My name is Angelica G. Niego, I was born on the 18th of August, 2000 in Pasay City. Me and my younger brother grew up under my mom’s custody because she was separated to my father since when I was 10 years old. After my parents split up, my mother took all the responsibilities in parenting, financial provisions, and giving education for us. The strong and amazing mother I was talking about is Hernina Niego, my incredible mother.

 

 

 

 

In 2006, I started going to school as kindergarten in Paranaque, it is still the moment when my parents are still together. My childhood is just normal as like everyone else had. Back in 2009, we moved in Cabuyao, Laguna for good, where me and my brother started our elementary years in Mamatid Elementary School. It was a new environment for us since we just moved in and we need to have an adjustment regarding with the people and the place but as time goes by we are able to cope up with the changes we had.

 

 

 

 

2013 I graduated from Elementary and started my high school year in St. Vincent College of Cabuyao. High school is something that I really looked up for because they say that high school is the most enjoyable and memorable year. And yes indeed, my whole journey as a junior high school is like riding a roller coaster, it’s sometimes scary but it’s fun and full of excitement. Also this is the year where I met my best friends and until now i’m happy that I am still friends with them.

 

 

 

 

I remember from the year 2015, our parents allowed us to go on our first swimming trip together, it was memorable because we just laughed and enjoy every single moment we had.

 

 

In year 2016 I am already a grade 10 student, and one of the most unforgettable moment I had from this year was, I joined my very first pageant, which is a tribute to our United Nation Program where I represent our beloved country Philippines!!

 

 

 

 

 

In junior high school, I was always with my friends, we hanged out a lot, after school before stressing over a school activities or work, we ate street foods and spend a little time talking and laughing and if there’s a free time we love to watched movies together.

     Back in 2015 I remember we planned going to amusement park . Everyone was so excited to have fun and enjoy all the rides, and it was also my friend’s birthday that makes that day even more special.

 

 

 

      On the same year, we spend our sembreak going out together, we go sliding in splash island, we enjoy the wave pool, the scary giant slides, the foam party, and the lazy river. If you want a good place to be wet under the sun, splash island is one of the best place to visit with.

 

 

 

In 2016 before Christmas, my family decided to go on short vacation in Baguio. The long trip going there was worth it because there’s a lot of beautiful places and views there.  This is a peaceful piece of land filled with different species of flowers, beautiful ponds, towering Pine trees, stone paths, and a few nipa huts. This is the best place to play with your camera and take photos of nature.

 

 

 

 

Back in my junior high school moments ,the moving up ceremony and the retreat we had before moving up in march of 2017 was one of the amazing event in my life. The day were all of our emotions are in between. Happy because the long wait is over, we can finally start our new chapter and get ready with our desired profession or career. Also we felt sad and emotional, because of the friendship and thousands of memories we built together is about to end. My favorite part of the retreat was, when my batch gathered together and start to reminisced, shared all of our realizations, and cry like a baby from the heart melting letters of our parents. It was a touching night for me.

 

 

 

 

In December of 2017, one of my memorable moments was the wedding of my cousin. The wedding was held in Pangasinan, and I’m one of the bridesmaid. After the wedding me and my family decided to go and visit hundred island which is located to Alaminos, Pangasinan. I really seized the moment there, the breath taking view and beauty of the island left me appreciating nature even more. I really wanna go back there to relax, eat delicious sea foods, get tanned and go swimming of course.

 

 

 

             In the same year it was my favorite year, were my family from abroad and from the province reunited here in Laguna to celebrate Christmas together. We are so loud and everyday was a disaster, in a good way! I remember some of my cousins put up a bed and sleep in the balcony it was really funny because the space of our three storey house is not enough for my family. We celebrate Christmas and New year together, and I love spending it with them.They are the best, I love them so much.

 

 

 

And on the Christmas eve, our church Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Vicente Ferrer , had this play before Christmas and I was given a role to play as Mama Mary were I’m so overwhelmed by the trust they’ve given me to play as Mama Mary. I can’t denied how nervous I was back then, the church was really occupied by a huge crowd, and all of their attention was yours,I just did my best and enjoy the whole play.

 

 

 

          In senior high school , this is were I’ve experienced a lot of things, it was really different from junior high school. My best part here yet, was the moment we won as the best thesis in English from all the grade 11 students and best in presentation in our Filipino Thesis. The stress, efforts, sleepless nights, and hard work are all worth it. Me and my group we’re also thankful to all of our teachers who guided , helped, and made this journey possible. We are humbled and blessed.

 

 

 

         During the summer in May 2018 , I was also given the opportunity of our church to participate in our Barangay’s Flores De Mayo. My friends was there to help me with my huge ball gown and to walked with me in the long street of Mamatid,our barangay.  People are everywhere, taking pictures, smiling and waving to you, so I need to be elegant and smile back to people especially to the kids who were really amazed of how I looked. After that day, my body was in so much pain from the heavy crown, gown, and long walk I had. Yet it was a great experienced that I will cherish.

 

 

Now in the present, I am already 18, a grade 12 student, focusing in my studies and sometimes doing sidelines such as handler, trainer, and a judge in beauty pageant. I’ve learned a lot of things from my experiences. And now I’m looking forward for my graduation , my career in college, my future profession and success. I’m on my way to the reality, to meet my expectations and to give back to my mother who gave her whole life for me and my brother. I’ll be braved and start where I am, use what I have, and do what I can. Like what Napoleon Hill said “The starting point of all achievement is a desire.”