About Me — My Journey Through the Years

I was born in Loon, Bohol, Philippines. I lived there until I was nine years old, studying in elementary school. Life was simple, and those early years shaped who I became. Later, we moved to my great-great grandmother’s house and lived away from our parents because they were both working in different places. My sister and I grew up learning responsibility at a young age. I studied at Kagawasan Elementary School in San Miguel, Bohol, and graduated in 2013. I was a working student from a young age, but I still joined contests, school activities, and academic programs. I received several honors throughout the years and graduated as 1st Honorable Mention.

My high school years were spent at San Miguel Technical Vocational School in Bohol. This was the time I first discovered Photoshop, HTML, CSS, and technical drafting. I chose the Personal Computer Hardware Servicing major. I learned PC assembly, networking, basic web development, and graphics editing. I also earned my TESDA NC Certificate for this strand. During these years, I joined many competitions. I won 1st place in technical drafting, earned recognition in poster-making, and even placed in editorial cartooning at the division and regional levels. These experiences helped me build confidence in my creative skills.

I transferred to Hilongos National Vocational School in Leyte for my senior high school years. I lived with my aunt and uncle as a working student. I studied Bread and Pastry / Cookery and completed my TESDA NC2 in Cookery. I graduated with honors, showing that hard work and focus can bring good results even in a new environment. Even while studying culinary arts, I continued designing posters, birthday layouts, and infographics for my aunt. I also enjoyed our computer subject, where we created a website using Wix. These moments reminded me that my heart was still in technology and design.

I enrolled in the BSIT program at MLG College of Learning, Inc. This school became the foundation of everything I know today about technology and design. I started with basic programming like Visual Basic and C++, but later learned graphic design, UI/UX design, and web development. Over time, I learned to enjoy coding and creating digital experiences. I graduated as Magna Cum Laude and received the Best in Capstone and Research Award. I also joined poster-making contests, school journalism, and IT competitions. My college years shaped my skills and my character.

After graduating in July 2023, I helped my uncle in his printing business. I created tarpaulin layouts, edited photos, and handled different design tasks. This taught me discipline, responsibility, and creativity. At the same time, I worked with a friend who is a full-stack developer. I helped design front-end interfaces using HTML, CSS, React, and Tailwind CSS. I created portfolio websites and even the UI for an online booking system. These experiences let me explore many areas—logo design, t-shirt designs, poster layouts, branding, and social media graphics. I worked with tools like Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, Figma, and Adobe XD.

In early 2025, I discovered my true direction: UI/UX Design. I started studying user experience, layouts, wireframes, user flows, and visual hierarchy. At first, it felt overwhelming, but I enjoyed the challenge. I practiced by recreating app screens, redesigning real apps, and learning how to structure user-friendly interfaces. I shared my works on Behance and continued improving. Today, I focus on Figma for UI/UX, Photoshop for graphics, and Illustrator for vectors. I may still be a beginner, but I bring hard work, humility, consistency, and a strong desire to grow. I want to build meaningful solutions, solve real user problems, and create experiences that truly help people. The Journey Continues Even without formal company experience, I bring real project work, strong foundations, and a willingness to learn. I know where I want to go now, and every day I’m working toward it. I’m excited for opportunities where I can contribute, grow, and bring value—not just through my skills, but through my character and dedication. Thank you so much for reading my story. My journey is still growing, and I’m ready for the next chapter.

The end of 2025 brought a trial I never expected. On December 14, just as I was preparing to launch my career, my father passed away following a sudden heart attack. It was the most heartbreaking moment of my life, coming at a time when I was already battling the anxieties of a career transition. In that darkness, I found that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). This season became less about pixels and more about purpose. As I paused to fulfill my final obligations to my father—supporting my mother and navigating the difficult administrative tasks of his passing—I leaned on the promise of Matthew 6:33, seeking His kingdom first even when my own world felt shaken. Through this pain, God has been my architect, rebuilding my spirit and giving me a deeper sense of empathy that I now bring to my design work. I understand now more than ever that "user experience" is about helping people through their most difficult and most human moments. I am standing back up, fueled by Jeremiah 29:11-13, knowing that He has a plan to give me a hope and a future. I am no longer just seeking a job; I am seeking a place where my dedication, my technical skills, and my God-given resilience can bring genuine value to others. The next chapter isn't just a career—it is a testimony of grace.