Karenn E. Moldez shares her life story, growing up with a loving but complicated family situation. She was raised primarily by her mother and grandmother after her father left. Her mother worked abroad as a nanny to support Karenn and her sister. Karenn pursued nursing school but had to stop to support her aunt's family. She later met her partner Genesis Jess in Palompon, Leyte and they now have two children together. Karenn is currently pursuing an IT degree and hopes to complete her studies to support her family.

2. One of the blissful days in every human
lives is to have a warm and loving family. And I
am so fortunate to have one…
I am Karenn E. Moldez and proud to say
that I’m a product of love of my parents. My
mother is Raquel S. Estante and my father is
Eduardo Moldez Jr. My mother gave birth to me
last June 9, 1987 at exactly 5:15 in the afternoon
in Perpetual Succor Hospital and Maternity
located at Sampaloc, Manila. It was Tuesday
then. Almost two years after my mom got
pregnant again. She had a baby girl again, my
sister Johanna “An-an” E. Moldez. I grew up in
Batangas but there was many diversions in my
life that I went through before I had my
permanent residency.

3. Years passed we moved in Palompon, Leyte
particularly in Sabang my father’s hometown.
There, my sister and I go to school as preschoolers, as
for my mom a very loving housewife while my father
was away from home because of his work. He was a
seaman during that time. I still remember playing with
my sister in the seashore. Making different creations
and structures out of the sand. It was really fun by that
time.
I really thought that our family has a never ending
happiness. But unlike those fairytales, there was no
happily ever after. One day my father never came back
as he sailed away home. He left us. That was the
darkest moment of our lives. As we try to heal the
wounds from the past, my mother decided to try her
luck in Batangas my mother’s homeland.

4. In Batangas, we start a new life together
with my grandmother Lola Julie. My Lola is a
really God-fearing person. And a very generous
person. She was fun to talk with.
Eventually, my mom found a job outside
the country at my Auntie’s house in Thailand.
She served as a nanny of my Auntie’s sons. And
that’s how she raised us as a single parent until
we finished from Kindergarten to Grade School
all the way to High School. Leaving both my
sister and I in my grandmother’s care. During
those days, I still don’t know how hard for my
mom it would be. I graduated in Grade School as
a special mention only. I’m not really that smart I
think. But I really enjoy those days that I play
with my friends. I even joined games that was
made only for boys . It was really fun. I’m one of
the boys during that time really.

5. During my high school days, I gained more confidence
for myself to make more improvement and then I stand out
more. I started competing and joining different club activities. I
joined the Cultural Club. I even join a singing competition for
the first time when I’m still a Freshman, and luckily I won. I
was also a part of dancers competing outside the school. I
remember the Funky Dance competition was one of my biggest
achievement in life. I was an officer also in CAT. It was totally
cool being one. I can say that high school was one of the
highlights in my life that I will never forget and I think
everybody does. I think being an active member of our church
in Taysan made me more feel alive. It really helps. So, I thank
God for all the blessings and talent that He bestowed upon me.
During these days I learned that you really have to be
independent, more responsible, and mature as well.

6. High school days was indeed a very challenging and yet
gratifying years in my life. You really can’t predict what will
happen next. Everyday is an adventure. The same goes with
love. And it strikes me three times in a row. Love really makes
you off-balanced. But I’m not this whole right now if it wasn’t
for them. Experienced is still the best mentor, really.
After the long sacrifice of my mom working hard from
afar, she managed to built a house for us. Eventually I
graduated in high school and I started facing my chosen career.
And as for me, I chose Nursing which was very in demand
during that time. My Auntie she was the one who provides all
my needs in studying. She supports me in everything.

7. Actually, almost all of my relatives are on the line of
Medicine. Some of them are Nurses and Doctors. So, I don’t
really find it hard with the idea of choosing the same
profession. I was admitted in Philippine Women’s University
in Taft, Manila. I pursue my career for almost 1 year. It was a
great experienced having been away from home all by
yourself by that time. I learnt saving money just to sustain my
daily needs and expenses. I remember not eating for 2 meals
in one day because I have to save my allowance for the fare
going back in our home. Because I used up some of my
money for my projects which was so sudden and I wasn’t
expecting it. I starved to death during that time and yet no one
knows about it.

8. Few more months I stopped. I gave way to my Auntie’s
son. She was pregnant to her first baby. And he needs special
medication because he was a premature. We spent a lot of
money just for him to stay alive because he had a lot of
complications. As for me and my sister, we were sailed away
going to Cebu to continue our studies under my Dad’s sister
care. That’s what my Mother decided to. I admitted in the
Southwestern University with the same course. Good for
me, I was able to explore more places and new people. The
dialect was really hard for me at first but as I went on I
eventually used to it now and used their own language
instead.

9. My first Semestral year there was a blissful one. But
my Dad suddenly decided to settle my studying here in the
Philippines and be ready to continue our luck in California.
He petitioned us together with my sister. So we stopped
schooling and starts processing our papers. But due to some
circumstances it was postponed until it was cancelled. And
we lost contact with my Dad again. For 2 years I was
spending my life in Palompon, Leyte my Dad’s homeland.
Same thing familiarizing with the place and its residents
until I’m used to. And then I met my half of my soul. He
was Genesis Jess. We met through a common friend during
the town fiesta.

10. As our relationship grew stronger and tested by time, we
had our siblings Trisha Yvonne and Zabdiel Vera, our cute little
angels. Now, I’m pursuing my new dream as an Information
Technology student in Palompon Institute of Technology the
same Institute that my fiancé went to during his College
years…
My only wish right now is to finished my studies as I
always wanted… No more, no less. As for my kids, to live their
lives into their hearts content with no regrets. And to my better
half, I promise that whenever you breathes… I’ll be there as
your oxygen. I love you and I’ll always will.