Saturday, August 13, 2016

294: In Doing Something Significant

If you have been around my blog you would notice how much I'd write about finding my purpose here in the world (particularly tagged with #BetterFuture) because I've always been a firm believer that I am born with purpose. I've always wanted to make a contribution and to be useful. But you know if there's anything that I have learned in seeking my purpose, it is equally important to know myself too. It's ironic to think that I have lived my life knowing little of myself. There are few things that I can blame why I know little of myself, it's because at one point of my life I have focused entirely in identifying what I want by copying others, allowing others to decide for me, or joining bandwagons because it's fad.

Some people I know would wonder why am I so bent on being significant, but I'd tell you what, it's because I want that in the end of the day, when the sun sets for me, I know that I have lived my life to the fullest. 

Besides knowing myself, I also have learned that it's important to live life with personal values and principles. Living life with values and principles is something I have learned from Tony Robbins (and I swear his Awakening the Giant Within book is a must have). The reason why values are important is because it's the foundation that we can always go back to when faced with challenges, when deciding, and when we need to navigate life. Here are the values  → principles that I uphold to:

  • Excellence  → Excellence if everything I do
  • Perseverance  → Perseverance despite difficulties
  • Resilience  → Get up, when knocked down
  • Enthusiasm  → Do everything with interest
  • Kindness  → Always be kind to people
  • Trust  → Value the trust given to me
  • Follow Through  → Do not stop until the goal is met
  • Faith  → Believing that everything has been designed by God
  • Discipline  → Obey self conditions, living life with standards
  • Bold  → Taking risk, and pushing boundaries outside my comfort zone 
  • Confidence  → Being certain in my abilities, skills, knowledge, and talent
  • Loyalty  → Being steadfast with allegiances
  • Integrity  → Upholding my moral values

It took me a while to know the importance of values and principles, but I am glad that I was able to learn this the soonest. I haven't perfected it yet (far from it), but I am constantly working and practicing to uphold them.

I haven't done something significant yet (there are minuscule), but I am constantly looking for more. I know one day, I'll arrive there. But one day when I make my mark, I swear I'll make the most of it.


Sunday, July 31, 2016

293: Choosing a Leader: Leni Robredo

I always have thought that it's equally important that we choose our leader or role model in life. The reason why we needed to have a role model or a chosen leader is because we look up to them. From my last blog entry, I have written that I have chosen former Congresswoman and Now Vice President, Leni Robredo as my leader. The reason why I have chosen her as a leader is because of what she exudes. I believe most of the Filipinos are familiar of her background, how she emerged as a lawyer - wife of a politician to Vice President, how from 1% she was able to bag the second highest position in our country.

These are the few qualities that I admire in her:
  1. Resiliency - Leni Robredo had been very outspoken when how she values resiliency. Her life had been a struggle: from the death to her husband, to raising her kids as a single mom, championing her town as a congresswoman - and now taking the role as the mother of our nation. Leni, is not a stranger when it comes to challenges, even before taking her oath as a Vice President she had a hard time winning the confidence of Rodrigo Duterte (who won the election as a President from the opposing party). Before winning the confidence of Pres. Duterte she was not given any role in Duterte's cabinet. Many thought that she was being bullied, but she remained very supportive of President Duterte and tried to remain confident that she will not be useless even if she wouldn't have any role in Duterte's administration. And she did, before Pres. Duterte can even give her the portfolio as HUDCC secretary, she was already looking for partners who will help her rally her causes.
  2. Courage - When she accepted to run as a Vice President a lot of people doesn't know her and her accomplishments, but did that stop her from running? No. I also applauded her courage, that in spite of being part of the admin she's not shy to voice out what she stands for even if it means standing in an opposite position from the President (i.e Death Penalty).
  3. Industrious - Hands down. Mother of all cows, she's an incredibly hardworking person, did you know that she's the VP candidate who was able to cover all of their sorties? And on her term as a congresswoman (FYI this is her only term) she was able to pass 121 bills and 14 laws. She is also known to start her work at 8AM consistently! And now as a Vice President, she set her work schedule/events/functions to weekdays, and weekends will be scheduled for her to reach out the far flung barangays/towns. If you follow her in Facebook, you'll get yourself familiarize with her activities. By the way, this quote from her really inspired me to this day: "Hindi tayo tumatalikod sa trabaho" (we do not turn our back to duties given to us) ; and a demand of excellence in whatever you do.
  4. Graceful under Pressure - Some people even uses #KalmaLikeLeni because in spite of challenges thrown in her way, Leni seems to be never panicking. To say, parang I haven't seen her giving into her emotions. She seems so in-control of her situation.
  5. Humble - If there's anything that's consistent in her interview when being asked about her preference to use a bus in spite of her position as VP, she'd say that the reason why she continue to ride it is because it's economical and at the same time it's her way to keep her grounded. As much as she can, Leni didn't want to change her lifestyle because she doesn't want to get used to it. Additionally, one of the things that made me realized how humble she is, is when during her Thanksgiving (right after her Inauguration), she told her supporters to stop fighting with other supporters because she had already won. Honestly, she didn't have to say that. She didn't have to tell her supporters to stop fighting, but she did. She appealed for her people to unite, to rally on the causes of the new administration.
  6. Integrity - Leni's net worth is 8M, and admittedly she said that it might have lessened because her daughter is taking up medicine. It's not like as if having a meager net worth makes you a person of integrity, but she has many times have mentioned about sticking to her principles. Honestly, if she wasn't really a person who doesn't value her principles she might have taken the opportunity and left Liberal Party. But she didn't, she's sticking up to the party in spite of it's tainted reputation in the meantime. There are many times that she might have taken opportunity to allow herself to look good, but she didn't. She was very vocal on her stands, and she's not going to back away from her own words.
You might think, so what? The reason why it's important we have a leader is because (somehow) we can use what we see in them to live our life. You might not know it, but when you admire someone you actually try to follow something in them: how they wear clothes, hairstyle, etc., This is also the reason why there are currently vigilantes because - well - they were inspired to carry out the task themselves. 

So we need to carefully choose who we look up to. Leni is just one of those people I do because what she stood for in this life inspires me to be a better person. 💪
Flip your hair like Leni!

Monday, June 20, 2016

292: Political Awakening


Where have I been last month? I was not really away, but I was occupied. Last month had been a busy month in the Philippines because of the elections. To say, this year's election must be the most divisive and brutal election ever. I think most of us had been a witness of how each candidates fought to ensure victory. This also encouraged their supporters to take action too. We have seen people fighting in the internet. The fight that took place in social media was the worst!

There are a lot of bickering, insulting, name calling, and whatnot. I'm not sure if we will ever get back to the way we were for the next few months. But hopefully we will!

You may wonder how is this related to my post, you see last month I also took action. Well, the reason why I rallied for that candidate I believe in is because I believe that if I really wanted that person to win I should not only render a lip service, an action is necessary. So yeah, I took part.

If there's anything that I have learned in the election it's necessary that we choose a side. The most disservice that we can do for our country is to remain indifferent. It doesn't matter if we choose black or white what is important is that we choose a side based on our moral values, based on our beliefs.

If you want to know if my chosen candidate won, she did. She won by a slim margin. But her victory was not the end, it's just the beginning of a long journey for her and for us her supporters. The next step that we have right now is to provide our service for her causes too. We need to dream along with her. We need to help her achieve her dreams for the people in fringes of the society.

I'm excited.


gif from maria-lenor @ tumblr

Saturday, April 16, 2016

291: Hotel Review: Saved by the Bell!

Image from PH Hotels

Hotel in Focus: Red Planet Hotel at Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City

I booked on this hotel very spontaneously. I was in the metro and have to pick up my sister and since I had no place to stay, I decided to book in this place. Why? I could not afford any hotel at the heart of Makati as they are too expensive for my spur-of-the-moment-stay. This is not the first time that I had been in Red Planet Hotel. The first was at Aseana place. What I love about this hotel is that it's affordable. This is the type of place a traveler would book if you only need a roof above your head without exposing yourself to risk because you opted to choose a low budget lodge. For 2330 (as of April 2016) a night you get the following:

an air conditioned room
two fluffy pillows
a ginormous bed
a glacial pace wifi

Also, for that price you can choose between a large bed, or a two single bed. There's no actual difference in price.

