Andrea Rabino-Cruz

I was born and raised in Quezon City, known as the most populous city in the Philippines. I was named after my late grandfather -- Atty. Andres Rabino.

At age 10, I discovered my skills in drawing and painting and it brought my passion for art. Unlike the other kids back then, I used to spend my spare time drawing, sketching, and lettering (but changes are indeed inevitable) when I moved up to High School, everything has changed, I started to love reading and become passionate about being a teacher, inspired by our student teachers.

At age 16, I decided to pursue teaching and took up a Bachelor of Arts - Major in English, I didn't take Education as I wanted to spend my years learning while enjoying, my love for "arts" remained and I fell in love with literature so I thought, I want to learn more to share with my future students how interesting reading is.

While studying, I worked as a tutor for grade-schoolers, offered services such as doing a research project, I also did a part-time job as a tutor to Koreans and other Asian people in a tiny learning center in Makati City.

At the very young age of 20, I became a disappointment to my family who had high hopes for me, but I immediately worked my ass off while studying after I gave birth, practically to earn money and support my daughter's needs, to win my self-confidence and be independent.

I wasn't able to finish college, so I focused on the things that I can do rather than agonize with the things I can't do.

In the year 2012, I started my journey in the BPO industry. I took the courage and applied for an "Outbound Sales Agent" job post and was luckily hired. Over the years, I've done Cold Calling, became a Travel Consultant, Collections Agent but all of those mainly focuses on a being Customer Support Representative.

Now, I am no longer in the BPO industry and moved forward to become a Freelancer so I can work at home, as a mother to my 4 children and someone who is capable of providing for their needs. I am currently working remotely via the Upwork platform as a Social Media Manager of a Women's Apparel/E-commerce business based in the US.

I enjoy what I do now and never thought I can actually do it, and learned things on my own. My other interests include cooking, binge-watching series and movies, writing about life and just doing anything that's worthy of my precious time.I take life as it comes. I live my dreams and vision for the future and I always expect something better ahead.