For many high school students, balancing academics, extracurriculars, and self-discovery can be overwhelming. At just 16 years old, Khen P. Julia of Estancia National High School in Iloilo is navigating this journey with determination, discipline, and a heart full of purpose.
A Grade 11 student under the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand, Khen hails from the coastal town of Estancia, known as the “Little Alaska of the Philippines” for its vibrant fishing industry. “What I love most about my hometown is its deep connection with the sea,” he shared with The Global Filipino Magazine. “The people here live simple yet fulfilling lives, relying on the ocean’s bounty. It’s a place that reminds me of resilience and hard work.”
While his list of achievements may paint the picture of a consistent honor student, Khen’s journey has had its share of lows. “I used to be on the honor roll from kindergarten to Grade 3,” he admitted. “But by Grade 4, I lost my spark. I became addicted to computer games, spending almost 9 to 10 hours a day in internet cafés. During the pandemic, things got worse. I neglected my modules, missed requirements, and my grades dropped below 85.”
It was a time filled with self-doubt and disappointment, especially for someone once seen as a bright student. “I became the ‘black sheep’ of the family, and I could see the worry in my mother’s eyes,” he said. “But she never gave up on me. She believed in me even when I had lost faith in myself.”
Everything started to shift when face-to-face classes resumed in Grade 9. Fueled by guilt, love for his mother, and a desire to be better, Khen took the first step toward turning his life around. “Though I wasn’t excelling at first, I was making progress,” he said. “Eventually, I earned my place back on the honor roll.”
Two teachers also played a vital role in his growth: Ma’am Rachelle Jean Ormides and Sir Ernie Diocos. “Ma’am Rachelle saw potential in me that I never even considered. She practically blackmailed me into auditioning for feature writing,” he laughed. That audition became the gateway to a long list of writing accomplishments. Sir Ernie, on the other hand, mentored him in Collaborative Desktop Publishing, sharpening both his technical and creative writing skills.
Khen has since gained local and international recognition for his work. He has been published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and U.K.- and U.S.-based platforms such as PubliWrite and InkWellness. He even contributed to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council in Estancia as a narrative writer. Among his many accolades, Khen values growth the most. “It’s hard to pick one achievement, but I’m proud that I chose to rise again. I proved to myself that it’s never too late to start anew.”
Time management remains his biggest challenge. “Whenever I join competitions, I miss classes due to training, and that worries me a lot. No matter how many medals I bring home, I still feel like I’ve lost something,” he said. Still, he makes the effort to catch up by asking classmates about missed lessons and reviewing materials online. “Both my passion and academics matter, so I need to work twice as hard.”
Khen finds inspiration for writing in his personal experiences. “I write because it allows me to express what I cannot always say out loud. It’s a form of healing and connection,” he said. His love for literature started early. “I finished reading Ibong Adarna in kindergarten and won ‘Best in Storytelling’ in Grade 3.”
Though unsure whether he will pursue Mass Communication or Education, Khen is certain that his path will involve inspiring others. “Whatever I choose, my heart will always be dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives.”
His advice for aspiring young writers and student leaders is powerful: “Keep pushing forward, not to prove yourself to others, but to prove to yourself that you are capable, strong, and worthy. You don’t need validation from anyone. What truly matters is that you are doing your best.”
He also reminds others to stay grounded in faith. “Stay close to God. He sees your struggles, your efforts, and your heart. There will be days when you feel lost or unworthy, but don’t give up. Keep believing in yourself and never lose faith in your journey.”
Khen’s current roles include being the Secretary of the 5th District and the entire Division of the Iloilo Campus Correspondent Association for School Year 2025-2026 and the elected Secretary of Estancia NHS for the same year. He also serves as a staff writer for their school publication, a Class Public Information Officer, and an officer in the English Club.
Below are his achievements:
𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘋𝘌𝘙𝘚𝘏𝘐𝘗 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘈𝘍𝘍𝘐𝘓𝘐𝘈𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕𝘚
📌 Youth Commission on Elections and Appointments (COMEA) Volunteer S.Y. 2022-2023
📌 Youth Commission on Elections and Appointments (COMEA) Volunteer S.Y. 2023-2024
📌 English Club Member S.Y. 2023-2024
📌 Class Public Information Officer (PIO) S.Y. 2023-2024
📌 Class Public Information Officer (PIO) S.Y. 2024-2025 (Present)
📌 Grade 11 Curriculum English Club Assistant Treasurer S.Y. 2024-2025 (Present)
📌 English Club Member S.Y. 2024-2025 (Present)
𝘊𝘙𝘌𝘋𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘐𝘈𝘓𝘚 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘈𝘊𝘏𝘐𝘌𝘝𝘌𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘚
📌 Best in Reading (Preschool)
📌 Best in Writing (Preschool)
📌 Best in Mathematics (Preschool)
📌 Outstanding Preschooler
📌 Best in MTB (2016)
📌 Best in PE (2016)
📌 Best in Art (2016)
📌 Best in ESP (2016)
📌 Best in Storytelling (2016)
📌 Outstanding Performance in Arts (Media) S.Y. 2023-2024
📌 Outsanding Performance in English S.Y. 2023-2024
📌 Participant – 2023 GAD Drama Video-Making Contest
📌 Correspondent – Estancia National High School Intramural Meet 2023
📌 3rd Place, 1st Best Feature Page– 2024 Cluster Training in Journalism, Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English)
📌 1st Place, 1st Best Feature Page– 2024 Congressional Schools Press Conference, Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English)
📌 1st Place, 2nd Best Feature Page – 2024 Division Schools Press Conference, Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English)
📌 1st Place– 2024 Regional Schools Press Conference, Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English)
📌 National Qualifier – 2024 National Schools Press Conference, Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English)
📌 Documenter– Estancia Eco-Warriors Youth Camp for Environmental Conservation 2024
📌 Correspondent – Estancia National High School Intramural Meet 2024
📌 Contestant – 2024 Buwan ng Wika (Pagsulat ng Sanaysay)
📌 1st Place – National Science Club Month (Essay Writing) 2024
📌 1st Place – UN Magazine Cover-Making Contest 2024
📌 1st Place– PubliWrite $250 Christmas Writing Contest 2024 (United Kingdom-based writing platform)
📌 Narrative Writer of Dajema Gonzales (The Representative of Estancia in the 2024 DA Gender & Development Program, Regional Search for Outstanding Rural Women/Gawad Parangal sa Katangi-Tanging Kababaihan sa Pagsasaka sa Kanayunan)
📌 Published Author – InkWellness 2024 Edition (USA-based creative writing anthology)
📌 Narrative Writer – Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) Estancia (𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘍𝘈𝘙𝘔𝘊 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢)
📌 Participant– Office of the Municipal Agriculture-Estancia Mga Pangandoy sa Lawod: Short Film-Making Contest for Visayan Sea Closed Season Period 2025
📌 Best Literary Work – Young Fish Press New Year Writing Contest 2025 (USA-based online magazine)
📌Published Author – Christopher Fieldens’ Young Amazing Writers 2025 (United Kingdom-based Writing Platform)
📌 Feature Writer – Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English) (Present)
📌 Staff Writer – ENHS’ School Publication (National Wave) (S.Y. 2024-2025) (Present)
RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS:
Published A Column In The Philippine Daily Inquirer
REGIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUALIFIER (AGAIN)
Newly elected Secretary of the 5th District and the entire Division of the Iloilo Campus Correspondent Association (ICCA) for the S.Y. 2025-2026
Elected Secretary for the S.Y. 2025-2026 of Estancia Nhs
