Of Vehicles and Destinations

I was on my way to my usual Monday business training in Makati and I suddenly realized something. Traffic wasn't as heavy that day but during a traffic light stop I had a few moments to watch most of the people on the road. Some on commute, others driving their cars and some chose to walk. We are all heading some place, to work or home or for me, a training. It dawned on me that life and success is as simple as this road we are all traveling. We all have our own destination in mind, and the choices we make determines if we will get there or not.

my training look: off shoulder blouse, fitted grey pants

Everyone is going somewhere, but is it where we really want to go? Some people are lucky enough to actually love going to work. But most people, dream of going on a vacation somewhere rather than spend 8 or 10 hours in a cubicle at work. Others are excited to come home to their family while more people come home to an apartment alone. 

the "fountain of youth" logo of Nu Skin

Our destination, I believe are the same. We all want happiness. Whether than happiness comes from having time with your family, or being successful, or having enough money, a big house, a car, a chance to travel, the ability to help other people or give to charity or support your church or whatever. At the end of the day, we all want to be happier. The destination is the same, the difference in our lives depends on the vehicle we chose to ride: are you riding a jeepney on commute (doing what everybody is doing), walking (watching while somebody else is doing something), driving your own Kia (trying something on your own) or riding a Ferrari (doing something out of the box). Nothing is really wrong with the vehicles that we choose, the question is how fast will we get to our destination? Or, should we ask, with what we are currently doing, will we really get there?

It is during these moments that I am thankful for Nu Skin, my Ferrari, the vehicle that I chose to ride. I know I'll get to my dreams faster and surer.

Choose your vehicle well. Buenas dias!

Of Dreams and Success

I am attending a regular training every Monday for my business. It is a great way to start my week since I am learning from amazing people.

My success outfit: polkadot blouse, white belt, black slacks

I have always believed that if you want to be successful, you have to learn from successful people. If you want to learn about business, you have to learn from business people.

I have the privileged to learn from leaders and successful people. My business mentors Ulysses and Gina Paculaba, have been generous enough to train people who wants to succeed as long as you are willing to do whatever it takes. 

My Goal: Team Elite

We all have big dreams. Most often though, we let situations and people get in the way of us making our dreams happen. We let life lead us that we often forget our dreams in the process. I am grateful that I am always reminded of my dreams every Monday. Everyone needs a reminder like that.

Opportunities are presented to us each and every day. Be open. Take risks. Grab the chance to be happier.

My dream for you is that you give your dreams a fighting chance. You deserve it, we all do.

Buenas Dias!

Of Music and Musicians

I have been blessed to be surrounded by talented people. Today was the rehearsal of my best friend Patricia Robles' wedding. It is just amazing that we have in our reach, some of the most gifted people in music.



My look for the day: Plaid top, buckled belt and khaki shorts

L-R (clockwise): keyboard, guitar, music sheet & ipod

Charmaine Loise Clamor and Cyrene Chube on vocals, Kris Ramirez on Piano and Carlo Juan on both guitar and vocal. The bride and groom, Patricia and Raphael would be singing as well. Collaboration is one of the most amazing concepts ever invented. It brings out the best in everyone.

relaxed look, time to have fun with friends!

The guitarist, Carlo Juan

The groom, Raphael Mercado

It is amazing when you are working with professionals. The amount of energy and work that they put into what they do is just admirable. When Charmaine sings, it's like the whole world goes on slow motion and she becomes the center of it all. When Cyrene sings, it puts a smile on your face and joy in your heart without you knowing. When Katie plays, the keyboard comes to life and its music touches your soul. As with Carlo, he can play the guitar in such precision that you'd wonder if the sound is coming from just a guitar. They are an ensemble of talented artists.

Whenever they start singing and playing music, my world would stop and I am transported to another world where music would tell a story of love and faith and happiness. I am so excited to hear them on Patricia's wedding day.

The singer, Charmaine Loise Clamor

The singer, Cyrene Chube

The pianist, Kris Ramirez

The mass commentator, Mafe Pastorfide

The bride, Patricia Robles

Music is such an amazing thing. It is a great way to express how you feel. It is a message that is both expressed and understood by the heart.

May your life be blessed with good music and wonderful friends. Buenas dias!

In Celebration of Friendship

There is nothing more special than a wonderful friend to spend the day with. It was an ordinary day made perfect.

with my best buddy, Kris Ramirez

Friendship is an amazing thing. It is a blessing. I pray that each and everyone can experience friendship the way that I have.

There really was no special occasion that day. But I guess, when you are with a friend, things just unfold and before you know it, something dull becomes extraordinary.

Bowling: Kris (in action) and me

Billiards: Kris (in action) and me

To laugh like nothing else matters, to talk like there's no tomorrow and not having to speak but is easily understood. That is the gift of friendship.

my bowling outfit: black shirt with slimfit jeans

my accessory for the day: grey jacket by G2000, black oriental sash belt and a silver chain bracelet

to end the day we watched the movie: Skyfall 007

Friends don't need to be perfectly like each other. I think the beauty of friendship lies in acknowledging your differences and celebrating what you have in common. It is accepting the other person for who she is and being accepted for you you are, but in the process helping each other grow to become a much better person. There may be arguments and we may get hurt, but friends know that at the end of the day, their friendship is still much more important.

from L-R: (upper) bowling lane, score - buddy won!; (bottom) movie tickets, lemon cola

Here is a toast to friendship and I hope that you are as grateful with your friends as I am with mine. Buenas dias!

In Following Your Heart

No, this is not about romantic love, but love still.

I believe that each one of us have dreams. That "I've always wanted to be, do or have" kind that we have always wanted to achieve in our lives. Sadly though, not everyone gets to fulfill their dreams. Maybe because they've given up, or they tried once and got hurt that they never wanted to try again, or they never had the courage to even try.

I am talking about following one's heart, doing what one loves despite everything else and choosing to fight for one's dreams.

my photo shoot look - khaki polo, skinny jeans with brown leather belt

Just recently, a good friend of mine, Charmaine Loise Clamor, asked me to take her picture for she needs it as requirement for an audition in an upcoming Broadway and West End musical. I agreed to do it excitedly. Of course, it would not be as fun if I would not be working with talented people such as Mel Nunez, our make-up artist for the day.

I admire Charmaine's courage. She has an amazing voice and is a very talented singer. I believe that she was born to sing. But one must first step up, be brave enough to really want it, to be given the chance to live their dreams. Making things happen is not easy but it is always worth it.

Mel Nunez prepping our beautiful model, Charmaine Clamor

I am not a professional photographer but my love for this art led me to venture into this world of looking at life through my lens. Here are some of the pictures from the shoot. Hope you like them:

I just love the effect of mirrors and minimum lighting

Charmaine's sexy look: dark smokey brown eyes, nude lipstick

Blurring the background to highlight an off-center subject

Charmaine's fresh look: minimal eye make-up, pink lipstick and blush

I believe that God does not put the desire in out hearts without giving us the possibility to put it into action. He gave us the talent to be a singer or an artist or whatever it is that you love to do, because that is what we were meant to do. Our life's purpose is doing what we love. It is fulfilling our heart's desires. It is following our hearts.

A lot of people thought that when you follow your heart and go for your dreams, it will be a lonely ride. It doesn't have to. Success is best accomplished with a great team. I am thankful that I have great people to share my dreams with. Moments like these are etched into our memories because they are experienced with friends:

with my friends: Charmaine (model) and Mel (make-up artist)

When asked how I can be thanked after the shoot, my honest reply was: "to be given the trust of taking the pictures is thank you enough for me". As for my friend Charmaine, I pray that she gets the part. She'll be amazing on stage, I just know it.

It is not often that people get to do what they love and love what they do. I have that in my life. My dream is that every person can have the chance to do what they love and what makes them happy. But first, one must know what they want to do. Mine is capturing moments, Charmaine's dream is singing on stage, what's yours?

I hope that you will give your dreams a fighting chance. Buenas dias!