Why can't I give?

What does it take to GIVE?

Took my time off on a Friday night and crossed the street in Ayala to the bus station. The exhausting rush hour pack couldn’t get me a ride so I decided to just eat my dinner in the nearest fast food. On my way, I saw two old grannies in the staircase of Mcdonalds near PBCOM. I’m not usually caring on what I see on streets, but seeing these two grannies at passed 8 in the evening, still roaming in Ayala, did caught me alittle off guard. But remembering I was hungry, I went into mcdonalds and ate my dinner. It was Friday night and exhausted from work, I wanted to go out and have fun. But for some reason, my friends (even my sister) are not available to join me in my Friday play. So instead of feeling sorry, I just tried to appreciate the book I was reading and stayed in mcdonalds. I engrossed myself with reading and lose track of time. After two hours and realizing it was already 10pm, I stood up and walk out of the fast food. Just a few steps out, I once again saw the two grannies, this time they were asking me for a penny. I continued my steps forward when I felt something strange that I stepped back towards them. I didn’t give them money at first, to my amazement, what I did was to talk to them. I took time to talk to them, asked questions to know them better and their concerns. It was a good 20minutes of my time knowing these people. People who were passing by were looking and curious with what I was doing with them, and for some reason I felt different again. Realizing it was getting late, I’ve invited them to go home and since they’d take the bus I’m taking, I’ve joined them til I reached my stop. I gave them a few bucks and I’m thinking of returning to them to answer alittle of what they need. I just need to take time in collating and asking from people who are also willing to give.

“Doing such will take a great deal of my time and money”, as I’ve always thought in the past, for I was thinking of my own resources and time. If I’m not different now, they would have been somebody I’ll just passed by; either coz I have no time or money to offer. Such experience made me realized something again, that if only I’ll take my time to notice them, to get to know them and their concerns, I can be a bridge to the fortunate people who can give something to these people who were less fortunate. And as I’ve noticed, a lot still have good hearts that are willing to GIVE.

GIVING will not take so much of your money and time. Just a percentage of your monthly earnings, even just 1%, if combined with the other 1% of others can create a change in the lives of other people who weren’t as fortunate as you are. Giving money is fulfilling enough, but I realized, taking time to spend with these people that you gave your help, sure creates a bigger change, not only in your character but in your whole life as well.

Remember, life is short. Two important things at the end of it is:

1) How happy you were?
2) How happy others were because of you?

Start giving and experience the happiness it gives your life and other people’s lives. :)

Full-time with part-time

Months ago, I was someone living a life of prestige, stability and security only achieved thru a highly-valued employment. Back then, I was a full-time professional accountant working my way up to the ladder of the corporate world. But along the way, little by little my eyes opened up to a different world, a reality that got not only my attention but my whole life in totality.
Now, I’m living in a world of unstable, non-secured and non-prestige life of a free person. I’m currently resigning from my stable and secured job with no assured job to replace it yet. For I have this free mindset that made me choose to let go of the stable and secured life to face the bigger possibility of being successful in where I can do best.

The freedom excites me for I can see great possibilities of my success, but the temporary setbacks and emotional feeling of the unknown is what I’m currently struggling to face. Such includes the feeling of exhaustion on having to get up in the morning and walk towards work. I gave the current company a two months notice of my resignation for I have some paper works that I still need to finish. And right now, I still have 36-days left to drag myself again and again. But for past two days, I’ve been at home on leave trying to find out how to settle the upcoming days of no pay, plus start planning in building my businesses. Unlike others who calculate a lot before taking their jump, in this decision I had, I rationalized for several months convincing myself to be safe and secured in staying until such day comes I can no longer tolerate the weight of dragging myself to work that I decided to finally resign and leave with just my confidence and faith on my baggage. What I did is to decide and take on the circumstances that I’d be facing along the way.

Early circumstance of my choice of freedom is the question, what’s next? After being comfortable in a company for two years, here I am trying to figure out where I want to go next. If I’m not different now, I’d for sure look for another company that can give me much better prestige, stability and security that I can work on full-time. But different as I am, now I’m considering the fact of being full-time in part-time. And how the heck is that?
Being full time with part time just means focusing on looking for work that won’t have prestige and stability but will give me part-time income that I’d be needing to sustain my monetary needs but at the same time can give me my time that I need in producing the things that are important to me, and building the wealth that I dream. :)

This is the journey that I’ve decided to live on starting the day I chose my freedom over prestige. And despite all the circumstances, both good and bad, that’ll come my way, my spirit is uplifting me too much for it excites me to sail my journey, meet the circumstances and lessons along the way until finally, I find my dreams. :)

As Steve Jobs have quoted,

“If u are working on something exciting that u really care about, u don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls u.”

Filipina - A Mother & Leader

Few days ago, the name Cory Aquino didn’t appeal that much to me. She was just a political figure who I’ve been hearing since year 1. I’m EDSA 1 baby myself, born in February of 1986. I really didn’t know how much this person has contributed to our country and to my life ‘til this day.
I knew and have seen that she’s a big contribution in our country just by how much people she have influenced now that she’s dead, but something have kept me thinking with her life and death. I’ve appreciate not her presidency but her life as a mother and as a leader. Her influence awed me so much that started last Monday when I was in Ayala Avenue waiting with thousands of other professionals and non-professionals in Makati, waiting under the sun, just to pay tribute to her when she passes by our area. People waited for two hours for a 5-15 minutes glimpse of her. It was heartfelt and overwhelming to see professionals gathering together for this woman, a non-career and typical-loving-Filipina mother who became a president by calling and fate.

Then today, here in Quirino Avenue Malate, I paid tribute to her once again with the masses of Malate, a mixture of suburbs and urban poor community. Once again, I felt the contribution of this Filipina woman of affection, integrity and faith.

She reminds of my own personal mission statement. To live a life with the end in mind, a life that’s live with values that are important to me and to keep a life of integrity, affection, love and faith and a strong will to keep moving forward in this life. :D

Almost Broke

If not death, one’s most feared situation is getting financially broke, for it does not feel right and fair that after getting a great degree in college, worked in a prestigious company for several years, you’d admit to yourself that you are indeed broke. You take a deep breath and instruct yourself to not panic then positively double check all your bank statements, but reality sinks in, it is glooming you with “zero” balance account. If it can only speak, it would want to scream at your face “You’re doomed to get broke”, then, you allow yourself to panic.

But what does it feel to be broke anyway?
I’m not sure specifically, but for a saver like me, not seeing a load of money in my bank statement and having to pay outstanding loans (without seeing the goods I’ve purchased or travels to brag) already makes me feel dizzy and ready to admit that I am almost broke. So I ask myself why and what had happened?
I’ve been feeling really down and experiencing breakdowns, recently. The idea of getting almost broke does makes the worry freakiness over me. This isn’t surprise situation for me for I knew that the moment a person decides to let go of comfort, uneasiness happens, of which I am facing now. Just a few weeks ago, I’ve finally decided to let go of my current state to face the challenge and uncertainty of a different state (aka dream). Such dream is what most people do not try to live on for as I’ve said, it’s uncertain and unstable. Different mind as I am now, I’m willing to face its uncertainty and start all over again so I can redirect myself to the new path I want to live on. And as someone has said, she thinks I’m in a crossroad that she hopes I wouldn’t regret.

Life I’ve learned will never be regretful if you have the proper mentality to choose a moving forward attitude. As I’ve noticed, our decisions and actions today will greatly affect how we will be tomorrow, be it we decide over it or not, consciously or not. And unlike fairy tales, life isn’t going to give you a perfectly smooth journey in whatever path you’d take, for it’ll surely give you trials to learn lessons on your way, be you accept it or not. So don’t expect things to be perfectly okay in all aspect, for it’ll never be as long as you’re breathing the air of mother earth. If you expect a 100% worry-free journey, you’re doomed to get broken.

So what to do when you’re almost there, reaching that zero balance, and worse, negative brokenness of life?

All you need is your attitude and faith, that moving forward mentality and belief in yourself. It wouldn’t be a smooth journey, but as long as you keep your focus and faith in the end you picture, it will be all worth it.

An Owl's Life

I was once called an Owl, why? ‘coz they say I have big eyes, especially when I’m surprised or trying to intimidate someone. But for two years now, I’ve been living a life of an owl. Well, setting aside the big eyes issue, it’s coz I’m working graveyard or better known as “night shift”.

Here are some of the analyses I’ve compiled while working as an Owl:

1. Night differential. Talk about the money.

2. No traffic. Coz you’d always do the opposite of what the normal human beings do. (You go to work – Normal people go home, vice versa).

3. Happy bank account. Coz you save more. So many reason why:
a) No gimmicks on Friday night.
b) Too tired to go out on Saturday, better sleep.
c) You do not need to buy prepaid credits since you wouldn’t have that much textmates, not unless your sweetheart is a guard, taxi driver or an owl like you.
d) No after-work shopping, coz malls don’t open at 6am and you’d be too tired to wait for the 11am opening.
e) No weekend shopping. Coz you’d rather sleep. In short, the mall will be missing you so badly.
f) No dates/gimmicks. Coz your sweetheart or even friends live a normal life.(Not unless they'll have a midnight lunch date with you or their an owl too).
g) Lastly, lesser medical bills, coz you’d be too scared to visit your doctors. What you don’t know won’t hurt you, not unless it’s hurting you already.

Most pinoys of my generation is living the same life. Either their working in a bpo (business process outsourcing) and/or call centers. And where are all these owls nest came from? It’s none other than jobs from the west that were transferred to developing (aka poor) countries like PI, for lesser salary expense and cut cost.That’s one of the advantages and disadvantages of the information age for it became so easy to communicate and transfer data and information globally, at any time and place. The advantage is yours if you know how to play it for it has a high earning potential.

