Autobiography in Creative Nonfiction by: Jay Mark M. Malirong

      A person who is simple and always brought smile to serve for everybody. I Jay Mark M. Malirong, a 17 years of age, I was born on July 20, 2007 at brgy. Lunen, Tupi, South Cotabato. I am currently studying at Emiliano P. Baquial National High School under the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) track. My hobbies are playing volleyball, watching movies and vlogs, reading books,and cleaning our home. I am currently lived in small community in our Barangay, the Prk. Tahimik, brgy. Lunen Tupi, South Cotabato. I am the fourth among the five childrens of Fe M. Malirong and Arturo A. Malirong. Kristine is the oldest child, she's already graduated college as Cum Laude with the Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English, she's also passed the September licensure Examination LET. Sheryn and Sheryl are the third and fourth they are twin and they are currently studying at South East Asian Institute of Technology Inc. (SEAIT) they are second year college in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). And Christian Mark is the youngest, he is a grade seven students in Lunen Integrated School. We are all pure Ilonggo and we was born as Chistian Catholic. My mother is a vendor while my father is a farmer and construction worker.  

       I am a driven person who are living in a very simple living way, and who experienced many challenges in life. When I was in elementary in Lunen Integrated School I've experienced to find job "sidelines" in my auntie's in their farm to buy my toys and to buy foods for myself. I was bullied also because of my gender identity and the way how I talked to other like a very slowly. But not only that, at the very young age my parents are arguing and when I was in grade 5 they got separated because of their unending quarrels but we are still at the same roof, in every occasion I can feel happiness because happiness were no longer to present within our family. When I entered in high school my life was changed, I've started to buy things with my own like clothes, although my parents provided me allowance but I saved it to buy my clothes because we are five childrens and the budget just for our foods only. And my mother decided to find a job to sustain with us, because my father's income is insufficient.

        During the pandemic year 2020 our life isn't easy because my parents haven't income, we're just waiting for the relief goods from our barangay. After a months my mother together with her friends started their small bakery shop in our small town, they're are seven members that's why they named the bakery shop as "Seven Treats" at that time my I applied to their shop as assistant of the baker, which I started to saved money for myself and I bought my first cellphone. However, my life in that time is just a roller coaster ride but I was thankful for that because it helps me to be strong and it shaped to be who I am right now.

       When I was in grade 10 my elder sister is a consistent honor student since high school until senior high, I was so pressured at that time but I set it as my motivation to focused on my studies because I want to be like them, and thankfully I achieved my goal. In addition, I've discovered in myself that I am passionate in drawing, playing sports, and making different arts. During my that time I've also joined contest to represent our school in Tupi District 2 in Division Festival of talent 2023 and i am the third placer which can help me to improved my communication skills. I graduated junior high as with honors. After I graduated in junior high I decided to enroll in Emiliano P. Baquial National High a one public school in District 2 Tupi, South Cotabato. located at Brgy. Crossing Rubber Tupi, South Cotabato. My journey as a transferee student is not easy because it's new environment and new people to encounter and there is big difference between in my previous school. Also, the lesson is different from junior high which it is challenging for me, I was pressured at that time because I am not good in public speaking.

      September 2023, I stayed with my auntie's home because my parents are arguing, which can forced myself to stay with them , but not the reason to escape the problem but to give myself chance to to relaxed and focused on my studies. Staying with my auntie's home for a few months I felt the love that I've never felt before, that if you have a problem they're always there for you. But, my parents are still give me allowance. Staying with my auntie's home I felt that I really missed my family, sometimes when I go in our home I missed the day when we are happy together and I know that it is just a memory and it will never be okay. But, I don't lost my hope and through that experienced I served that as my motivation to study well, believing that someday my family will be okay. And to all the people, don't allow things to get out of control, always put in yourself that no matter how hard the problem is, be strong and never give, and surrender it to God, because God is nothing is impossible. God is always there for you.