My testimony.

I was a product of a broken family, left by my mom when I was just three months old. I was sheltered by my grandparents, provided for by my dad, given a mother figure in my stepmom, and guided by my older brother. Overall, it was a good life, and I can still remember it as clearly as day.

Family

I grew up in Quezon City and studied at Diliman Preparatory School from kinder through Grade 4. Back then I was just a kid full of imagination, curious as a cat, always covered in dirt from roughhousing with the other kids, but always smiling. I grew up with the good stuff: PlayStation, computers, and hobby toys like Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokémon, Beyblade, and Crush Gear.

My best memories are the family bonding trips we used to take to Circle Memorial, a park where we'd picnic and spend quality time together. Those are the memories that shaped me. I was never punished, but I learned discipline through love, and through my own mistakes: if I made one, I shouldn't repeat it.

My family is very religious. Everyone at home is Catholic. But despite that, I never truly knew Jesus. As a kid, God simply didn't exist to me.

Around Grade 3 to 4, I met my mom. She would take my brother and me from time to time and bring us to Parañaque. Over time she grew interested in having us live with her, though I'd later realize it was more for her own benefit than ours.

Then 2009 to 2010 came, and my life completely crumbled. That's when I knew my childhood was truly over. My grandmother passed away, and a year later my grandfather followed her. My family granted my mom what she wanted, and I moved to Cavite. As a kid who'd grown up in the city, I didn't know how to get along with kids I hadn't grown up with, and that's when I experienced bullying for the first time. It never really stopped after that. I was sad, alone, and just wanted to go home. But everything we'd had in Quezon City had already been sold.

By Grade 6 I transferred to Academy for Christian Education, where I stayed until I graduated. Eventually I was reunited with my dad and got to live with him again during high school, while my brother stayed in Quezon City with his girlfriend, now his wife.

Family, at home

Because of everything I'd experienced, and everything I'd seen people claim to believe, I decided I was an atheist. God, to me, didn't exist. Religion felt like nothing more than an illusion, something to believe in just for the sake of believing in something.

I started high school as a freshman, and the bullying I'd endured changed me completely. I learned how to be intimidating, and how to fight, just to survive. I was still going with my mom and stepdad to CCF Alabang, a Christian church, but even surrounded by it, I refused to listen. Everything started to feel numb, broken, and empty. During that phase, I hurt people. Mostly, I hurt myself.

Things kept spiraling, and I found myself on the verge of taking my own life. Then my mom paid for me to join a youth retreat called Wired Sembreak Camp.

For the first day or two, I only sat through the sessions because I had nothing better to do. I heard about the Cross, my sins, heaven, baptism, and most importantly, the Father's love. Deep down it all made sense, but it hadn't broken through to me yet. Then night came, and we had what they called the Big Night, a praise and worship night. I was having fun, just playing along, when I suddenly realized I was already on my knees, in tears, watching the memories of my life flash before me. In that moment I understood that God had been present in every part of my story. Despite everyone singing loudly around me, everything went silent in my mind, and I found myself seeking forgiveness and giving my life to Jesus Christ.

On the last day, I asked my dad if I could be baptized. I was scared, because my family was Catholic. But to my surprise, he simply said, "Choice mo, anak." It was his way of telling me he supported whatever decision I made about my life.

I worked, volunteered, and studied all at once until I graduated high school. I enrolled at Informatics in Alabang to take up IT, but left, because I realized early it wasn't for me. I later took an associate course at Imus Computer College and graduated, pausing at one point to prioritize work.

My dad had become ill, needing dialysis for his diabetes and partially losing his eyesight. I went to Singapore to work and discovered what it felt like to have real money, to the point I didn't want to come home.

But my dad wanted me to return and finish my studies. So I came back, giving up the chance to stay abroad and earn more, and was hired at CCF as a Live and Post-Production Director. A significant pay cut.

Passport

It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Because through that pay cut, I discovered that God provides exactly what you need in life: not too much, not too little, but exactly enough. I learned that faith in Him has to come first. You simply put your trust in Him.

Life moved forward. I discovered working from home was an option, left CCF, and became a financial advisor while continuing to volunteer there in AV. I was hired at Hikinex as an E-Discovery Data Analyst, then eventually as a Quality Control Operator, and was later promoted to Talent Manager. I've worked with a lot of people, and the only thing I really want is to leave an impact.

So where am I right now? My fiancée and I live in Bay, Laguna. We bought a house and lot and are building our life together. We run a business called TapHaus. I still provide for my stepmom, who's always on TikTok, but it makes her happy, so I don't mind. And I plan to spend the rest of my life loving my fiancée, always.

Us

I have a pug named Liempo, which means grilled pork. I still play games with friends, reliving our childhood. I even joined a pro Beyblade team and made it to the qualifiers. I ride my bike. However full life gets, I try to stay the same kid who was always covered in dirt and always smiling.

Home

Liempo

Beyblade

The team

Champion

Touch down