However, there’s also disadvantage of this global move and I’ll share to you two instances:

* THE VICTIMS
The financial crisis experienced by the west countries 'coz most jobs were outsourced. Such resulted the increase in the unemployment rate that chained effect the problem of normal Joe’s inability to sustain his/her high lifestyle, for his usual JOB SECURITY ceased existence. Like a rubber at night, it left him pennyless 'coz they weren’t prepared. Their most treasured high-paid job can already be done abroad, for a lesser cost that they couldn’t compete at.

* THE BENEFICIARY or is it?
For developing countries, such is seen as an advantage for available jobs increased. BPO firms occupies more than 50% of the job employers today that's why most of my generation who are staying in PI are working in these firms. The only good news I see with this is it helped the economy of PI by providing temporary job to pinoys. When I say temporary is because of the mobility of the job plus for health reasons. Such jobs cannot provide job security for its mobility can cause a BPO to close down anytime and be transferred somewhere else cheaper with same quality. We clearly see it by the number of retrenchments that’s happening nowadays. While for health reason, imagining yourself working at night for 10years, will surely make you think otherwise.

Our beloved country belongs to the group 2, the beneficiary, and I’m one of those. But what will I do about it knowing these things?

As for me, I’m planning my way out by educating myself to learn ways on how to be free. Such financial freedom is what motivates me to move forward in learning as much as I can. But as they say, learning is nothing without action, so I choose to take actions too. And sooner or later, I know I’d be free from this owl’s life, to live a more normal, healthy and financially free life. :)

What about you, are you doing something?

A Journey of an Autistic Accountant

One of the most unforgettable moments in my life is when one quoted me “Autistic”. It was the officemate beside my desk who’ve called me such. Amazed and insulted I’ve asked why, “I’m living in my own world” is what I’ve got. Unsatisfied with her answer, I typed the word autism in google and I found this:

A brain disorder that results in communication, socialization and development problems for the individual that is suffering from it.

I would want to hate my seatmate for calling me such but instead I felt happy for it opened my eyes to see where I was.

I’m not really an autistic type of person but more of a proactive-introvert-superwoman employee (aka certified rat racer). In this environment, requires professional to do more and more work, less and less talk and building relationship.

I was one of those babies who were born with a super-rat racer family. Both my parents are accountant that’s why I pursued Accountancy and strived to get my license to work for a top Accounting firm and eventually end up as a private accountant in a multinational firm. Nice achievement if life is all about titles. And as if this is my resume, I want to add that in a year of service and at 23 I was offered the position of our teams Control Accountant, a leadership position. I am very blessed for I have acquired a great deal of emotional and professional experience in a short time however it also resulted for me to live in a world of Autism.

Reflective as I am, after thorough thinking, I realized why I was living in such world, for with all the paper works in my desk, I did lived in my own world. I was working myself out 16 hours a day sitting and facing my desktop, including Sundays. Why? Will be explained by these two: 1) Ignorance on Leverage, and 2) Self-employed mentality.As such, socializing and building relationship was prejudiced, which resulted for me to lose my true self in the process.

Recognizing where I lacked at, I started searching and learning till I found my answer. I’ve mentioned in my blog, “A piece Called CA2020”, that being part of the core was like a piece of a missing puzzle.

Being a core team showed the real passion and shine of my true self. It guided me out of the autism world thru facing out of my comfort zones. It empowered me to enhance the skills I needed to be effective not only in business but as a person. Such skills included business, people, communication and leadership. These I’ve learned thru exposure to the real world, to people. In here, the more I talk the more I grow while the more I listen the more I learn. The longer I stay the more I realize that the true happiness and fulfillment in life isn’t about titles and how high you climb that ladder. I’ve discovered my happiness and fulfillment in simple things such as talking and listening but creating a big difference in someone else’s life. Such couldn’t be matched by any title or prestige that the corporate can offer me. And the most important lesson I’ve learned in the community is the power of leverage. You are not alone. You don’t have to do everything on your own. And with a team around you, there is a greater abundance you’d achieve.

So why live an autism world? :)

Living life to fullest is like a piece of puzzle that you have to continually searched on to reveal your real shine and passion. It’s not an end but a journey that you have to live along the way. :)

A Simple Life

Oh Philippines!

I duno how many times I’ve said these two words, whether I’m happy saying it or not. And I know a lot have already listed things they’d like and hate about it. Some tag it as “PI”, which I thought then as “P***** Ina”, later on I knew that it means “Philippine Island”. But other than the endless comments I hear about PI, I wonder what more can I say. I’ve already lived in PI long enough to know that it is one of the best paradise in this planet. And honestly, I’ve always believed that it is ‘til I was exposed to the lifestyle of other countries. And what’s with them that PI doesn’t have? “SIMPLE LIFE”

I’ve once watched “Simple Life” starring Paris Hilton. And whenever I watch it, I’m not sure of what I’ll feel. Sometimes I’m mesmerized by Paris classiness, but half of me wants to laugh and cry with what they call, “A Simple Life”. I’ll repeat that word in my head then sigh, “Oh Philippines”. And why? Geez… their simple life, is the life I’ve always dream to have.

What’s that simple life anyways? Just a two-storey house enough for regular family and one to three “regular” cars. Plain and simple. Is it?? Errrr…

For some of the “blessed” pinoys out there, it is simple, but for MAJORITY of “will be blessed” like me (*wink*), it’s something I have to work hard for. And what’s dreadful sometimes is I’m thinking how long before I’d have it? Accountant as I do, I’ve calculated it. And the burden of years, I’ll keep it to myself. Such burden however, is only applicable if I’d rely ONLY thru EMPLOYMENT.

Simple Life is a LIFESTYLE, a way people wants to live. At that day I’ve think of having such “simple life” plus realizing nthe burden of years I have to take, started my quest to BUSINESS and INVESTING.

The more I knew about it, the eager I was to KNOW MORE. For not only the money interests me but the LIFESTYLE, that simple life. Abundant life of money and time.

Then I realized why majority of Pinoy in PI do not live a simple life in our own paradise? That’s cause Pinoys focus too much on EMPLOYMENT. Then who does live abundantly here in PI? Aren’t they mostly CHINESE? Do you still wonder why? What does Chinese focus on? Now, do you see the difference???

My 30th Day Voyage: Into the Core

“You cannot cross an island if you won’t sail the sea”, this runs thru me at decision point.

Thirty days ago, I’ve faced the port and had my choice, to be a WIZARD or a WARRIOR. To differentiate, a wizard is someone who likes to speculate and be skeptical before taking action while a warrior is a fighter that takes on the challenge in the quest of seeing the unseen. And what did I chose? BE A WARRIOR THAT BIDDED BON VOYAGE. :)

Now, thirty days after, I haven’t reached the island yet. As my mentors have said, this sail isn’t an easy quest that will give you an instant result but the journey and long-term result will speak for itself. And chronicler as I am, I wouldn’t want to miss telling my reader the story of what I’ve seen and got on my first thirty days of sailing.

If there’s one word to describe it, that’ll be, CHANGE. Change in itself is broad, so here are some of those that I’ve personally encountered:


*** MINDSET ***

Before I’ve met the community, I was aware of the law that states “thoughts become things”.

Most people aren’t aware of this law or some do knows it but rarely do they apply it. In my first 30 days, exercising the power of my thoughts has been one of the great activities I’m enjoying. Now, I’m not only aware but I am reminded and directing it to think like the rich people does. Day by day, I exercise my millionaire and billionaire mind. :)

Remember, your thought is the most powerful thing for it gives you what you feed it. So what I do is feeding it with positive and richness thoughts.


*** LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE ***I’m a professional accountant and as such, I’m usually surrounded by wizards, those who speculate and are skeptical, most especially, they have an “employee” mindset. I’ve used to be quoted as extra-ordinary and weird for I think differently. I knew I was ‘til I found this community, then I thought I’m not a weirdo, I just have a different mind from the usual CPA.

In here, I am surrounded by those who think the way I do, and what is it? Financially free mindset. A mindset that believes that money should work for me and not vice versa. A mind that believes there are greater things to be done, with our most valuable asset called TIME, than spending it 8 hours or more in a cubicle of your office desk.In here, I’ve learned to disassociate and spend less time to people who may disempower my rich thoughts and have started building relationships and network with different but like-minded individuals. Indeed, like attracts like.

As they say, if you want to be beautiful surround yourself with beautiful people so you can learn to be one instead of surrounding yourself with ugly people to stand out and learn nothing. :)

*** MENTORSHIP ***No man is an island. In life, one way or another you’ll need another person that will serve as your guide post that will inspire and teach you ways they’ve got thru learning and experience.

In this community I’ve learned to differentiate “helping” and “teaching”. As they say, “Feeding the fish to someone won’t solve the problem but teaching how to fish will”.

T.Harv Eker have quoted, “If you want to be rich, learn and spend time with the rich”. In this community, you’d meet a lot of mentors and coaches who are wealthy, that’s rich with both money and time. And these mentors serve as my guide post that teaches me (in lieu of helping me) how to have what they’ve achieved.

Here, I’ve learned to be “coachable”. BE=DO=HAVE. That’s develop and grow myself to BE the right person to do business. DO act upon the task and commitments given to me. And as I diligently follow it thru, I’ll HAVE the personal and financial growth and reward I’m aiming for.

Trust is vital in this community for without it, you wouldn’t last.

