INTRODUCTION: Who is this blogger?

                             I am the Living Maria Clara

              Hi! My name is Hermilita Melio Lagmay :), a true Filipino by heart. I am a simple lady, filled with dreams and hopes of everlasting life. I believe to the Almighty God who stands with us in the battlefield of our lives.

              My father is an Ilocano and my mother is a native Igorot of the Cordillera. I grew up with the Kankana-ey tribe in Sabangan, Montain Province. Regardless of being raised in barrios where life is different from the modernized areas, many good Filipino values are enshrined in my heart by my parents. Some of which are humility, politeness, hospitality, and sense of utang-na-loob.

               Though I have been showered with moral teachings, I also do commit mistakes due to my imperfections. But that does not mean that I will blame my imperfections for my wrong deeds. Every mistake I will commit would mean punishment. Every single wrong deed would signify hard consequences. This prompt me to make this blog, to always remind me that I should always keep right my words and actions.

                  One more thing, I also made this blog page of mine to accept genuine comments from the readers that may help in harnessing this writing skill which God had given to me.

                   Fifteen years ago, I remember being a "readaholic" grade one pupil. I loved reading fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow white, Ariel: the Mermaid, and many more. Aside from these fiction stories, I am also fond of reading the Lola Basyang' stories which usually talks about the heroism of warriors, princes and kings. Due to my "readaholic" characteristic, I learned to love writing short poems, stories, and songs. 

                  "Did you really make this story?" my father once asked me. With his glistering, wide eyes, he stared at me intently.  I did not say a word because I knew that if I would talk, I might burst out tears of joy. It was the very first moment that he appreciated my obra-maestra. You know, I am so melancholic that tends to be emotional when it comes to life stories. Yeah, I am really that person who easily sheds tears.

                 
                   I was only a grade three pupil then. That was the very first time I made a novel entitled "The Boxing story". I wrote it in my old notebook. If my mind serves me right, I wrote it within three months. I did not want my parents, brothers or sisters to read it but I accidentally left the notebook on the kitchen, so then, my father saw it.

                   If only I had kept that notebook, I might have something to show you. But I lost it. That does not mean the end of my passion in writing.  So here I am again, starting to wave and play with critic minds by incorporating my stories through this page.

                  When I started enrolling in our humble campus, I was in doubt of what course I am really inclined with. Upon looking at the "list of course choices", Bachelor of Science in Development Communication caught my eyes. I made up my mind so I took the course knowing that it is not just a mere choice but rather a better path for me to develop myself, as well as my community. It may be a weird idea, but I believe that a simple word could turn the world greener and lovelier. In the same manner, a single story could energize an individual to be part of the sustainable societal development.
 
                   So goes with this saying of mine, "One person could build billion populations into one mind".