Autobiography
I was born and raised in Cauayan City, Isabela, Philippines. Growing up in this city shaped who I am today. My parents, Diana Marie Sagun and Antonio Jr. Udarbe Umayam, have always been there for me. They raised me together with my two brothers, Ryan Dave S. Umayam, my older brother, and Mariuz Daren Sagun, my younger brother. Being the middle child was not always easy, but it taught me patience, understanding, and the importance of family.
My childhood was simple. I spent most of my early years playing around the house and enjoying the little things. I was not the type of kid who was always outside playing sports with other children. Instead, I enjoyed playing games, drawing, and imagining different worlds. I liked creating my own stories and living inside them, and even back then I already had an interest in design and creativity
I started my education at Cauayan South Central School for my elementary years. It was both exciting and challenging. I can still remember carrying my school bag that felt so heavy and walking into a classroom full of kids just like me. There were fun times when I played with my classmates during breaks, and there were also moments when I felt shy and quiet. I was not always the most active or outspoken student, but I did my best in class. My favorite times were when teachers would give us projects where I could be creative, like drawing or making simple crafts. That was when I felt happiest.
Of course, childhood was not only about fun. There were also days when I felt sad or left out. Sometimes, I struggled to understand my lessons, and I remember the feeling of being afraid to answer when a teacher called me. But those experiences made me stronger, and they helped me gain confidence little by little.
When I entered high school at Cauayan City National High School, everything started to change. High school opened a new chapter in my life. The lessons became harder, the responsibilities heavier, and I also met new people who would become my close friends. High school life was filled with ups and downs. There were moments of laughter with my classmates, and there were also times when I felt pressure from schoolwork.
During high school, I also realized more about myself. I noticed that I wasn’t the type who loved sports. Most of my classmates were playing basketball or volleyball after class, but I was more interested in spending my time on gaming. Gaming became a huge part of my life. It wasn’t just a way to pass time, but it made me curious about how games were created. I started to think about how developers designed them, how the characters were built, and how the mechanics worked. That curiosity planted a seed in me that would later connect to my college course.
Despite not being active in sports, I was never really left behind. I learned how to balance schoolwork and hobbies. I also gained true friends who stayed with me throughout high school. We shared a lot of memories, from group projects to hanging out after class. Looking back, high school gave me some of the happiest times of my teenage years.
After finishing junior high, I studied at Cauayan City Stand Alone Senior High School. Senior high was different because it felt like preparation for the real world. The subjects were harder, and I had to take things more seriously. This was the stage when I really had to think about my future. I asked myself what I wanted to be and what course I should take in college. It was not an easy decision, but deep inside, I knew I wanted something connected to technology, creativity, and design.
It was also during senior high that I started to develop an interest in fitness. I was not into competitive sports, but I found going to the gym enjoyable. I liked the idea of improving myself physically and building muscle. It gave me discipline and taught me to set goals. The gym became a personal journey for me, and it helped balance out the time I spent on gaming and schoolwork.
When I entered college, my life changed once again. I enrolled at Isabela State University, Cauayan Campus, and took up a course in Information Technology with a specialization in Web and Mobile Application Development. This was the course that really connected to my passion for gaming, arts, design, and programming. For the first time, I felt like I was walking a path that matched my interests and future goals.
College life is not easy. The lessons are more advanced, and the projects can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are days when deadlines pile up and it feels like there is no time for anything else. But I’ve learned to push through and manage my time. What keeps me motivated is knowing that I am preparing myself for the career I want in the future. I dream of becoming a skilled IT professional, maybe even developing games or applications that people will enjoy.
Even though college can be stressful, it also has good moments. I have met classmates who share the same interests as me, and working together on projects has been a great experience. Every challenge I face in school makes me more determined to keep moving forward.
Looking back at my joumey, I can say that my life has been shaped by both good and bad memories. The good ones, like laughing with friends, enjoying family moments, and achieving small successes, give me joy. The bad ones, like failures and disappointments, remind me to keep improving. Together, these memories make me who I am today.
Family is something I value the most. My parents have always been supportive, and I am grateful for their sacrifices. They have worked hard to give me opportunities, and I want to make them proud someday. My brothers, Ryan Dave and Mariuz Daren, may annoy me at times, but they are also my companions in life. They remind me that no matter what happens, farnily will always be there.
As I tell my story, I realize how much I have grown. From a shy boy who liked to draw and play games, I have become a young adult who has passions, dreams, and goals. My love for gaming and programming has inspired me to pursue IT. My interest in fitness has helped me develop discipline and patience. My experiences in school, from elementary to college, have taught me lessons that I carry with me every day.
My story is still far from over. There will be more challenges ahead, but I believe that every step I take brings me closer to my goals. I am proud of how far I’ve come, and I am excited for what lies ahead. Life may not always be easy, but I know that with determination, hard work, and support from the people around me, I can achieve the dreams I have for myself.