MARKETISTA STORIES: Our Journey as BSBA Marketing Students

A collection of real, personal, and inspiring stories from four marketing students — each finding their own path, purpose, and passion.

KEZIAH CAÑEZARES

My Story: From Quiet Dreams to Finding My Place in Marketing

When I first entered Marketing, I didn’t exactly know what I wanted. I only knew one thing—I wanted a course where I could explore, learn, and grow. Marketing felt like the right choice, even if I wasn’t fully confident yet. But as time passed, I started discovering things about myself that I didn’t notice before.

Marketing slowly made me more observant, more curious, and more expressive. I began noticing how brands communicate, how simple colors or words affect people, and how every product has its own story to tell. I realized that marketing isn’t just a business subject—it’s a creative space where ideas come alive.

I’m naturally a reserved person, and at first, I felt shy sharing my ideas. But every activity, every project, and every discussion helped me build confidence little by little. Marketing pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. It taught me that communication isn’t about being the loudest—it’s about being clear, genuine, and understanding people.

This journey also taught me discipline. There were stressful deadlines, group projects, and moments when my schedule felt overwhelming. But I learned to manage my time, cooperate with others, and trust myself more. I saw that even small improvements matter—every quiz finished, every task completed, every idea shared.

Marketing made me realize that I can be creative in my own simple way. I can communicate without forcing myself to be someone else. I can grow at my own pace.

I’m still figuring out where exactly I want to be—whether it’s branding, digital marketing, real estate, or something new. But one thing is sure:

Marketing feels like the place where I’m slowly discovering who I want to become.

This blog is my little reminder that growth doesn’t have to be loud.

Sometimes, it happens quietly—but deeply. 

WINIELYN TORRES

The Comeback Campaign: From Overseas Hustle to Ozamiz Marketista!

Hello, future marketers and fellow dream-chasers! Welcome to my blog, "The Second Chapter"—my little corner of the internet where I track my journey as a non-traditional student making a big pivot.

The First Attempt: Hospitality Dreams Interrupted

My story started right here, in Ozamiz City, at La Salle University (LSU-OZAMIZ). I was a young student, full of energy and dreams, pursuing BS Hospitality Management (BSHM). But life, as it often does, had other plans.

The need to become a provider for my family was immediate and pressing. I made the difficult decision to pause my studies. I initially took jobs right here in Ozamiz, grounding myself and saving up. Then, once I turned 23, I made the leap and worked abroad for almost six years.

Those years overseas were a blur of hard work, long hours, and non-stop hustle. I sacrificed my youth and my academic journey for a higher purpose, but I wouldn't trade that experience. It gave me a global perspective, taught me resilience, and, unknowingly, laid the groundwork for my future career.

The Strategic Return: Philippines and Purpose

Finally, my fiancé and I reached a milestone. We decided that the time for sacrifice was over, and it was time for me to return home to the Philippines for good.

With a stable foundation, the single most important goal became clear: to finish my studies. It wasn't about the degree anymore; it was about honoring the ultimate dream I put on hold.

Funnily enough, I hadn't initially planned on returning to La Salle. But as I explored my options, I guess fate truly does have a sense of humor, because here I am, back in the green and white, ready to write my second chapter!

The New Major: Why Marketing Clicked

Choosing the new course was easy. I looked at the six years I spent working—interacting with people from different cultures, adapting to different environments, and essentially "selling" my labor and service. I realized that my practical experience was already a masterclass in customer relations, promotion, and understanding market needs.

Marketing wasn't just a course; it was the perfect bridge between my professional past and my academic future. I had the real-world perspective; now, I was going to learn the theory, the strategies, and the science behind it all.

Current Status: A Happy Hustler!

I am now a student again, back in Ozamiz, surrounded by classmates who are often a lot younger than me—and I love it! I'm happy that I made it this far. Every lesson, whether it’s about the 4P’s (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) or the latest Digital Marketing trends, feels like a relevant tool I can immediately apply.

As someone who is older and returning to the classroom, this comeback has given me a crucial perspective: Age truly doesn't matter when it comes to education.

Yes, the finish line—my victory and my ultimate career success—may seem far off. But here’s the thing about a comeback: you've already proven you can tackle the tough times. This journey has taught me that it doesn't matter how slow your progress is; the important thing is that you never stop trying and hustling toward your dream. As long as I keep taking steps forward in my marketing journey, leveraging my experience and La Salle University Ozamiz education, I know I will become that successful Marketista I've always dreamed of being.

CAMILLE DIMAANO

My Journey as a Marketing Student: Finding My Path, My Purpose, and My Passion

When I first stepped into the world of Marketing, I had no idea how much it would shape the way I see people, products, and even myself. I entered this course simply wanting to understand business — but as time passed, I realized Marketing is more than selling. It’s storytelling, relationship-building, and creating value that people truly feel. My first months as a BSBA Marketing Management student were filled with theories, concepts, and endless readings. I learned what motivates consumers, how brands position themselves, and why some campaigns succeed while others fail. Every lesson felt like a new doorway to understanding how the world moves. What surprised me most was how human marketing is. It’s not just numbers and strategies — it’s about emotions, behavior, and connection.

