The Purpose That Carried Me: A Life Story of Coins, Crossroads, and Calling

Introduction

I was never born with abundance, but I was born with awareness. At a young age, I understood the weight of every coin, the meaning behind every meal, and the sacrifice behind every smile from my parents. I’ve carried dreams quietly, worked tirelessly, loved deeply, failed honestly, and stood up again—with faith as my compass.

This is not a story of instant success. It is a story of grit, grace, and God. It’s a journey of a child who saved coins in silence, a man who fought for peace over comfort, and a soul who returned home—not just to a place, but to purpose.

This is my life story. And if you find yourself in any part of it, know this: You are not alone. Keep walking. You’re on your way.

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Table of Contents

1. A Child Who Understood Early

2. Working My Way Up

3. Giving Back Quietly

4. Love, Loss, and Letting Go

5. A Life in Song

6. Rebuilding with Purpose

7. My First Taste of Business

8. When Everything Slowed Down

9. Second Chances and Stronger Faith

10. Keep Walking—God is in the Process

11. Leadership, Not Just for Myself

12. Coming Home to Faith

13. A Dream Rooted in Nature

14. Final Note: My Story Is Still Being Written

Chapter 1: A Child Who Understood Early

I was young when I first understood what it meant to sacrifice. Every time I wanted something—a toy, a new pair of shoes, or a treat—I would think of my parents. I saw how hard they worked. I knew money wasn’t just money; it was hours under the sun, aching hands, and missed meals.

So I made a quiet decision: I would never ask them for more than they could give. Instead, I saved my allowance—bit by bit, peso by peso. When I finally had enough, I’d buy what I wanted. But I never told them it was from my savings. I’d say someone gave it to me. Because deep inside, I feared if they knew, they’d think I didn’t need my full allowance anymore—and they might reduce it.

It was a simple trick from a young mind, but behind it was something deeper: I was learning how to carry my dreams quietly. I was learning responsibility, independence, and strategy—not out of rebellion, but out of love.

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Chapter 2: Working My Way Up

College was never going to be easy for me—but I never expected easy. I became a working student from day one. While my classmates went home to rest after classes, I changed into my uniform and headed to my shift. I started as a crew member in a fast-food chain—earning, learning, and pushing forward.

Bit by bit, I rose. From crew, I became a crew trainer, then a crew chief. My responsibilities grew, and so did my vision. When I graduated with a Bachelor of Science, major in Management, I didn’t rest. I applied right away for a Manager Trainee role. Step by step, I was promoted to Second Assistant, then First Assistant, and finally became a Store Manager at McDonald’s.

This wasn’t just a job. It was the foundation of my dream—to one day own a restaurant. That dream still fuels me.

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Chapter 3: Giving Back Quietly

Working and studying matured me early. I stopped being a burden to my parents—in fact, I became a giver. I was the one treating them to dinner, giving gifts, and bringing them joy during the holidays. Since I started working at 16, I never missed a Christmas gift for my family—even now, approaching 50. When I travel abroad, I never come home without pasalubong for everyone.

These aren’t just gestures. They are reflections of love, gratitude, and purpose. Every small gift carries the message: “I remember you. You are part of why I’ve come this far.”

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Here’s the revised Chapter 4: Love, Loss, and Letting Go with your addition seamlessly integrated into the narrative:

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Chapter 4: Love, Loss, and Letting Go

I was never the type to fall in love easily. For me, love meant commitment—for life. I never wanted to waste time, emotions, or money on something I didn’t see lasting forever. That’s why every time I entered a relationship, I gave it my all. But if I saw signs of disrespect, negativity, or cycles that couldn’t be fixed despite effort, I chose to walk away—with a heavy heart, but a clear mind.

