I grew up very timid and awkward with people. The only way I connect with others is when I know I have something to share with them. It feels like I have something to prove first before I engage. That's how my social life works.
Fortunately, writing offers me a different reality. Through writing, I can be myself. I can express my thoughts and share my ideas with people without the awkwardness I experience doing it face to face.
I started blogging on Multiply when I was in college. I didn't have any readers then. I then switched to Facebook Notes, Blogspot, and then WordPress. Now, I challenged myself to be more faithful with blogging as I maintain my domain, martsvalenzuela.com.
But would you believe that this introverted and reserved person is also a public speaker? Sounds ironic? My involvement in church ushered me to opportunities I never knew I'd love doing. When I was younger, I served as a Sunday school teacher until I decided to enter Bible school. After years of study, I just graduated in June this year. As of now, I'm accumulating all the experience and training I can get for a possible pastoral assignment. From time to time, they assign me to preach in our church. Sometimes I also get invited to teach in events and functions outside.
Aside from writing, among my passions are books, bike, and budget travel. When I say books, I consider reading and piling them on my shelf as two distinct passions. I love to read! But sometimes, because of my busy schedule, I can no longer devour that many books like when I was younger. So for now, I relish myself buying books I think I can read for later. Most of the books I enjoy reading are self-help, Christian living, and devotionals.
My love for books inspired me to be a writer myself. I first dreamt of becoming a published writer when I was still a child. I remember my father telling me that they did not have any hard time teaching me to read because I readily fell in love with reading. During high school, my exposure to classics such as Jules Verne and Charles Dickens widened my imagination.
As soon as I entered college, I joined the school publication. I learned about news and feature writing, among others. I learned how to formulate and write my ideas and arguments as I write opinion and editorial content. It was a fruitful experience.
But my employment in a Christian book distribution company cemented my desire to be a published author. My exposure to tons of books, most of which are the genres I love to read, sparked a flame in me to have my name inked on a book cover.
My break came when I applied for a mentoring ad for writing from a well-known Christian author in the country. Though I am already overaged for the advertisement, I still pushed my luck. And I was chosen! The years of blogging and writing paid off.
And after several attempts of submitting proposals and drafts, we inked our first project - a devotional book for youth. Finally, my name's now on the book cover!
But I don't want to stop there. We're working on the second book, and by faith, I'll also be able to write my solo.
I also love biking! This bike I'm holding is very precious to me because this is one of the few personal purchases I made with my salary. Since most of my money goes to bills and family needs, it took me a while before I bought this second-hand "Mini Cooper" folding bike. This bike has brought me places! And though I don't consider myself an avid bike enthusiast, for now, I prefer biking more than any motorized vehicle. I chose folding bikes over mountain bikes because of bimodality. I can easily transport it in jeeps or buses when my legs are already sore from pedaling.
Travel has a special place in my heart. When time and budget allow, I hike with friends. I already went to Mts. Talamitam and Daguldol in Batangas, and Binacayan, Pamitinan and Balagbag in Rizal. I also have been to beautiful places like Boracay in Aklan, Kalanggaman Island in Leyte, Bantayan Island in Cebu and Anawangin and Potipot Coves in Zambales. My favorite places so far are Bantayan Island, Nueva Vizcaya, Romblon, Cebu, and Baguio City, and the farthest I've been to is General Santos City in Mindanao.
I'm looking forward to sharing stories from my side of the world. I am Marts from Marikina, Philippines. Thank you for reading! Until then!
Here are my social media handles:
FB: fb.com/martsvalenzuela
Twitter and IG:
read.cash: @Marts
noise.cash: u/Marts
web: martsvalenzuela.com
