I am Corporate Junkie.: 2013

Dec 2, 2013

Happening Today: Iloilo

"We were touched by four characters, and the story of a family in Singapore. The director's intelligence and sensitivity bring forth very important issues - childhood, immigration, class struggles, the economic crisis. We were unanimous in our first round, and have chosen to award the Camera d'Or to Anthony Chen for ILO ILO."

- Camera d'Or jury president Agnes Varda in her address before pronouncing ILO ILO as the winner of the Camera d'Or.

Photo Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

I have heard about this award-winning Cannes film, Iloilo, in a news release around September and was touched by the gesture of its director who looked for his nanny to whom he dedicated this film.

Tonight, through the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore-Philippines Association, I was able to view a private screening of this award-winning Singaporean film at the Resorts World Manila.

My team, together my boss and president of Singapore Philippines Association, Alan Chng (2nd from left), Sherina Chan, Director of Singapore Tourism Board and Cheok Pin Lee of Singapore Philippines Association.

Film's Synopsis

Terry (Angeli Bayani) accepts a job as a maid for an ordinary family living in a tenement in Singapore, where she quickly meets her biggest challenge: the precocious ten-year old boy Jiale. Terry nearly gets deported when the kid frames her for theft. But Terry will not be pushed around, and with tough love and determination, she slowly wins the heart of the little boy. As Terry takes charge of the household, she also strikes the suspicions of the mother, a pregnant working woman who doesn’t want to lose control. But the year is 1997, in the middle of the Asian financial crisis, and the father has just lost his job. While the family struggles with their finances, Terry’s employment is also put on the line. Based on the true experiences of director Anthony Chen and the Filipina maid who raised him as a child, Iloilo is the story of how people across cultures connect with one another in the midst of frustrations and doubts.

Reading on the manuscript for this film, I was touched by this quotation from the director, Anthony Chen--

"When I was much younger, my mother hired a Filipino maid to look after the children. Teresa was with us for a long 8 years until I was 12 years old. We called her Auntie Terry. When she left to return home, it was hard to bear, but we got used to her absence and somehow lost contact. The one thing that has stayed with me after all these years is the name of the place she was from, Iloilo, a province in the Philippines. That is how the title of the film came about.

My experience is probably similar to many other kids in Singapore and in the region, where hardworking parents spend their days at work, leaving the young ones in the hands of a hired stranger. In this case, having a maid is not a luxury of the bourgeoisie but a need for practical reasons.

There have not been many films made on the subject of such maids, at least not in Singapore. Yet more often than not, what the media portrays is usually of a negative kind – controversies of abuse concerning domestic helpers, where either the victims are the children they care for, or the maids become the victims of employers. What one forgets is that an entire generation of children has grown up in the hands of maids. This is more true today with most families having both parents working full-time."

I believe the universal experience of children growing up with maids is one of having a “surrogate” mother, a friend and a confidant. What is intriguing and never brought to light is the emotional inter-relations created, nurtured, cherished, and yet brutally taken away when circumstances change."

Iloilo is a film that has captured a raw emotion which can only be portrayed and captured by someone who had a first-hand experience of this down-to-earth, simple and heartwarming bond of a little kid to his nanny.

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For more information, contact:

THE SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARDThe Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a leading economic development agency in tourism, one of Singapore’s key service sectors. Known for partnership, innovation and excellence, STB champions tourism, making it a key economic driver for Singapore. We aim to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination offering a concentration of user-centric and enriching experiences through the “YourSingapore” brand. For more information, please visit http://www.stb.gov.sg/ or http://yoursingapore.com/

Bibliophiles Devotional

"So many books, so little time." - Frank Zuppa

Oh yes, I can totally relate. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily corporate life, my books teleport me to a whole new dimension where I can escape to an entirely different environment.

Because it is my only way to escape my corporate world, I could never have enough. Opening a new book is like creating a new universe and being a frustrated wanderlust, they carry me to places which I only dream of going to.

And so, stumbling upon this book was heaven. Bookworms, welcome The Bibliophile's Devotional by Hallie Ephron.

This devotional features a new book every day for one whole year (aahh, 365 books!) and gives a synopsis so you will know if it would be of interest to you at the get-go. This is also helpful for those who would want to try out a new author or a new genre. There's a lot of classics in the list but you will come across several new novels such as Life of Pi and the Time Traveler's Wife.

I would think that this book is available in all leading bookstores. This one I got from Powerbooks in Serendra.

Happy reading!

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Junkie Find: The Cream Factory

Olfactory person as I am, one thing I look for in the stuff I get is its scent. This bath cream came in the mail this week and I loooovvvee it!

This is The Cream Factory Bath Cream in Goat's Milk and Honey. It smells so yummy you'd want to linger in the shower more!

According to their website, www.dessertfortheskin.com, the manufacturer chose Goat's Milk as the main ingredient because it "nourishes and protects the skin, as it heals, moisturizes, exfoliates, and promotes collagen growth [...] reduces wrinkles and fine lines! [...] is so easily absorbed by the skin". Now you can indulge bathing in milk through this lovely, yummy product!

The Cream Factory is available in Beauty Bar, Landmark, Rustans fresh, Robinsons Department Store and Supermarket, and Snoe. Big bottles (1000mL) is at PHP699 and bundle packs containing three different variants at PHP799.

To know more about this product, check out their Facebook and Instagram at TheCreamFactoryPH and @TCFPH on Twitter.

Inspiration

"All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog." - Charles Schultz

Oh, Sachi, how I wish I were you.

To know how to obey all the time.
To meet each day with excitement.
To greet your master with unexpected glee.
To just love unconditionally.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Never A Coincidence

"All sickness can be used for a greater purpose. Perhaps it's to bring you closer to God. Perhaps it's to bring you closer to your family. Perhaps it's your path to inner peace. If you're sick right now, I urge you to listen to God speaking through your soul. Perhaps there's a message in your sickness. Once you hear the message, do it. If you're sick right now, fill your life with love. Receive love. And give love." - Bo Sanchez, God Is Bigger Than Your Biggest Problems

I have always wanted a long vacation.

Right after I graduated in '05, I started work immediately and then, there has been no resting after that. Stephen Covey, once said, that it is good for a man to sharpen the saw. Revitalize. Preserve your greatest asset -- you. Nice thought. Hard to really put it into action.

I am Corporate Junkie for a reason. I love my work - sometimes, too much. I was reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beating Stress last night and it has identified me as a Type A stress type. According to the book, what is a Type A behavior?

Type As:

Try to accomplish too many things in too short a span of time
Are irritated by trivial things
Are impatient with other who do not function as they do
Are easily angered when they feel their goals are thwarted by other people
Prefer to work alone or be in charge so that have total control
Resent ever being told what to do, or being given suggestions
Work even faster than usual when deadlines and pressure are involved
Are "combat-ready," reacting with aggression when they feel threatened
Are cynical and mistrustful about other people's motives
Can increase their susceptibility to physical ailments by smoking cigarettes and drinking a large number of caffeinated drinks
Get less sleep because they are busy burning the candle at both ends so that they can accomplish more
Have been associated with a number of illnesses -- including colds, headaches and stomach disorders

There you go, home run! It is not my work. It is not my environment. It is me. I always have this aggression -- an ambition to always push myself further, higher, better.

This realization hit me last night like bulls-eye. I am technically forced to rest. I may not want to and I am already going bonkers staying at home for more than a week (It has been just 10 days!!!) but I think, this is what I need to do. Just slow down. Just for a while.

To give time for my body to heal, inside and outside.Not just because of my miscarriage but for all the stress that probably have accumulated in my body for the past years.

This "time" is also giving me an opportunity to be a better wife, once and for all. To cook dinner for my husband. To fix the house. To text family and friends.

They say God works in mysterious ways. And while some of those ways pose themselves as very painful experiences, I believe that there is a higher purpose to all this.

"God won't protect you from all pain. But He will allow you to experience pain that can turn into a great blessing." - Bo Sanchez

So be it, Father.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Omniscience

I have no concept of rest. The word is alien to me. My current state though, forces me to stay still and it is just now that I am learning to take things slow.

They say it takes twenty-one days to make a habit and I am almost in a quarter-way of developing a new one -- randomly flipping the book and getting some sort of message and encouragement from up there. What else can one do confined all day at home? Someone's gotta find some pastime. Right? :)

And so today, how apt could this message be? And how can I argue with this?

I believe that there are things beyond me. A higher, much greater being. While I might sound disturbingly religious, I am, in fact, inadequate in this aspect.

At the end of the day, however, I have faith. And it is my faith that keeps me together. It even brings me happiness in some sporadic moments during this temporary valley of my life.

So, God, thank you!

xx,

Corporate Junkie

The M Diary

Sistine Madonna. Raphael.

"The tender words we said to one another are stored in the secret heart of heaven: One day like rain, they will fall and spread, and our mystery will grow green over the world." - Rumi

The "M" word seems like a taboo. Noone really talks about it publicly. But I do. I may not touch the life of someone inside my network but who knows? I am not posting this because I want pity or attention. I am sharing this because one day, hopefully, when I look back, I would be able to connect the dots of my fate and show that God really does work in mysterious ways.

I lost my first angel a year ago at five weeks. Doctors called it "the product of our conception". It was a little offensive at that time but maybe it was their own medical jargon or something. I didn't know I was pregnant up until the time that I had spotting. When I had my ultrasound, there was no embryo yet and soon enough, it was declared as blighted ovum. It meant that there was a gestational sac yet there was really no embryonic development.

Baby or no baby, it still felt devastating. It somehow also put a strain between me and my husband. I got back to work almost immediately, looking for solace in the thing that I do best -- my job. The effects of my first miscarriage lingered a while. I am the type of person who does not accept "failures" gracefully. I hated myself. I hated everyone around me.

Time passed and our lives went back to normal. We got our own place and our cute little puppy. Husband got a new job and everything seemed like a fresh start. Our house was perfect for us, we describe it as "homey", not a lot of stuff yet, just perfect for our own comfort. When we go home every night, we are greeted by our adorable Sachi, wagging his tail in excitement.

And then, there it was. Another positive test. I was ecstatic. More than anything in the world, I wanted my family to be complete. No, I did not want anything else but to be a mom. I did not want a promotion, I did not want a new car. Everything in my life was perfect except for a little bundle of joy in my arms.

I tried to be careful this time around. Drank the vitamins, went to my OB almost every week. It was heaven when I saw his (I claimed that he would be a "he"), heartbeat on the 5th and 7th week. I did not think that anything could go wrong.

I spoke too soon. The world crashed on me, again.

Twice, motherhood has been deprived of me. In most of my alone time, I keep on thinking where I have gone wrong -- all the ifs, and should-have-beens - should have stayed home, should have not done this, blah blah blah. I can count a million things but there is nothing I can really do about it now.

I slept in my hospital bed and all I could think was that my stomach really felt empty. How maddening it felt when other people try to discard of life inside their stomach when there are couples who want a child so desperately. How unfair it felt that other people get pregnant so easily and everything was just a breeze. I could go on... but I know nothing would help. In the end, I just collapsed in my husband's arms when we walked out of the hospital and headed back home.

Being home was torture. It was a habit for the past ten weeks that I talked to him during our private bathroom moments, telling him not to let go and to be with Mommy forever... we listened to the music every morning before we went to work. We cuddled in the bedroom with Daddy every night. But all those things, we could not do anymore. Because God needed another cherubim in Heaven.

It has been hard. But I keep my faith. God has made a miracle in my life this year, much bigger than this trial so I really could not question His will. What I worry most, in all honesty, is the effect this event has to my loved ones. Everyone was excited. The guilt, most especially, of having my husband go through all this again, is unbearable. If he had a healthier wife, he would have had two babies by now. If I were a different person with a different uterus, maybe I would have had my baby.

But everyone has been more than supportive and loving and I could not be recovering this fast (emotionally and physically) had it not been for all the love.

So today, I place my heart in God who knows better of this plan than I do. I am a personal spokesperson and a testament that He will make things right in His own time. In the meantime, we would have to undergo some tests of our own. I do not lose hope and I will do everything, sacrifice anything to make my family complete and happy.

Besides, we already have two wonderful angels in heaven looking after and praying for us... every single day.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

God's message for today: Restoration

"Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." - Zechariah 9:12

And again, my Lord, Thy Will be done. Amen.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

On The Way To Reconstruction

It has been a while since my last post. I was very busy with house transfer and it was really tiresome resulting to some creative drought. This site will be on its way to some revamping - gonna use Adobe Muse (as per a friend's advice... so excited!) -

But before I do that, please help me decide on which logo to use. Thank you so much to the officialbouncer for the logos -- much love, mwah!

Logo 1. More generic. Plain & simple.

Logo 2. Captures my real junk. Very creative as well.

So there, please help me out guys. Feel free to leave a comment. :) Have a happy holiday tomorrow, everyone! :)

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Gratitude.

Happy-ness

Me. U.

Corporate Junkie Goes Back to Davao

Davao always fascinates me. It is one of the places where there is nothing to do but eat and chill (just like Bacolod!).

My husband and I stayed there for three days and two nights from June 15-17 to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We were accommodated by a very lovely Davaoena (if that is even the term) who made our stay so pleasurable <Thanks, Karen!>

We took a Cebu Pacific flight to Davao and arrived at around 8 in the morning on a Saturday. From Davao airport, we planned to go straight to Samal island. We hailed a cab and told the driver to bring us to Paradise Island Hotel wharf. We paid around PHP100++ for the fare.

A little over five minutes, we were already docking at Paradise Island Resort. Boat trip was at PHP15 each. The resort is nothing too fancy. It is very quaint and quiet. If you are looking for a long beach to frolic on, this may not be the place for you since it houses a short stretch of sand and water.

Since we were there on a weekend, there were a lot of people who arrived sporadically at the resort. Most of the package tours in Davao usually include a stopover in Paradise Island where guests can enjoy a short stay and have a beachfront meal. Activities in Samal include some watersports, a visit in the aviary where they have a modest selection of birds, game of pool and several in-house entertainment such as fire dances and magical shows.

We stayed in a cozy little hut with twin beds. Haha! Usual amenities included a hot and cold shower, cable TV and free water.

We had an overnight stay in the island and headed to the city proper the next day.

One thing you should not forget while you are in Davao is that the city has a very strict smoke-free regulation. People who smoke in the streets are caught by the police. Last May 31, the city reinforced their ordinance and smoking was strictly limited in the comfort of your own home. What a nightmare it was for the husband. Haha!

The next day we visited Eden Nature Park and Resort. From Davao City, it took about an hour and thirty minutes to get to the resort.

A mountain resort 3,000 feet above sea level, Eden Nature Park is 95% man-made! It is a great model of how we can re-create nature and rebuild a lost environment.

Discovered sometime in 1971, the resort used to be a logged-over area covered only by a blanket of wild grass. Its potential was, however, readily seen by the owners as the property provided an imposing view of Davao City and the Davao Gulf.

Not long after, terraces were carved out of the mountain slope, and thousands of pine tree seedlings were planted. As the pine trees grew, they provided canopies allowing other trees and plants to grow and creating a secondary forest. Today, there are over 100,000 pine trees spread throughout 80 hectares, providing a refreshing backdrop to the various attractions in Eden Nature Park. - Eden Nature Park

A pit stop during the tour where we were treated to the native culture including dances prepared by local elementary kids.

The park also boasted of Lola's Garden (Grandma's Garden) where one can have an overlooking view of the different plants that the resort raises from basil to rosemary and other spices.

Wishing Well, grant my heart's desire :)

Last but not the least, Eden Park is home to several teambuilding facilities such as this zipline they call Skyrider. There are different obstacle courses scattered around the park as well as horseback riding for the enjoyment of kids and adults alike.

Skyrider Fee at PHP270.

After a busy day, we headed back to the city. We stayed in Seda Hotel across Abreeza Mall. After a while's rest, we headed to Glamour Restaurant for a satisfying crab buffet.

Glamour Restaurant is located at Padre Gomez Street. You can reach them through +63 82 2220045. Buffet is at PHP398 per head. They change menus every time except for the mainstay, the crabs, of course ;) Yum!

We were so full after dinner that we did not go out anymore. We just stayed at the hotel and got some rest. The next day, we were greeted by a wonderful breakfast from Seda. Good breakfast selection!

After breakfast, we started packing our stuff before we headed out to look for some waling-waling and durian to bring home. We were able to find some good variety near the Airport at:

Airport View Commercial Complex
Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road)

Buhangin, Davao City

while the durian and other fruits like the pomelo (or suha) can be bought from Magsaysay Market.

Davao always does not fail to relax me. Another great experience from this beautiful place. I shall see you soon.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Plasticity

Today, I free myself from you and all the bad things you represented in my life.

Because...

...today, as I moved around the chaos, I am looking forward to a new beginning.

To real friendships. To real relationships.

I bid you farewell.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Graphic Expo Turns 18

The biggest printing and imaging event of the year, Graphic Expo, kicked off its 3-day expo today at the SMX Convention Center.

Fiera de Manila, the event organizer described the event as --

"It is an ideal marketplace for industry professionals, businessmen, advertising and industry experts to do networking, technology introductions and demonstrations, and source business ideas. It is also an excellent opportunity to expand business, meet serious customers/buyers, get business ideas, source new technologies and solutions and upgrade existing tools. The exhibition space spans 5,000 square meters to showcase these state-of-the-art technologies in creative imaging and printing."

Several lectures are also available for those who want to learn more about the graphic arts industry. A photo exhibit is also staged during this event and participated by several camera clubs.

Visit the Canon booth and see their latest gadgets from cameras to desktop and large format printers.

Bring your Canon gear and get free camera cleaning, too! :)

Event will run until Saturday, June 22. For more information about this event, visit this link.

Nuggets of Wisdom

I came across this content from Paulo Coelho's blog and found some references to the original author. Lovely piece of work. I just needed to repost :)

I Have Learned by Octavian Paler

We have time …

We have time for everything
To sleep, or to be all over the place,
To regret mistakes and do them again,
To judge others and find excuses for ourselves,

We have time to read and write,
To correct our writings, and regret what we wrote,

We have time to make plans and never complete them,

We have time to fantasize about impossible things and later on to look into the ashes of them.

We have time for ambitions and diseases,
To blame fate and the details,

We have time to watch the clouds, TV commercials and shocking news,

We have time to not answer questions,
To postpone the answers,

We have time to kill a dream and recreate it later

We have time to make friends, and lose them

We have time to get lessons and forget them later on,

We have time to get gifts and not understand them.

We have time for everything.

But we don’t have time for a little kindness.
When one does they are dying.

I learned some important things in my life and I would like to share them with you.

I learned that you can not make somebody love you. All you can do is to be a lovely person, the rest … depends on others.

I learned that it does not matter how much I care, others don’t.

I learned that it takes years to win somebody’s trustand it takes just a few seconds to lose it.

I learned that doesn’t matter what you HAVE in life; all that matters is with WHOM you have it.

I learned that in the first 15 min you can impress somebody by using your charm
after that you have to come up with something smart.

I learned that you don’t have to compare yourself with what other people are best at you have to find out what is your best.

I learned that it does not matter what happens to people what matters is what I can do to help.

I learned that each episode has two faces.

I learned you should part lovingly from those you love. It may be the last time you have the opportunity to see that person

I learned that you can run a long time after you said that you are exhausted.

I learned that heroes are people who do the right thing when it is needed, not caring about the consequences.

I learned that there are people that love you but they do not know how to show it.

I learned that when I am upset I have the right to be upset but I do not have the right to be mean.

I learned that you can have long distance friendships; the same applies to love.

I learned that if somebody does not love you like you wish, it does not mean he or she does not love you from the bottom of their heart. He or she will occasionally hurt you and you will forgive it.

I learned that it is not enough to forgive others sometimes you have to forgive yourself.

I learned that regardless how much you are suffering the world will not stop.

I learned that your past can have an impact on your personality but you are responsible for what you are going to become.

I learned that, if two people get into a fight, it does not mean they do not love each other and the fact that they do not fight does not mean they love each other.

I learned that sometimes you have to put the person first and not their actions.

I learned that two people can see different sides of the same incident.

I learned that indifferent of the consequences those who are honest with themselves are the winners in life.

I learned that your life can be changed by strangers in a few hours.

I learned that when you think you have nothing to give your friend can call for help, and you will find the strength to help him

I learned that talking and writing can help to heal your pain.

I learned that you spend too little time with people you love the most…

I learned that is very hard to know when to be nice so you do not hurt people but you still sustain your opinions

I learned to love so I can be loved in return.

The Lost Wonder of Banaue

“The Lord often has his prophets climb mountains to converse with Him. I always wondered why He did that, and now I know the answer: when we are on high, we can see everything else as small. Our glory and sadness lose their importance. Whatever we conquered or lost remains there below. From the heights of the mountain, you see how large the world is, and how wide its horizons.” - Paulo Coelho, The Fifth Mountain

It's one thing to do the things that you love and another thing to actually get paid for it. That is why I could not be happier and more grateful that my work makes me do the things that I love.

For example, I get to visit places that I have never been to before; meet really cool people; and most of all, create a difference in other peoples' lives.

Last year, we were introduced to the Ifugaos when Mr. John Chua intiated a project to save one of the heritage sites, the Batad Rice Terraces, from the endangered list of UNESCO.

Together with around 200 employees and volunteers, we went to ground zero and cleared rocks that destroyed the terraces from past typhoons and landslide. Hand in hand, the Ifugaos and people from Manila worked together for a common cause. It was amazing!

This experience was truly an entry to my bucket list having to ride on top of the jeepney which squeezed its way to a narrow, steep mountain cliffs and trek a challenging route for more than an hour.

Breathtaking. Photo by PJ Enriquez

Last month, I went back to Banaue together with my colleagues and volunteer photographers to carry out another worthy mission. It was another trip to remember.

We took an eight-hour trip on an Ohayami bus going to Banaue (if you are interested to visit the terraces, you can go there via this transit - visit www.ohayamitrans.com). We left at around ten in the evening to avoid the traffic and arrived in Banaue at six in the morning. We stayed in Banaue Hotel for two days, the same hotel where we were housed a year ago.

I personally experienced the Ifugao culture and met so many wonderful people in Banaue. The trek, although easier than the one we had on our first year, gave us a hard time especially when we had to brave thunderstorms, heavy rains and lighting on our way back. At the end of the day, however, the expedition was grueling but very rewarding.

Yes, haggard after a 30-minute trek. Haha! Photo by PJ Enriquez

Oh yeah. This Ifugao dance I used to perform when I was in elementary. Photo by PJ Enriquez

Looks like an easy trek? I wish :) Photo by PJ Enriquez

And as if the challenging trek was not enough -- we had to lose to the tug-of-war against the Ifugao women. Haha. Photo by PJ Enriquez

This experience has made me realize a lot of things.

First, to be always grateful that we are given the chance to experience the natural wonders that God has made.

Second, to be thankful in meeting people from other cultures and learning to appreciate their ways.

Last, (this realization came amidst the heavy rains and scary lightnings while walking barefoot on the pilapil with my heavy bag wrapped in plastic), that challenges will come along the way but we will still persevere and come out okay once we put our faith and heart into it.

So that's Banaue for me, ladies and gentlemen.

Goodnight everyone.

xx,
Corporate Junkie

Life's Big Inspirations

“It's a lie to think you're not good enough. It's a lie to think you're not worth anything.” - Nick Vujicic

Standing tall, "limb-less" amidst a big crowd, you would not miss this man. It was not because he looked different from most of the people in the audience. It was not because he came from another country or the fact that he was literally perched on top of the table. It was because of a beaming voice that addressed the crowd with so much vigor, passion and hope. Meet Nick Vujicic, the author of Life Without Limits and Unstoppable, giving a short talk earlier this day at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.