By Jovit D. Caballero

Life didn’t ask Kylla if she was ready — it simply unfolded, one hardship after another, demanding strength she didn’t know she possessed. While other children learned dependence, she learned resilience; where most sought rescue, she built her own way out. Through loss, loneliness, and quiet determination, Kylla discovered what it meant to stand alone — and in doing so, she became something greater than a survivor. She became her own hero.

Kylla Andrea Balane, 27, from Makati City, is an IT Admin Associate under the Technology Division. She grew up without a permanent home. Her parents — a housewife and a retired stock clerk — are originally from Laguna, where she was born. Due to financial challenges, they often struggled to find a stable place to live, until they reached out to her aunt in Cabanatuan City, who helped them find an apartment where the family could settle.

In that apartment, the middle sister was born. However, issues with the landlord forced them to move to another apartment in a different barangay. Unfortunately, the new place was flood-prone, and during heavy rains, almost half of the house would be submerged. Without hesitation, Kylla’s aunt offered them space in her home, providing a safer and more stable living arrangement.

But it was not easy. Since they were only staying at her aunt’s house, the family often felt hesitant to impose. To show their gratitude, Kylla and her mother took on most of the household chores. Because of this situation — and because Kylla was a naturally introverted child — she started school later than most. Even at a young age, she learned the value of responsibility. Fortunately, after a few years, her father secured a loan and built a small house beside her aunt’s — a simple home that marked a step toward stability for the family.

During her years at Cabanatuan East Central Elementary School, Kylla did not excel in academics or extracurricular activities, being too shy to participate. However, she found her forte in writing, where she could express herself freely. In third grade, her youngest sister was born — a joyful event, but also the beginning of more responsibilities for Kylla.

As she grew older, Kylla became aware of her family’s financial situation. She learned to stretch her ₱15 daily allowance, often saving a small amount each day. She helped care for her younger sisters and, during summers, joined her cousins in assisting farm owners with harvesting. Whenever they found extra grains of rice, they sold them, and Kylla always gave her earnings to her mother.

Despite her efforts, Kylla often felt left out. Sundays were usually for family bonding, but after her youngest sister was born, things changed. She was scolded more often and, at times, not included in the bonding. These moments left a quiet scar on her heart and planted the first seeds of independence — born not of choice, but of necessity.

In her first two years of high school, Kylla earned a scholarship at Araullo University, a private school near their home. However, being surrounded by well-off classmates made her more aware of her own circumstances. The peer pressure and comparisons became overwhelming, and with two siblings already in high school, she decided to transfer to Nueva Ecija High School, a public school farther away.

In this new environment, free from pressure, Kylla finally shined. Her grades improved, she joined activities, and even became a class officer. It was here that she began to dream — and to believe she could reach those dreams.

At the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), where she took up BS Information Technology, Kylla secured a full 4Ps scholarship without her parents initially knowing. It covered her tuition, uniforms, and supplies. Determined to do more, she also earned the Mayor’s Scholarship for additional school expenses. Not a single peso came from her parents — she put herself through college.

From her active high school days, Kylla became a more focused and disciplined college student, following a simple routine of school and home. Still, she found time for love, meeting Alexter, her classmate and later boyfriend. Their relationship became a source of support and inspiration. During their OJT at DMCI, both proved their capability and were hired after graduation.

In 2019, Kylla and Alexter began their professional careers at DMCI in Makati City as Technical Support Staff. After the pandemic, they were transferred to a manpower subsidiary instead of being regularized. A year later, Alexter resigned, and Kylla soon followed. She then joined NLEX Corporation, where she continues her professional journey. In NLEX, Kylla found the sense of belongingness she had long been searching for — a supportive environment where her hard work was valued and her voice was heard. Through her dedication and perseverance, she was also able to help her family expand their modest home, a tangible reminder of how far her efforts had brought them.

Her move to NLEX marked not only a new phase in her career but also a turning point in her personal life. After resigning from DMCI, Alexter struggled to find work for over a year. This caused distance between them, and Kylla began to feel as though she was holding him back. In mid-2022, after almost seven years together, they decided to end their relationship — a difficult but necessary step toward self-growth.

The breakup, though painful, helped them both rediscover their self-worth. They spent time focusing on themselves, their friends, and their families. One day, while browsing online, Kylla came across a speech her mother gave at a 4Ps event, sharing how Kylla once used her scholarship funds to buy groceries for the family instead of her own needs. The discovery moved Kylla deeply — after years of feeling unseen, she realized her mother had always appreciated her sacrifices.

In 2023, the stars aligned once again. Alexter reached out, and after heartfelt conversations, they reconciled and decided to start anew — this time, for good. By then, Alexter had a stable job and was more established. Their relationship became more mature and grounded. Not long after, he proposed, and today, they are happily engaged, patiently waiting for the right time to marry and begin a new chapter together.

Looking back, Kylla’s story is proof that strength is not always loud — sometimes, it grows quietly through every hardship, sacrifice, and small victory. From a shy girl who once felt left out, she built herself into a woman who learned to stand, survive, and succeed on her own terms. And so she emerged, not only from her struggles but from her doubts, walking confidently along the path to becoming her own hero.

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