Inspiring Stories of Success, Challenges, and Advice from STI College Legazpi’s Educators and Students
STORY 1: A Journey of Growth and Resilience
STORY 2: Gelyn Dichoso’s Inspiring Journey
STORY 3: From Student to IT Professor
feauturing andrea esquillo, gelyn dichoso, and an exclusive interview with sir akeem pedrasa
n this captivating interview, we delve into the life and experiences of Ma’am Andrea E. Esquillo, a dedicated and inspiring faculty member at STI College Legazpi. From her strict upbringing during elementary and high school to her transformative journey through college and professional life, Ma’am Andrea shares her profound insights on how her experiences shaped her into the successful, resilient, and compassionate individual she is today.
Ma’am Andrea vividly recounts her formative years in elementary and high school, describing them as both challenging and strict. “ They were both quite challenging and masyadongstrikto throughout those years.” These early experiences instilled in her a strong sense of discipline, perseverance, and a relentless work ethic. “Siguro attitude nung elementary and highschool nadala ko siya
ngayon sa workplace ko pero not that much.” While these traits undoubtedly influenced her professional life, she humbly acknowledges that their impact, though present, may not be as significant as one might expect.
As an esteemed alumna of STI College, Ma’am Andrea fondly recalls her first day on campus, a day filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of nervousness. She nostalgically reflects on the old building that housed the college at the time, which added an element of adventure to her college journey.
“Nasa old building pa po kasi kami noon hindi namin ito naabutan so it was quite fun and exhilarating for me kasi first day of school sa college talagang excited.” The memories of that day remain etched in her mind, as it marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in her life.
During her four years at STI, Ma’am Andrea actively honed a diverse range of skills that have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth. “Some of the skills that I honed was self confidence, oral communication, especially speaking, tapos public relation. I am much more open to talking to other people tapos mas madali kaming maging close and other than that, yung mga skills and knowledges basic skills and knowledges sa IT.” These invaluable skills have not only facilitated her ability to connect with others but have also propelled her towards excellence in her chosen field. Additionally, she acquired a solid foundation of IT knowledge and skills, which have proven to be indispensable in her career.
Ma’am Andria candidly shares the challenges she encountered during her college journey, highlighting a particularly difficult moment during her thesis defense. “There was when, wayback December I guess, sa thesis namin, so pinaiyak kasi [kami] ng professor so akala namin babagsak na kami tas uulit again ng one year.” The fear of failure and the prospect of repeating a year loomed over them. However, through unwavering determination, unwavering faith, and an unyielding refusal to succumb to despair, Ma’am Andria found the strength to persevere and rise above this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
Aftergraduating,whatdidyoudo? “Nag distribute kami agad ng resume from different companies and government agencies especially to STI. Triny lang din namin.” Eventually, her unwavering dedication and commitment to her craft led her to secure a position at STI College Legazpi, where she has been making a significant impact for
the past year. Her unwavering passion and relentless pursuit of excellence have been evident throughout her professional journey.
When asked to define success, Ma’am Andrea eloquently expresses her belief that it lies in the attainment of specific life goals and, most importantly, finding genuine happiness and fulfillment in those accomplishments.
Ma’am Andrea imparts invaluable advice to students who aspire to achieve success in their own lives. “Siguro ano, learn discipline, responsibility, patience, respect to other people tapos learn how to improve yourself everyday and also to enjoy life.” Furthermore, she encourages students to find joy and fulfillment in the present moment.
Ma’am Andrea’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. From her strict upbringing to her college experiences and professional growth, she has faced challenges headon and emerged stronger. Her journey serves as an inspiration to students, reminding them that setbacks are temporary and that success is attainable through perseverance and a positive mindset.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Carl Andrew Romabon CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Joshua Bulgado- Ma’am Andrea Esquillo
When asked how to overcome lowest point in life.
“If you need an outlet or rest you should take it pero make sure na wag kayong susuko mag rest lang kayo for a little bit tapos bangon ulit.”
n a small room on the 4th floor of the STI building, we sat down with Gelyn Dichoso, a 21-year-old college student from Matanag, Legazpi City. Our aim was to delve into her success story and discover how she overcame her lowest point.
When asked about the qualities she developed from her elementary and high school years that have carried over to college, Gelyn attributed her success to her involvement in sports, particularly volleyball. The discipline, teamwork, and determination she cultivated through sports have undoubtedly shaped her character.
The First Real College Experience:
Reflecting on her college journey, Gelyn shared her first real experience upon entering college. “Magulo, online class kasi kami noong first year college and then, after second year parang nabigla ako and ‘di organize sa school like [the] lesson also the teachers sometimes [they are] late.” She described it as chaotic, with the sudden shift to online classes during her first year. The lack of organization and occasional tardiness of teachers left her feeling disoriented. It was a challenging adjustment for her.
Defining Success:
When asked about her definition of success, Gelyn emphasized the growth of a business venture. “Ang definition ko sa success, for example is yung sa business, napalago [ko] siya and kumikita ako ng ten thousand.” For her, success lies in the ability to nurture and expand one’s endeavors.
Navigating the Lowest Point:
Gelyn acknowledged that college life also had its lowest points. She revealed that struggling with the transition to online classes after the pandemic was a significant challenge. “Struggle sa school, kasi nanibago ako after ng pandemic. Sa online
class kasi less yung learning versus sa faceto-face classes mas focus yung mga students.” The limited learning opportunities and decreased student engagement made it difficult for her to adapt. However, she remained resilient.
Overcoming Challenges:
To overcome these challenges, Gelyn adopted a focused approach to her studies. She remained determined to achieve her goals, despite the obstacles. By staying committed to her studies and maintaining a clear vision of her future, she found the strength to persevere.