At 28, I got married. We had one child. I had hoped it would be a peaceful life, a real family. On the outside, everything looked ideal—even a chance at building a prosperous life with a well-off partner. But inside, we were breaking. Jealousy, family differences, beliefs, and daily arguments tore us apart. We just weren’t compatible. After two years, I chose peace over luxury. I gave up the comfort and potential of that life, and separated—leaving behind my child at the age of two. It was the hardest decision of my life.

I married someone who belonged to a different religion, and out of respect and the desire to make our marriage work, I converted—I became a Jehovah’s Witness. I tried to embrace their teachings and way of life. I attended meetings, learned their doctrines, and adjusted to a faith different from how I was raised. It wasn’t an easy shift, but I did it wholeheartedly, believing that love was worth the sacrifice.

But even with the changes I made, even after giving up a part of myself to adapt, things didn’t get better. Faith didn’t unite us—it became another source of tension. In the end, love alone wasn’t enough to bridge the growing divide. And once again, I had to let go—not only of the relationship but also of the version of myself I had tried to become for someone else.

Letting go was not a sign of failure. It was an act of honesty. A surrender. And eventually, it became the beginning of healing.

Thank you for sharing such a rich and heartfelt piece of your journey. Based on everything you’ve shared, here is your new chapter, beautifully written and fully aligned with the tone and message of your life story:

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Chapter 5: A Life in Song

Long before I knew what I wanted to become, I already knew what I loved: music.

I was in Grade 3 when I first became a server at the Cathedral. Every Sunday, I would quietly watch the choir sing—so full of harmony, reverence, and spirit. I may have been young, but something inside me stirred. I told myself, “One day, I’ll join them. One day, I’ll sing, too.”

That “one day” came faster than I expected.

By Grade 5, my teacher began including me in school singing competitions. At first, it was just local contests—small programs, school-wide events. But later on, I got to represent my school in inter-school competitions as well. My genre? Ballads and pop. I gravitated toward heartfelt songs—those that spoke of emotion, love, and longing. I admired artists like Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Rey Valera, and many others from the golden age of OPM in the 1980s. Their music wasn’t just melody—it was memory, emotion, and truth.

When I joined the church choir around Grade 5 or 6, I wasn’t alone. My siblings were with me. Every Saturday and Sunday, we would attend practice, blending our voices in praise. I became a “taong simbahan” early in life—not out of obligation, but out of joy. Church wasn’t just a place for worship. It became my training ground—for music, for discipline, and for faith.

Later in life, when I embraced the Christian faith, music again became my bridge to God. I volunteered to lead worship, eventually becoming a worship leader. I sang not to perform, but to pour out my heart—to usher others into God’s presence through song. From churches to quiet rooms, from choirs to worship teams, my life became a continuous offering of praise.

And now, in 2025, having returned to the Catholic Church, it feels like coming full circle.

I’m back in the choir—back in the place where my love for music was first born. Back to where I first heard God’s call, not in words, but in melody.

Music has never been just a hobby for me. It’s a thread that runs through every chapter of my life. It helped shape my identity. It carried me through grief. It lifted my spirit in worship. And above all, it has always been one of the most beautiful ways I know how to honor God.

Because long before I found my voice in leadership, business, or vision—I found it in song.

Chapter 6: Rebuilding with Purpose

After walking away from a life that looked perfect on the outside but left me restless inside, I returned to where I had once grown and thrived—McDonald’s, this time as a Restaurant Manager. I didn’t go back to start over. I went back to continue building. With all the lessons I had gained—about love, pain, and integrity—I led with a different kind of strength.

But deep inside, I knew I was called for something more personal and impactful. In 2010, I took a leap and became a financial advisor. That same year, my life took a spiritual turn—I surrendered my life to Christ and began walking in faith. That decision changed everything.

From that moment, my career wasn’t just about progress—it became about purpose. I left the restaurant industry and devoted myself full-time to financial advising. It wasn’t just a job; it became a mission to help others find direction and freedom—just like I had.

