The MOM Award

Last December 1, I got the biggest surprise when PAS President Rhiza Espinoza declared me as this year's Most Outstanding Member. It was something that's really unexpected. I joined PAS 7 years ago and at that time I never really imagined myself  to be active and participative in the activities and projects of the association. I just wanted to stay in the sidelines as an ordinary member attending to meetings and merely a spectator. But things didn't turn out as initially planned. Some members of the association trusted me and tapped me to do some little roles like sell raffle tickets during GMMs or be the emcee in the Executive's Night. Saying "no" would mean you're not up for the challenge. Then the roles became bigger and bolder like being a committee head or being one of the officers. Finally, the peak of my membership with PAS was running the association as President in 2012. It was the most challenging yet rewarding role for me as member. 

This year, I thought of actually slowing down a bit after my presidency last year but I was thrust again to chair the Socio-Civic Committee when the initial chairperson took a leave from the association. I accepted the role as my way of giving back to the association and its membership for all the support given to me in 2012. It is also out of the friendship that I have with the president Ms. Rhiza Espinoza that I have to extend my support and help in any way I can during her term. To say that it was the most stressful year in my membership with PAS is an understatement. Sometimes, I asked why I'm allowing myself to be stressed and harassed by all these activities to the extent of jeopardizing work and family. But alongside all the stress and pressure are the people who made it all fun and worthwhile. I couldn't have done and pull of an activity without friends in PAS who makes the load a less heavy. Yes, there were those what we call "Sisa" moments but those were the moments that really separate the tough from the weak. I think there's nothing that cannot be done in any organization or association if you get all the help from what you call your support system. 

There were a lot of people to really thank for...my so-called support system, the reason why I am sticking it out with PAS all these years...

To the GGM girls, my bestest friends in PAS for the overflowing doses of laughter and energy.

To the Socio-Civic Committee, for backing me up in all our projects and activities this year.

To my mentor Ms. O, for being instrumental in my being a member of PAS.

To the president Ms. Rhiza, for the trust and confidence and for giving this most coveted award.

To PAS, for the learning opportunities and for giving me the chance to grow as a professional and as an individual.

On top of the pride as this year's MOM, I also received fabulous prizes --- hotel GCs (which by the way was solicited by me hehehe), jewelry, a new microwave oven, a beautiful plaque among others. In closing, I wish to encourage all the members of PAS to give it your best and 100% no matter how little the role is given to you. It will always be rewarded in many ways. Cheers!

DAY 15: WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?

Well, there’s a lot really. In fact, I’m not really a big fan of myself…

For starters, I admit that I am a pessimist. I sweat out the small stuff to the point of being nega all the time. Although, I don’t really blurt out the negativity into the open and sometimes I just keep all the nega vibes all to myself. 

I am pretentious in a sense that I hide what I feel to avoid hurting other people or stirring up a fight or destroying a relationship. I don’t like this about myself because it’s like there’s a huge ball that’s stuck inside my throat and it’s making me hard to breathe. 

I am a bitch. Yes, I could be a bitch for the right reasons but it’s something that I am not really comfortable with. I am known to being maldita in the office and I hate it that people distance themselves from me because of that. Being maldita is a wall that I build around myself so people will not hurt me or will keep it easy on me. 

I am very generous to the extent of leaving nothing for myself. Yeah, it's okay to be generous but sometimes I give out too much that I am placed in a situation where I am left with nothing. 

I think these are the things that I really hate about myself. I try as much to change these bad traits if you would call it but I'm taking it one step at a time. 

Thank You 2011

It's the time of the year once again when we bid goodbye to one good year and say hello to another year.

2011 was a mixed of happiness, pain, drama, stress, struggles, success, celebrations, hellos and goodbyes. I mentioned in my 2010 post that 2011 will be all about RUNNING. And yes, it was a wonderful running journey and despite the negative stuff, I still survived the year and have a lot of things to be grateful about.

Survived being PAS President and left a good mark to the association (I guess...)

