A Year and A Hundred Days

466 days - including the weekends, holidays and times when I was absent (which was more often than allowed) – that I worked for one of the biggest banks in their regional office in Binondo. Yes, a pure blooded Filipino with not much of a background in Chinese culture other than having eaten hopia and siopao, was sent to deal with probably the most taxing clients in the heart of Chinese civilization in the Philippines

“So do you do the Marketing of the bank?” asked by one of my org-mates when I told him what my job was a few months ago. Well, not exactly. I don’t shoot the advertisements or create promotional strategies for the bank as I did back in college. I was included in the first batch of management trainees and a big part of our responsibilities revolved around promoting the services of the bank to our clients, mostly medium sized enterprises.

“You’re a sell out!” remarked by one of my college friends upon learning that I accepted a job in an industry that epitomizes corporate structures; banks fuel corporate machinery with the money they lend and I’m one of the officers who facilitate this trade. I want to slap my college friend back with the same statement since he’s also working as a management trainee for a giant real estate company. But I guess the gravity of being a “sell out” was more apt in my case after promoting “staying-true-to-your-passion” in our online magazine, manilakid.com.

Though it can get a bit boring and pointless most of the time, the experience of working in Binondo is really one of a kind - mainly because of its many peculiarities. For one, there are many commute routes going from my place near Shaw Blvd. to Binondo church. You can ride a jeepney, train, bus, tri-cycle (better with a friend less the risk of being held up) and even a kalesa with a parasol on your right hand while an abaniko on your left, fanning beyond the reach of men pulling their carts of goods (which I did only once).

There’s also an explosion of food choices – from your every day fast food joints like Jollibee and McDonald's to the more traditional Chinese restaurants such as Wa-Ying, Yin-Ying and Sincerity. It’s funny that I haven’t seen any Chow King around our area. What people refer to as food tripping in Binondo, we call lunch and done on a daily basis. Crispy frog legs, oyster cake, bull’s testicle soup and a pork chop bigger than your actual plate are just a stone’s throw away.

At first I thought that aside from the security guards, messengers and maintenance staff, I was the only Filipino in our office. It’s also not surprising to hear Fukien spoken from the telephone the moment you pick it up, no intiendes sir. Or it’s also not uncommon to see millionaires visit our office while wearing their pambahays, with a matching hole on the right sleeve of their shirt.

Of course one cannot describe any office experience if one excludes the bosses. Our unit head, the big boss, is a petite woman with an appetite and grace of a flamingo – cause my arms are as skinny as her legs. The moment we hear the tick-tack of her steel-heeled stilettos reverberating across the marble corridors, chills climb up my spine forcing me to maintain the perfect posture. I hide any food that’s on my table and (sometimes pretend to) become so immersed with the financial statements in front of me. When the glass door swings, I can’t even look directly in her eyes and say good morning because of the terror she brings - terror and beauty combined in that tres petite body But I never forget to take note of what she’s wearing. She enters the office in a snakeskin blazer and Hermes belt over an exceedingly short black dress while combing her golden hair with her left hand and a Chanel clutch on her right. Seconds after she passes, a huge uniformed driver (or more like a body guard) follows bringing with him the proposals which she reviewed the night after. She’s our own version of the cold Anna Wintour.

On the other hand, the boss who I’m directly under is approachable and warm. He’s more of a mentor than a boss - very hands on in teaching me what I needed to learn and guiding me to pass my revalida, an exam taken after our training. He would teach me everything he knew regarding the bank and values which might come in handy. The most memorable experience I had with him was during a client call. The driver who was supposed to pick me was more than an hour late that I was forced to commute. Instead of being angry to the driver (cause that’s what I’d do) he was very calm and composed in handling the situation, an exemplary display of kindness and pro-activeness that I will never forget.

I will miss seeing the Post Office along the crystal river as I pass over Jones Bridges every morning; eating cassava cake, egg fritters and cornik just outside our office; visiting God in Binondo church occasionally; watering the plants; walking to Intramuros to have lunch; waiting for a bus in the Manila City Hall while observing the perfect sunset. For that one year and exactly a hundred days, thank you BDO! 

12 for 2012

This year is particularly special because of the people who came (and went) and made me refocus my direction. A lot of things happened this year but here are the top 12 moments that marked my 2012.

Spent the new year with my college friends in Cebu for Sinulog. It was also my first time to swim with whale sharks and attend a party which was so wild, the SWAT was needed to end it. 

Vogue Italia featured photographer Adrian Gonzales took my 22nd birthday photos in UP. We featured him last year in our online magazine.

I'mABosco continues to soar while keeping our competitors at bay. James and Mike have launched their respective brands for La Salle and San Beda. I on the other hand launched a new school brand for St. Bridget with Joanne and Nikki.

