The Life I'm Living
I am Precious Mae A. Galasinao, and my story began on August 30, 2003. On that day, I came into the world with a little cry and eyes filled with hope. My family welcomed me with so much love and warmth. To them, I was more than just a child I was a blessing, a gift that gave them another reason to dream bigger and to strive harder for the future of their children. We are four siblings in the family, and I am the third among them. Growing up as the middle child gave me both advantages and struggles. Sometimes, I felt unnoticed, but other times, I felt like I was the bridge that connected my siblings together. When I was still young, I was very innocent and knew little about what was right and wrong. But I was blessed with parents who guided me, taught me values, and showed me how to live. Because of my natural curiosity about the world around me, I learned many things how to play, how to share, and how to appreciate the simple joys of childhood. Little things like laughter with friends, simple games, and moments with my family became treasures that shaped my early years. I would spend hours outside, playing with neighborhood kids, chasing butterflies, and imagining a world where everything was full of magic and adventure. Childhood, though simple, was a season of wonder that I will always cherish. Eventually, school became a big part of my life. Even in kindergarten, I already felt how weak I was compared to others. My parents often compared me to my cousin, saying that he was smart, while I was just a weak child. Those words left a mark on me and made me doubt myself at such a young age. I started to believe that maybe I was not good enough, that maybe I would never live up to the expectations of my family. At that time, I didn’t know how to defend myself from those comparisons. Instead, I just carried them silently, like a shadow that followed me wherever I went. In elementary school, I experienced both happiness and pain. I met classmates who bullied me, insulted me, and made me feel small. There were days when I went home crying, questioning myself and losing confidence. I can still remember the sting of their words, the mocking laughter, and the isolation I sometimes felt. But in the middle of those dark experiences, I also found true friends people who accepted me for who I was and gave me joy at school. From them, I learned the importance of genuine friendship, and I also discovered that life is not just about pain. It is also about finding people who will stand by you and make you feel valued. Those friendships became my safe place, my reminder that not everyone in the world was cruel. After finishing elementary, I entered junior high school. This was a new chapter filled with bigger challenges and greater expectations. The lessons were harder, the pressure was stronger, and I often felt overwhelmed. But I also discovered strengths I never knew I had. Slowly, I gained more self-confidence, learned to believe in myself, and realized that I was capable of more than I thought. I joined group activities, explored my talents, and little by little, I found courage within me. Although I was still shy and insecure, I was no longer the same weak child people once thought I was. I was learning to stand tall, even in small ways. When I reached senior high school, I faced even greater challenges, especially in academic subjects like practical research. I remember crying many times, thinking I would never make itt through. There were moments I felt like giving up completely. But because of my determination and the unending support of my parents, I managed to overcome those difficulties. In the end, I successfully passed and graduated from senior high school, and that moment became one of the proudest achievements of my life. That graduation was not just a ceremony it was proof that every sleepless night, every tear, and every prayer was worth it. I carried my diploma with trembling hands, but inside me was a quiet voice that said, “You did it.”