Traveled to the beautiful Palawan and Bohol with my loved ones

Having healthy and beautiful children

Having a loving and supportive husband

Healed past wounds and nurtured friendships

Though the year sucks in many ways, I am still hopeful that everything will be great with God's constant guidance. I am still a work in progress and there's still so much room for improvement. 

...and now here's my wish for myself and everyone I love from the words of no less than, Neil Gaiman

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

…I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you’ll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you’ll make something that didn’t exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind." -- New Year's Benediction by Neil GaimanCHEERS TO 2012!!!

PAS Annual Christmas Party 2011

The Christmas season just passed by swiftly and I wouldn't let it pass without giving a run down of how I celebrated it. After all, Christmas is one of my favorite seasons despite the stress on what to wear during parties, what to give, where to get the money to buy gifts and not to mention the traffic and long que in shops and malls.

Allow me to give you a glimpse of what the season has in store for me, my friends and family.

PAS Annual Christmas Party @ Marco Polo Hotel

It's one of those events that totally stressed out the life of me. I have to attend to every detail Guess, it's my last hurrah as this year's president of PAS. Inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge, our party theme is Royal Highness. Everyone, except the male guests, don their fascinators and hats. I am quite satisfied with the outcome of this party despite the glitches and last minute changes. 

This is me giving my valedictory speech...no, I didn't cry!

2012 Officers and Trustees taking the oath of office

with Mr. Hans Hauri of Marco Polo --- our inducting officer

Fun Fun Night

If the world will end TODAY...

I think I am READY. 

I've said SORRY.

I have FORGIVEN.

I have LOVED.

I have LIVED.

Photo taken at the shores of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

Bidding 2010 Goodbye

In less than 48 hours, we will bid goodbye to an incredible year. Two thousand ten brought in wonderful and amazing people and experiences in my life. Though my family continue to struggle in some aspects (i.e. financial aspects),  we received abundant blessings in some other forms. Allow me to list them down here in my year-end gratitude post.

·         We welcome the addition of a new family member – the adorable, Sir Leon.

·         My sister and I ventured into a new business opportunity which happens to be our favorite hubby as well --- the birth of our “UKAY CEBU” online shop in facebook.

·         I got promoted to Admin Manager (something that was unexpected) and my team also received a well-deserved raise.

·         I was surrounded by true friends who bare with me their soul, share with me their laughter and give without expecting something in return.

·         For having smart, healthy and loving daughters who melts my heart. Every.Single.Day.

·         Having an amazing husband who is selfless and provides for all our needs --- for being the coolest human being I’ve ever met.

·         For PAS and the endless learning opportunities, for giving me the chance to become a leader and for allowing me to meet wonderful people.

·         For hotel freebies, gadgets, appliances and house renovations

·         For parents visiting often.

·         Embracing a new exercise – RUNNING.

See? With all of these, I find it really difficult to let go of 2010.

But with 2011 comes a promise that everything will be a lot better, a lot brighter and a lot happier. I look forward to a lot of things in 2011 --- running my first marathon, running an association, running a family, running a department and running away from my fears, from misery, from debts (haha just kidding). I think 2011 will be all about running eh!

Seriously, I will try as much to be a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, employee, PASer and person in 2011.

Happy New Year from my family to yours!!!

My 31st

Hubby promised to treat me to Side A/Freestyle/Juris concert on my birthday but didn't set my expectations that high. I mean, he's someone who doesn't give a fuzz about birthdays and I'm getting used to it. But he was such a darling and he was being true to his promise. So, after my coffee with my favorite PAS girls, we head off to Waterfront to watch this birthday wish come true.

prior to the concert with my favorite PAS girls

thanks dad --- you're the best

with hubby's cousin, Pam

Though my feet hurts, I was standing the whole 2 and a half hour concert. Side A and Freestyle brought the house down with their renditions of some classic ballads and of course their original songs which made the audience sing along. Juris Fernandez, yep that MYMP vocalist, who by the ways is going solo, was also a welcome treat singing songs from her new album including the remake and ost of the movie (of the same title) "I Love You Goodbye". Hats off to these musicians!