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Chapter 7: When Everything Slowed Down

After closing down Tapa Express due to mismanagement by the people I trusted, I poured all my energy into being a financial advisor. This time, things were going well. I had built a team of 20 people. From a solo agent, I became a Senior Financial Advisor—meeting quotas, mentoring others, and handling transactions directly with clients. My team was growing, and so was my confidence.

Then COVID-19 happened.

The world shut down, and so did everything we built. My team struggled to meet targets. Clients disappeared. People couldn’t leave their homes. One by one, my agents left. My savings began to vanish. It felt like everything was falling apart.

But I didn’t give up.

I shifted everything online—from prospecting to processing. I became a servicing agent of St. Peter Life Plan, following up with clients every day. I asked for referrals, pushed through rejection, and dealt with every type of person—some kind, some not. The pandemic tested everything: my patience, my persistence, and my purpose.

But I chose to fight. Not just for income—but for the future I still believed in.

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Chapter 8: Second Chances and Stronger Faith

After COVID, everything felt like it had to be rebuilt from scratch. My team was gone—many had lost their licenses due to missed targets. It was another heavy blow. But I realized: If you don’t move, nothing moves. If you wait for grace without effort, you might miss what God wants to give you through action.

So I prayed—and acted.

I asked my former father-in-law if I could take care of my daughter. Even though my ex-wife was abroad and we were already annulled, I wanted to be present. He welcomed me, and for two years, I stayed with them from Tuesday to Sunday, returning to Lipa on Mondays to be with my family. My daughter, now 16, was finally with me—just the two of us and her grandfather. I helped with their business, but I continued working online as a financial advisor.

Then came another twist.

My ex-wife returned from abroad. We decided to try again—for the sake of our daughter and maybe, deep inside, to finally make peace with the past. But by December 2023, I realized nothing had changed. Old wounds reopened. Misunderstandings returned. I knew in my heart—it was time to let go, permanently.

I apologized to my father-in-law. I knew he hoped we’d reconcile. But I also knew now that love, peace, and healing can’t be forced—not even for

Chapter 8: Second Chances and Stronger Faith (continued)

But I also knew now that love, peace, and healing can’t be forced—not even for a family’s sake—if it’s not in God’s plan.

So I left again. This time, it was with honesty, not bitterness. I looked my daughter in the eyes and spoke from the deepest part of my heart:

“You are and will always be my only child. I may not be with you every day, but I am always your father.”

And with that, I promised myself: next time, if love comes again, it will not be rushed. It will be real, grounded, and led by God.

This chapter closed with peace. And I carried its lessons forward with even greater faith.

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Chapter 9: Keep Walking—God is in the Process

If there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s this: there is no straight line to purpose. The journey will test you—bend you, break you, shape you. But every chapter, even the hard ones, has meaning.

From the little boy who hid his savings to protect his parents…

To the young man who worked through college with fast-food shifts…

To the father who loved, failed, and tried again…

To the dreamer who lost his business, rebuilt his faith, and kept moving…

I am that man. And I’m still walking.

I’ve learned to trust the process, even when I don’t understand it. I’ve learned to pray with action, not just wait with worry. And I’ve learned that the greatest strength sometimes comes not from how loudly we fight, but from how quietly we endure—and how deeply we trust.

To anyone reading this, let me say: don’t rush your journey. Don’t compare it to others. Let your story unfold with grace. Work while you wait. Grow in the delays. And believe that God is not done with you yet.

Walang planong hindi nagtatagumpay sa gusto ng Diyos. Basta’t huwag mo Siyang kalimutan.

Chapter 10: Leadership, Not Just for Myself

As my career as a financial advisor grew, I realized something: success felt empty if I was the only one rising. I didn’t want to just be a top performer. I wanted to be a builder of people.

So I began mentoring. Training. Encouraging others who were just starting out—those who had the drive but lacked direction. I taught them not just about policies, targets, and commissions, but about character. About integrity. About why we do what we do.