All in all it's not bad if you just need a place to sleep, and nothing fancy.



cross post from my TripAdvisor review: Here

Monday, April 11, 2016

290: On the Road towards Entrepreneurship: On Being a Leader

I know you might actually get a little confused by the fact that I just recently posted about Project MM, and now I am writing about Project VA. To say, Project MM is really my personal baby but I have to hand over the leadership to my good friend Monique. I'll still write about our struggles there but the person totally in charge for that will be my good friend. This Project VA is a family business that I wanted to take to another level. So, this project will be bigger.

I wouldn't give too much information about Project VA but basically it's in the Real Estate industry. I have taken the leadership just last month when my father dump all of the problems in my lap. When he told me that we needed to fund, and to repair our apartment I instantly assumed the role.



Post from Facebook last March 23

Napa-upo na lang sa pagod. Right after work, I had to rush to one of our project apartments to take note of what needs to be done. I was too exhausted, I decided to take note on the floor. Nakakatuwa kasi I never imagined taking up this kind of responsibility. Ang lakas maka-empower! Next in line is assessing the contracts, pero bukas na kailangan ko na matulog kasi maaga pa ang pasok ko. Nakakapagod pero rewarding at naniniwala naman ako na hardwork pays off, kaya kayod lang! P.S: nagawa ko pang mag catch up with my friends after this. haha! Good night, friends!
I never knew that I was able to get the fund that we needed, find the people to work with, and actually see the project move towards our goal. I was also blessed that even before we started the renovations there were two offers for our apartment.

When we have closed the deal with one of our customers, we gave them the deadline of the completion of the project. I have learned too many things with regards to dealing with people (which I will write about next time), but the gist of the lesson, is that never give your word unless you are sure to deliver them. A changing statement is a sign of indecisiveness, and being indecisive begets mistrust.

Forward to April 11, 2016

I have provided this update on my Instagram:


"Being an entrepreneur is about building relationship with people". Early in the morning I have checked one of our apartment project that's up for renovation. I was able to meet the person in charge for repairs. I felt the hesitation when I introduced myself formally by extending my hand to shake his. I think the foreman is not used to the formality, but I have learned from the start that it is important to establish good relationship with people you work with. I'm very new to this journey, and had no background with construction but I found myself asking of the quality of materials, and if we are going to meet the deadline. It's important that I get myself involved. I wanted to get his assurance that we are on track, and he gave the confidence that we will. Well, we cannot afford not to because that would displease the future renter. Now I have to call them to assure, and to provide an update. It felt good to see your project come to life. I have committed myself to take this business with high standard, because I have learned that how you do anything is how you do everything. And I cannot afford to take this for granted. Now, off I go to talk to my customer, and send a copy of contract to a partner and lawyer for revisions.
I  am very happy with this project, because it taught me so much about leadership. Going back, I always wanted to lead something, and I thought that leadership is limited in the office, school, organization, etc., but if there's anything that I have learned is that leadership is not about being assigned on the role but rather leadership is a character.

We do not need to wait to exercise leadership until we get elevated in our post, but we need to exercise the values of what it takes to be a leader and immediately apply it on ourselves.

Until future updates!

Connect With Me!
So how do you exercise your leadership? What do you think is the important value of a leader?

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

289: On the Road towards Entrepreneurship: Project MM



Okay, this is it. I’ve decided that I will be sharing my journey in building my business here on my blog. The reason why I wanted to share my business here is because one day when my business become so big, I’d be able to look back on how far I have travelled. Plus, I believe that being able to share my journey on the web sphere may be able to get in touch with others sharing the same experiences. 

So what’s the business? I’m not saying the name yet until I’ve had registered it on DTI, and reveal it on its first day, but let’s just call it “Project MM”. You cannot imagine how excited I am whenever I imagine how this baby project would look like on its first opening day.

If you are not new on my blog I’ve shared many times the moments that I’ve had to pick myself up when I got defeated. But you as audience had no clue what happened that led to that defeat. Now, however I’d totally share my journey from planning phase to execution day to the result. I just hope that whatever the turnout will be, we’ll all learn from something -- which I believe is the most important outcome of this Entrepreneurship project. 

My business partner and I is currently in planning phase, and I’ll write about it on my next post. So far, it has been good!


The Leaders of Project MM




So with our not-so-formal personal background, I think you can already make a judgement on how fit we are emerging as victorious in the end.  *wink* *wink*

But seriously, in spite of how many times I have tumbled, I’m still hopeful. So cross your fingers for me my beloved readers!

Connect with Me!
Are you also doing any personal projects? How are you progressing so far?

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