FREDDIE BASILIO

Freddie Jr. T. Basilio was born on January 5, 2005, in the Municipality of Maragusan, Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro). He is the second son of Freddie M. Basilio and Caroline N. Teodosio, alongside his elder brother, Charles Basilio, and younger sister, Karel T. Basilio. During his early childhood, his family moved to Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. His younger sister was born there in November 2007. Their father worked as a farmer to support the family, while their mother took care of the children. A few months after his younger sister was born, the family moved again. One of Freddie’s earliest memories of that period was traveling while being carried in a baby carrier. The family later resided in Cabayugan 1, Sasa, Km. 11, where his father worked as a security guard at Avon. Due to the difficulties of living in the city, his parents planned to return to Maragusan, where his father had been offered similar work and where they could also cultivate and grow crops. The family traveled back to Maragusan with their belongings, intending to make the move permanent. His father, however, returned to the city to continue working while planning to end his employment in December. During a Christmas party, while enjoying food and drinks with others, his father unexpectedly passed away and was no longer able to wake up. Freddie spent his elementary and high school years in New Albay, where the family lived. Growing up without a complete family, he gradually learned to understand and accept his circumstances. During elementary school, he developed an interest in chess, which he learned from his grandfather. In high school, he developed an interest in martial arts seemingly out of nowhere. He would put sand into a sack and imitate Manny Pacquiao, although the interest eventually faded. He also participated in church programs as he tried to understand what was valuable and meaningful in life. He graduated from high school in 2021. Because of his shyness, he was unable to have a graduation picture taken. That same year, while his mother was working in Digos, Davao del Sur, Freddie went to live with her. He continued his K–12 education at DCAA under the STEM strand. While in school, he had a classmate from another strand who practiced boxing. They would occasionally engage in light sparring, and Freddie could not understand why he was always getting hit and could not counter effectively. After graduating, he returned to his hometown and helped his uncle on the farm, gathering crops and bringing them to the Bankerohan Market. During their journey, Freddie asked his uncle about his father. His uncle shared stories that made Freddie long to know more about him—his hobbies, his personality, and especially his experience in martial arts. He learned that his father had practiced martial arts in his youth and had used it to protect his younger brothers. These stories created a deep connection in Freddie’s heart and inspired him to try martial arts himself. Currently, Freddie is a student at the University of Mindanao. He practices martial arts at home and sometimes trains at the gym under the supervision of his Sifu, Orlando Bautista.