I belong to a family of 8 to which I am the 7th – including my parents would make it 10. We were all born and raised in Balatoc Mines Itogon, Benguet. Life has been easy and simple then since everything was provided. Yes, all Benguet Mining Corporation employees including my dad who worked as Security Guard were given the privilege of free shelter, free utilities, and water supply. Well, it did not last long since my dad had been part of the retrenchment program of the company. The world had turned upside down for my parents since they had not anticipated that to happen. Then it was decided to move to the city. There was no other option as our eldest sister and my two other brothers were in college back then.