Skills Forum Day 2

Yesterday was day 2 of the 2019 Skills Forum at ADB. I learned that technological training is the future of upskilling. A four-year university degree is nice to have, but practical skills which can be obtained via a TVET course can be more efficient. It can also enrich the lives of those who graduate from these courses as they can already be employed immediately upon graduation. Career shifters can also benefit from trainings in tech by learning new skills that can help them stay relevant in their chosen careers.

As a millennial who graduated from a four-year course in uni, I can say that what I am looking for in a career is purpose. More than earning money, I am more excited to work when I know that I am able to make a difference in my own small way. This is why I took advantage of e-commerce to setup my social enterprise. I also enjoy volunteering whenever I can, and this makes my heart full.

More than making a difference, I know that doing work with a social good helps me stay relevant in today’s technological workplace. You cannot teach a robot or computer compassion. It is still up to us humans to do what is good and share what we can to those in need. Perhaps the best way to start is by sharing our knowledge and expertise to uplift others. From there, we can use our skills to improve others’ lives and at the same time, enrich our own lives in the process.

Skills Forum Day 1

Yesterday was day 1 of the ADB Skills Forum 2019. As an online entrepreneur (my Human Nature online shop can be accessed here, please support!), freelance writer, and blogger, I am interested to know the future of learning and what skills to learn in the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR). The essential skills still remain the same. Critical thinking, design thinking, analysis and empathy are just some skills to cultivate in an age where technology is influencing the workplace more than ever. I look forward to learning more in the next couple of days, and I hope to network with more people as well.

Innovating Myself

A few days ago, I attended the Innovator’s DNA Coffee Collab at the new HiFI Campus at the College of St. Benilde. I learned that the quality of the innovation is based on the condition of the disruptor. Having reflected on the discussion we had, I realized that I have a long way to go to be an innovator in this rapidly-changing world. But at 33, I am still hungry to learn and grow.

They say that it is never too late to follow one’s passion. As a writer and blogger, I get to attend various conferences where the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR or 4IR) is discussed. I went to school and graduated with a Humanities degree, but I ended up working in finance and risk management. To say that I veered away from my degree in the workplace is an understatement. However, it is only now that I am my own boss that I realized that I did not stay far from my degree after all.

My liberal arts education has helped me analyze and think critically in an age where specialization and practical skills are in focus. My drive to innovate has also led me to attend seminars, conferences, and learning opportunities. And amidst all the books I have read and conversations I have started, I know by now that I can never fully be an innovator unless I trust the process and surrender myself to the will of God.

To help myself in this journey to maximizing my skills and increasing my chances of succeeding in the current labor landscape, I have decided to answer the activity we have been assigned to during the Innovator’s DNA event. I had a buddy during that time, and he was an interesting conversationalist and professor. Now that I am accomplishing this assignment on my own, I hope that I will be inspired to never stop learning, and to find ways to reinvent myself in a limitless technological atmosphere.

1. What personal experience or journey brought you here, into your current role?

   I have been blogging for two years now, and I use my website to share the insights that I have learned throughout my learning and creative journey.

2. What issues or challenges are you confronted with?

   I am currently recovering from the recent passing of my father from a terminal illness. I am also looking for a corporate job while finishing my freelance projects.

3. What about your current situation (work/personal life) frustrates you the most?

   I am frustrated by the bullying I have received on dating apps. Guys there would call me “lesbian” and other derogatory terms just because I sport a pixie (no offense to gays and lesbians. There’s nothing wrong about being gay, but I’m straight.). I am also struggling to find a good man to date in real life because I am not the conventional Filipino woman. I have short hair, I think independently, and yet I am still a devout Catholic. Most of my friends are discouraging me from dating because I am disappointed with the dating pool. I refuse to give up, though.

4. What are your most important sources of energy and happiness in your work and life?

   I enjoy knitting and crocheting. Those two hobbies keep my hands busy as I feed my mind through books and podcasts.

5. Watch yourself from above (as if in the helicopter). What are you doing? What are you trying to do in this stage of your journey as an innovator?

   I am blogging, attending conferences, listening to podcasts, reading, and networking.

6. Watch our collective journey from above: what are you trying to do collectively in the present stage of your collective journey?

   We are all trying to connect with each other and hoping that these connections can go beyond social media and into real-life conversations that can spark lasting change.