In every person I coached, I saw a version of myself. The young man who once juggled school and work. The father trying to provide. The dreamer still unsure of his path.

Some of them succeeded. Some stumbled. But all of them were seen. Because I know how powerful it is when someone believes in you—especially when you’re still trying to believe in yourself.

I also applied these lessons at home. I led my daughter not by force, but by example. I taught her to pray when she’s confused, to work with purpose, and to walk away from anything that robs her of peace. Leadership, I realized, isn’t about having followers. It’s about creating space for others to become their best.

One of my proudest moments wasn’t when I hit a quota—it was when someone I trained surpassed me. Because that’s what real leadership looks like: raising others to go farther than you did, and cheering them on as they do.

Chapter 11: Coming Home to Faith

From Catholic to Jehovah’s Witness, to Christian, and back to Catholic.

I was born into the Catholic faith in 1976. For nearly three decades—from birth to 2005—I lived and worshipped as a Catholic. I prayed the rosary, attended Mass, and followed the traditions that shaped so much of who I was. But like many, I reached a point where I began to ask deeper questions—about faith, about truth, about where I truly belonged.

In 2006, life took a surprising turn. Out of love and respect for my then-wife, I became a Jehovah’s Witness. For nearly three years, from 2006 to 2008, I did my best to embrace their teachings. I studied their doctrines, attended their meetings, and tried to understand God through a new lens. It was unfamiliar at first, but I gave it my full heart—believing that honoring the faith of the person I loved was part of loving them fully.

Still, something in me remained unsettled. I had changed my faith to keep my marriage, but I began to lose parts of myself in the process. And when the relationship ended, so did that chapter of my faith journey.

In 2009, I found myself seeking again. That’s when I encountered a Christian community that changed my life. Their worship felt alive. The way they studied the Bible brought Scripture to life. I began to experience God in a deeply personal way—not just through rituals, but through relationship. My walk with Christ became real. For the next 15 years, I was a Christian—serving, growing, and living a life of faith that shaped who I am today.

But by 2025, something unexpected happened: a gentle call began to stir in my heart again.

I started to miss the sacraments. I missed the quiet reverence of the Eucharist, the sacred stillness of the Catholic Mass, and the rich traditions I had once taken for granted. But now, I saw them differently—not as rituals, but as holy mysteries pointing me back to Christ. I realized that my journey didn’t invalidate my past. In fact, every step brought me closer to understanding the depth of my original faith.

So I came home.

Not because the Christian path failed me—but because it brought me full circle. I returned to the Catholic Church, not as the boy who simply followed tradition, but as a man who had searched deeply and found meaning in it again.

This is not a story of switching religions. It’s a story of a soul that kept seeking God, through every season and shift. I am Catholic by conviction, Christian by heart, and always—above all—a child of God.

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Chapter 12: A Dream Rooted in Nature

Ever since I started earning my own salary, I began to fulfill the quiet joys of my childhood—not with toys, but with life. I didn’t collect action figures or video games. I collected moments with animals. My first few pets were not just companions—they were mirrors of my soul.

I cared for dogs, cats, lovebirds, fish. I learned their behavior, their temperament, their needs. I found peace in their presence and healing in their loyalty. My favorites? Pugs, French Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Bichon Frisés, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Terriers—each one with a story, a personality, a purpose. I’ve taken care of them not as pets, but as part of my family. Their loyalty inspired me. Their simplicity reminded me of what truly matters.

Alongside animals, I also discovered my love for plants. From simple garden pots to ornamental arrangements, I found myself drawn to their growth, their silence, their slow but sure unfolding. Taking care of them became a form of prayer. Watching them bloom was a sign that life, no matter how slow, always finds its way.

That’s why one of my biggest dreams is to build something more than just a business.

