AUTOBIOGRAPHY

When in 1996, my mother was only thirteen years old when she moved with my grandmother to Nueva Ecija. They didn’t know anything about the place; they just wanted to survive, find jobs, and start a new life. My mother’s siblings stayed in Negros Occidental, and she was the only one who went along to help my grandmother. Not long after, she met my father. My father courted my mother when she was 14 years old. A year later, my mother became pregnant, and eventually, they got married. Slowly, they built a family, raising six children despite not having much in life. That’s why I am here today.

By the way, my name is Jocelyn Tolentino, though the people close to me call me “Bibing” or “Celyn.” I was born on April 18, 2001, the fifth child in a family of six—four boys and two girls. Growing up in a big family was never easy, especially since life had always been hard for us. Yet, these experiences taught me sacrifice, determination, and the value of working hard for what I want in life.

When I was a child, life was simple but full of happy moments. Every Sunday, our whole family went to church together, and during special occasions, we always shared meals and celebrated as a family. I felt happy and loved during those times. But our life was not always easy. When I was still in elementary school, my older brother became seriously ill, and we had to sell almost everything we had saved, including the things our family had worked hard to provide. This experience taught me early on the importance of resilience, patience, and helping my family. Even as a child, I tried to contribute in small ways, helping around the house and spending time with my siblings. I also developed an interest in cooking and baking, which would later inspire my dream of becoming a businesswoman.

I started my education in Alicaocao, Cauayan City, Isabela, beginning from kindergarten. Despite the challenges at home, I enjoyed learning and going to school. By Grade 5, life became a little easier, and I was able to join the Girl Scouts with three of my siblings. We woke up early, trained, competed with other schools, and created unforgettable memories. Elementary school taught me the basics—discipline, patience, and the importance of helping others—values that I still carry with me today. Graduating from elementary school was both exciting and nerve-wracking because high school was just around the corner.

High school was a turning point in my life. Our family started a small stall in the market where we sold sinuuban, tomatoes, and cooking oil, and I was one of those who helped my mother manage the business. While other students spent time socializing, I balanced school and work to contribute to my family’s income. During high school, I also received help from a very kind teacher, whose last name is the same as mine. She allowed me to sell food inside the school, which helped me earn a little allowance. Her generosity made a big difference for me, and I appreciated her guidance and support. That experience taught me the importance of building trust and being responsible, and it also gave me confidence to manage small business tasks at a young age.

It was during this time that I discovered my dream of becoming a businesswoman. I realized I wanted to have my own business in the future—not limited to cooking or baking, but any type of business that I could grow and manage successfully. While studying, I also worked part-time in catering, which gave me my own allowance and helped me gain work experience. My colleagues and boss treated me kindly, and I learned the value of cooperation and professionalism. After graduating from junior high school, I continued to senior high school. However, after completing Grade 11, I temporarily stopped my studies and began working full-time at Unitop as a saleslady. I worked hard, persevered, and eventually became the head of the cosmetics department, receiving extra allowance for my efforts. After one year, I returned to school to finish Grade 12, and during a two-month vacation, I also worked at ECC in Centro as a saleslady for three months. All these experiences helped me grow both personally and professionally. After finishing senior high school, I enrolled in college. I originally studied Education but later shifted courses, making me an irregular student. Despite the delays, I am now in my 5th year of college, determined to finish my studies. College has been challenging—balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities—but it has also made me more realistic, disciplined, and confident in myself.


My dream is to become a successful businesswoman, open to any opportunity in food, retail, services, or online selling. I want to create something I can call my own, provide for my family, and give back to those who have helped me along the way. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and baking, but I am also open to learning new skills and exploring new interests. These hobbies not only make me happy but also give me ideas that I hope to use in my future business ventures. From elementary school to college, my journey has been full of challenges, lessons, and growth. I am not perfect, and life has not always been easy, but these experiences have shaped me into a hardworking, determined, and hopeful person. Every stage of my education taught me something new—discipline, responsibility, perseverance, and the courage to dream big.