7. Given previous questions, what do you now need to ask yourself?

   What if you fly?

8. Imagine if you could fast forward to the very last days of your life, when it is time for you to move on. Now look back on your journey as a whole, What would you want to see at that moment? What footprint do you want to leave behind?

   I want to see the exact moment when I decided to give myself the chance to learn more so that I can innovate in the age of the FIR.

9. Now return to the present and crystallize what it is that you want to create, your vision and intention for the next 3 months to 3 years. What are the essential core elements of the future that you want to create in your personal, professional, and social life? Describe as concretely as possible.

   3 months- I want to be a graduate of a short course that can increase my chances of getting employed by equipping me with the latest technological and soft skills.

   3 years- I want to be a manager in a company that enables me to communicate to others and provide empathy to our stakeholders. Also, I hope to be settled with a partner or husband while still continuing my learning journey.

10. What would you have to let go of in order to bring your vision to reality? What is the old stuff that must die? What is the old skin (behaviors, assumptions, mental models, etc.) that you need to shed?

    My fear of failure, my limiting belief, and my fear of technology.

11. Who have been your “guardian angels” and helpers in your journey and who do you need as helpers in your future journey as an innovator?

    I am blessed to have my family and best friends who believe in me when I tend to put myself down. In the future, I hope to have a supportive boss and husband who can help me maximize my skills. Most of all, I must never cease to give myself a seat on the table.

I am ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. For now, I will take this learning journey one day at a time, as I innovate to be the best version of myself!

Chicken and ribs

I am thankful for the long weekend, as I got to unwind. I did some brisk walking at UP, feasted on my usual cheap thrill of pancit canton and iced coffee, had chicken and ribs with my BFF Luti, and some avocado ice cream to cap off a good day.

I have a simple routine to keep myself going so that I can approach the coming weeks with a renewed energy and outlook. I workout, I eat, and I spend time with friends. It’s that simple. All I have to do is to make time and keep on checking on myself.

Sunkissed Day

Yesterday, I had a lovely brunch at Sunkissed Cafe. I got to try their breakfast sausage and coffee. Both were delicious! After my meal, I enjoyed an hour of playtime with the dogs of Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. I

Eating a delectable brunch and cuddling some dogs? Yes please! These are just two things that make me happy. I can’t wait to have more of both in the days and weeks to come!

Moving Rapidly

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the FIRe Up Tomorrow: Preparing the Filipino Worker for the Fourth Industrial Revolution conference. It was hosted by the Asian Institute of Management and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The venue, The Makati Diamond Residences, was a beautiful location with delicious food and warm interiors.

I learned that freelancing is a vulnerable position in the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR), but it also allows me to innovate at a rapid pace as I can train myself to adapt. By upskilling and focusing on critical thinking, I can easily ride the wave of the FIR and still be relevant in these changing times.

Here’s to more learning opportunities to come!

Innovation Journey

Yesterday, I visited the newly-opened HiFi Campus at the College of Saint Benilde. I was there for two talks: the Innovator’s DNA Coffee Collab and The Founders’ Journey to Impact Entrepreneurship Engaged Talk. Both forums were informative, but it was the first one that really resonated with me.

Ms. Judith Claridades hosted the Innovator’s DNA afternoon. We were composed of individuals from various backgrounds, age groups, and perspectives. We had an interest in how innovation and the mindset that commands problem solving through design can improve our lives and uplift our present human condition.

Ms. Claridades focused on the importance of the self in the innovator’s journey. Being self-aware is the first step in bringing forth positive change. After all, it is only by effectively improving our own selves that we can begin sharing our skills, talents, and ideas to help others along the way.

It was also worth noting that empathy is essential in innovation. We cannot influence others if we are stuck in our own worlds and refuse to feel the pain that others have. It was humbling to be reminded that innovation is not just an act that benefits our physical beings, but our spiritual growth as well. When we help others, we feed our soul, and this is how we leave legacies that make the world a better place.

The Founders’ Journey to Impact Entrepreneurship was also interesting as Anna Meloto-Wilk, the president of Human Nature (a brand I love so much, that I actually sell their products on my online store- BUY NOW!) was part of the panel. I’ll never get tired of listening to Human Nature’s story from its humble beginnings to being one of the leading social enterprises today. As a Core Advocate for the brand, it is inspiring to watch our president unceasingly sharing our values to audiences that need more goodness in their lives.

