15/06/2025
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ข๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐: ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐
Born into adversity, Andrea lost her father at just three years old. Her mother left for Manila in search of work, leaving Andrea in the care of her grandmother. With help from her aunt and uncle, she moved from home to home, school to school. Yet despite these challenges, she chose to walk forwardโwith faith as her compass and determination as her strength.
โI grew up shuffling from school to school,โ she recalls. She finished elementary through Grade 8 in Ibajay, Junior High in Baguio City, and Senior High in San Juan City.
Just as she was about to begin college, the pandemic hit, forcing her to return to her hometown to continue her studies. Despite passing the entrance exam for the Environmental Science program at Aklan State University, lockdowns disrupted her plans.
She couldnโt travel. She couldnโt enroll. So, she was forced to take a year off โ but she didnโt let it go to waste. She made the most of it. "I read self-help books that improved my perspective on life and enhanced my literacy," she said. "I also helped my cousins with their schoolwork and spent more time in prayer.
That pause became a turning point. She asked God to guide her. "If the Environmental Science program wasnโt for me, direct me to Your plans,โ she prayed and she believed God answered her. Andrea's path shiftedโto Computer Science, a field that sparked both curiosity and resolve.
Andrea describes her life as charcoalโa material used to light rice for cooking, a humble source of sustenance. In the beginning, she wanted to make use of herself for others, using her raw skills and gifts from God until she grew beyond even her own knowing.
Andrea means "strong and courageous" in Greekโa name she has lived up to with every step of her life. From early hardship to academic triumph, Andrea's journey is one of resilience, faith, and transformation.
She stands as a symbol of an unyielding spiritโhardened by lifeโs furnace, yet shining like a diamond carved from charcoal.
Even though her Aunt Divine sponsored her financial needs for academics, she chose to side hustle. She sold turon and graham balls, and worked as a Philippine Statistics Authority enumerator. โMy graham balls always sold out first,โ she added with a smile.
Her thesis on a fruit recognition model proved to be a trial by fire. It required stable internetโa resource she lacked at home. Undeterred, Andrea connected to Wi-Fi from the Philippine Statistics Authority office in the public market, enduring early mornings and frequent power outages.
Even though that wasn't enough, she drove two kilometers to ask permission to use the internet of an elderly neighbor she fondly called Lola Glo. But the signal remained weak. By 2 a.m., the model still hadnโt finished training.
Eventually, it didโbut not without more setbacks. Brownouts, delays, paperwork, and tests piled on top of each other.
โGod is the one who strengthened my resolve,โ Andrea said. โThrough sheer will to survive each challengeโeven at my breaking pointโI chose to stand up and conquer everything.โ
For her final defense, she was awake for 32 hours straight, managing logistics, preparing manuscripts, and fine-tuning the systemโdrained but determined.
โI was filled with joy,โ she said. โBecause I knew I gave it everything I had.โ
Along the way, Andrea endured personal loss. Her beloved Lola Sedis passed away, followed by her uncle Rogerโwho had been like a father to her.
โI had to become numb just to keep going,โ she admitted. โIf I let grief win, I wouldnโt have graduated.โ
And yet, she did. Not easilyโbut with purpose.
โDonโt fall in love in college!โ she jokes, laughing. โIt messes with your driveโby losing people you entrusted your heart and secrets to.โ
Through multiple responsibilities, indigence, and grief, Andrea pressed onโwith faith and determination. She became the second in her family to earn a college degree.
โMy Lola Heling was my biggest supporter,โ Andrea shared. โShe always said, โIf you know the answer, raise your hand. Step up when no one else will. Thatโs how you grow.โ
Andreaโs story is one of transformation. She didnโt just finish collegeโshe emerged from it.
โI started as raw, and graduated as a diamondโtested by challenges.โ
From charcoal to brilliance, Andrea has proven that even the deepest fire can forge something extraordinary.
Article by Angelyn Tomarong and Norinhel Dave Pilio
Layout by Karylle Bautista
