of our classmate namely Marianne Joselle D. Elemos also known as Marianne. I was so upset that time, so I put my attention on my studies. I also asked my parents that I will continue to go to tutor that time.

                                  Grade 6 year 2011-2012, I was 12 years old that time. I give a lot of time to my                                     studies. Because at the end of the school year, it is my Graduation and I need to                                       make my parents proud. I stop thinking about crushes but PM always teased me. In                                   this school year, I met a new student and he is a boy namely Marc Gabriel R.                                           Santos. We became friends and that is the time that PM started to tease me with                                       him. As a response, I limit myself talking to Marc and I admit that I like his attitude because he is a gentleman and very approachable. He is a very nice classmate to me.

 Also, in this school year, I got a serious offense. Because one of my classmate cheated on my book report in our Filipino subject. Then our Filipino teacher talked to us regarding that incident. My adviser told us that this might result to have a low conduct grade and they cannot include the both of us in our Graduation rights. I was so nervous, because when my parents will know this incident, they might get mad at me and I don’t want that to happen. My adviser told us that they should meet our parents. In going home, I’m afraid to show my diary to my mom but I have to. When my mother saw the letter, she was shocked and I need to explain the whole story and at the end of explaining, she understands me. I told her that she will be meeting my adviser the next day. My mother signs an agreement that we will not do it anymore, so I have to agree on that. Starting that day, I didn’t talk to that classmate of mine anymore. March 20, 2012 it is the day of judgement. It is the day of my Graduation and I am so happy because after all the hard works I finally graduated elementary. I thought that our adviser will not include us in the Graduation rights but it’s just a warning for the both of us.

Grade 7 year 2012-2013, I met another best friend of mine. She is Maria Klarissa P. Paguio also known as Klang and her cousin in the other section who is Jannah Sofia L. Palmiano with the nickname of Jannah. I also met Kimberly Shane Gacusan also known as Kim and Maria Alexandra A. Tangonan and I call her Alex. They became one of my best friends. I had a great time with them. We always have a hang out like going to Jannah’s house. After graduating elementary, I was back in the stage of being silly and naughty. I and Klang always make our adviser cry. Our adviser cries because we are so noisy inside the classroom. I and Klang limit ourselves being noisy, because this might result to a conference with our parents. This is the time I stop going to tutor. I want to prove that I can study hard and excel in my academics on my own.

Grade 8 year 2013-2014, I was 14 years old. I’m so happy that I and PM are classmates. I was also become close to Marianne. Marianne became one of my close friends; she always appreciates my effort especially in making our school works. Marc is also one of my classmates and PM always teases me that I have a crush on Marc. When Marc is talking to me, PM will look at me like I am a criminal then after looking at me; he will start to shout my name and also Marc’s name. Then, Marc started to tease me that I have a crush on him. As a response, I didn’t mind them because it’s only a joke for me. At the end of the school year, our section planned to have a swimming, but my parents didn’t allow me to come. So I didn’t experience to swim with them and I missed the fun moments in that swimming.

They say that Grade 9 is the most funny and enjoyable part of being a high school student and I can say that it is true. So I’m going to focus on my Grade 9 life.

                                                   Grade 9 year 2014-2015 and I was just 15 years old. First day of                                                        school I don’t know what my section is because my parents and I                                                            enrolled late. Then, PM comes to me laughing and said that we are in                                                 the same classroom which means we are classmates again. Inside the                                                    classroom I don’t know where to sit then my classmates told me that                                                        there are assigned chairs listed in the teacher’s table. When I look at                                                      the paper at the teacher’s table, I was shocked because I was                                                                assigned to sit beside Esjo. My first day was so quiet, because I don’t know how I should talk to him. But I’m happy that PM, Jannah, Kim and Alex are my classmates. I also have a new classmate namely Lance T. Calvento. Edward Adrian Garcia is also my classmate; he is one of Esjo’s friends.

On my first day of being a Grade 9, PM started to tease me because I used to be noisy but when knowing Esjo is my seatmate, I chose to shut my mouth up. I’m shy and nervous when talking to him, I don’t know why. That day, I started to include in my prayer that we should have another seating arrangement. The next day, our adviser introduces a getting to know activity and that is to introduce the person beside you. I feel nervous because I need to introduce Esjo in just one word.

After a couple of months, my adviser decided to change the seating arrangement and at last I’m far away to Esjo and I can speak whenever I wanted to speak. My seatmates are new and that is Alex and Reniel F. Java. But, after a couple of weeks many of our teachers are getting angry that we are getting too noisy and our adviser becomes angry too. So, she decided to change the seating arrangement again. I’m getting nervous because my adviser asks a question and that is who should be my seatmate for me to be quiet. Then, PMcomes beside my adviser and whisper the name of the person who should be beside me to be quiet.When my adviser announced the new seating arrangement, I faced at the window while waiting for my name. I was shocked when my adviser announces that Esjo will be my seatmate again and the class started to shout “Yieee”. I don’t know what to do so I continue to face at the window.