I imagine a wide piece of land—open, green, and vibrant. At the heart of it is a restaurant. But not just any restaurant—one surrounded by nature. Diners will sit beside a giant aquarium wall, watching fish swim peacefully as they enjoy their meals. The entire experience will feel like dining inside an underwater garden.

And because the lot area is large, I want to maximize the space to bring joy and opportunity to others. The restaurant will offer a buffet-style menu, perfect for hosting special events—weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and other celebrations of life. We’ll offer full event coordination, complete with planners, decorators, and hosts who will make every moment meaningful for our clients. This isn’t just a service—it’s an experience. I want people to walk into my space and feel that they are seen, celebrated, and served with excellence.

But it doesn’t end there.

This dream isn’t just for customers—it’s for community. With such a wide and dynamic operation, I know I’ll need many hands. That’s why I plan to hire not only individuals, but families. I want the spouses, siblings, and children of my employees to have opportunities, too—whether in the restaurant, the event planning, the greenhouse, or the pet facilities. I want to build a village, not just a workforce.

Because when families grow together, hope becomes stronger. When parents work while their children learn nearby, the future becomes brighter. No one will need to leave home to seek a better life in the city. That better life will be right here—rooted in nature, grounded in community, and powered by shared purpose.

There will be:

• A restaurant with buffet-style dining, set in nature.

• A dedicated events center for weddings, birthdays, and all kinds of celebrations—with our own event planners, hosts, and coordinators.

• A greenhouse and nursery for ornamental and edible plants.

• A dog breeding and grooming facility, clean and compassionate.

• A pet product line: dog vitamins, shampoos, grooming tools, and accessories.

• An aquatics division: aquariums, aquatic plants, decorative stones, fish food, and filters.

• A sustainable farm: providing fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs for our dishes.

• Employee housing, built with dignity—where every worker and their family can live, rest, and grow.

This is more than just a dream. It’s a life mission. And I pray—deeply and daily—that God will give me the strength, wisdom, and resources to turn it into reality. Not for my own comfort, but so I can help others live with dignity. So I can give jobs to those who need a second chance. So families can stay together. So dreams—quiet, simple, beautiful dreams—can come alive for others, too.

Because I believe God plants dreams not just in our hearts, but through our hands.

This vision brings together every piece of my life: the child who found joy in pets and plants, the worker who knew the value of every peso, the father who longed for peace, and the man who now dreams of building not just wealth, but wellness for others.

And one day, when I stand in the middle of that land, surrounded by life, laughter, and light—I’ll know: the dream God placed in my heart was always meant to bloom.

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Final Note: My Story Is Still Being Written

If you’ve journeyed with me through these pages—thank you. You’ve walked alongside the quiet child who counted coins in secret, the student who worked his way up through every rank, the father who chose peace over pride, the dreamer who fell and stood again, and the soul who never stopped singing.

You’ve seen the different versions of me:

The altar boy listening to the church choir, dreaming of joining their song.

The student performer who poured heart into every school contest.

The worship leader who sang through storms.

The man who, even now, continues to serve through music—returning to the church choir where it all began.

My life has been one long act of worship. Whether in business, in service, in family, or in leadership, I’ve always believed that what we offer—when done with love and faith—is sacred. And I offer this dream, this vision, this story, as an offering to the God who never let go of me.

Yes, I still dream of a restaurant—but now it’s more than that. It’s a village of purpose. A place where events are celebrated, families are uplifted, employees are empowered, and music and nature live in harmony. A space where people find healing—not just through food, but through community, peace, and God’s presence.

I want to raise leaders. I want to build lives. I want to help others find their song, the way I found mine.

And though the dream is big, my faith is bigger.

So wherever you are in your own story, I leave you with this:

You are not too late. You are not too far gone. You are not forgotten.

Your story is still being written. Your voice still matters.

And even if the road is long—keep walking. Keep believing.

God is in the process. And when it’s time, He will bring it all together in a way more beautiful than you imagined.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

—Romans 8:28 (NIV)