I am Sarah Mie Santizo- Asuncion, 27 years old and currently living in the Philippines. I am the youngest child of my parents. I believe in a saying, “simplicity is beauty”. I love to spend my spare time in gardening and keeping of chickens. I also enjoyed taking take of pets like dogs and rabbits. I also gave some time seeking for additional knowledge online like exploring latest news and educational trends that could help me enhance my current skills.
I was born in the hidden paradise called Gigante’s Island that can be found in the Northern part of Panay. I spent my childhood in a place where there was limited access to basic government offices, hospitals, and public markets. However, we enjoyed abundance in fresh sea foods and beautiful beaches that surrounds the area. Every day, when I wake-up I’m thankful for the privilege to breathe-in oxygen without pollution, and I could go swimming anytime I wanted to.
My Childhood Battles
Growing up, I’ve seen the sacrifices of my parents that’s why I choose to study hard to be qualified for scholarship. Aside from working on my academics, I also spent most of my time helping my mother in her small business. I was used to selling foods and snack during school days, and vegetables during weekends. Most of our vegetables and fruits came from our backyard which my father has nurtured for almost 10 years. Despite of that bountiful fruits of labor, we were still living below poverty threshold. We don’t own the land where we live that’s why before I graduated from High School our spot were demolished by the city government, in just a week we lost everything. I was 12 years old that time when I witnessed everything. I cried for help but I knew I couldn’t do anything to stop them.
After a month we moved to the old house of my grandfather. We started to build a new life despite of the pain that still draining us from the inside. One morning, when I was quietly eating my breakfast, I noticed that my father suddenly stopped in front of me. I was shocked that in just a minute his body was paralyzed. He cannot move even his arms and legs, so I yelled for help. Then he was rushed to the hospital by my neighbor who owns a boat. They travelled for almost four hours across the sea to be able to land in a public hospital in the mainland. After three days, my parents came back home and my father became permanently disabled.
From that day on, I realized that I needed to carry more duties and responsibilities to help my mother in order to survive.
Oh! I forgot to mentioned why, because my siblings were not in the custody of my parents. My grandparents on my mother’s side took care of them so they could continue their studies with the support of my mother’s siblings. Mother didn’t want to bother them anymore, so being the youngest I really grew up like I was the only child of my parents. I cannot even remember any childhood memories with my two siblings.
Furthermore, we were able to managed everything despite of the hardships. I still graduated as class valedictorian where I was given an opportunity to share my battles in life while maintaining my records in academic excellence.
Before we left the island, we had experienced the strength and devastation made my typhoon Yolanda with an international name Haiyan, which took thousands of lives in some places in Visayas Region last 2013. Haiyan also took our house leaving us another heart break, but thanks to God we were still alive. However, sad to say we didn’t have the capacity to rebuild our house anymore. We just stayed there with a tent for almost two years.
New Beginnings
Early 2015, we decided to go to Luzon specially in Laguna where my sister offered help after she finished her college. This was the first time that we were bonded again as a family. My brother also got the opportunity to work abroad as welder in Middle East, so they worked together to send me to a private school in college. I don’t know how to express my happiness during that time. I thought those days would last forever, but I was wrong. Our family was challenged again, my father’s condition got worst and he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. My sister was also diagnosed of pneumonia and she needed to undergo another surgery for liver too. In addition to that my brother’s contract for his job was not renewed.
My brain that time was messed up. I didn’t know how to continue my study anymore; I couldn’t afford to pay for my tuition fee. My mother was also in trouble with paying rent, water, electricity and her loan for small sari-sari store, so she decided to go back to her parent’s place in Visayas. In just a week of deciding, they moved to the province, leaving me in Laguna with my cousin to continue my study and entrusted me to a man who offered his help to pay for my tuition. Luckily, this man has fulfilled his promise to my parents and respected my privacy and boundaries as well. He supported me with all of my needs until I finished my study.
October 2020, when my father passed away at the age of 78. He was died of tuberculosis and heart attack, so we dashed to the province but we were still not given a chance to say goodbye to him because of the strict quarantine protocols impost by the government.
In spite of everything, we know that we still need to move forward and fight back. After a month of staying in the province, my boyfriend finally ask permission my mother to marry me. I was overwhelmed that time and I don’t know what to do. I was afraid to commit, I know everything will change including my priorities in life, so I paused for a week. I asked guidance from above and gathered some advices from my friends, despite of all the fears and doubts my love for him still evolved, so finally accepted his offer.
A Brand-new Life
During the day of our marriage, I’ve seen the tears falling from my mother’s eyes. She told me, “My fight for you is over. Your own your own now be thankful for everything”.
I vowed to take care of my husband. I know marriage life will not be easy but as I explore it, I learned to embrace everything. Our life together was not perfect we always argue most of the time, but in the end love and acceptance were still the most powerful healer on Earth. In our five years of living together, finally we are now expecting a new member that will be converting us from a couple into a family.
Being married did not stopped be from chasing my dreams. I still dreamed of using my own ability and skills to make money so during 2020 I became a License Financial Consultant and came year 2022 I landed a corporate job as an Accounting Associate in a Alabang, but after six months of rendering an honest service, I resigned due to some important matters.
While staying at home, I took the opportunity to build a small business. It was successful during the first year but I decided to stop it because it wasn’t easy to manage.
Then, I raised chickens with zero cost for feeds too. To sum it up, I had lot of learnings also while staying at home but I still feel the need to explore more, so last July 2025 I started my journey as an ESL Teacher. I could say that this job gave me time the opportunity to show-off my creativity and passion for teaching, and I’m looking forward to grow even more not just an educator but also as a person.
Furthermore, I am grateful that I found this community where I can share my story. I hope that as I stay here, I will be able to learn also from your unique stories of life. I would like to acknowledge also this lady- Ms. Antonette for sharing with me this opportunity where I can freely express my passion and skills in writing. She patiently guided me with the rules and policies imposed in this community which I also promised to abide. She generously highlighted the special features of this community and inspired me to discover my inner self through writing.
Thus, I can attest that all of the details mentioned in this post was originally my creation. Moreover, posted photos were captured by my phone but were enhanced through the use of Canva.