 I always talked to the person behind me and that is Prince Albaira my cousin. I’m nervous whenever Esjo will talk to me because I know that the class will overreact, so most of the time I chose to talk to Prince. But as the days had passed, I used to talk to Esjo and he became one of my friends. And when the school year is about to end we are going to have a JS turnover ceremony.

March 16, 2015, I attended my first JS from my entire life. My first dance is PM after dancing with PM, many of my batch mates invited me to dance during the free dance. A couple of minutes, I decided to take a sit and rest. While resting, a man come to me and invited me to dance. I was shocked that it was Esjo who is in front of me inviting me to dance. After a couple of minutes, Esjo and I decided to take a rest so we take a sit while Esjo will go to his assigned table. We came home late and I can’t sleep that night because I was reminiscing the first JS I attended. In the last day of being a Grade 9, I ask all of my classmates including Esjo to write a letter in my exam folder. After that we have a group photo with our adviser then I go home happy because another school year had passed having many memories and funny moments with my classmates.

Summer and it is April 18, 2015, my sister turns 18 and I am happy that it was a fun experience watching someone on her 18th birthday. I also had a happy moment during this day because I used to have a bonding time with my cousins and other relatives. I also witness how to have a beautiful debut.

May 15, 2015, I invited my friends to come at my house because it is the feast day of our barangay. I was shocked that Esjo comes together with my other friends because I’m not expecting that he will come. But Klang told me that she invited Esjo for me. And I give no reaction and comment to that. When my parents saw Esjo, they said that they know him. Because my father and Esjo’s father are great friends and I was shocked to hear that from my parents. Starting that day, I watched the words I will use when speaking to Esjo.

                                                 Grade 10 year 2015-2016, I heard the news that Jannah and Alex is                                                    my classmate. I also became close to Katrina Tuzon because my family                                                    and her family are friends. Starting that, I always hang-out with Jannah,                                                    Katrina and Alex. The four of us always go to Katrina’s house just for us                                                    to have a movie marathon and do some important school works. I also                                                    get close to Alyssa Jean B. Faustino and I used AJ to call her and Jener                                                    Cabataña. I also get close to Lyzette Barolo, Jackie Ballesteros and Paul                                                  Cortez.

                                                 At first, the four of us doesn’t want to belong in that section because we don’t like some of our classmates. Because of that we had a problem on some of our classmates. Some of our classmates are watching our actions and waiting for us to fail. And then we talk to our adviser and tell her what our classmates has done to the four of us. Our adviser told us that she will also watch our classmates for her to see what move should she do.

                                     

                                     In this school year, I decided to ask permission to my parents if I can join the                                            school varsity for basketball girls and my parents allowed me to join. And when                                        joining the varsity, my mind was opened that I need to balance my studies and                                          the training schedules I should attend.

 

 

                                    November 30, 2015, the FMA Sisters celebrated their 60 years of being present                                     in the community. This was held in the Araneta and I had given the opportunity to                                       become a dance participant in that event. I was so happy because it is my first                                         time to dance in Araneta that almost all of the FMA community in our country will                                       participate and they will watch every performer to perform.

 

                       March 15, 2016, I attended my second JS Turnover ceremony. I was not expecting Esjo to                          become my partner and he also invited me again to dance and at the end of the ceremony,                        PM asked Esjo to have a picture with me. After taking a photo, in the school parking lot my                        friends ask me again to take a picture with Esjo. I told them to call Esjo and I will have a                            picture with him. I’m happy that after all, I come up to the point of not being shy to Esjo. I                            can say that it is the most memorable night for me. This event should always be remembered                        and not forgotten.

  

                         

 

                          March 18, 2016, it is our batch Moving Up Ceremony and Recognition day. I have a                               great confidence to tell my parents that I will receive 3 awards and they were happy and                           shock at the same time.

 

 

 

 

                                            April 5, 2016, me, Klang, Kim, AJ, Alex, Jannah, PM and Klang’s cousin to                                             have a swimming at Splash Island. Our meeting place would be at Klang’s                                               house because we will use their car in going to the venue. We leave Klang’s                                             house at 8:30 in the morning and we arrive there at 9:30 am. After getting                                             a cottage, we prepare to go and try all the slides in all the different pools                                                 there. At 5pm we decided to start changing because all the pools will be                                                 close at 5pm. Klang’s auntie fetched us in Splash Island at 8:30pm. I can say that it is another memorable day with them and we will continue to do many adventures together.

                                  June 6, 2016, my family together with our other relatives decided to swim at                                             Batangas for 2 days. I’m so excited because I can have a quality time with my                                         family. Also, I can have a bonding time with my not so close cousins. We use 4                                       cars to reach Batangas. We arrive theremay be at 8pm before changing our                                           clothes into swimsuits, we ate first our dinner and rest. I swim for about 5 hours then                                   I decided to change my clothes then sleep. The other day, I and my cousins                                             decided to ride a banana boat. We rent 2 banana boats for all of us. Then, we decided to swim again and at 5pm we are ready to go back at Laguna.

