It was the 10th day of September 1994 when Phabella Hospital heard my first cry.

Ana Francesca, the name given to me is from my father s name, Anacleto, and from my grandmother s name, Francisca. My mom also believed that having a name starting with an A makes a person lucky. (That belief will soon be tested.) I am the second child of Anacleto and PerlitaBalcita but I grew up having the role of the eldest since my older sister moved out of the house when I was just 5. Acting as the ate to my younger brother is the hardest task I have had. I have to always be considerate at times I can t even be good. I have to control my temper even when I lose my patience. Knowing my reasons, you must be thinking that I have a very shallow personality. That the reasons I gave are what normal people really feel. But having a brother that acts like I m older that you. You have to follow me is really giving me headaches. To be honest, there are times when I ask my friends if they wanted to have a brother and I would tell them to take mine. But minutes later, I would realize I just can t give him up because for whatever reason, blood is really thicker than water.Aside from being the ate , I had to also be a student. I took my first education at Lower Bicutan Day Care Center where I got my first award as the 1st honourable mention in class while I had my elementary days in R.P. Cruz Sr. Elementary School. When I was just having my 1st grade, I remember my teacher asking me to seat at different rows every day just to make me shut up . Not being listed in the noisy will tell you that I skipped class. Thinking about what I was when was still young makes me laugh. I can imagine how much headache I had caused my adviser. When I was chosen as one of the three representatives of the MTAP competition, my teacher was relieved that finally I will not just give her headaches. We didn t make it through the Nationals though. The following year, it became a habit to me to join the MTAP competition. I really enjoyed having medals every time we win. Having a bronze medal is like getting the championship to me at that time. But when I reached 3rd grade, I suddenly felt like I don t want to join any longer. The very reason is because my mentor is just exceptionally boring. Well, as a kid, we want to have fun but this mentor is such a terror. She ll look at you with sharp eyes that you can t look back at her. But I was scolded for skipping trainings and talking about quitting and so I decided to just give it another try. At the end, we lost. The happiest moment for me during my six years in elementary was when we stole the gold medal from the six year defending champion during 6th grade. I was aiming for that medal for many years and I m happiest that I got it before I graduate. It was the best graduation gift I

had. Not thinking about any other school, I applied to only one school and took only one entrance exam for my high school. It must be my instinct that told me I will pass the exam at Taguig Science High School where I had my firsts and unforgettable moments. Starting off with my first day, I had this mind-set that since it is a Science High School , we would not waste time and have lectures during the first day. I brought all my notebooks and went to school early but when I arrive at the school, the gate was still closed and we have to stand for several minutes. When finally we started the class, I was really disappointed that we are not yet having discussions. That moment, I wish I could turn the time back and had left my notebooks at home. That same year, I had my first experience joining the most prestigious competition at my school -- the speech choir. We did not even qualify for the finals but it was a great experience though. We ve learned so much about teamwork, respect and discipline. Unluckily, after I was promoted to the highest section during my 2nd year, I was demoted to the second section in my 3rd year. But it was truly a blessing in disguise. There, at my new found home, I had my true friends. Those people who never treat you as others but a true blooded family. During those times, I love school more than my true home. There I can be whatever I want. I can say whatever I have in mind. I feel free. They were also the people who shared with me the true beauty of success. Getting into the speech choir finals was the highlight of that year. Though we ranked only 2nd, in our hearts, we believe we are the best. But all the time and effort we used was converted into something more important than wining, that doing your best is better than being the best. I also had my first campaign that year since I run for SSG Treasurer. I was rank 3 of 4. Though again I lost, it was never painful to me. I ve actually enjoyed it. Singing in front of the whole school even though I am really not a singer helped me boost myself confidence. My senior year was exceptionally tiring-- thinking about what school to take and what course to enrol while having in mind the upcoming major exams, school projects and school competitions. Having no concrete plan for my college life and paying less attention to it during my senior year, my friends wondered how I end up taking BSA. As the graduation day nears, talks about their plans are the in thing. Whenever they have that kind of talk, I ll joke around and say Bakitlahatng school nanagpupuntaparatingnagtatanog kung sinong may gustongpumasoksagantoganyan? Wala bang magtatanongkungsinonghindi mag-aaral? Magtataassanaako e. But at the back of my mind, I feel sad because it seems like I m the only person left behind. I am a dreamer but

during those very critical days, I became so much of an idiot and a coward. Afraid to take risks.Afraid to fail. But one day, when my family had a conversation about my future, it just came to me that I wanted to become an accountant. I told them so but they were still telling me to think twice and consider the full scholarship I got from Meridian International. But no matter what they say, no matter how far behind PUP Taguig s facilities is to Mint International, my mind was set to BSA. Knowing that entering PUPT is like going through the hole of a needle, I still want to pursue my decision. Faith in God and support from my family and friends was the only source of my strength during the interview. I felt like was at the edge of the cliff that time and when I was accepted to BSA, I felt as if I won the lotto. I never forgot to thank God and all the people behind my first success to this new world. Being able to reach this far is really a blessing to me. I would do everything in my power to do what I have to do. Bearing in mind that I have to prove to myself I have chosen the right path. I know most of you feel the same way so I hope that we offer each other a helping hand in order to reach our one same goal. God Bless to everyone.