TRUSTING your mentors is very crucial. Besides, they’ve made it and you’re here to learn from them. And from there, you can apply it as your own and/or create your own blueprint that works for you. :)

*** UNCOMFORTABILITY = GROWTH ***

TAKE ACTION TO YOUR FINANCES OR TAKE ORDERS ALL YOUR LIFE. – Robert Kiyosaki.


Since day one into the core, the tasks were never ending just like the jobs we have to do at work. But the difference is that these tasks are non-routine and usually hits your comfort zone that results to your uncomfortability and growth. New core team like I am are called “Apprentice” for we are still learning to be “Coaches or Mentors ” ourselves. Being an apprentice means we still need to grow. And to be able to grow, all you have to do is have humility to start as a beginner and learn from the experienced mentors/coaches.

To give you a quick idea, I’ve formulated it as follow:

TASK + ACTION + UNCOMFORTABILTY = GROWTH

In here, each task or “job” will result to your growth, as long as you’re coachable enough TO TAKE ACTION.

And from growth, MONEY will just follow.

I personally believe that personal growth is very crucial to be successful for it helps you move despite the most uncomfortable circumstances and nothing else can beat such courage.

*** COMMITMENT AND INTEGRITY ***

My personal goal is to walk my life with integrity. Integrity means differently to different people. But to define it myself, integrity is more than honesty of your words but more of realness of your values, principles and purpose. Once your integrity is clear, commitment follows for you wouldn’t want to spread dirt to your deepest values and purpose. Most people are confused with their purpose that’s why it’s hard for them to live up to their commitments that prejudice their integrity.

In the community, my integrity have doubled and improved more. For they see the passion and pureness of my purpose. It’s easier for me to act on my commitments for I know and live my purpose. And this purpose is what’s keeping me moving forward regardless. :)

*** A MISSION AND VISSION GREATER THAN MYSELF ***

Another addicting part about this community is its mission and vision.

In the past, I’ve been involved into reading and sharing my life experiences and lesson learned thru blogs. But in this community, I do not only write it to share but I speak and teach it day by day.

Making a difference into someone else’s life is the most rewarding feeling I ever felt. Empowering them thru words and modeling are priceless.

Our community isn’t only spreading financial literacy alone but personal greatness overall. :)

If all Filipino’s can attend to this kind of community and gatherings, FIRST WORLD PHILIPPINES is very possible. And that’s what I love about this community for despite rejection of our invitation, we keep our eye on our commitment and mission to move us forward to our vision. :)

*** PERSISTENCE ***

For me, this is the most important change and value I have learned from this community. In the past, I’m one of the people who are scared of failure and rejection. But as I’ve learned, successful people fall 7 times but stands up 8 times.

In the community, this phrase isn’t purely theoretical for I’ve applied it in my reality during the first weeks. In 30 days span, I’ve encountered a lot of uncomfortabilities that if I didn’t persisted, I’ve perished. As they say, “If it won’t kill you, DO IT. It’s better to do die trying”. :)

*** PROFIT ***

Ofcourse, anyone who engage in business think of the profit. Most of my coaches have said that in this business your profit is in direct proportion to your growth. GROWTH = MONEY. Thus explain why the journey to your growth will determine the time of your profit.

In 30 days, I’ve already earned both personally and financially. Tho I’m still not yet financially free but I know I’m not too far from it. :)

It has only been 30 days but a lot have changed already. And to experience the same, I invite you to assess yourself if you want to embrace these three important characteristic that you need to endure being a core team:

1) Be Coachable (have an open mind and willingness to take action)
2) Be success-driven (set your purpose and goal)
3) Be willing to start as a beginner (have the humility to unlearn and learn)

Three simple characteristic, that if you have them, for sure you’d enjoy THE VOYAGE INTO THE CORE TEAM.

A Piece Called CA2020

In grade school, I’ve been exposed to the mainstream of high rise buildings in Ayala, Makati. My mom has been working all her life as an Accountant and she was a great influence on why I pursued my profession as Certified Public Accountant. At a young age, I was mesmerized by the glamour of the corporate world for the high profiled job and office my mom had back then left a huge difference in me. And like the usual parental advice, I’ve studied hard and diligently reviewed to pass the board exam. Fortunately, I’ve passed it and got jobs on good firms in the country. But as I’m living and working in the corporate world, the glamour I’ve used to believe in did not shine the way it used to.

Three years after college, I’m now at Ayala, Makati working in a multinational oil company with a high profiled job inside a luxurious building with my own desk complete with all the things I need to work well. In such time, I was recognized and promoted to a leadership position. I am grateful with the recognition and trust but deep within I knew something’s missing. I’ve worked hard and reached the positions I’ve aimed for but slowly I started to see and realized that corporate world wasn’t the place I want to grow and live with. I started to realize that this world is taking too much of my time but doesn’t provide me that much financial freedom. As I stay longer, the more I valued my youth and time that I rarely have because I have too much work in my desk. Then I felt something’s not right and I started to look for that missing piece until one day, like a light of bulb, I found the piece that completed my puzzle. That piece of puzzle is called Create Abundance 2020 Business Community (CA2020).

Before I’ve found my piece, I’ve searched my soul by reading a lot of books, attending seminars and a solo road trips to places just to reflect. All the soul searching was beneficial and fulfilling but still I felt the emptiness of that piece until one day a friendster message have solved and changed my growing puzzle.

CA2020 means a lot to me, it’s my school, my battlefield and my family for I own and breathe with it for I’ve found a new form of living that supported my beliefs and desires. In this community I’m learning to be a good player in the game of business and life. Every day I spend is a day of empowerment and positivity. In this place I can be both at my best and not-so-best for it doesn’t criticize and accepts failure as learning ground. It’s a place for me to learn and re-learn by empowering others and be empowered. In here I’m enhancing all the skills of business, people, leadership and personal that I needed to truly succeed in life. And with these powerful people surrounding me, success in all aspect isn’t too far and hard at the same time, I’m enjoying my most valuable asset called TIME. :)

Isn’t it a marvelous piece of puzzle to find a place where you learn and grow as a person, meet and cultivate people, and you’re earning yet you have all the time in your hands. It sounds impossible but it’s existing for a lot of us have already found it. You just have to ask yourself if you have the same missing piece that you need to search on for who knows you’ll find the same piece I’ve had.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

In the past, I always put my focus into one. Whenever something interests me, I’ll strive to be at my best on that something. I always strive for “efficiency” instead of “effectiveness”. Other than being efficient, I also tend to be “do-it-all” type of person. I never say “No”. As I’ve blogged a few weeks ago, never saying “no” isn’t good at all. You should learn to say “no”.

Habit 3 teach about dealing with urgency and importance, putting things first without losing balance. Most people lack balance in life, either their too pre-occupied with work, love, family, school, business etc. Such lackness causes them to feel stressed, haggard and unhappy with life which also at times lead to broken relationships. I used to be one of those who don’t believe there is this real “balance” in life. Now, I’m happy to say that my life never felt this balanced as I started to learn the trick. :D

When I say balanced, it doesn’t mean complete equilibrium in all aspect, mind you, it can’t be perfect equality. Someone have said that life balance is like your four fingers (exclude your thumb). If you’d look at these fingers, they’re not created equal but their close to it. In viewing life’s balance, you can look at your fingers to remind you the “almost equality” in the four aspect of life, that’s mental, spiritual, physical and emotional.

When you start to understand this, you’d see life as easy as ABC. Haha. You’d start to appreciate how wonderful life is and how you can live it to the fullest, day by day. You’d realized that “busy” is the most irrelevant excuse you can ever say for you’d never be busy. You’d start to view the word “busy” to mean lack of control on the most important asset of life which is TIME. For you do have all the time to build relationship and produce outputs, it’s just rest to you on WHAT’s valuable that leads to your happiness. :D

As I started to apply this in my life, a noticeably changed in my aura and outlook started to come out. Now I feel bubblier, younger and happier than I ever felt. :D To start attracting positive vibes in your life, aim for balance, and from there you’d start to attract positive things for you feel positively happy with life. Remember, like attracts like. :D

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of the things which matter least”. – GOETHE

A Stain I Want To Erase

Imagine yourself having a relationship that’s too good to be true. LIke a love that’s deeper and sweeter than Romeo and Juliet. A prince in a fairy tale world. Then suddenly, it all stopped. For days, weeks and months, you won’t receive any texts, email nor phone calls.

Furious and confuse, you’d approach that prince. He’d ask you why do you want to see him? And you’d answer, “Coz I wonder how you’ve been” then ask him, “What am I to you?”. And he’d tell you, “You’re a stain i want to erase!. Start worrying about yourself. Take care.” OUCH???!!! OMG!!!!!

Okay, how did I know this? Stop playing that thoghts in your mind for this isn’t my love story, hahaha. I’m currently watching the korean version of “Boys Before Flowers” (a.k.a Hana Yori Dango (Japan) & Meteor Garden (taiwan)).

There’s this scene where the guy said that, “A stain I want to erase”.

I find guys (or even gals, for i heard there are bitch out there) who does this thing a BIG COWARD. Instead of telling the other person directly that they’ve fallen out of love, they keep the other waiting and wondering of ‘WHY THINGS SUDDENLY CHANGED’. They don’t have the nerve to tell directly that they’ve fallen out of love.

Face it, telling them or not will cause the same, you’d break their heart (may even crashed it). So why prolong, and why leave the other person hanging?

Some are scared to say the magic word, “i’ve fallen out of love” because their scared of hurting the other person. But scared or not, not telling the other person that you did, will only worsen the other’s situation. For some, those who tell the girl/guy directly are cruel, but as for me, it’s better to be honest than keep the other waiting. They’d get hurt, that’s for sure, but at least, they can move on.

