Living the Dream, One Step at a Time: Meet Judieah, the Tourism Student.
Hello! I'm Judieah, a third-year Tourism student with big dreams and an even bigger heart. My story isn't just about textbooks, exams, and class schedules it's about resilience, growth, and a journey filled with challenges that shape who I am today. If you're curious about my life, here’s a glimpse into what it’s really like to walk in my shoes.
I come from a farming family in a small island in Biliran, where every day was a lesson in hard work and sacrifice. My parents worked in a farm tirelessly to provide for me and my four siblings, always pushing us to reach higher and dream bigger. As the youngest, I felt the weight of their hopes resting on me. They worked endlessly to send me to a private school in Ormoc City, believing that education would be the key to a brighter future.
Living alone in a boarding house in Ormoc City is both an adventure and a challenge. The small room I call home often feels like a quiet refuge, but at times, it can be lonely and overwhelming. I’ve learned to live life independently, from cooking my own meals to managing my time and money carefully. A simple breakfast of rice and eggs, lunch and dinner that stretches my budget sometimes I do what they call OMAD (one meal a day) to survive the weekly budget.
I wake up early often at 4:30 AM to get ready for my 7 AM classes, making sure I can shower before everyone else and start my day. When I take the tricycle to school, I sometimes get asked to pay the regular fare of 15 pesos instead of the usual 10 pesos since I'm still a student. As someone who’s shy and doesn’t want to argue, I end up paying the extra. (Every peso counts when you’re on a tight budget, hehehe). As Usual, I always attended every class I have. I'm a very studious student, so every second as I step into a classroom I really take it seriously to learn. And every end of the day as I got to my BH, I always deposit a 20 pesos per day to my piggy bank.
Though life here isn’t easy, I may not have the luxury of extra spending money, but I’ve learned to be resourceful and take life one step at a time. One of the things that keeps me grounded is my daily walk at 5:30 PM with a close friend. It’s a simple routine, that clears my mind and reminds me that I’m never really alone.
This journey isn't just about earning a degree it's about honoring my parents' sacrifices and making them proud. There are days when I question myself: Can I really make it through? Will I finish my degree and build the life I've always dreamed of? But with every step I take, I remember that quitting is not an option.
So, here's to the dreams I’m chasing, the lessons I’m learning, and the person I’m becoming along the way. Life as a Tourism student is not always easy, but it’s my story, and I’m living it, one step at a time.

