June 8, 2016, I celebrated my birthday happily. I invited my cousins to come to our house. I used to know them than ever before. I had a bonding time with my family and relatives. I also greeted Patricia Amor Bustos also known as Amor because it is her 17th birthday also. I’m happy also that many of my friends greeted me. I was expecting someone to greet me so I waited the entire day but it he didn’t greeted me. I was so upset or disappointed because he didn’t greet me.When I opened my Facebook account I saw that he greeted Amor and I started to become sad because he chose not to greet me. I realize that I should not and didn’t expect that he will greet me. I learned another lesson that should not be forgotten.

                                                  June 13, 2016, it is my first day as a Grade 11 student. I belong to                                                      HUMSS family. At first, I don’t want my classmates but I used to                                                              appreciate them when I realize that I should know them first before                                                          judging them. I get closed to Eunice Algar, Celine Acosta, Jao                                                                Gonzaga, GailePetate and Lance Calvento. Lyzette Barolo became my                                                    best friend also as well as Jackie Ballesteros. I started to get closed also to my teachers who are Mr. Tagle, Mr. Salvo and Mr. Jovie Reyes. I also become closed to Patricia Batalon, Gabbie Africa and Koji Gabit. I also met new students like DeitherOpeña, GioNido and Franz Tuzon.

 I also encourage my cousin to go with me in the same school and she is Clarizza Tuazon also known as Kaye. I introduce her to my teammates in Basketball because she is also a great basketball player. Esjo, Prince, Marc and Aaron Padilla who is also a member of the Boys Basketball team met Kaye. They are amazed of what can Kaye do inside the basketball court. They became close to Kaye. PM told me that he thinks that Esjo likes Kaye, and then PM started to tease Esjo and Kaye with each other. Then, PM started to tease me too, that everything will be okay. Because they still think that I have a crush to Esjo until now. But that is not true; some of our batch mates started to teases me to Esjo and Marc.

                                         Last November 12, 2016, Marianne celebrated her 18th birthday and she                                              invited me. PM told me that Esjo is included in Marianne’s 18 dances. Then,                                            they tease me again that you should bring a blindfold and wear it when Esjo                                            and Marianne are dancing. Mr. Tagle and Mr. Jovie Reyes started to tease me                                          not to cry when Esjo and Marianne are dancing. I can say that I’m happy for                                            Marianne because she is like a sister to me. After the party I thank her for                                                  inviting me and then together with Jannah, Mr. Tagle, Mr. Jovie Reyes, AJ, Klang ang Klang’s sister we all leave the venue.

As a Grade 11 student, I still enjoys being with my best friends. I enjoy eating in the canteen with Lyzette, AJ, Klang, Jannah, PM, Kim, Jackie. Alex transfers into another school so we don’t see each other most.

Now, I’m continuing my journey as a Grade 11 student. I dream of becoming a successful Lawyer so I’m taking the course of Political Science. I also want to own and manage a successful restaurant. I also want to have a happy family. I want to pay back my parents’ hard works and give them a stable life. I want them to stop working and enjoy their lives when I am working. But for me to be able to do those things I should work hard for it and study and give my best to finish college. I also want to continue our trucking business for me to leave a legacy to my future niece and to my future children. Also, now, I am planning the things that will happen on my 18th birthday.

I’m preparing for Christmas and New Year. I’m so excited to celebrate it with my Family and other relatives. December 15, 2016,  the “Simbang Gabi” started and I promise that I will complete the 9 days of the mass. I attend the “Simbang Gabi” with my family. I’m very happy that this “Simbang Gabi” became one of our bonding time. I celebrated Christmas in my grandmother’s house together with my relatives. Also, I am very thankful that one of our relatives comes home from NeuvaEcija. They chose to live in one of our house here in Sirang Lupa because they are having a hard life in Nueva Ecija. My father gave a job to their father and now he became one of our truck drivers.

December 25, 2016 in the afternoon, I told my father that together with my siblings, we want to surprise our cousins who were from Nueva Ecija. They don’t know where Nuvali is, so we decided to tour them in Nuvali and treat them to eat in a restaurant. We had a great time with them. We enjoy seeing them happy. i want them to experience what I already experience in my life like going to mall. Me, my brothers and my sister are planning of bringing them in a resort to let them experience swimming in a beautiful swimming pool.

December 30, 2016, my auntie decided to attend a mass in Pangasinan in Our Lady of Manaoag Church. Me, Kuya Patrick, Bilog and Haba go with them in attending the mass their. 

December 31, 2016 morning, my mom wakes me up at 10am. I helped my mom to cook our food for New Year’s Eve celebration. We celebrated New Year in our house with some of my cousins. We wait for the clock to turn into 12am so that we can start eating. After eating, we watch a fireworks display. Together with my brothers and sister also with my cousins, we go to bed at 3am.

January 1, 2017 my family goes to my grandmother’s house and celebrated our first day of the year in their house.

And now, we are back to reality, where it is time to do my assignments and projects. It is the time to prepare in returning to go to school again.

That’s for now, thank you for reading my own story.