🌸 My Autobiography 🌸
Every person has a unique story shaped by dreams, struggles, family, and experiences. My name is Nestlene V. Mataverde, and I am a 21-year-old woman born on January 26, 2005, in the beautiful province of Isabela. I grew up in Naguilian, a peaceful place surrounded by green rice fields, mountains, and hardworking people. Living in the province gave me a simple yet meaningful childhood filled with love, happiness, and valuable life lessons. Growing up in a quiet community taught me to appreciate the beauty of simple living, strong family relationships, and the importance of hard work and determination.
As a child, I enjoyed spending time outdoors, playing with friends, helping with small household chores, and appreciating the little things that made life special. I loved waking up early in the morning to feel the fresh air and hear the calming sounds of nature. The peaceful environment of the province became one of the most unforgettable parts of my childhood. Growing up as a province girl shaped me into someone humble, patient, independent, and hardworking. Even though life was not always easy, those experiences became the foundation of the person I am today.
During my elementary years, I was known as a playful and stubborn child. I was energetic, curious, and full of excitement. I loved running around with my friends, playing outdoor games, climbing trees, and exploring different places around our neighborhood. Sometimes, I could be a little hardheaded because I always wanted to do things in my own way. I also enjoyed joking around, laughing loudly, and making fun memories with the people around me. Even though I was playful and sometimes mischievous, I still enjoyed learning and participating in school activities. My elementary days were filled with happiness, laughter, adventure, and unforgettable moments that taught me how to enjoy life while slowly becoming more responsible as I grew older.
My parents, Nestor Mataverde and Elena Mataverde, are among the people I admire the most in my life. Their love story is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever known. They first met in Manila at a small fast-food store owned by my mother’s parents. My father used to eat there often, and the very first time he saw my mother, he immediately admired her beauty, kindness, and simple personality. For him, it was love at first sight. Because of that, he kept coming back to the fast-food store just to see her again. As time passed, my father slowly became closer to my mother and sincerely courted her. Through patience, effort, and genuine love, my mother eventually fell in love with him too. Despite the struggles and challenges they faced in life, they stayed strong together and worked hard to build a happy and complete family. Their love story inspires me because it shows that true love is built through sincerity, sacrifice, understanding, and perseverance.
We are four siblings in the family, and I am the youngest among them. I am also the only one currently studying. My eldest brother works at ISELCO II and already has a daughter named Avianna. She is a sweet, cheerful, and lovable little girl who always brings happiness and laughter to our family. My second brother works in the government as a member of the military. He is very dedicated to his work and continues to fulfill his duty to serve and protect the people and secure our country. I admire his courage, discipline, and commitment to his profession. My older sister, who is seven years older than me, works in the United States as a teacher. She is married but still has no children. She is the one supporting me in my studies, and I will always be grateful for all her sacrifices and love. She is not only my sister but also my best friend and like a twin to me. We both love fashion and enjoy choosing outfits that match our personalities. Even though we sometimes argue and misunderstand each other, we always reconnect because of our strong bond and love for one another.
When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming either a police officer or a doctor whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be in the future. However, as I grew older, my dreams slowly changed. Watching my brother serve in the military inspired me deeply. I saw how passionate, disciplined, and dedicated he was to his work. Because of him, I realized that I also wanted to serve our country someday by becoming part of the army. His determination motivated me to become stronger and more focused on my goals in life. I wanted to become someone who could protect others, help my family, and make my loved ones proud.
Because of my dreams, I became serious about my studies. During my high school and senior high school years, I worked hard to achieve good grades and become one of the academic achievers in our school. I am naturally competitive in everything I do, and I always want to give my best effort. I studied hard, stayed determined, and pushed myself to improve every day. There were times when I felt tired, pressured, and stressed, but I continued because I wanted to achieve my goals and make my family proud. All my hard work paid off when I graduated with high honors in senior high school. That achievement became one of the proudest moments of my life because it proved that dedication, discipline, and perseverance can truly lead to success.
After graduating from senior high school, I planned to take the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Entrance Examination. I believed that I could pass the exam easily because I was confident in my abilities and achievements. However, when the examination day arrived, I was shocked by how difficult the questions were. At that moment, I realized that I had not prepared enough because I became too confident and failed to review properly. A month later, the results came out, and I could not find my name on the list of passers. I felt heartbroken and disappointed in myself because it was one of the biggest failures I had experienced in my life. I cried many times and questioned myself, but eventually I realized that failure is part of growth and learning.
After some time, I decided to move forward and continue chasing my dreams. I took a college admission test and only applied to Isabela State University. Thankfully, I passed both the examination and the interview. I was surprised when I saw my name listed under the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) program because my first choice was Criminology. At first, I questioned why I ended up in a different course, but eventually I realized that everything happens for a reason and that God has better plans for me.
Through my college journey, I realized that grades do not completely define a person’s intelligence or worth. What matters most is the willingness to learn, improve, and continue growing as a person. College taught me the importance of gaining knowledge, discovering new skills, exploring opportunities, and preparing for the future. Today, I still cannot believe that I will soon become a third-year college student next school year. Even though my path in life changed, my dream of becoming part of the army remains in my heart. Someday, I hope to make myself and my family proud by achieving my dreams and applying all the knowledge and skills I learned from my studies and experiences in life. Most importantly, I learned to stay strong, believe in myself, and trust God’s plans because He always has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives.