Good day everyone, I’m Marley Gia Manongtong Barcenas but you can call me Gia. I am 26 years old and I am currently residing in Maboo, Mabini, Poro, Camotes, Cebu, Philippines but I originally lived in San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines when I was young. I had two brothers and 1 sister and I also have a half sister on my father’s side. My mother is a public-school teacher and my father is a mayor’s driver. My father used to be an OFW, he worked for two years.
I have a daughter her name is Miley Andrea, she’s four years old now. Miley brings joy to my life, she makes me stronger each and everyday. Because of her I work and try to be a better person day by day. I had her when I was 21 years old and I was still at third year college at that time, it was pandemic. But I continued studying (online class) and I managed to graduate, although it was never been an easy journey for me since I have to study and take care of my daughter at the same time. I used to be a single mom before but not now since I already have a partner and we live together. He is Kenneth and I am older than him for three years. He is still in college studying BS in Criminology. While me, I already graduated way back 2022. I studied BS in Hospitality Management and I am currently working as an ESL Teacher and I also have a part time job as an Assistant manager at Camotes Freediving.
Barcenas family, that is my family and I really love my family. Even though we have our own lives now I still missed those times when we were still living together and going to church every Sunday to pray. I just missed those old times with them. And now we have our own families, we see each other sometimes and for some occasions we were able to spend some quality time with the whole family especially birthdays and special occasions.
Before I really love to play volleyball, it started when I was in high school I just try to join in the try-outs for the school intramurals then boom. I didn’t expect that this sport would mean so much to me because of this sport I made a lot of friends a long the way. And it made me a student athlete, I was able to represent my school during high school for Disctrict Meet and in college for North Cell Meet. Also we represented our municipality during the Governor’s Cup in Cebu City. I really love this sport but when years went by I stopped playing it for some reason. But hopefully someday I can go back to playing it.
Me working as an ESL Teacher was unexpected. These pictures are just some of the screenshot during my classes with my Korean students. I just tried to apply for this work and eventually I managed to get in. At first it was really difficult for me since it was my first time teaching foreign language to Korean students. I teach kids and adults, the youngest one was a two year old girl. She was very smart and attentive during the class. I also had a student who was a manager of a famous brand. He was a professional and very down to earth. But we didn’t have much time to study since he was very busy with his work. Teaching takes a lot of patience and understanding. You must have to deal with them differently, since every student has their own attitude. You have to be professional and be kind always.
Me working in Camotes Freediving was a life changing for me. Because I never expected for me to land on this work. I just saw a post in the blue app by some familiar friend. I tried to apply and suddenly the manager told me if I can do the training tomorrow right away. So that’s where it started. I had to witness freediving competitions for free. I had also the chance to meet and greet some of the World Record holders in the Freediving industry like Alessia Zecchini. She’s an Italian freediver who broke many world record, she is also known to be called the Deepest Woman on Earth.
Me and my creativity of doing crafts and make it as a little business of mine. I used to do photo keychains, photo cards, picture frames, resin photo frames and many printed crafts. I used my creativity on building a small business. I had a lot of orders from the photo keychains, I started making it last 2023 during the Valentine’s day. I didn’t expect that I could make a lot of orders, I think almost 200 pieces were sold that time. I only sell it for only 35 pesos. Now, I just make orders whenever someone contacts me. Soon, I want to come back to operating my small business.
Me being a public servant in our community. I really never had it in me, not until I was appointed as an SK Treasurer in our barangay. I served for almost six years during our term. We did a lot of things, attended various training and seminars. And was able to help back the community. Being able to serve the community, especially the youth was very fulfilling because you get to know their struggles in life and I was able to help them in small ways. Before I started to be an SK official, I used to be part of a non-government organization. I was a senior leader, we also attended a lot of seminars and immerse to different communities in our Island and also in Cebu city. And that’s where it started, I was born to be a public servant and I want to continue my journey as a public servant soon if given a chance.
I love to dance, I love to sing, I also like to draw a little bit. I like fun and adventure too. If given a chance to work abroad, I will actually do it. It’s a chance for me and my family to have a better life. So, I think that’s a little background of my life. I hope that I inspire some of you in my introduction post. Thank you so much for reading and again this is Marley Gia M. Barcenas.
All images used is taken originally by my iphone 13.
Photos are edited by canva.