I'm quite uncertain of how this story of mine should probably go, mainly because I haven't done this style of writting before. But somehow I understand that this is going to be a unique and funny experience, reminiscing all the childishness and touching experiences that had probably shaped my attitude towards how I view my life now. So here's a shot at writting my very first Autobiography.

My name is Joanna Marie Vapor, nicknamed 'Ana' or 'Joanna' by my childhood friends for short. I was born on the 4th of June in the year 1993 here in Manila. I am the third daughter of Josie and Rodrigo Vapor, of which both are Visayans from Leyte and Samar. I have 2 older sisters, an older brother and 3 more younger brothers making our family 9 in total. One might think that 9 makes a noisy crowd, especially during dinner, but in one way or another, the disorder made us closer and bond together as a family. I grew up living in Yakal st. Franville IV Camarin, Caloocan City but apparently my mom says that we just moved here after I was born. She told me that our family lived somewhere in Fairveiw back then, but I always thought that this was the best part of town to grow up in for we are surrounded by markets and stores, an easy access to snacks during the afternoons.

My mom never fails in telling stories about me when I was just months old. Even though we've heard it so many times before, it's still really funny yet awkward how my mom bragged my chubbiness and whiteness as a baby, comparing me to a radish, to anyone she has a chance to talk with about the years passed. My mom gladly tells that sometimes she gets worried because I disappeared from my crib, not knowing that our neighbors took me just to play with and carry me but without my mom's permission. I was being borrowed by my mom's friends frequently.

Then the time came when I turned 5 years old. My most memorable moment at that age was when my eldest sister always wanted to teach me some dance moves popular at that time. Specially when there's an upcoming occasion like Birthday and Christmas Parties, we would practice almost an entire day, everyday before that specific event. My eldest sister continued teaching me how to dance, and as I turned 7, I became more capable of performing complex steps, even steps that were hard for kids in my age and even showing it off in front of a huge crowd. I then became fond of dancing when I realized people liked my performances. And because of my sister's dedication in teaching me her talent, dancing became my very first hobby as a kid and later as I became a teenager, turned into my passion as well. But unfortunately my eldest sister didn't manage to see me as a great dancer as a teen. My eldest sister and mentor died at the very young age of 13 because of heart failure. My eldest sister's death was a devastating blow to our family, especially for me, and looking at the bigger picture, we lost a person who's only desire and had done with her life was to make each and everyone in her family happy.

I had a chance to talk with my eldest sister just before she passed. As a child back then, I didn't fully understand what all she meant, but now that I am an adult, I will never forget every word. She told me that my knowledge should be equally as good as how I am great in dancing. Not knowing what my sister's words intended, I just did what my very good mentor asked me to do.

Moving on was hard even from my age back then, but all throughout elementary I tried my hardest to excel in my achademics. I became competitive on every subject and extra-curricular activities available because I know, in my heart, it's what my eldest sister would want. I carried this drive even in highschool, especially because my parents noticed my performance. It gave me so much happiness to realize that my mama and papa were proud of me, even becoming more proud on each achievements I fulfill. Their support and my eagerness to strive and educate myself became each of our own ways to move on from my sister's passing.