My name is Lou Antonette Llaneras, born a rising star on the day of Philippine Independence 1991. I was born ¼ Chinese from my father’s kin, and ¾ Filipino from my mom’s. I’m currently living in Daraga, Albay with my family from my mother’s side while my dad’s family is in Lucena City. I wouldn’t even try to describe my family from Lucena because it’s damn huge and complicated. Anyway, my mother is a housewife who once dreamt of becoming a nurse but instead took Economics and have been regretting it ever since. My dad is one of the modern heroes who works abroad, has no vices and no chicks, well as far as I know. My brother by the way is the biggest nuisance in the world but nevertheless, he’s the best there is. We’re one big happy family.

My childhood memories are filled with happy moments mostly shared with my brother who used to be my extra super best friend in the world. We used to do everything together—wake up, watch TV, play Barbie doll, take a bath and piss off our yaya. We’ve been the worst kids there were but thankfully our yaya still lived to tell her story of misery.

My most fond childhood memory was that when we would go out and play with the neighborhood kids. That’s where I met my soul mate. That magical moment happened. Naïve as I was, I knew then and there it was him for me. Back to pissing off our yaya. Then I have to enter the world of education. Enough said I didn’t have quite a fruitful pre-elementary class as I usually hated the school I’m in either it bores me to death or every time is playtime that I’d rather play at home. I can say I only finished one year of nursery and one semester of preparatory class before I took the entrance exam for Grade 1 in St. Agnes Academy. I was too young for that level but I passed anyway so hello, Elementary!

Elementary school in St. Agnes Academy was where I realized I had quite a stupid beginning at life. Filled with wrong, immature and entirely regrettable decisions and attitude, I was deemed to be one of those students who never seemed to exist in the classroom. I hated studying, I developed friendship with some and I ruined some, I have been the most irresponsible President during 3^rd grade and I have been the snottiest bitch running after this guy, who as I would describe now, would never be as cute as he used to be. Above all, I loathed my teachers. I can say I’ve been a favorite—a favorite target of mishaps when it comes to academics and mostly everything.

Then I entered the halls of the adjacent building and became a High school student. A new tabula rasa to paint and mess with was right in front of me. I had a great high school story. I’ve been a consistent honor student, committed myself to theatre, arts and journalism, and gained the recognitions I’ve been denied of back in elementary. I met my true friends. I became one of the heartthrobs, had my first boyfriend (the one I called Soul mate) and had the wackiest stories to tell. Of course, it wasn’t a smooth ride for me. Like every story plot, I had my fair share of antagonists and storms. The climax of it all happened in my last year where I literally screwed everything up simply because I not only hated these two professors, I cursed them. And in turn my curse took a bad hit at my grades. I graduated with three service awards though, just not honors. Immaturity laid with convictions allowed me to jeopardize my academics as much as I wanted to get out of that sad dictatorship academy. Oh and by the way I broke off with my boyfriend because our families couldn’t get along well.

Now I’m in what they say the outside world. Bicol University gave me one of the worst culture shocks but it is here where I can finally say I learned to stand up for myself and build a good reputation. I learned to be wise and independent. I’ve made friends, got good grades, won Modern Dance Competition awards, drank, partied and enjoyed the freedom of College life. Above all, I’m going to be a great nurse and an awesome surgeon someday.