Weaving a Life: A Biographical, Personal, and Fictional Narrative

Written by: Joshua Roel Palaña

PERSONAL NARRATIVE 

Finding Strength in Brokenness 

I'll never forget the day when my parents break up. I was only 1 year old, and my world shattered into a million pieces. The thought of my family being broken was unbearable.

Growing up, I struggled to cope with the emotional pain of having a broken family. I felt lost, alone, and unsure of how to navigate this new reality. My parents' breakup made me question my own sense of identity and self-worth.

But as I navigated this difficult journey, I learned some valuable lessons. I realized that a broken family doesn't define my worth as a person. I learned to communicate openly with my parents, expressing my feelings and needs. I also discovered the importance of forgiveness, letting go of resentment and anger.

One of the most significant lessons I learned was the value of self-care. I found solace in activities like drawing and spending time in nature. These hobbies helped me process my emotions and find peace in the midst of chaos.

As I grew older, I came to understand that my parents' breakup was not a reflection of my own abilities or worth. I learned to focus on what I could control, like my own attitudes and actions.

Today, I'm grateful for the lessons I learned from my experiences. I've come to realize that a broken family is not the end, but rather a new beginning. It's a chance to rediscover ourselves, to find strength in our vulnerabilities, and to create a new sense of purpose.

Written by: Reynaldo Albo Jr.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE 

A Day in the Life of a Working Student

The sound of my alarm wakes me up. My body feels heavy, still tired from yesterday’s work, but I have no choice—I have to get up. I smell the coffee I made last night, still in my tumbler. I take a sip. It’s cold and a little bitter, but it helps me wake up. 

Outside, the air is cold. I hear the noise of the street—cars honking, people communicating, vendors shouting out to customers. I pass by a food stall, and the smell of hot carbonara makes my stomach growl. But I don’t have time to eat. 

At work, I put on my uniform and stepped into my spot at the gas station. The strong smell of gasoline fills the air, mixing with the heat from the sun. Cars and motorcycles come and go, their engines humming loudly. “Full tank, diesel,” a driver says, handing me cash. I quickly grab the nozzle, the cool metal firm in my grip, and start refueling. The sound of fuel rushing into the tank is familiar, almost like white noise. My hands feel rough from handling bills and coins all day, and my legs ache from standing for hours. 

After my shift, I finally headed home. The night breeze feels good on my skin, a small relief after a long day. I grab a simple meal from a nearby carinderia. The warm rice and savory viand make me feel a little better. 

Back in my small room, my desk is waiting for me—books, notebooks, and homework. I take a deep breath and sit down. My hand moves slowly as I write, my eyes are heavy with sleep. It’s not easy, but I know why I’m doing this. Someday, all this hard work will pay off.

Written by: Rona Allana Colita

PERSONAL NARRATIVE 

Healing Ties 

The day when I and my friend had a falling out. We are childhood best friends, sharing every secret, laughter, and tear. But there's one misunderstanding that led to a quarrel and not talking for months. Days, weeks, and months had passed, and still we were not in touch, and I felt lost since we shared everything, and I treated her as my other half and a sister.

I tried to reach out to her, but she wasn't ready to talk. I was left wondering if our friendship was over for good. One day, I realized that I couldn't give up on our friendship with just a small misunderstanding. I took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and had the courage to send her a message. After a few hours, she responded, and we agreed to meet up at our favorite place.

We met at our favorite coffee shop, and the conversation was really awkward at first. But as we started talking, we both realized that our friendship was worth fighting for. We apologized to each other, cleared up the misunderstandings, and promised to communicate better in the future.

It took time, but we slowly rebuilt our friendship. We started hanging out again, sharing laughs, and supporting each other through thick and thin. Our friendship came out stronger on the other side.

Over time, I have learnings that I would keep forever. Both of us learned better, in terms of communication, listening, understanding, and respecting. Our friendship is now more resilient, and I'm grateful for the ups and downs because these challenges made us stronger.

It takes work and effort, not just in romantic relationships but also in friendships. She and I proved that even the toughest challenges can be overcome with love, forgiveness, and a willingness to listen. I personally learned and grew as a person and saw other perspectives holistically.

Written by: Nikki Monique Camerino

PERSONAL NARRATIVE 

Facing My Fear of Public Speaking

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been shy. I wasn’t the type to start conversations, not even with our neighbors or relatives. Growing up, my world felt small — it was mostly just me, my siblings, and my parents. We weren’t really allowed to go out much, so I wasn’t used to talking to other people. Because of that, every time I had to interact with someone outside my family, I felt anxious and scared.

Public speaking, in particular, terrified me. The thought of standing in front of a crowd made my heart race. I worried that I’d mess up, that people would laugh at me, or that I’d say something embarrassing. On top of that, I often felt insecure about myself, which only made things worse.

When I entered college, I decided it was time to face this fear. That’s one reason I chose to take up Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English — a course that would eventually push me to speak in front of others. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew I had to try.

