Embracing My Path: A Heartfelt Introduction

Hello everyone! I'm hoping you've been doing well. I'm so delighted to let you know about the long road ahead of me. The lessons I've learned have shaped me into who I am today as I face my life's challenges. I would like to share my experience, and be courageous whatever the difficulty. I'm inviting you to be part of this journey with me, and let the courage and passion fill your path. Together, let's go on this adventure!

---

ALL ABOUT ME

I'm Hana Mae Therese Iliga, but you can call me Han or Hana. I'm 22 years old and I'm a proud Filipino. I'm a full-time student at one of the state universities in Cebu, Philippines. I'm a graduating student and am currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing Management. In addition to my studies, I work full-time as a call center agent in the Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industry. Due to financial difficulties and responsibilities, I started working when I was 18.

I'm not from a privileged family, and that's why I've always been driven to work hard for my success. During my high school and senior years, I learned to support myself from a young age without burdening my parents by taking sidelines and selling food in school to cover expenses. Because of my determination and willingness to succeed, I was able to go on despite facing many difficulties. From Elementary to High school to Senior high. I've consistently excelled in academics, making my parents proud of me as an honor student. But I've started working in college, and I've found it difficult to balance my studies and my work, mainly because of my responsibilities and many other commitments. Working at night and attending school in the morning made it difficult for me to focus and maintain the same level of academic performance, although I may not excel in college life, at least I did my best in my work and excelled very well.

At the same time, because my older sister and brother lived separately in my grandmother's house and supported themselves by going to college. My father's salary was our sole source of income at that time. They've driven me to work while I was studying in college because we had times when we struggled with the fact that we couldn't make ends meet, and I wanted to help out. We've faced several challenges, including not having electricity and collecting recyclables to buy food, because of our circumstances since my father's salary is not enough for our expenses.

Despite all the difficulties, my brothers and sisters are still my best friends. We still think it's just a trial, and we are going to go through this together. I always prayed to God for my siblings, especially our younger sisters, would not experience the hardship that I had, and I worked hard to make sure that my parents were well taken care of and spoiled. This experience has helped me grow up, as I have learned to deal with difficult situations early in my life. I've always felt grateful for the support and love in our family, even though we're not rich in money, but rich in love, and that's what made all the difference.

Looking at my family, I cried, but when I see that we're getting close to each other and slowly making progress toward our goals, tears of joy come. We have had a lot of changes in our lives, but we continue to be humble and face the challenges that come along with them. We are nowhere near where we want to be, but we have come a long way. At least now, we live in a comfortable home, enjoy our favorite meals, and occasionally buy things we want, although we prioritize our needs. Below I posted our pics how its started and how its going.

---

---

From the first year until the fourth year, I've been balancing work and studies as a full-time student. Managing both of them is a really difficult thing to do. I've also got to take care of myself, my education, and my family. Every day, I know that it's a test of my determination. But being a working student taught me resilience and allowed me to grow. Right now, it's hard for me, because I'm the main source of income for my family. I'm helping my parents and my young sisters. Despite facing countless challenges along the way, from sleepless nights, sleeping with a heavy heart, crying silently, depression, and anxiety attacks I've remained steadfast in my commitment to succeed. I've found the strength to keep going, always focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to the support of my bosses and the encouragement of love ones, strangers, friends, and family. I know with perseverance, I'll reach my goals.I will reach the brighter future I've been working towards.

Those experiences have made me a better person, enabling me to learn new skills, connect with people I meet along the way, and make lasting memories of them. Despite the difficulties, my journey as a working student has been made more tolerable by many people. Even when I found myself tempted to prioritize my desires, I persisted in maintaining a balance between studying and working.

During the pandemic, my father suffered an injury and was advised by the doctor to take a year or even half a year off from work. That's why we had no source of income. As I became the only breadwinner, responsible for our day-to-day needs and payment of bills, my life has turned into a terrible struggle. Despite these difficulties, I have found strength in myself and in my faith, which has enabled me to endure difficult times that beyond my control. I am not alone in this fight; I trust in God above, who knows everything. I am grateful to have faith in Him.

Growing up as the fourth child among six siblings, I often wished to grow up quickly and do whatever I wanted, just like everyone else. But life wasn't always easy. I was taught the value of independence by my parents, who didn't spoil me with everything that I wanted. I was instead encouraged to learn, work, and earn money on my own. I had to figure things out on my own, learn independently, and take responsibility for my actions from elementary school to college. I always felt a strong desire to make my parents proud, even though they never pressured me to excel in things I didn't want to do. I was driven to try harder and achieve success, knowing that their love and support would always be with me no matter what.

