Breezy Saturday Get-Away

This is one of our many family ‘get-aways’, first in 2012. We stayed in our friend’s vacation house at Tagaytay.

This is my Ate Joy, she’s staying in manila for a vacation but soon will be back in Dubai for work :) 

My pretty cousin and her awesome printed top :) 

Ate Les and her baby bump :) 

My Lola and her grandchildren :) 

My overly sweet parents! :) 

My dad trying to teach my lola how to use her iPad LOL! hahaha!

Perfect way of spending weekend :) 

Second Half: Work, MadHouse & Life

Second half of my 2011 has been the best roller coaster ride. Up, down, upside down, endless circular motion of happiness and sadness.

I spent most of my second half working my ass of producing our pilot episode and the rest of Ako Ang Simula Season1. Everything was worth it though. Back in college, I remember always getting away with everything I want. Skip classes, delay deadlines and stuff. But in ABS-CBN, deadlines are deadlines, or else you’ll either get no salary or prepare for a ‘sabon’ session. Haha! Our episodes air every saturday, and there is no way we can’t air an episode. At work I’ve experience how to push myself to the limits just so we could produce an episode. I learned to value DEADLINES!

Last part of 2011 was a bit weird. My closest friends stopped talking to me. For some reason, they’ve hated me, or at least I’ve assumed that they hate me. Or simply they’ve been indifferent because they never really cared anymore. Then followed one of my best friends started ignoring me. I know why and I don’t know what to do. For both situations, I’ve been down on my knees, but I got no response. It hurts a lot. But then I have no choice but to go on with my life. I need to pick-up myself and be happy again, even if it means without them, after all they could be happy without me as well. And then again, I have to remind myself: People walk in and out for your life, and you’re in no way have the control over them. Some people out-grow friendships, a harsh fact. But you got no choice but to accept it. 

Last quarter of 2011 was packed! October, we launched MADHOUSE-MANILA in partnership with Vince and Mond and Jose Cuervo Tequilla. FlightSexy 2011 happened at KYSS! It was a huge success with over 300 attendees.

This was followed by more prod jobs and event coverages. Last quarter of 2011 was for MADHOUSE-MANILA! And this december we have been conceptualizing and working our asses off to produce our new baby ;) (Wait of it this 2012!) Kudos to the hardworking creative team of MadHouse-Manila!! We’ll own 2012!! It’s ours! Haha!

Spare me the story for the ‘love’ part. I wanna keep it to myself :) 

2011 has been good to me, over-all. As usual, there are ups and downs, but what the hell, that’s life! And what is a life without sufferings and sadness. I am somewhat thankful for these downers, they made me appreciate more the happy days! :) 

First Half: The College and Career

2011 has been an eventful year for me. Punong-puno and siksik na siksik. Of course with these were lessons learned.

Early this year I’ve finished college. Apart from the many things taught by my professors, I’ve learned how to survive with passion and with dignity. After our thesis, I have finally said to myself, “Kaya naman pala!”. And that one of the most refreshing highlights of my year. There were times we would be facing unbelievable challenges while shooting or on the streets or with our case studies. And most of the time, we have thought of giving up. But I am just thankful we didn’t, because we made it through! 

Summer 2011 was really unforgettable. It was that time when I was just so happy about everything. It was as if all the puzzle pieces have come to its proper places. The happiness was overwhelming. Maybe part of it was because I am no longer worrying about school and maybe because I am excited to get it on the real world. 

June was indeed the most packed and most exciting month of the 2011. 2nd week of June, I got employed and I have learned one of the biggest lessons of my life: Opportunities present itself like a magical spirit that excites all the nerves of the body. But, you have to grab it when it presents itself, grab it whenever you can because you’ll never know when will it appear again. I was asked to join a new team for a new show at ABS-CBN. There was hesitation and anxiety. I was nervous to accept the offer and I was anxious to decline it. I remembered my mentor telling me that whenever she offers a job, there are only two answers she accepts, Yes or No. And an “I’ll think about it” answer falls under the NO category. So I immediately gave out a YES! 

Last week of June, I graduated. Yes, ceremonies at DLSU happens on June. For all I could think of, this is just a formality because I am already done with college and I already have a job. But as soon as I have worn my Toga, everything felt differently. I am happy cause I know I have finally proven myself worth of my parents’ hard work for about 16 years of sending me to school. I also gave them my medal, because they deserve it more than I do. I finished off college with a Honorable Mention. I remember telling myself, “Sus, award award lang yan, hindi dyan nasusukat ang galing ng tao…” Which I know is true! But it felt so good bringing home a medal. I was bit disappointed with myself towards the end though. I know I’d be a Cum Laude if only I didn’t purposely fail quizzes and if I did attended classes more often. Regrets are part of our daily lives, from regretting the words you’ve said or the action you’ve made, to regretting a big decision that changed your life. I’d rather regret not doing the things I did, than forever think of what could have been if I did otherwise. Regrets are natural. The trick is on handling regrets. The fun part is on what you do with it. Regret something, stand up, make sure you never do it again. Well, at least that’s how I do it. 

During graduation, people were being called out for awards. I am proud of my batch mates and friends who got the Latin awards with much knowledge of whatever we had accomplished. But I am sad for those finished college and got huge gold medals but doesn’t even how to edit, or shoot or use the Photoshop, do at least a decent layout or write in good structures. We all have our forte, but I believe we need to be well-rounded so we could be globally competitive employees. Theories, books, enumeration, there usage ends at school. But street-knowledge, diskarte, practical skills, you bring them with you until you die.

I always tell my classmates and friends, DISKARTE lang! In everything you do, Diskarte lang! Stop whining and find a solution all by yourself. If you can’t find a solution, make a solution. Diskarte: greatest lesson I’ve learned in college, and I’m proud to say I still have it with me :)