Pain isn’t scary, what’s more scary is believin’ onto something that isn’t there anymore.

Summer Time

TIME MOVES SOOOO FAST. A few more days and it’ll be summer month again. GOSH.
I’ve been in Baguio over the weekend but the summer capital itself didn’t make me realize that. I’m that slow and stupid, if not most of the time, at times.hahaha.

Everybody is planning their summer getaway that’s for sure, and am I planning? Yeah, just another baguio trip with my college friends. Some people have been inviting me to EK, Galera, Palawan and etc. but I haven’t said “yes” to any of those. And why? I don’t know, I just don’t like to spend for now. Okay, weirdo.hehe. FREE STUFF ARE WAY BETTER, OFCOURSE! :D

Right now, I’m living day by day which some also call as step by step. I plan, sure I do, but more of a long term plans, like a certain end I’m picturing. And at the same time, I’m living to the fullest today. When I say fullest, it does not mean physical and financial full blaster, but more of emotional and relationship wiser.

The past quarter has been a positively blast and crazy. A LOT HAD HAPPENED AGAIN. There’s being a back-up Control Accountant (aka Officer-in-charge), CI workshop, meeting a lot of good and nice like-minded-people from a business community, getting A LITTLE BIT closer to someone who’ve caught my special attention for sometime now (yihee :D), building a lot of good relationship and new friendships :D, year-end bonus/salary increase, getting a good debt, bein’ a core team member, and lastly, a new extrovert, light-hearted and bubbly me. A TOTAL CHANGE I SHOULD SAY for someone who used to be quoted as “autistic”. Okay, that’s exaggerating, just “shy, quiet and snob”. :D

I’m pretty sure summer time will be another blast. Hopefully, by then, I can share to you my chapter 2 in terms of love, a lot of free outings, meeting lots lots of people that I can make a difference to, and lastly a better and financially free me. :D

“Forms follow function”

One More Chance

If you’d be given a chance to go back in time, will you take the chance? Will you give up today so you can go back to yesterday?

I remember a Filipino movie entitled “One More Chance”. A lot of people have been telling me to watch it coz it’s really nice and I can relate to it but I haven’t done so, and I’m betting that I won’t be doing so. Not in the near future tho. Maybe someday I will. You may call it a coincidence but the story was somehow similar to my real love story. Long-term relationship that started in UST that eventually ended after 5 years. OUCH. Haha. I can still remember the pain at times but most of the time, I laugh thru it.

There are times I do want to go back in time especially on heavy days that I really miss those days he’s with me. The first love I had was almost perfect that I couldn’t dare to get mad to the guy which made it harder for me to move on before. But I’m so glad I did and not clinging to pass is what made me do it.

To answer why I never watch the movie? Not because I’ll get hurt but because I don’t want to influence myself and believe in one more chance. As they say, “what’s done is done”.

It’s been 365 days now. The pain is gone, the longing is gone, but the loneliness, is it gone?

At the moment, loneliness is still here. I’m happy, no doubt about it. But “used to be” are really hard to deal with sometimes. There are times I wish I have somebody. Somebody I can share my thoughts with, share my time with and hopefully share my life with.

I’ve used to believe in forever love and I was ready to give that love to someone, wholeheartedly. But sadness, he stepped on it and pushed me away. Ironic as life is, when you’re ready to give everything to someone that’s when they take you for granted. Oh my, I’m word vomiting here.hahaha.

It’s raining outside and it feels like it’s raining inside me, at this very minute, right here, right now.

Trying Times

Nowadays, it’s everyone’s favorite word. From the newspaper, magazines, internet, etc. it’s the main story that’s closely looked at by people from all classes.

Someone has said that “if things are easy then it wouldn’t be worthwhile”. In line to that, someone also said, “Be thankful that things aren’t easy for it only mean it’s not yet the end”. It does make sense coz life, indeed, is really worthwhile and that I still don’t like it to end.

These days I should say have been one of those days I call, CRAZY. My spirit in totality is being tested again. From my own health, work responsibilities/opportunities, family matters, supposed-to-be school matters and my future activity. Trying times is amazing coz it was able to do much in span of almost two weeks, capturing all the areas I’ve just mentioned. Just today, I’ve handled two, both personal and professional. Today I had to stand between an institute versus my own brother which resulted to a bit messing up my professional side. I’m not good in disappointing people and at the same time I’m not good of confrontations and expressing myself verbally, but now I’m trying to look at things in whole picture. I don’t panic and decide the most logical and ethical way. That’s the reason why I always think that you should never let down your guard for you’ll never know once these things hit you. Good thing I’m having the proper mindset that I’m able to handle it all without being stressed out. Although at times, it makes me want to faint, just to exaggerate.

In times like this, I just need to dust myself off and carry on, in addition to thinking through and preparation. I know my priorities now; I’ve already set and decided to stick to them. Good thing I did coz without it probably I’d feel tired and lost again.

As I’ve mentioned a few days ago, I’m about to sail, and I won’t let all these things stop me to where I’m going. AJA! :D

Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind

I’ve once read that the difference between a winner and a loser is the ability of the former to create his/her blueprint. Most of the time people hate contemplating about life and their action, but they always wonder why life’s so hard. And when asked what’s their life’s all about? They’d either make fun of you thinking you’re some kind of retarded or they don’t know the answer.

Recently, I’ve discovered that life isn’t really hard if you know how to play it. When I say play, I don’t mean to make fun of it, but just like any other sport life has its mechanics and tactics that you can learn to for you to result as a winner and happy. Sadly tho, most people aren’t willing to learn how to play it or even avoid the topic.

In the past, I seldom contemplate about life and me. I was one of those people who think reflecting and meditating is boring and weird. But now, different as I am, reflecting and contemplating have been one of my consistent habit. For sure, it’s weird for most but I’m pretty sure some loves it. J The change is still unfathomable for me until now but I love how it is. Coz I feel I’m more in control of myself and my life the day I started to contemplate about it.

During one of the leadership training I’ve attended, we had an activity to create our EULOGY. EULOGY is like a written statement about you that people will talk about during your own funeral. When I’ve looked at the instruction, I had goose bumps because during those times, death is like something I don’t want to talk about. (Ofcourse, that’s another thing that changed too). At that moment, I didn’t know what to write, reason maybe I was too stunned or I really didn’t know what to write, I was lost too. But now, in five minutes I can tell you what I want to hear in my EULOGY. Scary? Nah, it isn’t. :)

Begin with the end in mind is like writing your own Eulogy. It will consist of things that you want people to remember about you. Like what kind of character/attitude you have? What kind of relationships you’ve built? What kind of work/contribution you’ve left? And what kind of advocacy you’ve supported?

It amazed me to discover that life can be your own blueprint, as always, Life’s a choice. Ofcourse, there are things beyond your control but despite those, it all comes down to your OWN choice. Everything in life has 2 creations, 1) the blueprint and 2) the result. With the blue print we see what we want to happen, like how big the house, how many bedrooms and if it has garden or pool. On the other hand, the result is the output. The actual house you were able to build.

The same thing goes to our own life. Most people feel lost with life because they don’t have a guide, a blueprint to look into. That’s why everything they do is based on the current state or other people’s opinion/standards.

Each of us has our own unique blueprint, a unique purpose, a personal mission statement. If you’d contemplate about it, most of things have. Companies, schools, athletes, organizations, etc. Everything has their blueprint, a mission statement that they look into as basis of their way of service and operations. Sadly tho everything has that people follow to, but most people don’t have their own self. And now I understand why people will most likely can’t answer what their purpose is.

Although our mission statement is something we can do but it can’t be done overnight. It’s a continuous process to build but the core value is in there. Such mission statement will guide you in your decision makings with life coz you have a principle and values you can base upon.

Once you begin to have this, you slowly see life as easy as shopping. Hehe. I’m just exaggerating but once you do, slowly you’d be able to see a clearer picture of what your life is really all about. Also, you’d be amazed to see the change you’d have that’s in line to the blueprint you created. Don’t wait for your own funeral before you realize what you really are and what your life is all about. :)

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Bon Voyage! :D

“You cannot cross an island if you won’t sail the sea.” This saying always runs thru my head whenever I try to reach a decision.

I always hear people say, life isn’t easy, that life is hard. This saying creates two reactions, a negative and positive. Sadly, most of the time, I see people who take the first, that’s being negative and burdened about the hardship. As for me, I’ve always looked at life’s hardship as a challenge that will result to something good. I’m more of a doer before I complain, and I seldom say “No”. The difference with the past is I take myself too seriously which is far from my current state. Now, I still am a doer (pro-active), tho it does stress me alittle at times but I don’t take myself too seriously anymore. I smile through it as I take on the challenge, the hardship. Taking responsibility without taking myself seriously helps me keep my bubbly and worry free self which makes me feel great with my life now. :D

Now, I’m about to sail the ocean to the island of my desire. Naks. Haha. The decision wasn’t easy. I’m a professional accountant/auditor, trained to be skeptical and factual, like to see is to believe. My profession is a bit contradicting to my personality of a doer, the “can” do attitude that nothing is impossible. Ironic as it is, despite the fact I’m a trained accountant, my core value of a dreamer/believer retained in me.

I greatly value respect, the fact that people will believe in different things that I do. Honestly, I don’t see any problem with that coz each of one of us has our own journey and purpose to live in, our own battle field. In the past year, it was a bit struggle for me to find like-minded people, those who see life the way I see it. Gladly, my journey and purpose lead me to meet these people. These people were mostly part of a community but I’m happy to say that I also see a few of them in my current workplace. And these persons keep me to where I am now without losing my focus for they help me be reminded. :D

I’m aware that my voyage will be a struggle but I’m excited coz I know I’ll learn a lot. As I’ve said before, I’m not afraid of failures, for failures are my wisdom to life. So I bid myself, bon voyage! :D

Happiness is found in DOING not merely in POSSESSING. – Napoleon Hill

Krung World

Most people, if not all, have problems to deal with. What differs is on how each of them deals with it.
Some people will battle with it unprepared while most will probably prepare for the solution which I agree to be the best way to deal with it. But there will be cases where you neither do anything of these two, instead, you find yourself escaping, either physically by going aboard or the cheapest way, thru fantasy.hahaha. For me, I usually do the later; I go to the fantasy world which I call the Krung world. :D But there were instances I went aboard which if money will do me, I think I’ll like it better. Going a board gives you wider perspective since you see other things. And I guess being in the krung world does the same effect to me since it gives me the opportunity to know and see the way other culture lives, other than the “kilig” thingy it brings me. Hehe

I’m proud pinay and my desire is to live my whole life in this country, if my fortune will permit me so. I once thought of leaving this country for a great reason that became alittle bit larger than me but last year, after thorough thinking and contemplating, I’ve finally decided to let go of a BIG opportunity and stay in PI. It was not an easy decision, it was one of my defining moments, if you want to call it that way, but right now, I don’t feel any regret doing so because I feel great and happy with the way my life is at the moment.

Despite being proud pinay, there’s one thing I hate to admit but is true and that is I’m not fond watching our own entertainment shows. Instead, I’m fond watching Korean and Japanese dramas. At first, it was more of a past time, nothing much better to do and since I love Chinese-korean-japanese looking guys, I didn’t mind watching until it became a habit… more of an addiction.hahaha. Now, I can even speak a few Korean words, even Japanese. Haha. And so I call it my Krung world. A place I can escape to whenever I feel like it. :D

Before, I really can’t answer why I love watching them, until I realized that other than the kilig it brings me, I’m learning a lot from these dramas. Not only it broadens my point of view on how other culture lives but also by the lessons I learn from it, unconsciously. Hahaha. And yeah, there are lessons from this krung krung dramas, it if not all, well, most of my favorite does.hahaha

To name a few, here’s my top three list of Korean/Japanese Dramas that I can say are one of the best so far (both on the artists, acting, cinematography, directing and the lessons learned, yeah there is.haha)
1. Full House (KD)
2. My Girl (KD)
3. Hanayori Dango (JD) or Boys Over Flower (KD)

I’ve watched these dramas more than 5 times even tho they have 16 episodes which you can watch for 3 days straight (if you’re that addicted and I once am. Haha.) By watching these, somehow I can see the Korean and Japanese culture, scenery, the snow and it gives me this strong desire to visit these two countries sooner or later. Tho I still have to find my courage to eat their food.hahahaha.

To amaze you, there’s one common denominator from these 3 dramas, and that’s where the lesson learned comes in. From these three, all the 3-ladies have the same characteristic that somehow reflects me. That is their all bubbly and friendly, simple and laid-back, humble and respectful, and lastly, their all determined and strong-willed. They smile and are happy despite anxieties and they never give in to fear, including humiliation. Nice character I should say for a woman. :D

Nowadays, for a lady to survive happy in this life, it’s best to maintain a light heart and mind to be happy in every circumstance and at the same time strong-will to fight whenever it is necessary to do so. :D

For a final note, I love to share this quote I’ve recently read, and it’s from the words of wisdom of Donald Trump:

“Give yourself a little freedom to develop into something or someone you’d actually like to be”

Why I want to be a core team?

Nowadays I’ve been attending a community where they empower people, not just by their words but also by their sincere effort to listen to you. In the past, I’m more of a talker, but since last year, I started to become more of a listener because I realized that I’ll expand my horizon more if I’d listen. Student of life as I am, I think listening helps me grow more of a person. And pro-balance as I am, I believe that a person should be a listener and a talker, just like a giver and a receiver. :)

I’m glad I’ve been able to be seeing this community and more, I do hope I’d be a part of it soon. :)
But before I can become one, I have to answer the why? My official list is done separately, but here’s the summary of why:

- I share the same vision of making PI a first world country. Possible? Ofcourse it is, nothing is impossible!:D ;
- I want to be financially literate and FREE;
- I want a fast track life and living my desired lifestyle;
- I’m focused and determined person, when I put my priority, things happens for me, lucky me. :)
- I want to surround myself with like-minded people;
- I want to be a student and meet one of my mentor in life;
- I want to walk the talk;
- I want to ACT;
- I want to BE;
- I’m strong willed and I know I can do it. :)
- And lastly, I want to take part in spreading financial literacy. I want to be a mentor myself, walking and talking the truth of the fruit of my step to be a core team. :)

I’m very much aware that it’ll be hard, I’d risk a lot, will accept a lot of criticism and may bump into failures, but as I always believe in, its better do something than wonder forever with what ifs. But I’m very much positive if not all, there’s still a lot of Filipino’s that are open-minded, they just need the proper information and proper mentor. :)
Just like what my friend said to me yesterday, the mere fact that I’m sharing this here, blogging and talking about it, shows I’m brave enough to face the consequence of what other people will react to this. And I guess I am naturally risk-taker.
I just have one life, and I’ll never know until when it is, I’d rather be free to do things now than secure myself and restrict it just because I’m thinking too much of the consequence. I’d act now, before life just passes me by. :)

Habit 1: Be Proactive

This is a continuation of “It all starts with, Habit”.
Do you feel tired with life? Where everything seems to be out of place and control? Does circumstance makes you feel stressed and worried? Does it give you this great desire to just yell as loud as you can?
Well, my friend, been there done that but I’m happy to tell you that I was able to get out of it, more, I became much better. J

I used to be a pessimist and control freak but luckily I was able to see the light of a different perspective.
It wasn’t like a magic from my fairy god mother but more of a bulb of light that changed the sources of everything, and that’s my thoughts.

I always emphasize this, “Life’s a choice”. Same goes with our thoughts. Almost everything in our life is within our control except for little things call “consequences” that’s beyond or beautifully called, fortuitous. God gave us such freedom though he still controls a part of it.

Habit 1 is about being proactive. For most, proactivity means performers and initiators. But to define more accurately, proactive person is someone who are responsible for their own lives. Their behavior is a function of decisions, not of conditions. They carry their own weather, whether it rains or shines have no difference to them. The opposite of proactive is reactive. Reactive are more concerned of feelings. They feel like a victim of someone else’s behavior which caused their circumstance. They blame everyone and everything for their circumstance except their own self.

During my dark days, it was a struggle. But such struggled changed me a lot. The change was a process that was noticed slowly by those people that surrounds me. But now, I’m amazed coz it seems that this change is part of me. I knew it was but to hear it from someone else, someone I just met, and then I felt that it was real, I’ve changed, I am better. Better is an understatement, coz I feel so great.
Surprisingly, I’ve been recently quoted as person with “high EQ”, and truly, I felt so wonderful hearing it from someone I respect and aim to be. J

Habit 1, talks about proactive people and as I see, people that are proactive are those with high EQ.
And to change a pessimist to a person with a high EQ, how did it happen?

In life, there are circumstances grouped to two, a) Concern b) influence.
Concern is about thing that affects us but we don’t have control while Influence is thing that affects us but we have control. Concern includes annoying people, low pay, and all other bad circumstances while influence is more about our attitude. And to change, we have to be more focus on influence instead of concern. Instead of mourning and complaining, better concentrate on what you can control, that’s yourself and your proper approach to your circumstances. J

”I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor” – Henry David Thoreau

Almost Over

Cherished past
Stranger present
Looking at your shadow
Brings past vigor
Oomph to move
To letting go

Astounded to know
It was easier than thought
Past will be past
Memries be forever
Today can’t be tomorrow
And today,
I’m closed to the door
Geared to go on

8,280 Days

It’s my 8,280th days living, assuming there’s an average of 360 days per year. Haha. Today I’m both happy and sad. But thankfully I have more happiness than sadness. There’s only one thing that saddens me and that's the absence of someone who’ve always made this day really special for me. That’s the only sad part but other than that everything else is great.

Here are the reasons why I feel happy that I chose to continue living despite the tragic and disappointing event that happened to me in the past 360 days. And that’s:

- I’m grateful for life itself coz it feels like I was born again into a totally new person, I felt it’s for the better which most people agree to;

- I’m grateful for HIM who continuously light me in my quest to this jungle called life;

- I’m grateful for my family who guides, loves and cherish my existence;

- I’m grateful for old best friends for sticking with me thru laughter and tears, especially on
those days I really needed someone to lift me up, literally. As well as for the new friends who
keeps me sane and laughs with me thru stress and craziness;

- I’m grateful for people who opposed me for they made me stronger and persevere more;

- I’m grateful for those who criticized me for they taught me how to accept failure and be humble;

- I’m grateful for the over workload that stressed me out a little for they made me confident and believe in myself more;

- I’m grateful for the people that trusted me for they made me realized my potentials and to learn some more;

- I’m grateful for the one I like for he makes me smile;

- I’m grateful for the guy who broke my heart, for he made me discover and appreciate myself, my life and life itself;

- And lastly, I’m grateful that I’m alive.

Getting Old

A few more days and it’ll be my birthday, a year older. I’ve been living for 23 years exact.
A lot of people are surprised when I say my age. Sadly, most of the time they think I’m supposed to be older. L Sometimes I do feel offended when they say that but at times it flatters me when they say I act and think older than my real age. :)

Since my birthday last year, a lot have changed in my life. Actually, too much that I feel it’s been more than a year now. This past year is the year that a lot have changed and happened. But I realized it’s not just coz a lot happened compared to other years, it seems to be because I think and see things differently now that I recognized and remembered every detail of it. I’m not too pre-occupied to keep track of everything.

I once learned that change is the only constant thing. Everything changes except for change. Nice rhyme heh? Haha. But the older I get the more I’ve proven that this is so true. Also, I’ve proven that the older you get, the complicated life gets.

Yesterday, I went to my old school. Going back there made me remember good ol’ memries that I still cherish up to now. Our school still looks 70% the same while 30% different. The walkway is still there but the structure is different. It’s the same with the lover’s lane and the parking lot. It was Saturday and Valentine ’s Day so there were a lot of students and lovers around our campus. Observing people is one of my hobbies lately, scary huh?hahaha. So while waiting for my friend, I can’t help not to observe this college kids with or without their dates. I remember the feeling, the college days feeling which is btw, three years ago. It made me too aware of how old I am now and how different my life is now. But it made me smile too, coz it’s just three years ago, and for such period, I’ve grown and matured so much already.

As most people say, I act and think older than my age. Before, I’d deny this but now, I do feel happy about it. For some people, they want to maintain their youthful look, and I agree to that. But I guess the ideal person for me is a youthful look but matured mind. Man, if I’m like that, that’ll be perfect. :)

In this financial crisis that we are facing, it’s too hard to keep a stress-free, youthful and bubbly self image. With the double workload and tight deadlines that the companies are imposing, it’s too hard to keep track sometimes. Most companies are on tight cost-cutting type of budget that is actually being burdened by employees like me and my friends. Good thing I was enlighten by some truths that I think and approach things differently now, but unfortunately, as I see it, most people are still unaware of why life is so stressful now.

I grow up believing the same things as what most career oriented people believes in. That’ll be studying hard so I can get a nice job and live happily. I’ve always believed that work will make my life easier. But in this current state that I’m in, looks like the thing I used to believe in isn’t real. Coz at the moment, I’m experiencing work crisis that most is experiencing. I thought before it’s coz I’m just too workacholic but with the way my friends in other companies have been complaining too, looks like it’s coz of the crisis already. This global crisis thing isn’t only affecting us financially but mentally and emotionally. Most of my friends feel lost with what and how they’ll live their life in the next years. They feel unsatisfied.

I feel grateful coz before this thing hit us, I was already aware that it’ll come plus the reason behind it. Tho I’m not fully 100% prepared of it, but I feel great that I’m at least 30% financially ready but 99% emotionally and mentally ready. Unlike everyone else who feels lost with what and how they’ll do plus they feel unmotivated and stressed by it, here I am, fully positive about it enduring but at the same time preparing for my next step. I wanted to share this to people to make them aware of it, and that’s the reason why I write blogs, it’s a reminder for me and for everyone else who reads it.

In total, I’m just so thankful for the turn around that changed my life this past year. It changed me a lot, too much that I can’t imagine how I’ll be now if I still think the way the old will.

To end this, just like to leave this for everyone to contemplate with:

Getting old is natural but growing up is a choice.

P.S.: Why MBA?

I needed to create this for something I want to pursue at the moment, and since I love blogging, it became so easy for me to do it. So unlike of what I used to be. hehe. But hopefully, I'd be able to pursue this and apply it in my goal of becoming free. :D

Here it is.. my personal statement.. why MBA?

I’m a person who values continuous learning. I strongly believe that in order to grow and be better you have to be open and accept new ideas or information. In the ever changing world, such openness to learning is very essential so you won’t be left behind.

I’m a certified professional accountant and have practiced my profession in the most outstanding accounting firm in the country. From there I’ve learned and lived a lot of professional values such as integrity, innovation, excellence and hard-work. Also, with the kind of exposure it had given me, I’ve improved more personal values of patience, motivation and perseverance. These qualities are priceless and essentials if you want to succeed in any field, even life itself.

After that, I’ve worked as a financial analyst in a business process outsourcing firm of Shell Company in the Philippines, Shell Shared Services Centre Manila. In this company, I’ve worked with different kinds of people, both local and foreign. With such exposure, I’ve learned to deal and observe behaviors. Unlike my previous job, not everyone is highly motivated and career-driven, indifferences as they call it. But from there I’ve earned a great value called respect. Despite my young age, the company has helped me discover my leadership capabilities. They’ve stretched my ability by fully trusting responsibilities I could never expect to be performing in my one year service to them. I got promoted to a senior position and was elected as the officer-in-charge of our team to perform back-up works of our control accountant and at the same time assisting our team leader. Such trust boosted my confidence and guided me to think of improving myself more to be able to reach the next level of our organization.

I’ve been working for three consecutive years now and I can say I’ve changed and grown a lot, both personally and professionally. In three years time, I’ve excel and been recognized to be outstanding. But as they say, even how good your own experience can teach you, there will come a point that you’d still be needing guidance and help from others. You need a mentor or a coach who will teach you their tried and tested knowledge in the field you are pursuing to. From them you’ll learn the trick that you can use to improve yourself more both professionally and personally. And that’s the reason why I’ve decided to take up further studies in one of the most reputable school of business in our country. Ever since high school, I’ve always dreamt to study in DLSU. Not only because of it’s accessibility from our house, but because of the school’s reputation of building and teaching a person with its success potentials. But due to financial incapability, my dream wasn’t fulfilled in my undergraduate school. And now that I’m working, I want to continuously learn from the school I’ve always dreamt about.

Continuous learning is very essential despite the number of good professional qualities you may have. In the professional world, you will meet different people and discover a lot of new ideas. And the best way to approach this ever changing world is to be prepared. Graduate studies are valuable in my professional growth and at the same will guide me to succeed. By learning and knowing deeper the business management skills and other relevant courses, I’d be prepared to the next level of opportunity that I’d be handling.

In the next five years, I hope to see myself in a managerial and executive position of a successful and reputable multinational or local company. If possible, I also would like to see myself managing and operating my own business. With this huge dream, I need to be prepared and seek much learning as early as now.

And since our world is continuously changing, in order to survive successfully, we need to change with it and be prepared to face it. In this century, everything moves fast, thanks to technology advancement and increasing educated people. But despite the amazing positive change we have, we are still faced with one that’s larger than anyone could ever imagine, and that’s the global warming. Working in an oil company, I’m very much aware of the increasing demand of oil/gasoline but sadly decreasing supply, notwithstanding, the great effect it causes our environment. With that, renewable resources have been the hot cake that’s being tackled now both by our government and private sectors. That topic not only caught my interest but also made me aware of its effect in our environment that I’ve signed up as a donor and supporter of the group, Greenpeace. And if I’ll be doing a research/thesis, my concentration will probably be on this. Because I want to study any possible solution that can helped our country, as well the world, to discover other means of sustaining our ever changing world plus protecting our environment.

Filipina Girl: Will You Make The First Move?

I was typing this blog when suddenly my sis interrupted me and asked me a survey question from COSMO that she wanted me to answer so she can get freebies. After answering her question, my attention focused to the current month topic, that’s “Would you make the first move with a guy you like?” hahaha, just exactly my topic right now. :)

I’m a proud pinay, raised and lived n PI for 22 years. I can’t say I’m Maria Clara but I’m not too liberated either. I still have this ideal pinay values that’s being reserved and shy especially on topic of love, guys or even dating. These traits sometimes make me proud but at times make me feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable coz I know it’s not that practical to be like this nowadays.

With a regular guy, I mean, friend, I can approach and talk to them so casually, but when it’s the guy I like, I don’t know why I tend to be really shy and reserved. If it’s an ordinary guy, it’s too easy for me to invite him for lunch or to ask help on something, but when it’s him, damn, too hard coz I’m too conscious, guilty as it is. That’s the usual pinay attitude that I want to change but I’m still trying my best to do so.

Answering the topic, will I make the first move? I guess my answer will be YES but not to the point I’ll push myself to the guy. I’ll give him some signs but if he doesn’t read it, then it’s his loss. Hahaha.

Honestly, it’s easier said than done. Coz right now, I do like someone. For me, I’ve already gave him signs, but as my friends say, looks like he doesn’t know how to read it or maybe he’s just not interested. Some says how can I say so when he may not even know? Coz I don’t say it directly to him? That he may probably be clueless?

That’s the sad part being a “Filipina girl” coz all I can do is wait for the time he’ll realized that I’m giving him signs. Worse, I might wait in vain. Hahaha. I’m dying to tell him that I really do like him, to know him more, it’s not that I fear rejection (partly) but more of the Filipina culture of “nakakahiya coz I’m a girl” keeps me from doing so.

It’s a choice anyway, to wait or to try? For now, I’ll wait for the day he’s not too busy and too preoccupied to finally see me. Until when? Till the feeling is here. :)

It’s almost valentine, and I’ve already accepted the fact that this will be my first “alone” valentine after 5 years. Huhuhu. But that’s okay, he’s probably busy for now, but I do hope that someday, he won’t be. :)

Corporate Glam

One of my favorite movies is Spiderman. From there comes this famous line, “Great power comes great responsibility”. Such phrase didn’t make that much sense to me until now that I’m working and in the real world.

Lately, my bro’s high school friends have been camping in our house almost every day. He’s studying from my old exclusive high school where boys are separated from girls, so imagine the pack of naughty high school boys loitering in our house. We really don’t mind it coz we’d rather have them around our house instead of not knowing where they are. Hanging out with them makes me miss my high school days and it makes me amazed on how different my world moves now as compared to my high school days.

Just like them, I used to hang around with my friends house during high school. We play music, talk about boys, watch tv, laugh like hell and just plain chilling. We don’t worry too much on anything, even our grades. Life was too simple then, we just worry about passing our subjects and graduating. Things only begin to get serious when we got in our senior years that we had to think about college admissions and think about what we really want to be in life. I’m lucky and blessed coz so far, I’m into the field I was imagining I’d be.

Going more backwards, as early as grade school days, I’ve been exposed to the mainstream of high rise buildings in Ayala, Makati. My mom’s a great influence on where I am now since she’ve been working all her career as an accountant too. She always brings us to her workplace that’s why even then I wanted to be a successful corporate woman.

Now, I’m here living that dream. Working in Ayala, Makati inside the 31st floor with a table complete with desktop computer, telephone and everything else I need to work well. In three years working, somehow I can say I have a quiet say in my field, recognized and promoted, and will soon rise to the next level if I continue the way I perform. I am happy with the recognition and trust their giving me but sometimes it makes me go back to Peter Parker’s “Great power comes great responsibility”. Success in the corporate world does indeed require great responsibility, sometimes too much.

Looking at my bro’s friends and just chilling with them makes me want to be a bummer even for awhile and escape the stress and speed of the corporate world, of real life. Hanging out with them makes me go back and appreciate the simple things in life. Their innocence and happiness with just having each other makes me envious to their life. They’ll go online and check their Friendster instead of opening their outlook with hundreds of emails that requires attention. They only have to explain why they failed in a quiz or even subject instead of explaining why they didn’t complete the report within metrics. Not submitting project will only mean lower grade compared to non-completion of reports that leads to numerous feedback and self-humiliation that sometimes makes your morale and self esteem go deeper in the ground, if you’ll think and accept it that way.

Corporate world requires fast-moving, efficient and dedicated professionals. If you want to succeed in it, you need to have all those or else someone else will take charge of you. Corporate world is not all beneficial. It’s linked to the word, “busy”, that’s defined as one of the devilish acts. “Busy” steals the most important thing for us, that’s “time”.

Good thing my bro’s friends are loitering here in our house, coz they remind me to appreciate the simple things in life that this corporate world is keeping me from coz of the glamour and power it shines.

The Love Month

One more day and it’ll be the love month again. February means two things for me, birthday and valentine. In the past, I’ve always look forward to this month coz of my birthday. Just like any babies, I’ve always love it when it’s my birthday coz it will mean parties and gifts. But as I grow older, it became an ordinary thing. For the past five years, this month has been a memorable one tho this year will surely be a different story.
After half a decade I’d celebrate this month alone. It’s sad but happy at the same time. Sadness coz I used to have someone, happy coz I’m gonna celebrate it without bitterness and somehow I’ve already moved on. It will be fun if I’d have someone to spend it with but I want to recognize this state that I might not be ready yet.
For others, it’s too easy to find someone else but it’s the opposite for me. Either coz I look too serious or too idealistic that nobody is man enough to approach me. Not setting aside the fact that it’s hard for me to fall in love the same as it’s hard for me to fall out of love. It’s funny to think that even how tough and serious I may seem to look like, I’m still a girl that’s weak inside that feels the need to have someone who they’d spend their time with.
I’ve been alittle lonely the past days, feeling empty without somebody, without him. And this love month is not helping me too maybe coz of the fact that I’ve been into an ending of “my-first-and-serious-long-term relationship” that it’s too hard for me to deal being alone especially during this times. After recovering from a total heartbreak and accepting that the past wasn’t meant to be, loneliness is the next step I need to deal with. Loneliness from not having him when I’m so used being with him and from the fact that I still haven’t found someone else.
I’ve never been in any other relationship so this is the first time I’ll ever handle heartbreak and moving on. I’m not sure how long it’ll take for me to find someone else again, or even if I’ll find him, will he find me? The first time I had my love story was when I was 17 years-old, I’ve used to believe in “first and last” thing coz I thought then that you’d only fall in love deeply once in your life. Idealistic as I was, I believed in forever love. And it seemed to be that way for almost 5 years until reality hit me and gave me my first heartbreak that almost ended my life. It was a struggle but it changed me a lot, too much that even my closest friends and family can’t believe how different I am now, which I think resulted to the better me.
Now, I’m not sure if I still believe in forever love. But I sure hope I’d still meet someone I’d fall deeply in love again and he’d feel the same in return. But now, I need to endure this loneliness until I find not “Mr.Right”, but “the one” for me. A person that’s neither perfect nor right, but will love and commit himself to me, may not be forever but as long as he is willing to. :)

Invisible

How can someone hurt you without them knowing they do?
And why do tears fall whenever they ignore you?
What are you supposed to do to suppress the feeling?
When all you see are their shadow?
I guess this is the pain that’s cause of caring for someone
Yet you’re just invisible.

Lila 012509

Somebody

..... just the right message for someone who feels empty without somebody.. (drama).haha...
but i totally agree with my friends and family who kept saying that.. someday.. everything will make sense... and someday.. you may meet somebody.. :)

so when you feel empty.. just read thru this....

-somebody is thinking of you.
-somebody is caring about you.
-somebody misses you
-somebody wants to talk to you.
-somebody wants to be with you.
-somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.
-somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
-somebody wants to hold your hand.
-somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
-somebody wants you to be happy.
-somebody wants you to find him/her.
-somebody is celebrating your successes.
-somebody wants to give you a gift.
-somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
-somebody loves you.
-somebody admires your strength.
-somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
-somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.

now, will you be that somebody???...............

This is "me" now

I'm sick physically and emotionally lonely at the moment. So what to do? hehe, just be shallow and answer this thingy. A to Z about me as of 01.21.09. :) Love to check this part again in the next 5 years so I know what changed about "me" by then. :)

I've once talked to my bestfriend on how different our paths have been with the way we've pictured it in college. Too bad, I didn't have a record of what I wanted then. One thing I remember was I wanted to be a SGV Partner, and my bessy seems to be the one living that dream now while I'm so far from it.hahaha. But that's alright coz at the moment I have a different want. :)

So, here goes: (This is "ME" now)

A to Z questions to ease my stress and loneliness (*drama* - haha):


A] - AVAIL​ABLE?
Unfortunately and fortunately... YES, single and available but :).

Unfortunately for him/them, fortunately for me??? wehehe...( :( )

[B] - BIRTH PLACE?
Macabebe

[C] - CELL PHONE?
Motorolla V8

D] - DRINK YOU HAD LAST?
Water :)

[F] - FAVOR​ITE COLORS?
Green, Orange and Red (nice combination!)

[G] - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS?
Gummy worms

[H] - HOMETOWN?
Macabebe and Malate

[I]-FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
rocky road

[J] - JUST SOMET​HING YOU ALWAYS SAY?
Honestly. hahaha. "Living with integrity". hahahaha.

[K]- KILLED SOMEO​NE?
Nope. Never and will never. :)

[L] - Limeade or lemonade?
Limeade?? --- what's that? (lou: ignorant again!)
Obviously, Lemonade. :)

[M]-MONEY OR LOVE??
Both!!!!! hahaha. But to choose, I'd rather have LOVE. What I'll do with money if I don't have someone to share it with??!!! and LOVE is the main reason of being! :) Money and all others are just "incidental" stuff!

[N] - Number of Siblings?
3

[O]Outgoing?
Not too much, but not too loner anymore than I "used to be". :)
I think I'm friendly and bubblier nowadays. :)

[P] - Piercings?
Just the two ear piercing I had since my toddler days (which btw, isn't my choice.hahaha)

[Q] -Quiet?
It depends. I'm "seemed" to be quiet but I'm the opposite actually. :)
I'm quiet only when:
- i'm with someone i'm not at ease to (i don't like, in short)
- I'm working on something (just to focus my precious thoughts hahaha)
- sleeping.. (or am I? I might be snoring.hahahah)
- listening to someone who's talking (ofcourse!!!)
- I'm mad.

[R] - Reasons you smile?
Now, I "SMILE" at ALL COST.
I try to be grateful in anything but everything. :)

[S] - LAST SONG YOU LAST HEARD?
"I Love You Goodbye!" - Celine Dion
A friend have been teasing me that song that whole day. GOSH. hahaha.

[T]- TIME YOU WOKE UP
7:20 am.
Whew! Good thing I wasn't late. I just brought my breakfast at work.hahahaha

[U] - DO YOU LOVE ANYONE?
Yes. I do.
Who??
- A past and a present.
- friends
- people that believes in me
- my family. :)
- and my God.

** But I wanna learn to love those who I hate. When it happens, I'm too ready to die.hahaha

[V] - VEGETABLES
hmmm.. this is the hardest question..hahaha.
I like Carrots and potatoes

[W] - WORST HABIT?
Crying when I'm mad. Damn, how can I fight back?? hahaha

[X] - X-RAYS?
during my APE last year.

[Y] - YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
too many. but I'll always love palabok and arellenong bangus .. :) and... chocolates :)

[Z] -ZODIA​C SIGN?
- Aquarious
* Guess that's why I love water. :)

01.20.2009

Today's the inaguration of Barrack Obama, ofcourse, it's memorable coz it'll be the first african-american president, and seems to be one of the youngest president of the United States. It's sure is a memorable day for me too. Used to be. While everybody is happy and excited, I feel the opposite. I don't know why it's so easy for others to find someone new and I can't. :( But that's alright, I know, IN TIME. :)

Enduring

I've never been the type who endures. I used to be very out-spoken, if i don't like it, I say it. But since that "miracle" thingy that happened to me last year, I suddenly became too patient in everythin that sometimes I want to tell me myself and scream, "SAY No!" or "Don't Do It!" or "You're f**ckn bitch!". haha. But I don't coz I honestly am so willing to endure it with all my heart that I DON'T FEEL like complaining. And honestly, it's very unusual, very unlike me. But I'M SO LOVING IT even tho after the end of the day, I feel like crying. haha.