Advice for First-Year Students:
As our interview drew to a close, we asked Gelyn to share her advice for first-year students. She emphasized the importance of time management, urging them to prioritize their tasks and complete them promptly. Additionally, she encouraged students to refrain from excessive complaining, as it hinders personal growth and progress.
Gelyn Dichoso’s journey from struggles to success serves as an inspiration to all college students. Her ability to overcome challenges and maintain a positive mindset is a testament to her resilience. As we bid farewell to Gelyn, we are reminded that success is not solely measured by achievements but also by the strength and determination to rise above adversity.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into the life and experiences of Akeem Pedrasa, an IT professor specializing in Computer Programming at STI College Legazpi. From his humble beginnings in Sta. Magdalena to his college days and beyond, Akeem shares his insights and reflections on his educational journey.
e find ourselves on the 4th floor of the STI building, ready to interview one of our esteemed professors, Akeem Pedrasa. Akeem introduces himself as an IT professor specializing in Computer Programming 1, having recently graduated from STI College Legazpi.
Elementary and High School Days: Sir Akeem shares that he attended Sta. Magdalena Central School for elementary and Sta. Magdalena National High School for his high school education. During these years, he actively participated in extracurricular activities such as poetry contests and pageants, which helped boost his confidence.
The Impact of Extracurricular Activities: When asked about the impact of these extracurricular activities, Sir Akeem emphasizes that they played a crucial role in building his confidence. “Napulot ko dun is my confidence because without those talent na ginawa ko di nag improved dun lahat ng confidence ko without those talent wala ako ngayon. So, I am grateful for having showing more talent sa iba or sa amin sa Sta. Magdalena.”
College Life and Perspective:
Transitioning to college, Sir Akeem shares that it was a transformative period for him. He realized the importance of focusing on what truly mattered and finding meaning in his studies. “Yes, nagbago talaga, usually. Kasi college life na nyan ito na niyong yugto ng buhay natin kumbaga magbabago yung perspective natin. Kasi why? kasi ito yung parang panimula natin ito yong parang start up natin kung saan tayo pupunta, saan tayo mag sisimula, saan tayo mag e-end. ” Akeem acknowledges that college life changed his perspective on life, from the moment he enrolled to the day he graduated.
Enrolling at STI College, Sir Akeem envisioned himself excelling in IT, particularly in coding, logical thinking, critical thinking, and brainstorming. “Envision ko lang naman sa sarili ko lang naman is that madami akong matututunan in
comes to IT kasi, excel ‘yong IT ng STI dito sa Bicol.” He recognized the reputation of STI in the Bicol region and aimed to learn as much as he could in these areas.
Overcoming Challenges:
Akeem recalls the lowest point of his college days, which was during the capstone project. “The reason why, kasi capstone yan, mabigat yan para sa programmer. Kasi dun mat-test kung ano yung meron, ano yung magawa mo. So, those times na medyo mabigat kasi may mga trial and error. Hindi lang ako dapat. Kaming grupo na kami, dun namin yung lowest times namin.”
However, they overcame this challenge by seeking guidance from mentors, advisors, participating in community coding, and engaging in advanced studies. “So, if you want to pass, if you want to graduate, kasi may mga vision in life kami, ano yung gusto namin, syempre, ipapasa namin yung capstone yun lang naman.”
Defining Success:
For Sir Akeem, success means being content and happy with what he is doing. He believes he is not yet at that point but hopes to achieve it in the near future. Akeem emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth.
Life After Graduation:
After graduating, Sir Akeem focused on finding a job. “Nag-try ako mag hanap ng mga seminars, mga workshops, kasi gusto ko ma-ipon ng mga certificates, something to prove my curriculum vitae or resume para sa job ko.” Eventually, STI offered him an opportunity to become a teacher, which he gladly accepted as his first job.
Advice for Students:
Sir Akeem advises students to prioritize their studies, make use of the resources available at STI, and avoid shifting courses unnecessarily. He encourages them to take advantage of the conducive learning environment and the advanced tools provided by the institution.
TRANSCRIBED BY: Johnson Jay EllanaCONTRIBUTING WRITER: Joshua Ll. Bulgado
Sir Akeem’s journey from a student to an IT professor is a testament to his determination, growth, and success. His experiences in extracurricular activities, college life, and overcoming challenges have shaped him into the person he is today. As he continues to inspire and guide students, Akeem’s story serves as a reminder that with dedication and perseverance, anyone can achieve their goals.
Huwag mag shift. Ang
shift, nasa keyboard natin. Okay?
Sir Akeem Pedrasa
Sa mga students na nag-start, simple kayo, huwag na huwag malibang, naman binabayaran
Nasaan man kayo, Maganda yung ginagamit yung eelms, walang dyan, kundi yung STI.
simple lang naman, mag advance study
malibang, dapat focus kayo sa study kasi sayang binabayaran nyo dito sa STI. So, make use of it.
yung environment kayo, maganda walang ibang school na gumagamit MR. AKEEM PEDRASA
Inspiring Stories of Success, Challenges, and Advice from STI College Legazpi’s Educators and Students
Joemari O. Besmonte
John Christopher Bryan B. Bañares
Charls Wendell D. Gonzales
Carl Andrew Romabon
Angelo Cortes
Johnson Jay Ellana
Jerozh D. Millena
Michael Kharl M. Agao
Joshua Ll. Bulgado
Kenn Andrei O. Rodriguez
Jethro Elija Paul Wabe
BSIT101-E GROUP 1
Everyone has their own definition of what success is. For some it may be gaining monetary stability or just being happy and contented with their life but before we could achieve success we must cultivate and hone our critical thinking, character, malleability and skills/ talents. We will also experience great number of challenges and hardships but we must rise up and conquer them to move forward towards our goal.