Marketing pushed me to think differently. From creating posters to crafting pitches, I found myself tapping into my creativity more often than I expected. I learned to blend visuals, words, and strategy into one message that speaks directly to the audience. This was the moment I realized I love creating. I love communicating. I love marketing. Being a student while handling responsibilities at home and in life is not easy — and there were many moments where I felt tired, overwhelmed, or unsure. But each challenge also taught me discipline, time management, and resilience.

Marketing is fast-paced — trends shift, consumer behavior evolves, and strategies change. But I’ve learned to keep up, stay curious, and continuously improve. As I joined group activities, events, and hands-on tasks, I realized the importance of teamwork, leadership, and communication. I learned that great ideas don’t come from one person alone — they grow from collaboration. Experiences like case analyses, product studies, and creating marketing plans taught me how to think strategically and apply everything in real-life scenarios.My journey is far from over. But one thing is certain: Marketing is where I belong.I see myself crafting campaigns that inspire, building brands that resonate, and connecting with people through meaningful messages. I dream of entering the industry with confidence — equipped not just with knowledge, but with passion, purpose, and creativity.

My life as a Marketing student is a mix of challenges, creativity, learning, and growth. It taught me that every brand has a story — and so do I. And this blog is just the beginning of mine.

JANNA MAE BONGO

Hello, marketers and dreamers! Welcome to my personal blog where I share my life as a working Marketing student—the wins, the struggles, the stress, the lessons, and the changes happening in me. This blog isn’t just for school. It’s a reflection of who I am and who I am becoming. When I first took Marketing, everything felt exciting and new. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but this course felt right. It felt like something that matched who I am. I slowly learned that Marketing isn’t only about selling—it’s about understanding people, their feelings, their needs, and how they make choices. My Marketing journey didn’t stay inside the classroom. It followed me everywhere—at work, at home, while traveling, even while resting. I started to notice how brands talk to people, how ads affect our decisions, and how small details in design or words can change everything. Marketing became a part of my everyday life. Being a working student made everything more difficult. I struggled with time, with money, with energy. There were days when I was so tired that I questioned my decisions. There were moments when I felt lost and unsure of myself. Balancing work, classes, deadlines, and responsibilities was not easy. But these struggles also made me stronger. Marketing also taught me the importance of teamwork. Group projects and discussions helped me grow. I learned how to listen better, respect other ideas, and combine everyone’s thoughts into something better. Marketing really is a field where cooperation matters. One day, I realized something important: I am also a brand. Marketing made me look at myself differently. I started to understand my strengths, my style, and how I want others to see me. Learning this helped me gain confidence little by little. My journey was not perfect. There were many challenges—late nights, stress, financial problems, and moments of wanting to give up. But every challenge taught me resilience, patience, and courage. I learned to appreciate even the small wins, because they reminded me that I was still moving forward. Real-life experiences outside the classroom also taught me a lot. Through work, field studies, interviews, and simple observations, I saw how powerful marketing can be. It made me respect the field even more. Marketing didn’t just teach me lessons. It changed me as a person. It made me more aware, more creative, more understanding, and more confident. It taught me that my journey, no matter how hard, still has purpose. I dream of working in branding, digital marketing, or advertising someday—or maybe starting my own business. This is just the beginning of my story, and I can’t wait to see where it leads. Thank you for reading my Marketing journey!

PEREGRIN PADILLA

Hello, marketers and dreamers! Welcome to my personal blog where I share the story of my life as a Marketing student the victories, the struggles, the creativity, the failures, and the transformation. This blog isn’t just a project it’s a reflection of who I am becoming. When I first stepped into the world of Marketing, everything felt new and exciting. I wasn’t entirely sure of my direction, but something about this course felt right like it was calling me. Marketing taught me quickly that it isn’t simply about selling products but It’s about understanding people their needs, emotions, and decisions. Marketing didn’t stay within the four walls of the classroom. It followed me everywhere. I learned to How brands communicate, how people think and behave, how messages influence choices, how every small detail matters Marketing taught me the value of teamwork. Group projects, brainstorming sessions, and shared ideas shaped my growth, and teamwork taught me to Listen actively, respect different perspectives, blend ideas to create something better marketing, after all, is a field built on collaboration. At some point, I realized that in Marketing, I am also a brand, so I began understanding my strengths, style, and message Building my personal brand made me more confident and intentional My journey wasn’t smooth but challenges shaped me, but every obstacle taught me resilience, discipline, and courage. I learned to appreciate even the smallest achievements. These small victories kept me motivated and nothing beats real-world exposure, through case studies, fieldwork, interviews, and business observations, I saw the true power of marketing It made me appreciate the profession even more marketing didn’t just shape my knowledge but it shaped me to becoming more observant, creative, empathetic, and confident. I dream of working in branding, digital marketing, advertising, or maybe even owning my own business someday. This journey is only the beginning. Thank you for reading my Marketing journey!