Story of the Blogger

Hi! I have posted many things on my blog but I have not introduced myself. By the way, I am Carl John Carolino. I am 22 years old and a licensed high school teacher at Anda Integrated School. Now, I have called myself as a blogger. I really wanted to have my writings on the Web so I have decided to establish this site to showcase the other side of me being a writer. I will share my story about how I started to love writing. 

I love reading since I was a child. Every day, I used to read history books of my father. My affection on books developed my dream of somehow seeing my name printed in front of a book. However, my ambition to become a lawyer prevailed than to be an author.

Then, I entered high school and that was time my talent in writing was honed. It started when I joined an essay writing competition in our school. I and other contestants were tasked to share our insights about the theme of our United Nations Month celebration. I was second year that time and I admit that I am delimited by my vocabulary and grammar awareness. I just tried my best to meet the number of words needed and simply outpoured my thoughts. I did not exert much effort in that competition. I joined that contest because I need to earn extra- curricular point that is essential if you are vying for honors. When the winners of the essay writing were announced, my heart leaped high as I heard my name. I won as third placer. Not bad for a neophyte like me. That victory made me to yearn for more.

I remembered that our English teacher picked me and other five schoolmates to join campus journalism seminar in Sual National High School. I was clueless about campus journalism. Thanks for my father for advising to keep abreast on current events. He introduced me newspapers. I began being inclined on news reporting and editorial writing. My hobby of reading broadsheets and tabloids helped me to excel in the seminar. After three hours of seminar, the organizers handled contests on different areas of campus journalism. I joined editorial writing- Filipino medium contest. Honestly, I want to join other contest but my teacher and schoolmates convinced me to participate. During that time, I felt skeptical because I’m joining the contest that I know to myself I am not good at it. After the given period of writing, I just prayed that my writing will be noticed by the judges. However, I put in my mind that I had a minimal chance of winning. The announcement of winners happened and the gleam of hope that I hold became a blazing torch as I landed on fifth place in that contest.

I just realized that I can write meaty articles. 

My desire to be a journalist began to thrive. But, I struggled to be a campus journalist as our school wasn’t able to put up a newspaper during my time. I and my teacher tried our best to have a newspaper but we failed. It was a heartbreaking event for a newcomer in the world of journalism. My pain was augmented as my dream to study journalism in college shelved by my father. He convinced to study education course for our family cannot avail the course that I want to venture. To ease the pain, I wrote poems dealing with desolation.

I enrolled in Pangasinan State University- Alaminos City which was on its first year of operation. The opportunity knocked on my door as the campus was scouting writers to establish its own publication. I didn’t hesitate to undergo screening. Fortunately, I passed the tests and appointed as opinion editor of The University Frontier. I hold that position for two years before I served as editor-in-chief of the newspaper. Being into the field of college campus journalism gave me broad knowledge and discernment about the art and let me improve my skill. Aside from being an editor, I also tried to write poems and feature articles for the news publication. Including me in that news organization washed my sadness and frustrations. I thought that entering the course that I disdained before would make me think that writing career is elusive for me. But, it gave me the chance to explore and ignite my mind to divulge what I know. 

PSU also gave me chances to compete in different writing contests. Modesty aside, I won three championship titles in campus level and a championship title in university- wide level and a championship title in regional level as an essayist using Filipino language. I could not believe that I can win writing competitions. Thank you Lord for letting me experience to be a champion.

After graduating the course, I navigated many websites which offer writing jobs and online writing competitions. Unfortunately, I failed. I could not beat deadlines of some writing sites because of lack of resources such as personal computer and Internet connection.  Internet cafes are distant from our home.

While waiting for the right time to display my writing talent, I went back on poetry writing. Four months after graduation, my father bought a laptop and a pocket WiFi device. That time my passion was rekindled as I discovered Typotic and other writing sites. 

November 2014, I was hired in Asbury College, Inc.- Anda, Pangasinan as a college instructor. I was able to impart my knowledge in journalism as I taught Campus Journalism subject. I enjoyed guiding my students as they create news stories, feature articles, editorials and layouts. During my stay in Asbury College, I found something in the Internet the thing that made to dream high and aspire as a writer. I accidentally found Blogger, a Google brand. With a little inkling about the writing platform, I decided to have my own blog. I posted many articles on the Web and those were read by hundreds of Internet users abroad. I felt glad that somehow there are people who are interested on my writings.

I wasn’t able to fulfil my promise to post a daily article as I focused on applying for a job in Department of Education. After many months of waiting, I was hired as a high school teacher. Until now, I cannot believe that the job that I used to avoid, caught me and made me fell in love to it. It was hard for me to go back to blogging because I was adjusting. 

After I adapted the system, I started to do blogging again but this time I formed a blog that you are currently reading. I am trying my best to do my promise. I want to achieve my dream. Honestly, I envision myself as a prolific writer with a large retinue of readers. In making my vision possible, I need to undergo pain, sacrifices and learning to offer readers stories that they can put themselves in the situations. For now, I just need to be passionate and enjoy what I am doing. Time will come that I will become a credible and entertaining blogger, counselor, and a friend. 

As you read the content of my blog, have the moment to go back in time. Try reminiscing memories and learn lessons from what I experienced. After all, I can conclude that “Experience is the best teacher.” 

This is my story. My plights and my victories will serve as my inspirations to go beyond my limits. This blog will remind me the things that I have done and I should not stop creating memories. Life is too short. I should not waste my time in doing petty things. I will create good memories and these memories will be documented in this blog. 

I hope you will join me as I invite nostalgia to stay beside me. Happy reading.