Graduated from our training program with BDO, and before the year ended, I submitted my resignation letter. My more than one year with them has been really challenging and enriching. Wouldn't have survived it without my fellow trainees.

After my work in Binondo, I often take the trains going to Mandaluyong to hold office in Paragon Plaza where I help in the business of my mom.

Was able to rekindle my love for the UAAP and a worthy effort as the Blue Eagles closed this season with no less than a 5-peat championship. One big fight!

We had the first General Assembly of Magis Solutions in Tagaytay. They are one of the leading tech groups who provide IT solutions to the developmental sector.

Graduated from my Social Entrepreneurship class under Atty. Casanova. This is where we pitched our ideas, in front of esteemed panelists - directors, presidents, CFO/CEO. Our 6 months with him allowed me to reconsider my direction and focus myself into something more worthwhile.

Was able to speak in several schools this year including FEU and San Beda. The picture below shows me with my co-speakers, where most of them were featured in our online magazine. There will be more Dare to Move seminars next year, you bet!

That three day retreat in Batulao really satisfied the much needed escape and rest I've been craving for. I can say that I was able to reconnect with myself and filter my thoughts in that place. This is where we held our high school retreat around 5 years ago, and I always feel at home here.

Ended the year on top of a mountain, Pico de Loro. Climbed it together with some of my high school friends. It made me realize how small and powerless we really are, simply a dust in the wind. Ironic that after having "conquered" a mountain, I feel more humbled.

...and there are those moments which you wish you would just forget. But I still don't regret doing this.

Bring it on 2013! Another chance for us to get it right.

Climbing the Parrot's Peak

The call time was at 5:30am so I alarmed my phone at 4:30 since I just live near the school. The alarm rang and I hit the snooze button. You know the story, next thing I know, I woke up at 5:40am. Good thing they waited for me, unlike Rannie who had to meet us in Tarnate, Cavite since he woke up at 6am and had to take public transportation cause we can't wait for him.

I'm not a professional mountain climber. None of us were. But the prospect of climbing a mountain on a Friday, just days before Christmas, excited me. It's something new. Another reason to escape a day of writing credit proposals and fixing documents for clients' loans. 

The team was led by Bro. Juvelan who would be climbing the Parrot's Peak / Pico de Loro for the third time. The first time he did it, he was with his high school friends. Same story for me. We were also joined by other college dayzers.

And so, at around 9:30am, we began our climb. The weather can't be more perfect. Although it drizzled for some time, the sky was cloudy that no one got dehydrated or collapsed from the heat. Still, the favorable weather wasn't enough to cushion the difficulty of the climb (even for those who are used to hiking mountains). It was steep and slippery. You're not sure if the next rock you're going to step on would hold, or if the branch you are using as support would not break.

By 1pm, after probably half a dozen of rest stops, we were able to reach the camp site where hikers could set up their tents (if they plan to go for an overnight stay) before going to the last 20 minute hike to the summit. The spot looks very autumn-ish with dried grass looking like the hair of Grace Coddington being plowed by gusts of winds. 

I would have died to shoot one of the promo stuff for either I'mAB or Hundred Saints, but bringing all the clothes and props may prove to be equally lethal. I just satisfied myself with taking pictures of the scenery with my friends.

The last ascend to the peak was the most difficult. Most of my friends approached the slippery slope as cautious as they can. I, on the other hand, ran/leaped stupidly grabbing the dried branches to keep myself from sliding. I was so scared of falling that I had to shut my brain and let the legs and hands do the moving. It worked though. I reached the peak uninjured.

When I reached the peak, only three people were there - Bro. Juvelan, Rex (our high school valedictorian) and Gelo (our college valedictorian), who hiked with a separate team from us. Words like awe-inspiring and breathtaking do not do justice to the sight. I want to scream. I had to prevent myself from jumping cause the wind was so strong that I might be blown off to the South China Sea. 

I even felt teary eyed. It was a solemn encounter with nature; one of those moments when you just want to take in every sensation - the smell of the mountains, the heat of the sun, the sound of the wind among the trees and the sight that makes you realize how small in size and power you really are - and not let go, paralyzed in the beauty of nature. I felt infinite.

A lot of other things happened on our way back to our bus, most of them we were not prepared for like traversing the forest for the last 30 minutes under the light of the moon, or a stinging head ache (for me) caused by dehydration. But those little misfortunes only highlighted how amazing the Pico De Loro experience truly is.

I started my year by swimming with the whale sharks in Cebu with my college friends. It's only fitting that I end it with something equally exciting as this. Cheers for a more exciting year ahead! 

Dare to move!

