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My Autobiography

My mother resided in San Rafael, Roxas, Isabela, while my father lived in Aurora. My mother went abroad to work as an OFW in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore, whereas my father was a tobacco farmer in their area.According to a story from my mother's relatives, when my mother came home from abroad, she went to Bagnos, Aurora, Isabela, to attend her cousin's wedding. Little did she know, the person her cousin was marrying was also my father's cousin. When the dance night came, that was where they first introduced my mother to my father. Because of their relatives' teasing, my father decided to court my mother, and shortly before she returned abroad, she accepted him.My mother went back overseas, and my father patiently waited for two years to see his sweetheart again. In 1999, they got married, and they had their first child, who was born on October 10, 2000.I would like to introduce myself; I was named Arlene Mae Dela Cruz Bagullo. As days passed, the couple faced a severe problem and trial when their eldest child was diagnosed with asthma and an enlarged heart. At only two months old, the baby had to endure being pricked with needles several times. Based on my mother's story, when they were worrying about whether there was medicine to be injected, my father would ask if that was the medicine he had purchased for my foot. I was moved from one hospital to another just to get my illness treated, but after three years, my condition remained unchanged.We were tested by time once again, showing just how strong my step-father was when the light of our home was diagnosed with myoma. It led to her undergoing surgery and receiving a blood transfusion. A week later, while she was recovering, my eldest sibling was rushed to the hospital due to an asthma attack. Upon learning of this, my father could only cry inside the small chapel in the hospital, not knowing who to take care of first. Yet, he remained strong for his family.After a few months, my mother gradually recovered, while my condition remained unchanged and I was sometimes at death's door. When I turned 6 years old, the grandmother who raised me passed away. My parents were thankful, however, because an unexpected miracle happened to me. According to their story, I found a mineral water bottle filled with kerosene ("Gas") used for lamps. Out of curiosity, I drank it, causing me to struggle for breath, and I was rushed to the Family Clinic in Cabatuan. After a few months of observation, all my vitals became normal—nothing short of a miracle.When I reached the age of 7, I studied at Roxas Montessori School from Grade 1 to Grade 2. As time passed, I became arrogant and hard-headed. I got into fights, which prompted my parents to transfer me to a school in Bannawag, Aurora, Isabela. To get my parents' attention and improve my studies, I finished elementary in 2013. When I entered high school, everything went well at first, but in the middle of it, influenced by my peers, I learned to cut classes, develop vices, and wander around. I was absent until it reached the point where my parents were called to school. Out of shame, I stopped in 2015.I tried again and fixed my studies. I was a First Year student again, but I became class president. In 2nd Year High School, I was a top student, class president, and 2nd Year SSG representative. My studies were going well; I became an SSG Police Officer in 3rd Year and SSG Vice President in 4th Year. Being a campus officer, I was strict inside, but outside the campus, I broke rules with vices here and there. Sometimes, when all the students were in the gymnasium, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will eventually face challenges. A student provoked me, and I fought back. I attacked him, and we got into a physical altercation. Two months before graduation, I was kicked out of school. That is when I lost all my motivation and completely stopped studying. I ended up living with a man, and we have been together for 8 years, but things were not easy.When I had time to reflect in 2022, I enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in San Pablo and passed in 2023. I enrolled at West Tabacal Region National High School as a Grade 11 student, fixed my studies, and became a top student until Grade 12. I graduated with honors, received the Best Work Immersion award, and passed my NCII.In 2024, I tried again and enrolled as a college student at a well-known school, the Universidad de Isabela (formerly Universidad de Cauayan) in Cauayan City, Isabela. Fortunately, I got in and am currently taking a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology major in Web and Mobile Application Development, and I am currently in my 3rd year.

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