Hello everybody! My name is Julie, and this is my story. You can call me @angetaf06. I was born in Pasig City, Manila, but I was raised in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The moment I was born was the moment my father decided to go to America and work for us, his three children. Actually we were 4, but my older sister died when she was 2 years old. That is why I haven't met him. My mom took care of us while my dad sent us some money to support our needs. As I grow older, life isn't a bed of roses. I was enrolled in a prestigious private school from kindergarten until second-year high school. Not until 2006, when my parents decided to part ways, leaving us, their children, on an unknown journey in life. It was also the last time I saw my father. My mom transferred me to a public school. Taclobo High School accepted me even without the Form 137 that they were asking for since I came from a private school. In the public school I came to value education by becoming active in all school activities by joining the Student Government, School Choir, Christians Club, Girls Scout of the Philippines, and other affiliations that I could possibly join. Fast forward to 2012, our graduation day. It was the most painful day of my life. I failed to pay 19,000 pesos to St. Paul University to redeem my Form 137. To cut the story short, I was not able to attend the graduation day even if I was qualified. There was an empty chair intended for me at that said event. I was just at home crying day and night, not knowing if there is still a future waiting for me. In my darkest moment, I met my soon-to-be husband, Reyanrho.
I realized that I had to move forward and work. I worked as a loader in one of the stalls outside a mall. People who wanted to buy mobile load and those who would like to charge their phones were my customers. One day, a friend of my brother mentioned attending ALS classes. I got curious and inquired about the Alternative Learning System. I thought of that as the solution to my problem of wanting to go to college. I took the ALS examination 2 weeks after I enrolled. Luckily, I passed. During the ALS graduation day, I was given the privilege to deliver the Words of Gratitude speech. I discovered that I have a passion for art during this year.
I used my ALS certificate to enroll in college, but I was only accepted in a vocational course called Diploma of Technology, wherein most of the majors are for males, like woodworking, refrigeration, automotive, welding, and electronics, and too many to mention. One summer vacation, I was having my duty in the municipal hall as a summer job grantee. I told my boss about my story and how I wanted to contact my dad in America, whom I hadn't seen for 7 years, and she asked me to write a letter to my dad and promised to cover the expenses for the mail. I texted my aunt in America, and she gave me my dad's address. I composed my letter and sent it to the mail post. A month later, my dad received the letter and immediately called the number that I provided. That was the start of a reconnected relationship between our broken family.
I lived in Dumaguete City for almost 23 years, but in the year 2013, I decided to transfer to my father's side in Naguilian, La Union. I left my life, my school, and my boyfriend for the hope of a better life.
I wanted to finish my studies in Naguilian so that I could build a good relationship with my long-lost father. He sends me to school by sending money while he is still working in America as a bellboy in the Hyatt Hotel. A year after my 2 brothers decided to follow me to La Union so that we could be together as a family. However, my mom opted to stay in Dumaguete City. I live with my brothers, sisters-in-law, niece, and nephews. I shifted my course from Diploma of Technology to Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English at LORMA Colleges located in San Fernando, La Union. I was struggling in my studies at first because of the language barrier. I found the Iloco language difficult to understand. I also had to deal with the new environment. I worked hard for 4 years and was able to be a CHED scholarship grantee and a consistent dean's lister. I even became the College of Arts and Sciences Department President. I was able to develop my leadership skills.
Finally, our batch graduated in 2017. I passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers, which made my mom and dad so proud of me. Even if there was distance between my mom and dad, I knew in my heart that they rekindled their relationship by monitoring us, their children, through cellular phones. Thanks to the power of technology.
My first job was as an ESL teacher in Baguio City. It was an office-based work, so I had to live in a dormitory alone. My passion for online teaching ignited, but the fact that I was alone and away from family made me feel empty, so I decided to resign and return to my hometown, Naguilian. I got hired as a private school teacher at Colegio de La Union in 2018. I got married in 2019 to my long-term boyfriend from Dumaguete, wherein he followed and settled in my place too. I got a call from the Department of Education that I had an item as a public school teacher. My parents became more proud of my achievements. I was always doing my best to please my parents, hoping that one day my dad will come home to Naguilian and my mom will do the same thing so that we can be a complete family.
The year 2023 was quite tough for me because my grandmother died. My brother, Noel, and I decided to go home to Dumaguete to attend the wake, but upon arrival my brother had a heart attack. It was tragic and terrible. Everybody got shock because we have 2 wakes and funerals already, for Grandmother and Brother. Three months after my aunt, who lives with us, was diagnosed with lung cancer and died. Three months after my mom's breast cancer escalated,she died. The 4 deaths of my immediate family members had a tremendous impact on my life. I decided to resign as a public school teacher at Naguilian National High School so that I can focus on my career as an online English teacher for my Chinese private students. I am now taking care of my stroke patient father while doing my hustle at home as an ESL teacher.
I am a jolly person. I always look at the bright side of life. I am passionate about painting, so I joined the Artes Ti Ilocandia Artists Group based here in our local area. I have been married for 6 years now but don't have a child yet after my ectopic pregnancy. I realized that whatever difficulties we can encounter in life, we should always keep the faith and continue to believe in ourselves. I also realized that I can earn money while prioritizing my health and the people I love.
I was onboarded by @antonette whom I met on Facebook, and she oriented me about how Hive works. She has been a very good friend and mentor to new writers like me.
I do understand that there are certain rules in this platform that should be strictly followed, such as no using of AI pictures, avoiding plagiarism, original photos being required, and lastly, I should know how to have an engagement with my co-bloggers. This is a great opportunity to share different interesting stories with the rest of the world.
