My Top 10: Highlights of 2009

1. My first corporate job.

It was in January 2009 when I started to apply for a job. I underwent several interviews and exams around Makati and Ortigas area. At first, I really don’t know what I was looking for. I applied for different positions such as HR assistant, events coordinator, marketing and sales representative and many more. For me, job description was not a problem because I can learn to do anything. My reasons for choosing my current company which is exeqserve are very simple: 1. It is a young company, and I can envision myself contributing to its growth. 2. The people, they are warm and friendly it almost feels like home. And that is the most important factor to me. I value relationships and I value people. When you become my friend you will be my friend for life, no matter where you are in the world I would always stay in touch and greet you or even sing to you a happy birthday. Everyone in exeQserve has contributed a big part of my growth as an HR professional. This job is not just an ordinary job for me it is my second home and that’s why it deserves the first spot here in my 2009 highlights. Salamat ng marami to my exeQserve family!


2. My first pay check

It is more than just a paycheck. It symbolized my independence and my first reward being in the HR industry. It is not the amount that mattered but the sense of fulfillment it brings. For me it is the start of my promising career in HR and especially in training. Some of my friends in business ask me why do, I have to enter the rat race where in fact I am already out and just doing a very profitable business. Well, the answer is we have different values and I think I value accomplishment and contribution in an established industry more than just earning money. The business is good and I will continue doing it part time but it will not replace the feeling I get from training and corporate job. The success in nu skin is international but limited only to its people and to those who understand what a blue diamond or team elite is. It is it far different from improving and making a mark in the Philippine HR industry. But that is just me. I don’t know what works for you.

3. My first time to a run training under exeQserve

This is one of my favorite highlights for 2009. Before I used to run trainings only for my mom’s management team or in school, they say I’m good but I don’t really know if that was true or maybe they’re just saying that because my mom’s their boss. This training was truly memorable. It affirmed that I have talent in public speaking. Though of course, I know I have a lot of things to improve and a lot more books to read. Thank you Ed for allowing me to do this under the corporate name, I will always be grateful.


4. My first TM speech

It meant game on! TM or Toastmaster’s Club is an avenue to improve our public speaking skills. At first, I couldn’t commit to it since I have prior commitments to my biz. Finally, I had the time to do it. And it will definitely take my training skills to the next level. I’m so excited to give my next speech and to practice more with impromptu speeches.

5. New mentors

In life it is important that you have a mentor, someone who will guide you and enrich not only your knowledge but also your life by sharing their wisdom and life experiences. I have several mentors in med school and from college. I am thankful for them for they have molded me into who I am today. But the learning never stops as people continue to be so generous to me. Like my TM mentor Gege Sugue. First time I met her, I didn’t speak to her in English because she was known to be the grammar police. I am so afraid to commit unforgivable grammar crimes. But she was so warm and supportive. Her passion and burning desire to help people inspires me. And also, Ed Ebreo our president and general manager who gives me a lot opportunity to hone my skills is also a mentor to me. His integrity amazes me because that is also one of my values. He will always choose to do the right thing. And lastly, to Christine though we might always have a different perspective on things I sure learned a lot from you as well.

6. New friends

Thank you for making this year fun and exciting! Having new friends never fails to brighten my day. You all are worth keeping. Donna, Tina, Hersh, Loren, Mike, Gino, Phao, Che, Shayne and also our managers Christine and Christopher. Thanks for the 2009 memories.

7. My first trip abroad with friends

Wow! That trip will be in my heart forever. So many memories to keep, like the time we were lost and out of nowhere. No English speaking people until the students and the tour guide came. The time when we were walking forever in the streets of HK, finding where the lights and sound show is after which we still went shopping. My feet, legs and back hurt so bad that I had to verbally motivate my body parts to move. The Pringles on bread with butter dinner and the free hotel buffet super breakfast, lunch and snack in one at 10am and the team of sausages and hard roll going in our zip-lock for “baon”. The special Halloween treat at Disneyland and the haunted house that is just like in “big bang sa alabang and boom na boom” the only difference is that we don’t understand what the monsters are saying. The breath taking view on top of the Macau Tower, the casinos and the Venetian is the best! The learning and memories of this trip was priceless!

8. Watching the lights and sound show in Ayala triangle

It reminded me of my childhood Christmases. It was comparable to HK’s light and sound show or even better because it is closer to the heart. It felt good to be there and to see so much improvement with that place. Good job Makati Government!

9. Discovering my true strength.

Yes it was this year I realized what my true strength is. That is public speaking. Running training felt so good, just like the taste of ice cream on a hot summer day. For me it felt effortless unlike when I was in med school. I had to study really hard, stay up late and read a paragraph twice before I can truly understand. But right now it is light and fun! I want to get better and better. Since high school I enjoyed reading my mom’s books on management. I never knew it was going to be for this. All the while I thought I was preparing myself to become a doctor but the reality is I have been preparing all my life to be a trainer.

10. Supposedly meeting “the one” but I guess I have to reserve that for next year’s highlights.

It’s been a while since I wrote something. And I’m not sure what exactly I want to write about. Well that doesn’t surprise me. After all, I am the queen of spontaneity.

I’ll start of by saying it is in the major comebacks!

I always say I failed too many times in the past. I’ve been disappointed, frustrated and depressed. Swimming in the sea of melancholy has been in and out of my system even though, I know we choose the way we react to things. I know very well that we do have a choice and I know I could control it. But I guess I am only human, emotional at times.

