Biography of Lyn Lugatiman

            ‘‘The journey of a thousand miles begin with one step.” the quote of Lao Tzu which Lyn Lugatiman likes the most.

            Lyn Lugatiman is the stunning and obedient daughter of Lucy Lugatiman. After her christening (She was one (1) month old.), her mother went abroad to find a job so she was raised by her supportive and loving grandparents named Manuel L. Lugatiman and Herminigilda Lugatiman.

            At the age of 5, she encountered an accident. It was really unexpected. It was a gloomy afternoon, Lyn and her cousin, Lee Lugatiman was eating delicious and sweet macaroni salad. When Lyn finished eating her salad, she decided to place her glass in the sink. Before reaching the sink, she tripped her foot and fell down while holding the transparent glass. Unexpectedly, the glass was broken into pieces and some broken materials kissed her face. She was brought to the hospital. Sadly, that accident left a huge scar in his face but thanks to that certain facial product for it somewhat like reduces the appearance of the scar.

            She attended her elementary years at Po-o Elementary School. When she goes to school, she just simply walked because it was very near. ‘‘It was fun and exciting”, she said. One of her unforgettable experience was when she and her classmates escaped from school. Aside from escaping, they went to Kawasan Falls and enjoy the clean and sparkling water. When she went home, she was scolded by her grandfather because of the reason that they might end up drowning. After that, she didn’t do it again and she only focused on her studies and graduated as 3^rd honors.

Lazi National Agricultural School was her secondary school. It was located in Tigbawan, Lazi, Siquijor which was a 10 minute ride away from their home. She decided to take her high school in that school because she wanted to experience being in a new environment. She was not a sociable person and that became a problem because during her first day of being a high schooler, she had a difficulty in communicating and meeting new friends. As time goes by, she managed to enhance her communication skills. She studied very well and luckily, she graduated in high school as a 3^rd honorable mention.

            ‘‘Honestly, education as a course is not my first choice. I have always dreamed of becoming a nurse but unfortunately, we were financially incapacitated back then. Among the other courses offered, I have always believed that teaching is fitting to my personality and I was called to do this. I may not be able to become a nurse but I can always create one”, she answered when I asked her why did she chose education as her course in college. Her grandfather was the one who refused her idea. At that time, she cried the whole night for she did her best in high school. The word discourage wasn’t enough to describe her feelings at that time. Her grandfather wanted the institution Siquijor State College to be her college school for it’s very near to their place. Vacation ended and she had no other choice but to enroll in Siquijor State College. She chose the course Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in English. Going to school was not that easy. One of her major problem back then was when her mother couldn’t send money due to some circumstances. That is why, she ended up borrowing money to her friends to pay her tuition. From that day on, she learned her lesson. She practiced budgeting her daily allowance and most of all, she applied in a scholarship. Luckily, she was accepted. Her college days weren’t that bad for she experienced being a dean and class honor also. ‘‘My efforts and all those sleepless nights were all worth it when I graduated”, she said.

            When she passed the Licensure Examination, she was very happy. She couldn’t explain how happy she was. There was an overflowing of blessings at that time for she also found her long lost sister named Analyn Lugatiman. Lyn met her beautiful niece and handsome nephew also. After 20 years, they have seen each other with the help of Facebook. ‘‘Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and above all, the Almighty God’’, she said.

            After finding her long lost sister, her grandmother died. The loving and the closest person in her life who stood as her second mother in many years was already gone. Even though Lyn was expecting more bondings together with her long lost sister and her grandparents, she couldn’t do it for her grandmother passed away. ‘‘I miss her but I don’t want her to suffer”, she said. As time goes by, the pain was gone and she has learned to accept the truth with the help of her closest friends, families and relatives around her also.

Lyn is such a hardworking person. When she was still applying for a work in the Department of Education, she became a part-time instructor in the institution of Siquijor State College- Lazi Campus. ‘‘I really hate staying at home and not doing something for a living. I am an adult now and I needed to find a job to sustain my needs and also, to help and support my family”, she proudly stated. After a few months, she was accepted and hired by the Department of Education and she is currently working at Leon Parami High School. It was her assigned school and she was very happy for it is only a 2 minute drive away from their home. At first, it was never easy, especially, when her students won’t listen to her. Also, disappointment can be seen in her face when her students can’t pass the exam. Despite that, she is still happy for the students are one of the reasons why she smiles everyday. During Saturdays, she goes to Foundation University because of her masteral. Last March 18, 2017, she had her defend. It went very well for she did her best when she’s still doing her thesis paper.

            “Life was never easy but with the help of my families and friends, above all, the Almighty God, I was able to survive for a very long time”, she said. For her, struggles or the challenges in life are just one of the tests of God to determine how strong and determined a person is. She believes that nothing is impossible if a person has the courage and faith in his or her own self.

Group Members:

Jadhele L. Sayre

Guila Bahian

Aleunel Padayhag

Farah Grace Kilat