Then capping the night off, we head off to FORMO with Ms. Joy and her hubby, Dennis. I didn't get to finish my beer --- I don't want to get another hangover (I just had one last weekend still at Formo).

partying with Ms. Joy @ Formo

It was one of the best birthday celebrations ever. I had a BLAST!

But one thing that made it really complete is this...

a little note from my little girl, Alex

These boots are made for walking...

Last Saturday was our PAS Christmas Party cum Induction of 2010 Officers and New Members. The theme for the night was go Western in fashion and with passion. I'm not sure of the latter but with "fashion"...hell yeah! It's cool seeing people donning in their cowgirl and Indian (only one though) get-up with matching boots and all those Western set-up courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Here's sharing some random pictures of that fun-filled night.

that's me trying to ride the wooden horse hehehe

with gorgeous cowgirls in the house

these boots are made for walking and flaunting


my favorite photo of the night

more photo overload in my facebook account...

Let’s get these parties started…

Unconsciously, I started singing to the tune of “deck the halls of boughs of holly fa la la la la la la la la la” off-key as I decorate my little tree at home. Undeniably, the busiest season of the year is here once again to invade our wallets and bank accounts. I started to do some little shopping and gasp in disbelief how my little shopping turned to a big spree. So, I promised myself to limit my gift-giving this year to just family and closest friends. Swear!

However, I won’t limit myself to party, party and more party. I have two parties to attend to over the weekend. One is the annual gathering of XGothongians – the Magdalo Group. This will be held at Mactan Isla Resort courtesy of Herbelle. After work, I have to rush to A. S. Fortuna where Anabelle will pick me up on the way to the resort.

Come Saturday is also the Christmas Party, Awards Night and Induction of New Officers of the Philippine Association of Secretaries and Admin Professionals. The party’s theme is Western so I will be donning my cowboy attire which I have been overly stressing about the past days. I will also take my oath as Vice President – Elect for 2010. Definitely, 2010 will be a busy year for me.

Next Saturday is the company Christmas Party at Maribago Bluewaters. I am grateful that I’m simply part of the core committee and no longer spearheading the event this year. I took care of the venue which I’m glad was already settled as early as October. I learned my lesson well last year when almost all good venues were already booked as early as September. We’re having a Carribean theme this year and I haven’t had the slightest idea what to wear. Well, I have my Sunday to search through heaps of clothes at Ukay-ukay stores. Sssshhh

There are two more parties that I will be attending in the coming weeks prior to Christmas Day and I am sure that the holiday binge will be up to a maximum level. And I can see myself ballooning before we hit the new year. Teehee!

Pictures to these parties will follow…

what lies ahead...

I joined this organization for secretaries and administrative professionals less than six months after I joined XL. My then boss encouraged me to join for career growth and networking. I wasn’t officially accepted yet coz as a newbie, one has to attend 3 consecutive meetings and undergo a panel interview with the members of the board. Well, it took me a year to be accepted as I haven’t really completed the required 3-consecutive-meeting requirement save for my perennial absences. In August of 2006, I took my oath to be able to cast my vote to the incoming officers. I was officially inducted as member December of the same year.

It has been almost four years of being a member of PAS. PAS gave me numerous opportunities to learn and to grow. I was trusted with some roles and positions that I thought I can’t do from the very start and yet, was able to pull it through in the end. I started as a member then a committee chairperson and eventually a member of the prestigious Board of Trustees.

In the coming year, I am thrust to one of PAS’ vital posts as Vice President Elect. With the position comes a very challenging role of spearheading the 11th Regional Conference and ultimately leading the association as President in 2011. Such an enormous responsibility if I may say. If one asks if I am ready… I don’t think I am and I am scared as hell to be honest about it! I’ve seen the best and the worst of this association and its membership. There even came a point when I got sick and tired of the system and wanted to quit. But better things like friendships and the learning experience outweigh the negative side. And knowing that I can do something that will make this association a better one is another reason why I am up for the challenge. I know I am threading on uncertain path --- we don’t know what lies ahead in the next two years. This year, we had the recession with companies folding and people losing their dear jobs. It might get worst in the coming years. For a professional organization like PAS, we are affected by the status quo. Thus, I need as much wisdom and inspiration from PAS members and past presidents before I take the hot seat. May God be with me and the association.

“Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.” -Eleanor Roosevelt -

Random Thoughts Today

I finally have on my hands the gift certificate for Cebu-Incheon-Cebu roundtrip ticket courtesy of Cebu Pacific. I’m still contemplating of really using the GC or just sell it. I’m having problems securing requirements for my passport. The NSO copy of my birth certificate isn’t clear so I need to have my folks back in Bislig get a copy from our local registrar. But they’ve been sitting on it for months now. Well, my father is having bouts with arthritis and can hardly walk. My mother got no time coz she’s working so it will never happen. I already have a ready buyer but as to how much I really don’t know. Anyway, I’ve decided not to use the GC. Incheon can wait.

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I’m not sure if it’s girl power or what but a few of my officemates are throwing their husbands out of the house and out of their lives. One husband was caught exchanging sweet text messages with a colleague. The wife freaked out of course, who wouldn’t? The other husband was forced out because of being irresponsible and a perennial drunk. The wife had enough and was giving the husband an ultimatum. The husband just brushed it off thinking the wife isn’t serious. Boy oh boy was she serious. I also had some issues with my husband the past week. What is it with husbands nowadays? They seem to be taking the wives for granted assuming that we’ll stick it out with them despite their flaws, stupidity and infidelity. Well, women now are independent and can definitely survive without them so they better get their acts together.

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I don’t want to blurt it out yet without seeing obvious results but this is just to remind myself of this quest. I’ve started eating less already. I realized that my food intake has been the main source of my weight problem. I have been eating less rice since last Monday --- only half cup per day. It’s tough considering that I am a certified foodie but I have to do this or else I’ll die early. I am also starting a habit of doing the morning walk around the village. This I haven’t sustained though since I always sleep past midnight and waking up early is such a chore. Last Saturday, I sweat it out with my sister in the badminton court. I guess, my groove is back and I wish to really keep it going and going until it becomes a part of my system. Wish me luck!

APY 2009

"The documentary film, The Secret reveals the most powerful law in the universe – that every human being has the ability to transform any weakness or suffering into strength, power, perfect peace, health and abundance. If you think positively, you will attract positive vibes. When I think that I’ll be the Administrative Professional of the Year, I became one.”

Above statement was supposed to be the intro of my acceptance speech but didn’t get the chance to say because I left the copy in my purse and it would look awkward running to my chair from the stage to get it. Nevertheless, I made it. I was declared as this year’s Administrative Professional of the Year (APY). Maybe I already knew it from the start that I’ll bag the award. The thought process was so powerful. It wasn’t an easy ride though – the written exam and the nerve-wrecking panel interviews. My mentors JPL and Ms.O were rooting for me and they never fail to give me the push. Now, I am among the roster of secretaries and administrative professionals who were recipients of this prestigious award. Yehey!!!

And boy oh boy did I receive fabulous prizes! I received a roundtrip ticket Cebu – Incheon – Cebu from Cebu Pacific Air (it’s time to get my passport...yeah,yeah me no passport yet **shy grin**), a gold ring with 4 pound pearl from M.Lhuiller, a TIMEX watch, cash prize and a lot more. I feel like winning a pageant or the Oscars’ last Saturday night and I couldn’t contain my happiness.

So, thank you PASAP for this recognition. It’s something that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

More thank you's:

Dexter Alazas for my gown, Sylvette for the killer red shoes, Jon for editing my speech, Dona for the other dress I wore and Mary Ann for ironing my hair