Despite all this, my parents have always supported me and taught me nothing but unconditional love. It's incredible, knowing that they are proud of every little step I take, especially when it comes to making myself better and happier. They've always been there to hold my hand and guide me when I've been in trouble. They've stood by me through thick and thin, and I've become the strong person I am today. I'm praying for them to have a long life so that they can witness all of my victories. I'm looking forward to so much with them; they are my pillars of strength, happiness, and purpose in not giving up. They're the ones that do what they can for us. Before, my mother sold street foods which is "Pungko-Pungko" and my father's work was risky because he's an electrician. That's why I started working at such an early age, to repay them for all they've done and give them the life they truly deserve. I'm proud to say that I'm slowly making that happen. Buying groceries, household items, and supporting household expenses and of course, things that my parents like.

I feel so drained every time I get home from work or school. However, I'm so happy and excited to go home aside from my parents and siblings, my nephew and niece make my feelings okay and I will love them the same as I love my siblings. I'll be there with them when they grow up.

---

PASSION/INTEREST/HOBBIES
I'm very fond of reading, especially books that expand my mind and help me grow up to face the realities of life. Reading has been my escape since I was a junior in high school, allowing me to expand my thinking and gather knowledge of the future. Below is a sample of the books I've been reading.

Music is a special place in my heart, although I can't sing or dance very well. Music is my partner when I'm on the road or my own. It's a real expression of who I am, which allows me to speak, share my feelings, and even tear up some tears. I listen to songs that reflect my current mood and help me connect with myself. I'm very fond of listening to God's music, it makes me feel uplifted and inspired.

I'm also a big fan of photography. I'm happy to capture great moments and scenery, cherishing them as a lasting memory. These snapshots serve as a visual diary of enchanting experiences that I want to treasure because memories remain forever, keeping them close to my heart and mind.

In business, too, whether it's small or large, I have a great deal of pleasure. I'm happy to serve my customers and provide them with the respect and attention that they deserve, in addition to good quality products and services. While I had previously ventured into online selling to supplement my income, I never forget, especially during the pandemic, that while I'm working, I also have a sideline selling trendy shirts, eggs, face shields, face masks, join partnerships to open small bistro and anything that customers need, especially my colleagues or online. Now, I've had to take a break to focus on school and work. However, I look forward to returning to the world of business in the future.

Lately, I've been interested in modeling, especially as a way to boost my confidence and embrace my flaws. I believe that stepping into this field will help me accept myself for who I am and showcase my true self to the world.

Finally, I'm very fond of the moments when we travel with our family, particularly to beautiful beaches and destinations. Each trip is a precious opportunity for us to bond, escape from the pressures of daily life, and experience the joy and peace we deserve. The highlight of every journey we embark on is the laughter, love, and incredible memories that come with it.

---

MY PRIMARY REASON FOR JOINING HIVE AND CONTRIBUTION TO HIVE
I learned all about Hive when I was introduced to this platform by @jeannmazing she's my very good friend and classmate and had the opportunity to join an online meeting where I learned about Hive, including how it works, what to expect in the future, and the rules to follow. They've welcomed me with open arms, and I've appreciated the warm welcome I've received from my team.

On March 24, 2024, my friend @jeannmazing shared her knowledge on the platform in a meeting held online via Google meet. I was very interested in her discussion, and that's what attracted me to join the Hive. I wanted to join Hive because I wanted a place where I could freely express myself, connect with others, and learn from other Hivers in different communities. I appreciate how friendly and supportive the members are here, and I believe it's a great place to encourage sharing and provide helpful feedback.

I am very eager and excited to be joining this platform because I believe that it will help me develop my confidence. It's a great place for people like me who have plenty of ideas, yet haven't always been able to express them in the right places. I love to travel, photograph, and try new foods, so most of my blog posts will focus on my adventures in exploring beautiful places, my modeling career, and the delicious food I've tried. I'm hoping you'll be educated and entertained by my next blog. I committed to staying on this platform, producing high-quality content, respecting all members' rights, and following the rules as well as taking responsibility for what I write. We'll embark on this journey as a team! That's the end of my introduction to this wonderful new world. Thanks for reading my blog, and I'll be sure to look at yours. I'm looking forward to staying in touch with you all! I will do my best to contribute when we share our experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Wishing everyone blessings and good health. Let's keep in touch, and support each other!