It is normal to feel disappointed, frustrated and depressed. But if we allow these things to eat up everything in us we can call ourselves dead, spiritually and emotionally dead. I don’t know the exact formula that will work for everyone but I’d love to share mine, when I feel totally lost, I’d say to myself “it is in the major comebacks!” what do I mean you may ask? Who will comeback? Well, that is you my dear friends who are reading this. It is our major comeback to LIFE! Yes we might have not triumphed over our previous battles but that is the past hence the term previous. We have more coming up and it is within us to take a chance, to fight or flight, to win or lose, to stand up or give up! It is in the major comebacks! Whenever I fail, I let my emotions subside first and find peace in the silence of the night when I pray. And more often than not there is a little voice inside of me telling me to move forward because tomorrow will be a new day.


Happy weekend everyone!

On Love and Inspiration

I’m not a writer until this came
It just felt right, words flowing endlessly on my mind
Love is not only seen between two people
It can take different forms and expression
Surprisingly can be hidden under ones nose
See it even when your eyes are closed
Feel it even when you’re all alone

Love is there all around
Sometimes you only need to know yourself to find love
It is not in another person’s presence
It is not in the flowers or chocolates and gifts given
It is in you, it is in me too

You’ll know love when you find love as they say
The real love for me is that it cannot be taken away
The love within your heart
That transcends time and heals all wounds

Self love can destroy you only if you allow it to overwhelm your trueness
But self love if used fittingly can bring you love and inspiration
That can last for all seasons
It will enable you to connect with your Infinite Intelligence
A guiding force of great opportunities not known by your average thought

A discovery of a deeper realm of self
A journey that you’ll never forget
It will change your life, as it changed mine

I’ve searched for love in so many directions
Changed myself to adapt to a thousand different fallacies
I thought I had it all in control
But all is temporary until
True love and inspiration came from the genius
The genius within me hiding all these years
Waiting to be recognized and to be unleashed

Before I’m just someone who happens to do all sorts of things trying to please
But today, I am that someone who can do all sorts of things with great love, effort and profound understanding of self and the power of the infinite

The passion
The intense and burning desire
Backed by faith and nurtured with love
Anything and everything is possible
I LIVE my life exactly the way I want

I know exactly what I want
I know exactly what to do
I know that I am doing exactly the things that are meant for me to do
In my own pace, in my own race

Today, I am a different person

Better than yesterday

Even better tomorrow and a day after tomorrow

Until all my tomorrows are done.

TM Speech #1: AnatoME

Do you know where your orbicularis oris is? If not, then try doing this (puckering up my lips) Try doing that the whole day and when you feel pain around your mouth then you’ll know exactly where it is. Yes, it is the muscle around our mouth. The orbicularis oris is just one of the 639 skeletal muscles I have studied and memorized during my medical school days. I have studied all types of muscles, bones, teeth, skin, vital organs and everything that covers anatomy or the study of the structure of living things. But for tonight, it is a great privilege for me to share something with you that is far more interesting and exciting than the 4-inch-thick anatomy books that I used to read. Do you want to know what that is? Great! It is my own anatomy.

I was created some time 9 months prior to April 21st 1983 if I’m not mistaken. Born and raised in the city of Paranaque by a single mother, an only child, the princess of the house but never a spoiled brat. I lived with my loving grandparents together with my cousin who became my big brother, protector and idol.

I’ll start the cross section of my anatomy with, my upper extremities which include my hands that do not always give a pretty readable handwriting. But it is for the love of the arts where my hands create imagination into reality. I remember a time when I would have art exhibits at home and invite my friends and relatives to come over.
I started painting when I was 4 using watercolor on paper. At 12, I began using pastel color on board then soon after at age 16 I found myself most comfortable with acrylic paint on paper or mixed media. I find inspiration from all sorts of subjects such as scenic views, wonder of nature and some spontaneous ideas from my own impulsivity just like this prawn that I had for dinner a few years back. Yes this is a prawn. I also use my hands and ears to create music. Piano, flute, guitar and drums are some of the instruments I tried to learn how to play. But the guitar gave me a home through which I created my first few songs that made an entry to ABS-CBN’s Himig Handog Song Writing Competition in 2002.

Next, my lower extremities or legs and feet for numerous travels and adventures I’ve been to where ambulatory endurance is certainly required. I am a true blooded adventure seeker. I have been to couple of countries already and have traveled independently. I have tried different sports like basketball, boxing, badminton, have swum in the seas of Bali, Boracay, Bohol, Phuket, pacific ocean or probably just a part of it. I also incurred this scar (here, can you see it?) from trying to outrun a car with a motorcycle. Pretty crazy huh? Yes I am pretty and crazy.

Now we’ll go to the transverse section of my anatomy. My brain, my brain is a conglomerate of neurons, working together 24/7, shooting electrical signals like lightning to take control of everything. It is the master of every movement and every word that is coming out of my mouth. I spent a total of 8 years in college, 4 years of Psychology at St. Paul Manila and another 4 years of med proper at the UERM. I have been given awards and recognition in school as a Dean’s Lister and a student leader. I have actively participated in numerous events and organizations, written 3 major theses, 2 in college and 1 in medicine where the title is already like a paragraph in itself.

Only to realize, that is if you remove all the abovementioned parts: the education and accomplishments as a product of my brain, the artistry and creativity of my hands and the willingness of my feet to take me anywhere, I wish. Only one part will remain, that is my heart. Some people can live even after taking a part of their brain in surgery like for example the had an accident, some are handicapped without hands and feet, some are blind or deaf and mute or is brain dead like Z Gorres, but some do wake up from that state of coma and live a full life simply, because they have a heart that fights for life. My heart is the biggest part of me! It is where I keep precious memories and people who molded me into who I am today. It is the heart that motivates me and makes me whole. As in Gestalt psychology “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts”. We can live with some parts missing but never, ever without a beating heart.