At first, even simple tasks like introducing myself in class felt overwhelming. My voice would shake, my hands would sweat, and I could barely look anyone in the eye. But over time, I kept pushing myself. Each time I stood up to speak — whether it was for a class presentation or a simple recitation — I felt a little stronger. I was still nervous, and I still doubted myself, but I realized that the only way to get better was to keep trying.

I won’t say I’ve completely overcome my fear. I still get shy, and sometimes my nerves still creep in. But now, I know that facing my fear is part of my growth. Little by little, I’m learning that it’s okay to feel scared — what matters is having the courage to keep trying.

Written by: Jessa Mae Anggalan

PERSONAL NARRATIVE 

My Journey with Dramas

Life was empty and boring; there was no fairy dust sprinkled over my story. It was not a vibrant life; it was mediocre, if you will. I was born with a curse in my hand, they said, meant to be alone in this lifetime. I had no playmate and no one to spend my time with. Thus, I played countless mobile games and still found myself bored. Well, let’s exempt the school activities; those were just done for compliance. If a task is done, then what? I wanted to play Uno cards, but with whom? I wanted to play Scrabble, but with whom?

All these things that I wanted led me to my new hobby: watching dramas. Whether it was Chinese drama, Korean drama, Thai drama, or even anime, it became my hobby. Every time I felt bored or even in my spare time, I turned to dramas. I disregarded playing any face-to-face games and instead played mobile games. But most of the time, my cell phone battery would get heated due to watching dramas.

It was my escape from the hurtful reality. It accompanied me through my happy days and lonely days. It was not just a hobby; it became my comfort zone. I almost got addicted to watching these dramas. Recently, at the start of the second semester, there were still unfinished dramas that I had watched during the school break, and I could not stop myself from watching the continuing episodes. But, thankfully, I was able to hold myself back. I am glad that this hobby of mine did not become an addiction. Until now, I haven’t watched the following episodes yet because of the tight schedule for my school tasks.

But, if these tasks are done sooner, you will probably say that I would watch those unfinished dramas.

Written by: Abigail Morata

PERSONAL NARRATIVE 

Scars of Strength: A Journey Through Pain and Hope

In 2017, I woke up in a hospital bed, the sterile smell of antiseptic in the air, after an emergency surgery for acute appendicitis. The pain from the surgery was sharp and heavy, but the real fear came when my wound reopened. It felt like a dark cloud was hanging over me. Every day, I wondered if I would heal or if I would just keep suffering.

The fear was suffocating, like a weight pressing on my chest. But over time, I realized that despite all the pain and uncertainty, I had been given a second chance at life. Slowly, I learned to hold onto hope, even when everything felt unsure. I told myself that one day, I would be okay, even if it didn’t feel that way right now.

By 2019, my health took another turn for the worse. My weight dropped to just 29 kg, and the pain in my stomach felt like a constant storm, never letting up. I cried often, feeling like my body was giving up on me, like I was disappearing into the pain. Then, as if things weren’t hard enough, in 2019, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. It felt like my lungs were empty, and the X-ray of my lungs showed that I couldn’t fill them with air no matter how hard I tried. I felt weak, tired, and lost. For six months, I took three strong medications every day, just hoping something would help. The doctors ordered a CT scan, and when they told me there was no serious problem in my stomach, I felt a wave of relief. But even with that good news, I still carried the exhaustion and fear with me, like a shadow that never quite left.

Yet, despite the relief for my lungs, the pain in my stomach remained. I have returned to the hospital countless times, always explaining that the pain still persists, still haunts me, and never truly lets me go. It feels like my body is in an unending battle, and the hospitals have been the place where I’ve sought comfort, answers, and care. But even now, the pain is still there. It’s like a constant reminder of everything I’ve endured, yet I continue to fight.

Looking at my scars, I realize they are not just reminders of pain but symbols of my strength. Though the pain still remains, each scar tells the story of my survival. Life is fragile, and even when everything feels like it's falling apart, I’ve learned to cherish every moment. Hope often comes from simply being alive, knowing that even in the darkest times, light will always break through.

 Written by: Aimae Magnanao

PERSONAL NARRATIVE  

A Personal Journey of Grief and Healing

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things in life, and for me, that person was my Lola. She was not just my grandmother she was my second mother, my comfort, and my source of wisdom. Her love was unconditional, and her presence always made me feel safe. But one day, everything changed. She was gone. 

When my Lola passed away, it felt like a part of me was lost, too. The pain was overwhelming, and I struggled to accept that she was no longer with us. I kept expecting to hear her voice, see her smile, or feel her warm embrace. But no matter how much I wished for it, she was never coming back. 

At first, I didn’t know how to deal with the pain. I cried a lot, especially at night when everything was quiet. I felt empty, and there were days when I didn’t want to talk to anyone. But as time passed, I realized that my Lola wouldn’t want me to live in sadness. She always told me to be strong, to keep moving forward no matter what. 

