Autobiography of My Life
Hero James B. Melegrito
Chapter 1: The Beginning
It all began in the year 2002 when my parents, Herald and Rowena, met each other. They were both students at Isabela State University, Echague Campus. My father was taking up Automotive, while my mother was studying Associate in Computer Technology (ACT). They became close during their college years until my father courted my mother. She accepted him, and eventually, their relationship grew stronger.
In 2004, my parents decided to get married. After some time, my mother became pregnant with me. On March 1, 2005, I was born. However, my birth was not easy. My mother struggled during her pregnancy and after giving birth, especially because there was little care given to her and me at that time.
Chapter 2: A Miracle of Survival
On my fifth day of life, my grandmother had to step in to rescue us because my mother was becoming very weak from continuous bleeding. She rented a tricycle to bring us safely home. On that rough journey, my mother nearly lost her life due to nonstop bleeding. I, too, was close to death, as my body turned dark violet from discoloration.
Thankfully, my grandmother and mother did everything to save me. They brought me to a masseur, and by God's grace, I eventually recovered. I owe my life to their sacrifices, especially to my mother, who risked everything to keep me alive.
Chapter 3: Early Childhood and Moving to Manila
When I was six years old, in 2011, I graduated from kindergarten. That same year, my mother returned from working in Lebanon and brought me to live in Manila. We stayed there for about 12 years. During that time, my mother became pregnant again and gave birth to my younger brother. However, he was not my father's child, but I still accepted him as my brother.
Chapter 4: Life in Manila
Life in Manila was filled with both happy and painful experiences. I studied there from Grade 1 (2011) until I graduated from Grade 12 in 2023 at Muntinlupa Cosmopolitan School, under the ICT strand. Throughout those years, I went through many unforgettable moments some joyful, others traumatic.
The city shaped me in many ways. I learned to be independent, resilient, and adaptable. The education I received in Manila, particularly my focus on Information and Communications Technology, laid the foundation for my current path in IT studies.
"I owe my life to their sacrifices, especially to my mother, who risked everything to keep me alive."