My story began on May 1, 2004. Labor Day in the Philippines, the rest of the country celebrated hardworking people while my family celebrated something even more special, the day I was born.

My mother Mylene Suyu and my father Roger Suyu would always tell this story and they named me Jerilyn Mae. Although I was born in Manila, my birth certificate states Benito Soliven as my birthplace. I also grew up with two siblings. My older Jerimy and my younger sister Jermalyn. With them, my childhood was never lonely, because they were my first playmates.

My childhood days were often filled with funny habits. Those simple moments became the foundation of who I am before I stepped into formal education. When I finally entered Grade 1, I experienced one of the most unforgettable and embarrassing moments of my childhood. On one ordinary school day, I couldn’t take it any longer and I ended up pooping inside the classroom. Looking back now, it has become a funny story. As I grew older, life started to show me not only the fun parts of my childhood but also the painful realities. When I was in Grade 4, one of the hardest things I had to face was when my papa left us for another woman. At such a young age, I couldn’t fully understand why it happened. It was a painful time, but it also made me realize how strong my mama was in keeping our family together. Because of what happened, my studies were greatly affected. I used to be part of the honor list, but after my papa left, I lost the focus and motivation I once had. From grade 4 to 6, I was no longer included in the honor roll. I felt like I lost not only my papa but also the drive to excel.

When I entered Junior High, I saw it as a chance to start over, leaving behind my elementary years. Although the pain of my papa’s absence was still there, I slowly learned to cope and focus more on my studies. It became a new chapter where I tried to rebuild myself, little by little. From grade 7 to 10, I worked hard to improve myself and it paid off. I became part of the class officers every year, which helped me grow in leadership and responsibility. My grades also became better and I started receiving awards. Those years reminded me that even after failures and setbacks, I could still rise and prove to myself that I was capable of more. When I entered Senior High School, I carried with me the lessons to push myself. I remained a consistent honor student throughout my senior years. The challenges became greater but so did my determination. All of my hard work was rewarded when I graduated as the class salutatorian.

After all the challenges and turning points in our familys journey, my mama finally met the love of her life. It was a beautiful chapter for her, one that brought not only happiness but also a sense of completeness. Soon after, our family grew bigger with the arrival of my younger sibling, Lenson Eder. His presence brought new light and joy into our home, reminding us that life always has its way of surprising us with blessings when we least expect them. But as life goes on, not all stories turn out the way we hope. Eventually, my mama and Lenson’s father went their separate ways. It was another trial for our family, but it also taught us resilience that even in endings, there are lessons and strength to be found.

Despite the changes, I kept moving forward, holding on to my dreams. That’s when I entered Isabela State University, pursued BS in Information Technology. My 1st year in college went smoothly and I remained a regular student. However, everything changed when I reached 2nd year in 2nd sem. At that time, I was a working student and balancing my job with my studies became very difficult. It was during this period that I struggled with my subject in OOP. I had to retake it the following year but unfortunately, I still failed the course. Since it was a pre-requisite, I was not able to take other subjects as well, which delayed my progress in the program. My college journey stretched longer than I expected. What should have been 4 years turned into 6.

Looking back at everything that I’ve been through from childhood struggles, family challenges, academic ups and downs, I am still holding on to the belief that what matters is not how fast I finish but that I continued to fight for my dream. I may not have it all figured out yet, but I know I am on my way. And if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s this. I am stronger than I thought and my story is just beginning. The challenges I faced were not the end of me, they were the beginning of who I am meant to be.

This is my story, still unfinished but always full of hope and courage.