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A s t o r y b y J a n e l l e A n n e F . G e r a r m a n ( B E E D - 1 A )THE STORY OF BECOMINGShe:T h e G i r l I W a s , T h e W o m a n I ’ m B e c o m i n g
LITTLE BEGGININGS LITTLE BEGGININGS LITTLELITTLE BEGGININGSBEGGININGSEARLY CHILDHOODDuring my early childhood, one of the defining milestones was learning how to commu- nicate, speak my local dialect, and explore the physical world around me. During this stage, I also learned important values, such as showing respect to elders through “pagmamano.” My family and friends also helped shape my beliefs and taught me about God at an early age, including how to pray. They encouraged me to play, explore, and learn new things, which helped me become more curious about my surroundings.One of the strongest memories from my early childhood was how emotional and dependent I was on my family, especially my mother. I remember crying whenever my mother went out to buy food because I wanted to go with her. There were even times when I would roll on the floor and cry just so I could come along with her. Although I was very emotional during this time, these experiences show how close I was to my family and how much their presence made me feel safe and comfortable.
Growing, Playing, Becoming Growing, Playing, BecomingStarting school became an important milestone in my middle childhood. It was where I learned practical skills, improved my motor skills, and built friendships with my classmates and children.My relationship with God also became stronger because many of my friends wereMIDDLE CHILDHOODpart of my church community. Through them, I learned how to read the Bible and participate in Bible studies. My childhood was also filled with simple adventures and happy memories. I enjoyed playing outdoor games such as tumbang preso, Chinese garter, and many more.At the same time, I began experiencing puberty and physical changes in my appearance as I grew older. These changes made me more aware of myself and became part of my transition from childhood toward adolescence. My family, school, friends, and community also taught me skills that helped me become more independent. At an early age, I learned how to cook rice and eggs and do different household chores. These responsibilities taught me to become more capable of taking care of myself. Looking back, the happy moments I shared with my family and childhood friends, together with the lessons and changes I experienced, made this stage meaningful and helped shape the independent person I am today.
BETWEEN DREAMS AND REALITYBETWEEN DREAMS AND REALITYAs I entered adolescence, my attention became more focused on academics. I was one of the top achievers in our school and was often chosen to represent the school in different contests. These experiences taught me to become more knowledgeable, disciplined, and committed to my studies. Despite my academic responsibilities, I continued to strengthen my relationship with God by joining Bible studies with my COC (Children of Christ) family. Learning to balance different parts of my life became an important lesson during this stage. I learned how to manage my time between academics, friendships, and enjoying life.My school environment also influenced me by teaching me different subjects, values, and lessons that I could apply in my daily life. I became more confident in communicating with others and more willing to explore new experiences. Academic pressure was one of the emotions that stood out the most because I often felt stressed whenever I had many assignments and activities to complete. However, my competitive nature motivated me to finish my tasks before the deadline. Through these experiences, I learned to become more resilient, appreciative, and understanding.Adolescence
STEPPING INTO MY FUTURE STEPPING INTO MY FUTUREEMERGING ADULTHOODEntering emerging adulthood brought challenges, difficulties, and circumstances that tested me in different ways. These experiences taught me valuable lessons and molded me into someone stronger who does not easily give up. I began realizing that adulthood comes with responsibilities and challenges because I have to make decisions and explore life with less guidance from my parents. This stage also encouraged me to become more independent and taught me that experiencing new things can give life more meaning.The people and environments around me, especially my family, school, and community, continue to influence who I am today. I carry the lessons they have taught me throughout my 19 years of life and apply them whenever I face difficulties. One belief I have developed is that weaknesses can become strengths, but our strengths should not become our weaknesses. I also learned to appreciate the people who inspire and motivate me while becoming more confident in expressing myself, dressing appropriately, and understanding my surroundings. Stress and strength are the emotions that stand out most in this stage. I have realized that I cannot always depend on someone else, and sometimes I need to stand on my own and prove that I can accomplish things independently. Even when life becomes difficult, I want to continue pursuing my goals, keeping my faith, and trusting that I can achieve them at the right time.
Looking back on the four stages of my development, I can see how every chapter contributed something meaningful to the person I am today. Little Beginnings taught me the importance of family, respect, and faith, while Growing, Playing, Becoming helped me develop independence through school, friendships, responsibilities, and new experiences. Between Dreams and Reality taught me how to handle academic pressure, manage my time, communicate with others, and remain committed to my faith. Now, Stepping Into My Future is teaching me to face challenges independently, become stronger, and continue pursuing my goals without giving up. Every stage was different, but each one became a page in the story of who I am today.REFLECTIVE CONCLUSION:REFLECTIVE CONCLUSION: