Of The Past Year

2012 was filled with so many firsts and lasts and growth for me. I failed, I made mistakes, I realized a lot, I've had triumphs and downfall, but I stood up again. It was a celebration of family love and friendship. I succeeded in some and learned in others. 

Looking back, I can never grasp the fact that it's been a year already and that it's been only a year. With all of those memories packed in just 365 days, I am quite proud to say that yes, I did a lot of things. Not all of them were something to be proud of, but there were instances where I know that I am blessed for God has been so generous to me.

I was never alone in my journey. It was not perfect, but I accepted the fact that what happened has to happen because it is needed for me to become who I need to be. I can honestly say that I am not the same person last year. My take of life is much more mature -- I hope, and much more in perspective -- thanks to my mentors and coaches.

2013 has a lot in store for me, I just know it. I can't wait.

photo courtesy of: www.relationalmission.com

Whatever happened to your 2012, it's over. We can never change it back, we can only learn from it. The great thing about life is that it never ceases to give us another chance. 2013 is here, let us all make it the best year ever.

Goodbye 2012 and Hello 2013! Buenas dias!

Of Health and Aging

I am just so proud of my business and our company's newest technology: AgeLoc being featured on Discovery Channel's DNA: The Next Wave.

With this technology, aging can now be reversed. Sickness and diseases can not just be cured but prevented. Imagine having to grow old but look younger, feel better and be healthier in the process. Isn't that amazing?

Dr. Joseph Chang, the Chief Scientific Officer of Nu Skin Enterprises and author of the best selling book "The Aging Myth" with Dr. Richard Weindruch and Dr. Thomas Prolla, founders of LifeGen Technologies were among the guest scientist featured on this documentary. 

Even DISCOVERY CHANNEL knows this technology is way cool!

I am so excited because of the innovation that our company is doing. This 2013, it is going to be really great!

This is something you wouldn't want to miss. 

Buenas dias!

Of First World Philippines

For years the talk of creating First World Philippines were received with raising eyebrows, excitement or disbelief. As for me, I am excited about it.

I may not be a pure Filipino, but I am a Filipino through and through. I was born and raised in this country and wherever life may lead me, this is the place that I'll forever call my home.

photo courtesy of: www.mytripolog.com

I have so much belief in this country that I know the possibility of creating First World Philippines is not a far cry. I was with a couple of my friends and business partners and I am so happy to share with them this passion. I guess it really is important to be with people who believe in the same way as you do. 

One reason why I chose to be an entrepreneur is because I like being part of the solution. I want to be able to contribute more to this country by assisting more people have better lives. I agree in the fact that it is better to teach people how to fish that give them fish. It is very easy to help people, but it is much more challenging to change their lives.

If we all believe that the Philippines can be a first world country, then it will be. 

Buenas dias!

Of Choice and Decisions

Things just don't happen for a reason, things happen because we allow it to happen. Choice is a very powerful thing.

I realized this just today. Yes, there are instances that are beyond our control but how we handle the situation and how we react these moments define who we are and what happens to our life. Nobody is to blame, not the government, not our parents, not even the environment.

Everyday of our life, we are faced by many decisions, questions and choices that we either say yes to, or no to, or those that we push to the side because they are not important or that they are, but we are just too afraid to face them now.

Choose to live the best life possible. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Forgive yourself and be excited for the future. Love yourself and believe that your deserve to be great. You hold the key to your own happiness.

Buenas dias!

Of Friends and Food

Food and friends really go together.

In Celebrating Christmas Day

Happy Birthday Jesus!
The warmth of Christmas and the spirit of the season is most heartfelt when it is celebrated with family.

Of Time With Family

I believe the best thing about Christmas is spending it with family. Anything that you do together is just filled with laughter, fun times and wonderful memories.

In Starting An Adventure

The Hobbit, a prequel of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a movie about having the courage to take on an adventure that can change one's life.

image source: decca.com

I believe that we all need to have the courage to take on an adventure. It does not necessarily mean that we have to leave home and be on the road kind of adventure, but an adventure that requires us to face the unknown and leave our comfort zone. An adventure that asks us to be brave, to have fun and to meet new friends.

For a lot of people, it could be having a family. For others, it is choosing to do what they have always wanted to do. For me, it is starting a business. It is an adventure that is making me stronger every single day of my life. I realized that I am becoming a better person because of my choice of being an entrepreneur.

Yes, there is fear. Just like the dwarfs in the movie, I am always in search for success. Along the way, I meet wizards (my mentors and coaches) and elves (business partners). And you guessed right, there are ogres (naysayers), trolls (dream snatchers) and goblins (just pure negative people). But it is okay, because that just makes the whole journey an amazingly unexpected experience.

May your life be filled with adventures such as mine. Buenas dias!

Of The World's End

The Mayan Calendar states that today, the winter Solstice, is the end of the world. I'm not really following that calendar, but if ever today is indeed the end of the world, would you still so what you planned to do for the day?
If not, wouldn't today be a good start to actually do what you really want to do?
You choose, today can either be the best last day of your life or hopefully, today can be the start of the best life that you will ever have. Either way, enjoy your day!

Photo courtesy of: http://www.123rf.com

Buenas dias!

In Winning The Universe

I've always been a follower of the Miss Universe pageant since I can remember. I am amazed at how these beautiful women, each with their own talents and strengths, show grace under pressure. You have to admit, competing against 80 other sexy and attractive women is really hard. You always have to have confidence and focus.

Photo courtesy of: www.examiner.com

This year, Janine Tugonon gave the Filipinos another reason to celebrate by being this year's Miss Universe First Runner-Up. She did an amazing job! I always believe that the Q&A portion is the most nerve-racking.

Question: "As an International Ambassador, do you believe that speaking English should be prerequisite for Miss Universe 2012?"

Janine's Answer: "For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It's about being able to influence and inspire other people. If you have a heart to serve, and a strong mind to how people, then you can be Miss Universe."

It was a great news indeed, considering that the Philippines was a part of the top 5 in the last 3 years: Maria Venus Raj - Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up 2010 and Shamcey Supsup - Miss Universe 3rd Runner-Up 2011.

Great job girls. Congratulations.

To everyone, Buenas dias!

Of Dreams and Goals

Why do people love to dream but hate making goals?

We would probably all agree, everyone has dreams. Whether it be having a long weekend vacation, or having a sprawling house or giving your parents the retirement that they deserve. Everyone has dreams. The question is, why isn't evryone doing something about it? Why isn't everyone setting goals so that they can actually start making their dreams a reality?

Dreams create a "fantasy" or a future that we all know exist in some distant future. Goals remove that 'distant future' and make it concrete by putting a definite or exact date as to where you would want the dream realized. Surprisingly, people are scared of making the distant future concrete. They are scared to fail. They are scared of being frustrated that the fear of pain is bigger than the gain of the sought after dream.

As my mentor was making me realize this, I remember the picture of a donkey pulling a carriage following a hanging carrot that he might never really have. Sadly, we are all contented that we can see the carrot without us knowing when will we ever get it.

I don't like to be the donkey. I like having control on my life. Yes, in some instances, goals are not met. I failed a couple of times. I made a lot of mistakes. And yes, it hurts. It hurts so bad that it is understandable to rest for a while. But all this time, I understand, I knew, that I would rather give it my all, I would rather try my best to get my dreams that live my life wishing, hoping, dreaming of a life that I might not be able to live.

Dreams are meant to be real and lived. Quitting is never part of the picture. Because honestly, I'd be more frustrated to have not done anything for me to succeed. I'd rather die trying out something, not live without ever doing something worthwhile.

Buenas dias!

In Living The Dream

My mentor was right when he told us in the training that the only thing that separates the successful and the not so successful was not hard work or intelligence, but belief. Belief that it is possible for them to live their dreams and have everything that they ever want in life.

I always have big dreams. Since I was young, I already knew what I wanted. I wanted to have big houses to invite family and friends over because I love spending time with the people I love. I want a number of cars because I love long trips and traveling with my family and friends. I want passive income because I know that the more money I make, the more chance I can help my family, my friends and people in need. I love the thought that I can always give to my church, or support a foundation that I love or provide the best for my family.

I remember my mentor telling us that success is not about the money, it is about the quality of life that you can give the people that matters most to you. I agree with him. 

Success for me is having to tell my parents that they can retire, without worries and with all the support that they can get from me. They can travel or live somewhere or experience life and I can provide them that. Success is having the capacity to tell my future children that they can study in wherever school they want because we can afford it. If they want to learn the piano, or learn how to swim or learn ballet, I can look them in the eye and say, yes when do you want to start? Success is having the money to make sure that my family is healthy. That if someone got sick, I don't have to worry about hospital bills or medical bills. My mentor is right, cancer is not lethal if you have the money. Cancer can be cured if you are rich enough to provide the best medicines and to give enough time to look after them. Success is having the time to choose what you will do with your time. Whether that's fishing with your kids on a Tuesday, or golfing with your friends in the middle of the day or just being on a trip with your family for a month. Success is being spiritually connected with your faith not just in prayers but in action. 

I am thankful that Nu Skin has given me the opportunity to be successful without having to sacrifice anything. I can choose the quality of my life because I believe that it is possible for me. Most people just dream their dreams, I am living mine.

Your dreams are possible, too. Just believe. Buenas dias!

In Being A Godparent

Welcome to the Christian world - Kevin Ruji Manuel.

Keving Ruji, Manuel, 4 months old

Today marks my nth "inaanak". I don't really count anymore how many godchildren I have. I am just humbled by the trust given to me by their parents to include me as their children's second mom. I do not have a child of my own yet, but I am a mother to each and everyone of my godchildren. 

with Ninang Kate

May you grow to be a gentleman, with courage and conviction, with compassion and generosity in your heart, and with dreams and ideals to live with. I'll be with you as you go through your life's journey.

To everyone, Buenas dias!

In Making A Difference

Here is a challenge given to me by my mentor: why not make a difference by helping create first world Philippines.

Of course I accepted the challenge. Did I believe that it is possible? Yes. Did I believe that it is achievable? Yes. Did I believe that I will see it come true in my lifetime? Maybe. Did I agree to doing it alone? No.

You see, every grand goal starts with believing it is possible even if you do not get to see it end. I also understand that every big dream were never achieved by a single individual. It is always a team effort.

The strategy is improve the country's economy by helping more Filipinos earn more through business and entrepreneurship. If more Filipinos are earning six or seven digits a month here in our country, then it is possible that we can send back our family members here in the Philippines so that we can spend more time with them. It will mean better living standards, better education, better infrastructure and better services because we the people now have the capacity to fund ourselves without waiting for the government.

It may be a far cry for a lot of people right now, but I hope that more people would give it a fighting chance.

A lot of people ask me how can they help if they are but ordinary people?

Simple. If we want to create a first world country, then we must first become first class citizens.

With discipline, strength of character and big dreams, achieving first world Philippines is easier. 

Good luck to all of us. Buenas dias.

Of Marriage and Commitment

Congratulations!

Of Giving and Generosity

In the spirit of Christmas, Nu Skin Philippines organized it's yearly Force For Good Benefit Lunch for the benefit of The CHILD Foundation held at the Museo Pambata at Roxas Blvd, Manila. 

my ticket to the event

happy children are healthy children

CHILD Foundation Inc. aids children on their health and recovery, especially those under Philippine General Hospital - Department of Pediatrics. They support an average of 600 children patients per month. That is an average of more than P700,000 monthly given to the PGH pediatrics ward. The commonly admitted cases are children suffering pneumonia, diarrhea, neonatal sepsis, meningitis, leukemia and other forms of cancer, dengue and typhoid. For more info, you may visit their site by clicking this link: CHILD FOUNDATION

Our team, Lead Global was a part of this successful event.

the beautiful women of lead Global

at the photo booth

we are all kids at heart, photo op at the helicopter

Lead Global family

Looking forward to be part of this again, next year.

gift giving

Nu Skin's Force For Good

Thank you Nu Skin for giving me an avenue to share my blessings. 
To everyone, Buenas dias!

Of Skills and Culture

During our business training, our mentor was telling us about why a lot of small businesses, even if they have the best product or service, never get to expand their enterprise and sometimes drizzle down after decades of success.

The reason, he said, was because in business, we all must go through the the stages of being a "technician", a "manager", and then eventually, an "entrepreneur'. Most often though, people are stuck with how to be a manager because they like being a technician, never really becoming an entrepreneur.

So, what is a technician? An engineer who went to set up his own engineering firm. A lawyer who opened up his law firm. Someone who loves to cook who started his own restaurant. A person who started his business who is the one either making his own products or is the one providing the services. You can't run a business without being a technician because this is the lifeblood of the business. Whatever your business is, you have to understand the fundamentals and you have to learn or know the fundamentals or basic skills needed in your business - whether that be dressmaking, cooking, drawing blueprint or inviting guests.

A manager on the other hand requires people skills. This is about reconnecting to your people, your clients, your organization. This is about making sure that they are doing their job. The things with most people is that they hate being a manager that they hire other people to do that or they overdo being a manager that their people leave them faster than a bullet train. That's when having a system works like magic. A system makes a manager's job easier or nonexistent.

And why do we all need to become an entrepreneur? Because being an entrepreneur is the main goal of being in business. An entrepreneur builds a business that earns passive income even if you do not need to work. An entrepreneur is a leader dictating the culture and direction of your business. That's the problem most technician's encounter. They cannot give up doing the work that they stay being a technician. 

I went into business so that I can have both time and financial freedom. So that I can live the lifestyle that I want, so that I can help as many people as I can and so that I can do what I really want to do without having to worry about time and money. I am thankful that my mentor is teaching me how to become an entrepreneur and not just someone who thinks I own my business. Now that I understand it, I know the difference.

Michael Gerber talks about this concept in his book, The E-Myth.

Buenas dias!

In Being Santa Claus

Santa Claus is real through each and every one of us. I remember when I was growing up, my parents never fail to put a gift on our socks. Every year, they never fail to surprise us (although we always expect it anyway) with gifts from Santa Claus. One year, I can still recall, our local church had a project that the parents can have their gifts delivered to us by a Santa Claus riding on top of a Jeepney. I was in grade school, and even if I kind of understand that he was not the real Santa Claus, I was happy that he came to our house. In fact, I was very very happy.

Now, why am I telling you about this? Because we all need to believe in something. There is something magical in Christmas. This is a season of miracles and love and generosity. This is a holiday filled with belief. Children should always have something to believe in, because if we don't believe in something at a young age, how can we believe that something is possible when we get older. 

As young children, we all believe that everything in life is possible. We can be astronauts and scientist and even presidents. We can be superheroes, and kings and princesses. If we believe in something when we were young, it is easy for us adults to believe that our dreams are still possible. 

Santa Claus lived through my parents, our parents, when we were young, and now it is our turn to be Santa Claus for the next generation. We need to help them build their belief in miracles. Because it is true, life is filled with miracles, big and small. Life is an amazing journey that everything is possible. 

I thank my parents for teaching me to believe in an ideal world where magic happens and miracles are parts of our daily life. Now that I am grown up, I am enlisting myself as part of the Santa Claus team bringing good cheer to children (an adults, too) everywhere. Someday, my children will be part of this team too for their own children. 

This is an early Christmas greeting, but may your life be filled with the magic of the holiday season all year through. Buenas dias.

Of Thanksgiving and Celebration

2012 has been an amazing year. There are so much to be thankful about - the growth, the learning, the realization, the success, the new business partners, new friends and the person that I have become. I think it should be an everyday habit to be thankful for every blessing that comes our way.

To celebrate the year end, my community - Lead Global had a Thanksgiving Party. It was a night of gratefulness, vision casting, games, laughter, appreciation, talents, tears of joy and fun. It is amazing when you are with your friends that you respect and admire. 

To set our 2013, the event was Turkey inspired with all of us attending in our Turkey-ish costumes. It was to set our minds for our next goal in the coming year. It was an exciting night indeed. 

I believe the highlight of the evening was the "thanksgiving goodies". We were asked to bring goodies - aka chocolates, candies and sweets to share and offer to everyone in the party that we are thankful for. I laughed and cried during that time because I felt the warmth of everyone and I appreciate all that they did for my success this 2012.

Personally, I would like to thank my mentors Pax and Gina Paculaba, my coaches Raphael Mercado and Patricia Robles, my buddy Kris Ramirez, my wonderful team Velocity, the core team, my new found friends and my amazing community. My 2012 has been the best because of you guys.

May your life be filled with amazing people to support you in your dreams. Buenas dias!

Of Practice and Dedication

Practice does not always make perfect, rather practice makes permanent.
No matter how many times we practice, if we practice the wrong things, we still will not be the best. The key is to learn the right things and keep doing them until you master them.

I have been living with this principle since I learned it from a mentor. Whether I am practicing for business or my craft, this same principle applies.

My friends and I were practicing a dance for our upcoming Christmas and Thanksgiving party. I love practicing with them because I can see their dedication in learning the steps without losing the fun and enthusiasm of the activity.

As they say, how you do one thing is how you do everything. I like being with people who takes things seriously but also knows how to have fun, whether it is about business, or just learning a step for a dance. 

Dedication is not something you choose to do when you want to. It is a lifestyle, a lifetime decision to be the best in whatever it is that you do.

May you have the dedication to always be the best. Buenas dias.

In Feeding Your Future

Present Reality -> Possibility -> Belief -> Conviction -> Future Reality

In actuality, everything is possible and reality is just relative. The reality I see may not be the same as the reality some people see. If we all see a different reality, then how can we say that one is wrong and the other, correct?

We see the world as we are not as it is.

When a 5' tall girl was asked if a 5'4" person is tall, she would say yes. But to a 6', that person would be short.

When a person is asked if 20k a month is small, answers would also differ. To someone who is supporting a family and sending their kids to school, that would be small. To someone who is single, that would already be okay.

Reality is dependent on our mindset. How we perceive things manifests in how our life turns out.

What is your reality? Is it a reality of struggle? Of being stuck? Or is your reality filled with possibility and a bright future.

We must allow possibility in our lives. It is the only way that we can get off from our present reality and move towards the future that we want to have.

Feed your future. Whatever happened to us in the past had to happen so that we can become the kind of person that we are now. Accept the past and embrace the future. Feed it with all the great things that you want to happen.

The vision has been cast. BD by December 2013. I am so excited! I hope you are too. Buenas dias!

Of Belief and Possibility

I am an engineer by profession. Back in gradeschool, I've always dreamed of becoming a journalist because I love to both read and write. But then, when I was in my final years in highschool, I considered having a career that would give me the success that I want as fast as I can. I thought the key was to get a degree that would give me a title on my name. I considered three courses: law, medicine or engineering. Both law and medicine were too long for me, I was not willing to wait that much. Engineering was the fastest, just 5 years. I finished it in four and a half with leadership and academic awards on my diploma. Took my board and got my license on the first take. I was so ready to be successful.
A few years after, I still could not find the success that I was looking for. I was in the verge of panic. I decided to leave the country to look for opportunities.
I met a lot of people, mostly Filipinos who have been working in that country for 5, 8, 10 years. Guess what? They were still working, haven't saved much and is still not successful. I was asking myself, what was happening? Didn't they tell me to just study hard, get good grades and find a safe, secure job? I realized, that advice was way outdated.
I didn't just look and tried other jobs, I was also open to putting up a business. There was a point where I was working at three jobs at the same time. I did a couple of businesses, but without the proper training and very little capital, I was like a headless chicken.
Three years ago, an opportunity came to my life. It was an answered prayer. It showed me a possibility that I can have. It renewed the flame of my dreams that were slowly losing its spark. I have always been a big dreamer. I think everyone of us have big dreams. Sadly though, reality seems to snatch them away from us that we tend to forget them as we try to juggle a lot of things in our life.
Why am I telling you all this? Because today, I learned a lot about possibilities.
My mentor is also an engineer. Before he went to business, he never thought that his life right now, was possible. These days, he travels the world with his family anytime he wants. With what he is earning, he can buy any luxury car at whim, in cash. And he has all the free time to spend with his beautiful wife and amazing son.
I met an undergraduate farmer, who does not know much English, not knowing anyone who is in business but succeeding still. Now, he is known all over the world and inspiring other people of the possibility that he was able to make into reality.
I met a caregiver, who used to work in the states for more than years. She lost her parents and sister in a span of three months but she was not able to come home. She had to work and chose instead to just send her family the money they need. Now, she is back with her family and happily enjoying their company, while earning more.
People tell me that it's impossible to earn a seven digit income. People tell me that opportunities are scarce. People tell me that having big dreams is difficult. I ask them why?
I worked for more than 8 years and it got me nowhere near my goals. I was actually happy but I realized that I could be happier. I met people who were working 20, 30 years and are still struggling. And then I wonder, why are people still believing that they can get to where they want to go with what they are currently doing?
They ask me back, why am I willing to risk it? Why do I have the courage to do something different? Why am I insanely confident that I can be successful?
Because I have seen how possible it is. I am not there yet, but the journey is so worth it. I am happy with everything that I am getting. I am thankful each and everyday for the opportunity of having Nu Skin in my life.

my look: white long sleeved blouse, black sleeveless top, black slacks

May you also be blessed with a possibility like mine. Buenas dias.

Of Partnership and Accountability

I am blessed to have an accountability buddy. In business and in everything that you choose to do in life, being accountable with what you are doing changes how you do things.

my accountability buddy in business and my friend for life, Kris Ramirez

I remember reading somewhere before that to succeed in life, you need three kinds of people:
One, a person who has been to where you want to go. He is your mentor. The one who will teach you and guide you so that you will have whatever you need to get to wherever you want to be. He will show you what you need to go through.
Second, a person who wants to go where you have been. He is your mentee. Life is a cycle. Whatever we get, we also need to share. This person is someone whom you will teach so that he may be successful as well. You will show him what he needs to go through.
Third, a person who will walk with you in your journey to experience the same things that you are gong through. He is your accountability buddy. A person who does not necessarily need to have the same dreams as you, but someone who is as dedicated and committed to succeed like you.

my relaxed get up: green walking shorts, black polo shirt by bench

I am lucky I have all three in my life.
My you also find these three people in your life. Buenas dias!

Of Reality and Happiness

Choose your reality. There are always two sides of everything. Choose to see the side that moves you closer to the future that you want.

Today is our Fast Start Training. It's always great to start a new month with reminders of my dreams, aligning of my goals and jump-starting my business. I love learning. I am always amazed that there is always something new to learn. More so, I am so excited.

It is the first day of December, Merry Christmas everyone! It is also another beginning and another chance to make things happen. November has been great but I know that this month is going to be bigger. I am going to end the year 2012, strong and in momentum.

Focus on your future and decide according to the future that you want.

One of my favorite slide from the training - habits for success!

I am happy with what I am getting. I am happy with the people in my organization and I am happy with everything that I have right now. There is more to come and I am full of energy and excitement.

How about you?

Buenas dias!