Finding God in All Things

Christmas season marks the coming of God through the baby Jesus. It's one of those times when you really find God's presence through the decorations, the activities in the church (and in the malls) and the random acts of kindness people share with those whom they don't even know (aka outreach initiatives).

This year, I guess I can say that I've taken the challenge of St. Ignatius to find God in all things more seriously and openly. We were able to find Him...

in our homes;

in our families,

and in our relatives;

in friends who climb mountains,

in friends who swim with whales,

and in friends who've been there for more than a decade;

in workmates who fight for the environment,

and in office mates who lend money;

in the food that we eat;

in art;

in solidarity with the poor;

in our encounter with nature;

 in religion;

 and even in solitude.

After some thoughts, I realized and felt that it is God who reveals Himself to us, no matter how far we've veered away and guarded we think we are. It's more of the divine finding a way to encounter each of us, even in the most unexpected places and untimely moments. And I find this very humbling cause who am I for him to even make an effort, but a speck of stardust in time and space.

Merry Christmas!:D

What If Money Were No Object?

"What would you like to do if money were no object. How would you really enjoy spending your life?"

I was watching a video shared by a friend over facebook that sparked the questions above. It's narrated by a professor who gets questions from college students who don't know yet what to do with their life after graduation. The easiest answer might be to get a "job" (corporate I suppose), but is that what you really desire if money were not involved? What is your passion?

"Better have a short life that is full with what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way."

My dad would probably say that he wants to be a bonsai farmer after 30 years of being a civil engineer. I had a meditation teacher who quit a high paying job at the age of 50 to pursue meditation and yoga. Thanks to instagram, most people will probably aspire to be photographers. I myself can't give a straight answer since I want to do so much.

I shared the video with my friends in the bank several days ago and they had mixed reactions. Most were inspired, some depressed. "If only life were that easy. It's different here in real life. If only money grew from trees."

But what if the professor is bitterly right? (Which is the case.) If you really become a master of what you love, like writing, people will pay you to write or edit. If you love to travel and excel at it, people will be the one to pay for your hotel accommodations and plane tickets (like Samantha Brown).

It might be difficult because 1) you don't know yet what to do/love/dream of and 2) you are going against the tradition which our educational system has conveniently isntilled in us in conivance with corporations.

It's a challenge. And the questions you will encounter might be the most difficult ones to answer. But dare to be different. Dare to go against the status quo. You only live once #yolo. And you don't get to live forever. Why wait for 30 years or when you're 50 years old to start doing and enjoying what you love (redundant?)

Easier said than done. I guess those are issues we'll have to confront sooner or later. Thoughts?

More Photos from Last Weekend

Please take me back here!

Let Go and Trust

I think no one can be too grateful, as much as no one can feel too blessed or too loved. One can't have enough of those good things. There's always space for more thanksgiving and love. And when you voluntarily allow it to overflow, there will always be someone who will catch what was spilled over.

I learned something valuable during those 3 days in Batulao. I always allow my brain to rule over my thoughts, actions and beliefs but there's a point when rationalizing will just lead to paralysis, and you just have to let go and trust. I understood the meaning of pagtitiwala, more profound than ever before.

The best moments that happen to me are usually not written in this blog because I want to keep them for myself. This is one of those moments. I just have to close my eyes and I'm back there again, where no matter how cold the wind can get, He'll always be there to give you a warm embrace through the people you're with. Salamat!

"The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know. We feel it in a thousand things. It is the heart which experiences God, and not the reason. This, then, is faith: God felt by the heart, not by the reason" - Blaise Pascal

Disappointments and Criticisms

I think I'm spreading myself too thin over a variety of projects that I end up disappointing some of the people whom I work with because I tend to forget things or do mediocre on the tasks that needs to be done. It's not my fault if I give my best and it still falls short of people's expectations, but it's a different level if after what has been done, I have that feeling of "I could have done better."

Over the years, I've also learned how to handle criticisms, almost on a weekly basis because of what I write, say or do. It's a choice that we took. It's different when your boss is the only one criticizing you, but when the public sees your actions and intentions, the scale becomes big and the situation is usually more uncontrollable if you commit even the most minor mistakes. Freedom of speech might have given the people license to say what they think even though most of the time it's baseless. I suddenly feel more misunderstood.

Between disappointing someone and being criticized, which one hurts more? For me it's disappointing someone. Usually, criticisms are focused on what you do, while the disappointments deals with what you do to others.

I've been bruised by criticisms and the feeling of disappointing others since Monday. Too much psycho torture, especially for someone like me who borders on the productive kind of insecurity. I just hope we can fast forward to the long weekend when I'll be taking a retreat. I still want to do a million things and this left me breathless. Maybe I need to take some time, relax and breath once in a while.

Dare to move!