Dolly Rose G. Celiste was born on February 22, 1993 in Maasin City, Philippines. She grew up as the youngest of three children, spoiled but also taught good morals by her parents. She did well in school but had to stop her education to work after high school to support her family. She spent several difficult years working in Manila, learning independence and strength. She then returned home to continue her college education in food technology and entrepreneurship, inspired to finish what she started. Her dreams are to provide a luxurious life for her family and to travel the world.

1. My Autobiography
Sitting here and looking back, I don’t know
where to begin. I couldn’t still imagine writing a
version of my own life in a piece of paper because,
reminiscing the past and predicting the future is
somehow driving me crazy. I don’t know why, but it
somewhat a big challenge for me. But as a sort of
introduction, my life begins on a moonlit night of
February 22, 1993 in Maasin City. That very day, I
came galloping along and took my first breaths of
life, as live new born babies do. If I’ll ask my mother
of how I looked like after she delivered me, she
would always say, “You looked like the “Ita’s” in
Ifugao, having dark skin and curly hair”. But kidding
aside, only happiness filled the air when I came into
their life according to her.
Dolly Rose G. Celiste is my name, by the way. My name sounds beautiful, isn’t?
Both of my name and elder sister’s name were taken from the children that my mother
used to care of when she was working as a baby sitter before. The so good-to-hear
name of mine is a contrary of the real me, I guess. Because as I can still remember of
my childhood years; I used to be an unpleasing, very active and naughty one. As the
youngest siblings among three, I grow up as a spoiled brat thereof. I used to see myself
playing here and everywhere even in midday and rainfall. I so loved playing different
games especially the native Filipino games with my childhood friends and siblings. And
as like what others do; my sister, brother and I always had arguments before. We used
to teased each other and most of the time we argued physically that will result to
punishments that will executed by our parents. Punishments that will leave a beautiful
mark which is; to behave, learn and respect one another.
I am very grateful to my ever loving parents because growing up, they teach me
to have good moral and be a God fearing person. And like mostly parents do, I was
raised well and cultivated in my mind by our parents especially my mother, as a former
teacher, the value of education. They told me, “Education is the only treasure that we
can give to you. So, be good at it.” It is then forever be remembered by me.
Yes! Education is for all, they say. It was fun attending classes in Kindergarten
but I enjoyed much of my grade school days and much more of my secondary years. I

2. was a consistent honor student since then. Having good education, true friends, playful
enemies and cute crushes, was a big help in molding myself. But unfortunately, I
stopped, five years ago. It was one of my down parts in life because after I finished my
secondary level, I took up a course in Tacloban, but only good for one semester. It was
me who decided to stop because I was a working student in my Aunt that time and I
cannot properly manage my time in studying and working. Also, my elder siblings are
still continuously studying and my parents cannot anymore afford to send me to school.
And so, I decided to give way.
After that, I eventually went to Manila to earn money to help my treasured family.
It was the happiest yet the saddest part of my life, I assume. Being away from home
and family at the age of 16 for the first time was the critical risk I’ve ever made. And as
a minor, it was very hard for me to find a job. There, I experience sorrow. I experienced
to eat once a day, to eat noodles and egg for the whole week, to walk a hundred miles
away in applying a job, to sleep like sardines because of lack of space, to sleep in a
stranger’s house, to lean money from anybody and more. I can’t help myself but crying
in the middle of the night when everybody seems fall asleep. I worked in different places
and in different jobs. I’ve worked as a baby sitter of three and four years old children, as
a baby sitter also of a new born baby, as a house maid, as a sales lady in a mall and a
factory worker of three companies. God knows how I did overcome those challenges
and on the bright side, those experiences taught me so much things in life. I became
more matured in many ways. I’ve learned to appreciate more the value of family, friends
and money. I gain many friends and above all, I’ve learned to be an independent and to
be stronger enough to handle problems and challenges. Indeed, after three and a half
years of devoting myself in working, I suddenly give myself a break and decided to
came home and continue my studies.
At present, I am the only daughter who’s living with my parents in Libas, Sogod,
Southern Leyte because my other siblings were already have their own families. I am
also the only one who’s not yet through in College Education. Thus, I am more inspired
to finish my course, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology and Entrepreneurship in
Southern Leyte State University. This is what I’ve hoped for and as what people usually
say, “It’s never too late to learn.”
To end with, If only one of my dreams could come true, I would wish to live a
luxurious life with my family and soon to be mine someday. I know that it is an
impossible dream and too much to ask for but, as what they say; “If you dream, dream
big!” I also want to travel around the globe to see wonderful spots, to meet different
kinds of people from the different places and to learn other culture, tradition and dialect.
I know that my journey is too long to be told but as long as God, family, friends and
other people who love me is with me, I know I can get through it. Knock on woods!