Every person's life is a unique story, shaped by experiences, lessons, and growth. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the moments that shaped me both the challenges that tested my strength and the successes that fueled my dreams. This autobiography is a reflection of who I am, where I come from, and the path I continue to walk. In these pages, I invite you to discover not only the milestones of my life but also the values, people, and passions that have guided me along the way from my early years and the environment that nurtured me to the experiences that influenced my choices and character. This is a story of resilience, learning, and purpose.
I am a young woman determined to make my mark on the world. My name is Joyce Ivy Ramil Faustino. I am the only daughter among three siblings and the middle child. I grew up in my grandmother's home in Esperanza East, Aurora, Isabela a place I cherished even more than my own. Each day began with walks through the fields, watching the sunrise paint the sky as ducks swam in the irrigation waters and cows grazed peacefully. I loved waking up early to witness this simple beauty, and I would dig for worms to feed the fish a task filled with laughter and shared stories. When we weren't fishing, my Lola and I would lie in the hammock, listening to the radio until we drifted off to sleep. I was always by her side, eager to learn many valuable lessons.
During Christmas and New Year, we received gifts and tokens from my Lola and Lolo, celebrating together as one happy family. My cousins and I filled the backyard with laughter and joy, bound not just by blood but by a deep and lasting friendship. We made kites and flew them high in the sky. I remembered catching snails, removing their shells, and feeding the flesh to frogs so we could catch them. I also joined Girl Scout camping and participated in photojournalism contests during elementary school. These joyful childhood experiences continued until life took an unexpected turn.
High school brought significant changes as the pandemic cast a dark shadow over our lives, creating a traumatic chapter. My grandmother fell ill with cancer. Each day, I stayed by her side feeding her, giving her medicine, and doing everything I could to make her comfortable. My studies took a backseat as I devoted all my time to her care. Then, COVID-19 spread, and our compound was locked down after my uncle passed away. Although it was attributed to the virus, we knew his heart condition was the true cause.
Soon after, my father also fell ill and was diagnosed with COVID-19, though I had my doubts. I took on the responsibility of caring for both my parents, isolating them in separate rooms due to my father's more severe condition. Every day, I checked on them, prepared their meals, administered their medications, and monitored my father's oxygen levels and blood pressure. Sleepless nights became the norm as I watched over them. I often prayed, asking why this was happening to my family, wishing it were me instead. Thankfully, my cousin, a nurse, secured permission for my father to receive treatment at home and visited daily to monitor his condition. We poured all our efforts into saving both my parents buying oxygen, medicines, and doing everything possible to help them survive.
After a month, their conditions improved. Christmas and New Year arrived, and we were grateful to celebrate with our grandmother, although she was already in a wheelchair and unable to walk. Seeing her smile brought us immense joy. However, just a month later, she passed away. It was incredibly painful for us. We struggled to accept her absence and the fact that we would never see her again. We tried to give her a proper vigil, but the law required a COVID-19 test. While waiting for the swab test result, which later came back positive, we were forced to have her body frozen. It hurt deeply to lose her that way. It was heartbreaking, but we eventually accepted her passing, hoping her soul would rest in peace and ascend to heaven.