In 2019, I graduated from ALS. To be honest, I wasn't really serious about school back then. I just wanted something close and convenient, so I enrolled at STI College Tagaytay—probably the smallest STI campus in the country.

First semester? Honestly, it was a blast. I joined Battle of the Bands, made memories, and enjoyed college life the way any fresh student would. But then, life happened.

The Volcano, the Pandemic, and the Pause

In November, Taal Volcano erupted, forcing us to evacuate and move to Manila. The eruption came just after I had enrolled for my second semester, which meant I had to drop all my subjects.

I thought, "Okay, no problem. I'll just transfer to another school." But right when I was about to do that—COVID-19 hit.

Suddenly, it felt like life didn't want me to study at all. So I waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Learning Outside the Classroom

During those years of waiting, I helped my parents with their business. I wasn't in school, but I was learning—about leadership, business, people, and responsibility.

It wasn't the classroom education I expected, but it taught me things I'd later use in ways I didn't know yet. After three years, it was finally time to return to Tagaytay.

The Rejection That Fueled My Fire

I thought, "Maybe I should go to a more competitive school this time." So I aimed for Cavite State University. I applied to two branches, and I was confident—I really thought I'd get in. But guess what?

They rejected me. Both campuses.

I was furious. I wanted revenge. Okay—not the best idea—but I even thought about burning the school down. Good thing I stopped myself.

But seriously, something clicked in me at that moment. I told myself I would get back at that school—not with violence, but with excellence. I would prove them wrong. I would make them regret rejecting me.

A Promise to Myself—and a Campus

So I went back. Back to the smallest STI school—STI College Tagaytay. And I made a promise that I would make this small school a powerhouse in IT.

And I think... I did. Through competitions, leadership, hard work, and relentless passion, I made my mark—not just in Tagaytay, but across all of STI.

The Lesson in the Journey

I didn't take the straight path. I got delayed. I got rejected. I got mad. But I turned all of that into fuel—and I used it to rise. So here I am, still at STI College Tagaytay. Not by accident. Not by default. But because I chose to stay and build something that mattered. This is how I ended up here. And I wouldn't change a single thing.