Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The art of listening
Sometimes, all we need is to listen and not to judge the person immediately. Listen from the heart, as the person opens up not to be criticized but just simply to be heard.
In work, in family, and friends, if you fail to listen, you lose all the essentials of the words that are being said. You lose the beauty and honesty in the eyes of the person trying to explain that part of them to you.
Listen... it's hard to do when you think you'd know better and pride sets you in. But once you let it come through, no matter how hard it is for the heart, the things that are said and not said are seen and felt in the eyes of the person just wanting to be heard.
I listen with my heart, even if sometimes it hurts to hear the words that comes out. Yet, it was through listening that I was able to see the future.... to gain some hope... to work towards the present to reach the final destination.
At work, at family, with friends.... when was the last time you just listened without saying words that you later regret? Listen, and you'll see that in a world full of chaos and information, we also need people to be able to look through the beauty that still lies from within.
In work, in family, and friends, if you fail to listen, you lose all the essentials of the words that are being said. You lose the beauty and honesty in the eyes of the person trying to explain that part of them to you.
Listen... it's hard to do when you think you'd know better and pride sets you in. But once you let it come through, no matter how hard it is for the heart, the things that are said and not said are seen and felt in the eyes of the person just wanting to be heard.
I listen with my heart, even if sometimes it hurts to hear the words that comes out. Yet, it was through listening that I was able to see the future.... to gain some hope... to work towards the present to reach the final destination.
At work, at family, with friends.... when was the last time you just listened without saying words that you later regret? Listen, and you'll see that in a world full of chaos and information, we also need people to be able to look through the beauty that still lies from within.
Monday, November 28, 2005
France, here I come
A great view taken by Pixi from St. Malo in France back in July 2005.
On January 2006, I would be on my way for my internship with Alcatel in France. I am lucky to be working with 4 other AIESEC interns as well in the HR Communication Strategy Department as I would be handling the internal communications in the HQ in Paris.
I am both anxious and excited as to how my experience would be like there. After settling back to life here in Asia, it would be interesting to live again in Europe and this time more specific in France where I would be encouraged to atleast learn the language.
I love Paris and that's where I will be, even if my heart remains here in Asia. :)
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Modern Heroes
I am proud of my roots, I am proud of where I grew up, I am proud of the Philippines. Despite people praising an orchestra for playing the national anthem even without much people singing with it, I am still proud of singing that song of which our heroes gave up their lives for.
At these times I try to see who our modern heroes are; from CEOs of large corporations with great innovations to community leaders with large convictions or simply from the entertainment industry of whom we call as Big Brother.
Economic situation back here seem to be growing better, as the local currency improves in relation to the dollar. They say it was due to the implementation of an E-VAT that provides more stability to the country’s economy. Some insist that it could be the Overseas Filipino Workers(OFWs as we call them), who have just sent their remittances back to the country in time for Christmas season.
I then start to realize the huge impact that OFWs can have in a small country like Philippines. It’s such a small island, but have 80 million population (of which some friends of mine wouldn’t even believe so) and not to count those millions who are also living abroad. These people are willing to sacrifice being in their comfort zones primarily for financial reasons to fund their families behind, but is that all?
We call them modern heroes, but could it just be for financial and economic reasons that they are able to bring light to our country? The world is definitely getting darker with so many conflicts and war, and that’s probably why they need these Filipino workers to shine in the world to provide a great contribution to the modern innovations. It is not just the money that drives Filipinos to work abroad, but the experience and network to bring ones expertise in the professional field. It is the ability to create something from idea to reality because they believe in the creativity of Filipinos and add to that their high endurance for a tough life than what they could have back home.
I have worked abroad myself, and still building on a path to be part of this global environment. With that I think that it’s not leaving your roots behind, forgetting the people you’ve been with, and trying to find greener pastures. Rather, it’s about finding more places where Filipinos can shine in darkness so others are able to see that it’s not just the money they are sharing but a stronger cultural heritage that they are able to integrate with others.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Celebrating Quarter of a Century
Life’s stages are like going on a trick or treat, you have to get as much as candy as possible in the shortest possible time.
We literally ran from house to house as we scoured our neighborhood intent upon our goal. On occasion, we approached a house, rang the bell, and nothing happened. The lights were on but no one answered the door.
Put in that situation, what do most kids do? They move on to the next house.
"Come on, let's go" and they're headed down the block.
They don't stop for a second to wonder why the owners didn't answer the door. They don't take it personally. They don't think that they're wearing the wrong costume. They don't walk around the house peering in the window trying to see why the owners didn't answer the doorbell. They don't sit down on the front step and pout.