As a blogger and freelance writer, I am always looking for inspiration to improve my craft and grow my mindset. It is always a treat to feed my brain with stories that uplift others while discussing how problems were solved through design thinking and empathy. Innovation should not be a big, lofty idea that is beyond everyone’s reach. Rather, it must be something that we practice by habit and instinct with each endeavor that we tackle each day.

We can all be innovators, if only we are determined to share what we know and believe in!

Done > Perfect

I have been knitting scarves for more than a year now. I started this hobby during the Knitting Adventure organized by Knitting Expedition in 2018. Since then, I have not looked back, as this has also led to my re-discovery of crochet. I knitted during meetings, in between appointments, during my commute, and in cafes.

I realized that I worked well with scarves, so I stuck to knitting these warm, cozy things. I also knitted beanies in the past, but I enjoyed the mindless process of making scarves. Working on a project without thinking about it, yet still being able to focus on a meeting or a task at hand has enabled me to multitask, expand my intellectual pursuits (I was able to knit while reading books and listening to podcasts!), and keep my hands busy. I have also shared my hobby on social media and here on my blog. It has been a joyful journey so far.

As I share with you this newly completed scarf made from yarns from my favorite yarn shop, The Attic Yarn and Craftery, I hope that you will be inspired to find a hobby that provides consistent purpose and meaning to your life. The world is already stressful as it is, so a hobby or two that can be enjoyed without much thought can free up your mind to focus on work, schedules, and adulting.

I am a firm believer in the saying that “done is better than perfect”. Yes, my handmade journey is not easy (ex. I have to bring extra tools everyday, I have to learn how to budget my time, etc.), but it has simplified my life because it has expanded my mind. By enjoying a “mindless” hobby, I was able to have a growth mindset. By starting to knit, I got projects done while improving as a worker.

I basically got it together, one stitch at a time!

Gubat Dinner

My best friend Luti and I had a magical night at Gubat, a rustic restaurant located inside the Diliman Bonsai Society. It was quite challenging to find, and parking is sparse in the area, so I suggest parking your car in UP Diliman. You may take an ikot jeep or simply walk to the restaurant.

We ordered fried fish and longganisa, which were both delicious! I was too hungry to take a picture of my food, so I please just enjoy my photos of the place. It was lovely to see books there too, as the ambience was relaxing. It was difficult to visualize that we were still in the middle of the city.

If you want a cozy meal amongst plants, visit Gubat! Not a sponsored post, we just had a good time. We will be back!

33 and Thankful

Yesterday was a holiday in my home city, Quezon City. It was Manuel Quezon’s birth anniversary, so I spent the morning knitting this scarf using my luxurious Furls needles and The Attic Yarn and Craftery yarn.

I am thankful for needles and yarns that encourage me to create, carry on, and share my works both here on my blog and with my loved ones, whenever I gift them with the scarves that I make.

Another reason to be thankful is my lunch with our loyal helper Racquel. We ate at Mister Kabab, which is a favorite of ours. I had my usual, which is the special chicken chelo kabab. I paired it with yogurt shake.

I am thankful for all the help that I can get. Loyalty is something that is rare nowadays, and I am really lucky that my family has Racquel to help us make it through each day.

We also watched Quezon’s Game for free, thanks to the City Hall. It was the perfect way to pay tribute to the man after whom our city was named.

I am thankful for movies that promote nationalism through tasteful portrayals of history. I am more keen on films that teach lessons rather than just promote mindless entertainment. At 33, I must say that my tastes for film and books have definitely improved.

I am thankful to still be alive to eat, create, and appreciate art. I can’t wait to enjoy more blessings this year, and beyond!

Film and coffee

I spent my Sunday afternoon at UP Diliman, which has become my go-to place for film, coffee, and cheap eats. Since it was carless (they restrict access to vehicles on Sundays and holidays), I also got to do some brisk walking around the academic oval.

I finally got to try the famous cheeseburger at campus favorite Snack Shack. I loved it! It was grilled to perfection, and at Php90.00, it was a steal.

Then, it was time for a documentary at UP Film. I watched Rescue in the Philippines, which was all about Manuel Quezon’s efforts to save the lives of more than 1,200 Jews during the Second World War. It was perfectly accompanied by my iced americano from Nomu, a local cafe which has quickly become my go-to coffee shop at UP.

I may be unsure of the future, but I know for sure that my 33rd year will be filled with film, coffee, and food that nourish my soul as well. These are the perfect starting points to an age which is already an indication of adulthood, but still young enough to learn more about the world. There is no better way than using film to learn more about the past so that I can move forward more intelligently in the present.

Feast for a Purpaws

Yesterday, I attended the Feast for a Purpaws fundraising luncheon at Vikings Venue. It was for the benefit of PAWS, an animal shelter that cares for abused and abandoned dogs and cats. I was with my Barkin’ Blends family, as they were the sponsor for the doggo food buffet.

I enjoyed volunteering my time as I got to serve food to cute dogs while chatting with their humans. It was fun to do so with friends, and it was heartwarming to also see Jeng and her rescued dogs. I first met her at another PAWS event last year, and I must say that animals really have a special place in my heart.

I hope that my 33rd year will bring more volunteer opportunities my way!

Simple Joys

Yesterday, I went to a meeting at BGC, spent time browsing at Fully Booked, offered eggs at Sta. Clara, and watched the last two movies of the day at UP Film. I love filing my time with the things that keep me positive. I look forward to more simple experiences to carry me through the coming days, weeks, and months!

Film girl

Last night, I did some brisk walking around the UP Academic Oval to burn some calories. Then, I watched The Third Murder, a film which was featured in the Eigasai Japanese film fest. I enjoyed the film as it was a crime thriller. I also like this film fest because Japanese culture fascinates me.

I enjoy watching movies, and having coffee while doing so. Sticking to the things that make me happy is a good plan to make 33 the best age of my life.

What makes you happy? I hope that you will also find your passions and keep them part of your life!

Birthday mAtcha

Yesterday, I met up with my best friend Jay for lunch and a matcha milkshake. Hanging out with one of my friends from uni always grounds me and helps put things into perspective.

Then, I went to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe East Branch for some cuddle time with their furbabies.

To cap off my day, I went to UP Film for Eigasai, the Japanese film festival. I watched After the Storm, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A good day for me involves delicious food, dogs, film, and great company. Looking forward to more on my thirty-third year!

33!

Yesterday, I turned 33! I spent the day with my Mom. We heard mass at 6am at the Pink Sisters Convent, where I gave thanks for another year and prayed for my intentions.

Then, I had an etag carbonara and black coffee at SGD. My mom had danggit lamayo. For dessert, I had the delicious bugnay yogurt.

For lunch, it was my favorite mushroom curry and brown rice at Coco Ichibanya.

And for post-movie coffee, I had the sinless chocolate cake and nonfat latte at Starbucks.

I am truly blessed and happy! Here’s to making 33 my best year yet.

Birthday Girl

Yesterday, I celebrated the eve of my birthday in style. I had a sumptuous lunch at Flossom with my best friend Luti. We ordered broccoli and cheese soup, cheesy chicken volcano, salmon and milk tea pannacotta. Everything was delicious!

Then, we went to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe for some cuddle time with their resident doggos.

Then, we had street food for dinner at UP Diliman. That was fun!

I was touched that Luti gave me a new bag for my new laptop. I am really thankful to have a friend like her.

Paws Pet Cafe 2019

Yesterday, I got to chill out with Dr. Dogs at the PAWS Pet Cafe. These therapy dogs visit schools, orphanages, hospitals, and charities to bring cheer and furry hugs! I support this annual pop-up pet cafe because I love supporting PAWS. Please also support them and consider donating your time and resources. These gentle animals bring joy to so many people, and I hope that they will continue doing so.

Sta. Clara fiesta 2019

August 11 is always special for me. It is the feast day of one of my intercessors, St. Clare of Assisi. I make it a point to hear mass and drop by the monastery. It was a sunny day of thanksgiving and prayer. I will always make time for St. Clare, and I hope that she will never cease interceding for me!

MovEd Day 3

Yesterday, I braved the storm to volunteer again at MovEd.org’s HQ. It was soothing for the soul to pack school supplies for underserved children. I will never forget this experience, and I look forward to more opportunities to help out!

I ended my day with a brisk walk around the UP Academic Oval, a warm cuppa, and a pain au chocolat. Life’s good!