THE ANCHORAGE TO PINNACLE (My Introductory Post)

“From my humble beginnings to the heights of my desire, every step has shaped who I am today!

Allow me to share my story just like a wallflower turns into the spotlight whom she thought is a far-fetched to acquire.

Hello, I am Geneveve L. Dayag. My homies call me “Ebeb or Beb”. I have spent the past eight years of my life as a Junior High School Teacher, known for my strict and disciplined approach for molding students into responsible individuals. This platform will serve as my online diary where I can pour out my stories, hobbies and life adventures. I hope we can teach each other as much as we inspire one another along the way.

Each layer reveals a different side of me. The Educator who guides with discipline, the single mom who sacrifices without complaint and the breadwinner of my family. These layers are not walls they are chapters. And together, they make me whole as a person.

Growing up in a strict and traditional family, I learned to navigate life under the watchful eyes of my parents, who set clear rules and expectations both at home and in my role as a student. In this way, I became an introverted child. During my elementary years, I was distant and timid, rarely mingling with peers and quietly observe everything happening around me. Throughout High School, I would go straight home after class to avoid getting scolded by my father. It’s a typical way of discipline of a Filipino’s parents. It shaped me into an Educator who values structure and responsibility and into an individual who approaches life with focus.

From childhood, I felt the harsh reality of poverty. As the eldest among my siblings, I learned to be strong, amenable and altruistic, often putting my family’s needs before my own. My parents work tirelessly juggling multiple jobs, just to ensure I could pursue a college education. Reaching the top academic achievers is my way of repaying my parent’s hard work turning their sacrifices into the happiness they’ve always dreamed of.

I truly enjoyed my college years, where I met a lot of friends and acquaintances. I participated in academic and extracurricular activities in our campus through joining the English Club and contributing to the School Publication. Through writing stories, poems and articles provides an introvert like me, with an opportunity to venture beyond the isolation of my inner self, enabling my sentiments to be articulated.

I graduated from college with latin honors with a degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education – Major in Technology and Livelihood Education for Home Economics Technology. Prior to my graduation, I applied to several private schools and was fortunately offered employment marking the first step of my journey into the teaching profession. Even though I can’t afford to send myself in a review center, I can proudly share that I achieved success in the licensure examination on the first try with self-review while juggling my work as a private school teacher at that time.

After gaining two years of teaching experience at a private school, I have decided to resign in order to pursue a teaching position within the public school, where I can advance my professional growth. My journey to secure a position in a public school was marked by considerable hurdles, requiring not only the meticulous preparation of application documents, demonstration teaching but also the mental stamina to face the interview process with determination.

Amidst of numerous hindrances, I had successfully secured a position in a public school conveniently located just a few steps from my home. I spent two years of teaching in a public school, I can proudly share that I provide for my family, believing my life was perfect not until the day my father was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and I realized there are battles no amount of hard work can prepare you for.

The day my father lost his battle with cancer, after six long months of struggle and pain, I became the breadwinner of my family. Losing my father was one of the hardest experiences of my life, yet I tend to move on and continuously facing the uncertainties of life.

It had been a year and a half since my father passed, then unexpectedly, I met a man who would one day become the father of my daughter, and a gentle reminder that life moves forward even after loss.

Then, I became a mother. I named her Gaia, means the goddess of earth in Greek mythology. It symbolizes as it marks my life to be alive the moment she was born. When I experience the motherhood stage, I realized life would never be the same, every choice, thoughts, heartbeat now belonged not just to me, but to this little life I vowed to protect.

I once believed that motherhood would come naturally and effortlessly, but that mindset shattered when I experienced the harsh reality of postpartum depression, which began to strain my relationship with my live- in partner creating misunderstanding between us. Six months after giving birth, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which explained my drastic weight loss, rapid heartbeat and anxiety I had been experiencing. It was as if the world I had worked so hard to build my own family was quietly crumbling, and I was powerless to stop it, this became my downfall moment of my life.

In the blink of an eye, I became a single mother. With mutual decision, we chose to separate, not out of weakness, but out of love and courage for both of my child and as for myself. I refused to let her grow in a home shadowed by tension. With the help of my mother and family, I found my strength, purpose and a reason to survive.
I continue to venture and evolve as a teacher, a breadwinner, a single mother and an empowered woman recognizing that personal and professional growth is an ongoing anchorage to pinnacle.

Upon encountering @antonette post regarding this opportunity to articulate my thoughts freely, I promptly ask her guidance, so as to navigate this platform. I am eager for the chance to express my thoughts though writing, a practice in which I find comfort. She patiently shared her expertise regarding the rules and policies for posting. I am fully aware that AI-assisted posting is not permitted, and I promise to fully comply with this regulation. I’ve come to value the joy of community engagement and the chance to meet people who share my passions, it fills me with excitement, it will be both fun and enriching.

I assure that these posts and any future ones reflect my own thoughts and point of view. Although, my photos are mine and enhance them using Canva.

Embark with me on a blogging adventure filled with inspiration and the pursuit of recreation and opportunities in this online platform. Thank you for joining me, and happy reading.