I grew up lucky that I always get what I want until that "luckiness" ended last year. I don't know why but since then, everything in my life became out-of-control, or others may call it "unlucky". If this happened to someone else, probably, they'd feel so bad right now. but i don't know why I feel so great with unluckiness. Things aren't going my way; i'm work-loaded, lonely and loveless, under-employed and underpaid, annoying monkeys around me, but still I endure and find ways to be happy.

And since I know how it feels like to both be lucky and unlucky, I can honestly admit that I like unlucky better. Coz i feel more matured and broad-minded in things. I feel like I'm willing to face anything coz I'm strong enough to endure it and find ways to feel great about it. And so unlike of everyone else. :)

Anyways, have to cut this out, i'm just venting out and distressing the stress I'm feeling at the moment. But I'm so happy being stressed. I know, I'm a WEIRDO.hehe.:)

Be Thankful

Got this from one of the partners of the Company I've loved and proud to have worked at, SGV & Co. I miss that company so much, the professionalism of the people, the fulfilling work and training, and most especially, I miss my friends and the bondings. Tho it was a past experience now, I will always treasure those memorable and fulfilled years I've stayed in that Company. Leaving that Company was really one of the hardest decision I've ever made in my entire life, because there lays my dream and passion. After leaving it, my life started to feel out of control and I felt lost. But it doesn't mean I'm not happy now, guess it just shaken my path alittle coz i was so sure before, it was a sure path.

Now, I have a new path, very far and different from that past, and I can sense that I'll succeed in it because I know my passion is in it already. Tho at times it still confuses me because I had two different desires in a lifetime, but I can feel that my current passion is where I really wanna be despite the thought that I may forget my own profession.

Anyways, here's the words of wisdom from PTT, this is very true. I've applied this principles during my dark and broken moments and it helped me alot in moving on and look at the great things about my life. If only all people would apply this in life, the world will be a better place to live in coz no one else will be complaining anymore.

As I've said to a friend, "If you don't want it, don't do it. But if you have no choice, just endure it, but instead of mourning and complaining just look at the brighter side of it and look forward for its reward".


**** BE THANKFUL ****
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made the effort.

Be thankful when you lose a battle, this will give you inspiration to fight back and win the war.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

Bonjour 2009!!

A new year may mean a year older or a new beginning. Most have probably listed their New Year’s resolutions or plans. And I wasn’t spared to this question, “What’s my new year’s resolution?” That question made me smile.

I’m a woman of objective, well, stating it simple; I don’t usually wait for a new year to set a plan. I’m naturally futuristic and I always try to plan ahead. With my old-self, I was goal-oriented but short-sighted. I grew up lucky that whenever I want something and set my whole focus in it, I usually get what I want. Lucky, huh? J But I was then too short-sighted coz I’ve always wanted to get what I want the way I’ve pictured it by will-power and faith. The only problem with my old-self is that I’m too futuristic that sometimes I tend to neglect or set-aside “today”. And that’s what I love about the new-me, coz the new me lives fully today but futuristic at the same time. Is it possible? Well, I can see that it is. And it’s just a game of “balance”. :)

In our world now, a lot of people are having a hard time, especially those I see homeless in the metro. Sometimes I wonder if it was just merely fate that brought them in such situation or there’s something else lacking? And whenever I see these people, I do feel saddened, but it makes me think of this phrase at the same time, “What I am is God’s gift to me, what I become is my gift to God”.

Everybody knows how to pray (except atheist, of course), and I wonder sometimes how others pray. Do they ask for a 100% worry-free life? Or do they ask for a miracle to happen? I grew up in a 100% catholic family and was educated 100% by a catholic school/university from kinder until I received my diploma. And I used to think that everybody had their theology class for 16years.hahaha. Being exposed to a catholic environment, prayer is a daily activity for me. And to increase the level of intensity of my prayer, I do novenas.haha. And what do I usually pray? Before, I ask help in whatever I want at that moment. And I guess, most will agree that they do
the same.

But this year was different, I seldom pray for what I want anymore, not even help, or miracle or a worry-free life. Guess I was awaken by the truth that I’m living in an imperfect world. What I ask now is a proper state of heart and mind that is strong enough to face whatever this imperfect world will throw to my face. :)

And to begin 2009, I’d answer that question, “What’s my new year’s resolution?” And my answer is nothing. All I need is a light to have a proper state of mind and heart, and then everything in 2009 (and the rest of my years) will be alright. :)

Happy New Year!!!

Adios 2008

Today might be the last day I’d get the chance to be online since I’d be in my hometown the rest of 2008, and I wouldn’t want to miss the chance leaving this year without proper goodbye.
2008 is one of the best year I had so far, best may even be an understatement. It was too great that I can’t imagine how many things squeezed in just a year, but I’m so glad and thankful that it did. It was a perfect mixture of happiness and sadness that eventually made me the person that I am now, the person that feels so great in every perspective.

Talking ‘bout happiness, this year I was able to travel a lot and meet both my old and new friends. I have gone to Cebu, Puerto Galera, Nueva Vizcaya, Banaue and Baguio. I’ve been able to be in touch with my college friends that I haven’t seen in the longest time, both from pre-com and accountancy. I was able to establish real closeness with my family than I ever did. And lastly, I have met new friends and best friends that I know I can trust and build long term friendship. :)

But there were also too many goodbyes this year, start it off with the end of a 5-years relationship, relatives and friends that have gone to the next life, and just recently, my bro going abroad. Goodbyes are the saddest thing but I got immune to it as I grow up just by the number of times I’ve transferred schools and home address, however, this year’ goodbyes felt different coz despite the pain and the sadness, it gave me a lot of lessons and a new insight on things. Now, I see goodbyes as a new beginning of greater things in life, so I don’t fear and be too saddened by it. More, it gives me happiness and excitement to face the new challenge of a different world. :)

Other than relationships, travels and goodbyes, I’ve learned a lot of new things this year too, from attending French classes and leadership/ business seminars and reading books. But the best lessons I’ve had were the wisdom learned from the experience of hardship. It is so true that beyond failure and disappointment, a great treasure is hidden. :)

If without the support of my family, friends and my creator, I don’t know how I’ll ever survive 2008. I almost had the intention of losing life, but thankfully a proper light came to me to appreciate the greatest thing that happened to me, and that’s realizing the great power of my mind and my light. :)

2009 has lots of predictions especially both on global financial and environmental crisis. Most people aren’t aware of it, and worse, don’t even care about it. But despite, I feel like I’m ready to face 2009, having with me the lots of things I’ve learned this year that will help me survive another challenging-fun year. :)

Penalty of Success

One of the Filipino-Chinese influences I have now is Mr.Francis Kong. I believe the man has it says in terms on success, business and life itself. I’ve attended his seminars once and was lucky enough to shake hands with him. I haven’t bought any of his books but I regularly check his blogs. (www.franciskong.com). Just recently, he posted this blog entitled “Everybody loves a winner….or do they really?”. It talks about a thing that I myself was experiencing. It has alot of terms, can be office politics, crab mentality, or even cannibalism. But to quote it further, it talks about the penalty of success that an individual will have to face whenever excel in her/his field, and that’s the antipathy of others.

In every workplace exists a cannibal. These are people who eat you up with jealousy and envy the moment they see you successful and that your success poses a threat to their own. A winner isn’t being loved by all, a winner creates an admiration and envy at the same time. We’ve heard often that adversity tells you who your friends are. Success does, too. Failure and success both reveal who really cares about us – the ones who stick with us through thin and thick. If anything, success identifies genuine friends more surely than failure does.

This kind of mentality is a viral in Filipino culture. Just looking at our own politics for instance, since I was born in 1986 (EDSA 1 Days) impeachment is being raised to anyone who will seat in the presidency. And why? Because everyone else’s thinks they deserve better to seat. It’s bullshit honestly. That’s why I seldom watch news, local news. Coz everyday, you see pure bad politics that they’re exposing and it’s really unhealthy for my mindset who seeks greatness and gratefulness. If I’ll watch it, I’ll just end up with how everybody else’s feels, ungrateful and unsatisfied. Setting aside politics, I can see that PI can really go further and rise its well being, if only, most have the right mentality. And one of those is cannibalism. Instead of mourning and complaining on how good others get, why not look into your own folly? Who knows you lack on something too? Or maybe it isn’t the right time for you and something else’s better planned for you? Instead of spreading ungratefulness and bad image of the person to someone else, why not just try to work on where you lack and be better?

I’m fond of Koreans and Japanese. Not only their drama (movies and teleseryes) that I love, I love how these people value and love their country. I love how they value unity which is very far from PI. I’ve once read a friend’s blog that’s an essay of her Korean student. In that blog, the Korean compared how different PI and Korea is. In 90’s, South Korea’s economy was way behind PI’s economy. Their economy suffered a lot after the battle between the North and South ended. But unlike PI, most Korean stayed put in their country and those who were residing abroad went back home to help their country stand up. They didn’t care who gets the credit or not, instead they just worked together in unity to bring their economy back on track. And our time now, who would have thought that South Korea belongs to the Top 5 most expensive city? (Seoul). Reading that blog made me see how different our PI culture is, which no wonder why our country is still behind.

Its Christmas time again, so before I go further, Merry Christmas. J Hahaha. Most pinoys are probably exchanging gifts by now. Other than spreading and giving material gifts, maybe we can stop cannibalism and start working on spreading unity and gratefulness as a gift. J This is the perfect time to start it before the great financial crisis truly hits us. :)