MORE TO IMAGINE TO DO AND I’M 24
Yes. I just turned 24 last May 12. And yes, it was nice to look back and see my rise and fall and rise. I really had a great time. My phone had more or less 40 calls and my mobile phone had received at least 140 birthday messages from 12.01 AM. And trust me it was a heartwarming experience to reminisce all the dots in my life after the last 23 years.
What else I do wish for, my friends asked me. Aside from world peace, hmmm, I think it would be “career peace.” After four months of helping people ironing their problems in the workplace out, I think a simple wish for them will do, at least in the meantime. I wish that the people I would mentor, through this column, my books and my seminars would be better than I am.
What about in my career? Well, I think sharing with you the story of the “dynamic trio” would help you understand my chosen path. I was never alone in my journey. Aside from Someone-out-there, I had a team.
It was in 2003 when I met the first person who mentored and trained me in public speaking while he was still working in Malacañang Palace. His name is Ian Barcelona who is now running his own company, AIB Training. I used to be his personal assistant then, when I volunteered to work in the Youth Affairs Office.
In one of our events, I got a chance of knowing the man behind the Voice of the Youth Network, an internet-based organization which eventually turned out to be the most active youth organization in the country I know at least as of today. He is Pocholo Gonzales, who is now running his own business as well, the CreatiVoices Productions. The last time I heard of him in the news, he was the pioneering the voice acting industry in the Philippines.
The three of us had officially worked together in the Office of the President in 2005, when Pocholo and I got appointed as technical assistant for youth affairs. After one year of volunteering, I made it to professionally work at the pleasure of the President. That was when I was still in my fifth year in college.
When our term ended in August of 2005, an events company in Makati called me up and asked me to work for them. I accepted the offer and asked the managing director to get Ian and Pocholo as well. There is a big difference between working in the government and working in a private corporation. It was an experience that opened our eyes in a much bigger world, though we must admit that politics is almost all but the same.
After almost one year, we were offered an opportunity to run our own businesses with our former boss funding the corporation. Such potential companies (publishing, audio production, training) failed even before it started. The partnership didn’t last long as expected. We decided to leave to form businesses of our own. LLOYDLUNA Corporation, CreatiVoices Productions and AIB Training are the products of our courage to beat the odds and pursue our dreams. Today, our businesses work for us and we get to help the people working for and with us.
“Don’t take vacation” is one of the greatest suggestions I got from my mentor Dr. John Ayudtud. He said that I must always give myself a gift of attention—enjoy every moment that I am alive for life is a moment-by-moment thing. Though our team goes out often, spends time to party, unwinds and does what other youngsters do (since we are all young), we make it a point to talk about business and career. It’s not “killing joy” at all. When we talk about business, we talk about personal development. I think that’s the point.
What else do I wish for? I wish that you also find your passion, and team to make your dreams a reality ahead of your expectation. If you do that, I would be very glad for you. What about what’s next for me? It’s really hard to talk about it this early. I’m 24. But the way I understand the Law of Assumption, I believe I will make it bigger, sooner than I could ever think.
My friends had different wishes for me—many more birthdays to come, good health, financial freedom, great girlfriend, great business partners and all that. I think they all boil down to one wish that is a wish of anyone else—to be happy and experience a happy life while I am still alive!
To my beautiful and great mom, Carmelita and the greatest dad in the world I know, Victorino, your lives are blessings that make me moving. My sisters Celeste and Claire, you remain to be my inspirations as well. Thank you for always being there for me.
I’m 24. There are still more to come. I hope you, my dear readers, would stay with me as I explore my new year with passion and dedication to career and personal development. |