Slowly, I started finding ways to cope. I surrounded myself with family, knowing that we were all going through the same loss. We shared stories about her, laughed at our favorite memories, and found comfort in each other. I also turned to writing, pouring my emotions onto paper to help ease the pain. 

Most importantly, I learned to cherish the lessons she left behind. My Lola taught me kindness, patience, and the importance of family. Even though she is no longer physically here, I carry her love in my heart every day. Instead of focusing on the loss, I now focus on the beautiful memories we shared. 

Losing my Lola was painful, but it also made me stronger. It taught me that grief doesn’t mean forgetting; it means learning to live with the love that never fades. And no matter where life takes me, I know she will always be watching over me.

Written by: Glyren Cagata

PERSONAL NARRATIVE  

The Weight of Unspoken Words

I’ve always been known as someone who isn’t a quiet type—whether at school, with my friends, or at home, I’m the type to speak up, crack jokes, and dive into conversations with ease. I am not the kind of person who sits quietly, lost in my own world. Yet, when it comes to expressing what truly matters—my emotions, my feelings, the words that hold weight—I find myself hesitating, unsure, and often silent.

Saying simple words like "How was your day,"  "I love you'" or "Happy Birthday"  to my parents gets stuck in my throat, and I find myself rarely saying them out loud. It's not that I don't feel these emotions; it's just that I've grown accustomed to keeping them locked away. Sometimes, I wonder if my parents think I'm not grateful or loving because of my silence. But the truth is, I feel things deeply—I just don't know how to put them into words.

At school or with my friends, I’m far from the quiet type. I laugh easily, share stories, and dive into lively conversations. But when the moment comes to be vulnerable—to say something personal and heartfelt—I shrink back. It’s as if the more meaningful the words, the harder they are to say. I’ve always struggled to show affection in words, even though my heart feels it all.

It's like there's a constant battle going on inside me, a tug-of-war between the thoughts and emotions I want to express and the fear of vulnerability that holds me back. I'm scared of being judged, of being seen as weak or overly emotional. But as I grow older, I'm starting to realize the weight of my unspoken words. I see how my parents' faces light up when I do manage to say something heartfelt, how it brings us closer together.

I'm trying to be more mindful of this, to make a conscious effort to free my thoughts and emotions. It's not easy, but I know it's necessary. I want to be able to tell my parents how much I love and appreciate them without feeling like I'm exposing myself. It's a journey, I know, and one that I'll likely struggle with for a while. But I'm determined to find my voice, to let my words be a reflection of the love and gratitude I feel, even if it's just in small, quiet moments.

Written by: Sheila Telen

BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE

Rodrigo Duterte: A Life of Service and Controversy

Rodrigo Roa Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Leyte, into a politically active family. His father, Vicente Duterte, served as governor of Davao, while his mother, Soledad Duterte, was a teacher and activist dedicated to community service. These influences shaped Duterte's early life and his path into public service. He pursued political science at Lyceum of the Philippines University and later earned his law degree from San Beda College, where he also gained his license to practice law.

Duterte began his political career as mayor of Davao City, where he served for over 20 years. He earned a reputation for transforming the once crime-ridden city into one of the safest urban centers in the Philippines. His approach to governance involved strict law enforcement and a hands-on leadership style. These efforts gained him widespread support, though he was often criticized for his alleged encouragement of harsh penalties and extrajudicial actions against criminals.

In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected as the 16th President of the Philippines, running on a platform focused on fighting crime, corruption, and illegal drugs. His presidency was marked by the implementation of the controversial "war on drugs," which garnered both praise and criticism. Supporters celebrated the significant reduction in crime rates, while human rights groups condemned the thousands of deaths that occurred during anti-drug operations.

Aside from his anti-drug campaign, Duterte also achieved notable milestones during his term. His administration launched the "Build, Build, Build" program, a massive infrastructure initiative aimed at improving roads, bridges, airports, and public transit systems across the nation. This program created jobs and contributed to economic growth. In 2019, Duterte signed the Universal Health Care Act, ensuring access to medical services for Filipinos nationwide. He also championed free tuition for students in state universities and colleges, improving access to higher education.

Duterte’s leadership style was often described as direct and unfiltered. His speeches were known for their bluntness and bold remarks, which resonated with many Filipinos who saw him as a relatable and decisive leader. His presidency fostered closer relations with China, prioritizing trade and investments over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. This policy, however, sparked debates on national sovereignty.

Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Duterte remained popular among a significant portion of the population. His bold actions and focus on public safety earned him the admiration of many, while critics questioned his methods and the long-term impact of his policies.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s life and leadership left a lasting mark on Philippine history. Whether seen as a fearless reformer or a contentious figure, his contributions and decisions continue to influence the nation and spark discussions about governance, justice, and the balance between security and human rights.