This simple story just reminds me of how much enthusiasm I once had, trying to advance my life to the next level, cannot wait to be a year older to do more things. Waiting to grow taller to be able to reach for things myself; waiting to be a teenager to have a later curfew and be allowed to go out with friends; waiting for the high school prom so I can finally go out with the guy I like; waiting to be a college student so that I can decide on my career as well as have more free time in following my dreams; waiting to finish my degree so that I can work or travel to more places without having to miss some classes or come back for exams.
In all those waiting times, were also downtimes where it takes longer than usual, yet I was so persistent in looking out for other opportunities for me to get to that level. A simple heartbreak, failure in exam, drinking more than the limits, losing loved ones it didn’t fail me to move on to the next as if these things are just part of life just like the kids who are going for the trick or treat. The end was what I had in mind, so much to achieve it no matter what.
After 25 years of running around, I start and think if it just becomes so tiring having to fail on some things all over again just when things seem to have been going up. Then again, life’s challenges will definitely keep on going and I definitely would want to enjoy the 25 more years to come with not much stress seen in my face.
25 years mean more shared wisdom, realizations and experiences and that I am very happy to have lived it with the most important people in my life. The world was too big for me to bring together and celebrate my birthday, but I spent one night just reminiscing how I became who I am right now.
In this series of photos includes the people who have shaped a big part of my life: family & relatives, high school friends, AIESEC friends, Rowing friends & college friends. They can tell you my highs and lows in life, and have helped me in moving on from one step to the next, despite the uncertainties in life that will keep me going.
As to my next celebration, wherever my next destination will be, you are invited to my 24th Birthday when I start counting backwards.... hahaha!!!
Now you see where I got to enjoy to smile in front of the camera, it's in the blood!
We literally ran from house to house as we scoured our neighborhood intent upon our goal. On occasion, we approached a house, rang the bell, and nothing happened. The lights were on but no one answered the door.
Put in that situation, what do most kids do? They move on to the next house.
"Come on, let's go" and they're headed down the block.
They don't stop for a second to wonder why the owners didn't answer the door. They don't take it personally. They don't think that they're wearing the wrong costume. They don't walk around the house peering in the window trying to see why the owners didn't answer the doorbell. They don't sit down on the front step and pout.
This simple story just reminds me of how much enthusiasm I once had, trying to advance my life to the next level, cannot wait to be a year older to do more things. Waiting to grow taller to be able to reach for things myself; waiting to be a teenager to have a later curfew and be allowed to go out with friends; waiting for the high school prom so I can finally go out with the guy I like; waiting to be a college student so that I can decide on my career as well as have more free time in following my dreams; waiting to finish my degree so that I can work or travel to more places without having to miss some classes or come back for exams.
In all those waiting times, were also downtimes where it takes longer than usual, yet I was so persistent in looking out for other opportunities for me to get to that level. A simple heartbreak, failure in exam, drinking more than the limits, losing loved ones it didn’t fail me to move on to the next as if these things are just part of life just like the kids who are going for the trick or treat. The end was what I had in mind, so much to achieve it no matter what.
After 25 years of running around, I start and think if it just becomes so tiring having to fail on some things all over again just when things seem to have been going up. Then again, life’s challenges will definitely keep on going and I definitely would want to enjoy the 25 more years to come with not much stress seen in my face.
25 years mean more shared wisdom, realizations and experiences and that I am very happy to have lived it with the most important people in my life. The world was too big for me to bring together and celebrate my birthday, but I spent one night just reminiscing how I became who I am right now.
In this series of photos includes the people who have shaped a big part of my life: family & relatives, high school friends, AIESEC friends, Rowing friends & college friends. They can tell you my highs and lows in life, and have helped me in moving on from one step to the next, despite the uncertainties in life that will keep me going.
As to my next celebration, wherever my next destination will be, you are invited to my 24th Birthday when I start counting backwards.... hahaha!!!
Now you see where I got to enjoy to smile in front of the camera, it's in the blood!
Home Again! Meet my brother, Keith; my Mommy; my sister, Faye; and my niece, Luce... (Yeah, I am no longer the youngest in the family)
One of the greatest gifts I got for my birthday, a visit from Pixi all the way from Singapore. Check my next entry as I feature his artistic ability to take shots of Philippines sceneries in a way I've never seen.
With my MC Team 0405: Cris, Francis, Agnes & my favorite asarin na VP, Anna
Almost 14 years of friendship, that counts back to our Highschool days�
