the seed

Twenty nine years ago, I was baptized a Catholic. And I’m so glad I was.

Though I wasn’t aware back then, I can’t be more grateful now that my family has introduced me to religion, most especially Catholicism. When I was younger, my concept of “binyag” is limited to having a bunch of godparents to receive gifts from every Christmas. And now, I am so glad that the seed of faith that was planted in me has already produced a sprout. After realizing how wonderful it is to live this faith, being made a Catholic is one of the greatest gifts my family has given me. Though my parents are not the hardcore religious, they introduced me to God and His works, sent me to Catholic schools from pre-school to college.

It took me a long time to realize I should be a practicing catholic. With a lot of my friends and relatives shifting religions, I know I should give my current conviction a chance. After all, I have been so passive for quite a long time before I was awakened by some circumstances.

Some years back, I was telling my friends I wanted to be saint. That was meant to be a joke but those friends were dead serious about my ambition. Why not strive to be one, a friend said. After all, we are all called to be saints, to live like them and perhaps, inspire others to do the same. That’s really ambitious though, but just like my dream of getting myself a broadcasting network for a business, I could start with a small step. And with that little action, I will just let God do the rest. :)

With Honors

For weeks, I've been thinking of where my former classmates, especially those who graduated with honors, are now. Had I graduated with highest honors, will my future change? Or will I be here where I am now?


I wonder where our batch valedictorian is now. A few years back, I remember her getting in touch with me after resigning from her post in a telecom network, maybe out of boredom or she was simply fed up. In three days, my friend and I got her a job in the TV network where we both were working. And after another three days, she walked out of the job. She was either too smart or too impatient for the task. Now, we both wonder where she is.

On the other hand, a former student council officer of my batch now heads the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. During his college years, he was an active campus figure while maintaining excellent grades.

One of my classmates who graduated cum laude landed as a housewife. Oh well, I’m not saying that the responsibility isn’t tough but right after college, she got married and never had the chance to work in a company.

Recently, I saw my former classmate’s page in Facebook and she’s now a renowned newscaster in her province. She’s actually a regional correspondent of a giant media network. She didn’t graduate a cum laude. In fact, in my one-time attempt to cheat in a major exam, she was my seatmate slash cheat-mate.

My best friend did not get in the dean’s list, but everyone in our batch knows him and his jovial persona. Now, he co-directs a top-rating noontime show and a talent search.

A good friend and classmate was also not in the dean’s list, but her thesis won the best thesis of the batch and now, a very successful account director in Vietnam.

What is my point here: you don’t need to get a medal of academic excellence to do succeed in life. If you graduated with honors, fine, but how you take advantage of that achievement is what matters.

I was once a fresh grad and I thought I know so much. It's an advantage to have vibrant ideas but learning the ropes of showbiz is tougher than I thought. I guess the most important thing I had back then aside from the skills acquired from theatre are the helpful connections. College organizations are the best way to network with the people of same interest as yours. In my case, my first boss and mentor was a senior in my university org. Among the applicants, I think I was chosen because I somehow had a production background from the theatre group we both came from. At least, that common factor made our working relationship in harmony. From being his assistant, he recommended me to be a part of a showbiz talk show research team. And the rest is history.

Some fresh grads bear an air of arrogance, thinking that they know everything, and they are far better than the rest, thus deserve something better. I was once like that, only to realize now what a fool I was to think that way. Life is bigger than the university we came from.  I was once disheartened to realize how a bigshot in the campus can find herself a big sh*t in the real world.  Thriving and maintaining a career in showbiz is not only about what you know, it’s more of who you know. Keeping a good relationship with your co-workers and almost everyone you deal with will sustain you in the business.  These same people can either help you get your current project done, or get your services for a new project.


So if you intend to pursue a career in broadcasting, aside from honing technical skills, start working on your people skills too. Because working in media entails good public relations apart from academic achievements.

Random muni-muni from Posterous

By accident, I stumbled upon a friend's online journal. And I'm so touched not only with the entry, but the fact that I insipired him to write that entry. Thank you so much. :)

I think I need to reorganize "muni-muni" playlist in my iPod. After getting corrupted, I had to restart and reload all the songs in my 2 year old iPod. What does my muni-muni playlist include? Suzuki Violin tracks volumes 1-4 for semestral breaks and Hennie Bekker and the Vitamin String Quartet for regular days. I limit myself on listening to Suzuki on sem breaks because instead of relaxing me, I am reminded of my lessons and assignments. My muni-muni playlist is on when I have to write a lengthy narrative of our monthly and yearly accomplishments, answer IRs or when I'm simply stressed out.

Last halloween I bought a pack of lollipops for trick-or-treat. But unfortunately, no kid went trick-or-treating in our department (ours being operational 24/7, is restricted). So I still have them in my jar waiting for the kids-at-heart to get them. (calling altas!!!)

Last week, my hh head sent me chocolates from Aussie. I so loooooove it. ♥♥♥

I'm now listening to Vivaldi. Then Bach. I'd love to name my son Johann Sebastian, after the music genius Bach. Hmm... Will my husband-to-be agree? Maybe he'd prefer an Albert (after Einstein) or a Sigmund (after Freud) instead. Or my son could be his Junior. Or we could name him after a saint or a prophet.

Or I can name my child after his/her birth month. Last night my friend said she was named Frances because of the Peñafrancia feast of the Bicolnons in September. My sister named her son June because he was born in June. But my friend May was born in September (duh!).

Christmas is only a few days away. I wonder if there are there freshly-composed Christmas carols available :)

Yipee! In 30 mins I'll be out of here. Gotta fix my things so I can go the mall straight from work. (read: "me" time).

Patience

Whoever has perpetual patience must be a god. Because with people committing sins everyday, only a merciful God can forgive us even if we offend Him repeatedly.

Patience is indeed a virtue and according to Wiki, virtue is “moral excellence”. To have patience is synonymous to having a superior level of maturity, wisdom and humility. I also believe a person’s patience manifests his intensity of faith in the Lord, leaving to His hand the daily course of life and that things will go ok in the end.

Everyday is a struggle to be patient: from daily routines of waiting for the bus or driving along a traffic highway, falling in long queues in the train station, fast food and ATMs, to the long search of a perfect partner. Even in the office, my patience is tested whenever I encounter difficult clients and sluggish co-workers. Each time I feel like blurting a nasty remark towards those who test my patience, I try my best to pause, bite my lip, count up to 10 (to give me ample time to think and rethink my comment) before I say something. And to keep my poise and sanity in check, I pray for patience.

So let me share with you a good prayer for patience:

Lord, teach me to be patient - with life, with people, and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. Teach me to trust Your sense of timing rather than my own and to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.

Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains a loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds. Amen

Source: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com

What I really want for Christmas

Since it’s only fifty days to go before Christmas, I’m helping you with your shopping list in case you’d like to give me a gift (so egocentric, hehe)

Euro tour from the generous you!

If you just won the 300M lotto

- A house and lot in a posh QC village a few minutes away from where I work

- A yellow beetle convertible

- A Europe trip, all expenses paid (including visa processing)

- VIP tickets to this season’s Broadway shows



Posh gifts from co-Altas



If you just feel like a thrifty Alta

- a new Blackberry smartphone
- Chevy aveo sedan in lime green
- a cool pair of pink Nike trainers
- original iPod earphones
- a macbook pro loaded with useful apps
- Shu Uemura make-up and brush set for pros
- an antique Germany-made violin with authentic horse-hair bow
- a happy Christmas party for the Sagip kids

fab gifts for a fashionista

If your budget is about a thousand bucks
- Fruits and Passion Grapefruit fragrance set
- Nina Garcia’s Little Black Book of Style
- iPod wall charger
- Altec Lansing speakers
- A citrus colored comforter and pillowcase set
- The Face Shop Ecovert facial care set
- Mac Hello Kitty make-up
- Bath and Body Works Pink Grapefruit cologne and lotion
- Body Shop lip and cheek tint
- Suesh make-up brush set
- Pirastro olive rosin
- A cute Persian cat
- A spa GC

 If the budget is around P100 – P500
- Companion Catholic Scripture journal
- Belle de Jour 2011 planner
- any Sophie Kinsella novel (except the Shopaholic series)

- any book written by Jodi Picoult, Audrey Niffenegger or Amy Tan

- A Jordi Labanda notebook

- A set of Dong-A color pens

- A sweet dress (I’m not choosy, it’s ok if it’s from a tiangge)

- Body Shop Strawberry body butter

- Chocolates

- Maybelline Hello Kitty mascara

Below P100
- Whatever you feel like giving is ok. As long as it comes from the heart
- Photoframes and scrapbook materials
- Flat Tops chocolates
- A pastel-colored nail polish from The Face Shop
- Cutesy stationeries and Post-its
- Careline eyeshadow
- Nichido Girls Night Out eyeliner in green or silver
- Stylish accessories that spell DIVA
- Arts and crafts materials
- Tiangge tank tops
- 2011 desk calendar
- Cute sleepwear from Divisoria
- Pillowcases
- Face towels
- Crayons and coloring books
 

Pinoy Christmas celebration is the best in the world

Lasting and Priceless gifts
- A warm hug on cold days
- A greeting card with your heartfelt Christmas message
- Hearing your voice singing me Christmas carols
- Going to dawn Mass with you
- Your constant prayers
- Attending UST’s Paskuhan. This year should be grand because of the Quadricentennial celebration
- A personalized text message
- Eating puto bumbong and Bibingka while walking me home
- Christmas shopping with me (read: bazaar-hopping)
- Kite-flying while waiting for the fireworks display
- Sitting next to me in the Christmas Mass
- Spending a hearty Noche Buena or Christmas lunch together
- Seeing old friends, nostalgic conversations over coffee
- Videoke until dawn, belting out happy songs (no more I Will Survive and Alone, please)
- A week of Christmas break from work. (paging: my bosses!)


So, have you decided which gift to give? :)

Cheap thrills



Stylish gifts