Finding my purpose.

Purpose.

That word had been bugging me the whole year of my last year in college. I was anxious before graduating, wondering if I’ll ever get to be part of something big where I can fulfill my dream of doing stuff that matters. I was targeting to get into NGOs, since that was my only idea of how to get involved in development-related endeavors. However for some reason only God knows, I ended up in the doorstep of the present company I’m working for. It’s only been a month since I started working and so far, I have learned that giving back to the community is not limited by your affiliations, may it be corporate, NGO, or Government-related. I couldn’t believe it. I was suddenly swooped off my feet and became part of something BIG! And by big I mean taking Philippine Tourism to a whole new level.

For this, I have the pleasure of formally introducing to you Meet Manila: a travel portal that just recently launched its advocacy for #ThoughtfulTourism. The idea has spread like wild fire in the online travel community and we have been getting heaps and heaps of support from people who share the same vision for the country. We were so overwhelmed when we reached 10,000 Facebook likes in a matter of three short weeks. All our efforts materialized in the launch party, A Tertulia Night for #ThoughtfulTourism, when we got to actually meet fellow travel enthusiasts and individuals, Heroes of Filipino advocates, and media partners.

I wasn’t able to talk to all of Meet Manila’s Heroes during the launch party, but I was able to get to know one of them, Mr. Antonio Ingles of Aral Pinoy. His views, backed up by his works in educating young Filipino children, was a major addition to the inspirational surge I gained from the launch party.

Quite honestly, meeting the Heroes, travelers, and sponsors for #ThoughtfulTourism had me go “what have I done in the past 22 years?” Lol. Then again maybe Mr. Ingles is right:

“You are a hero at your own right” kept ringing in my head when I read Mr. Ingles’s reply on Facebook. Needless to say I am very grateful to be part of the best team there is. We have the most dedicated individuals in Meet Manila, each and every single one of us hoping for #ThoughtfulTourism to move every single Filipino to take good care for our places, people, and culture. Everyday I am rewarded by knowing that I am part of that BIG thing I so long wished to be part of.

I suppose it’s true what they say: the only thing that will limit you in this world is yourself. We limit ourselves with the fear of change and ridicule — or we pin ourselves down with ideas of our so-called smallness. We serve no one by doing this. It truly doesn’t matter where you come from, what you do, with whom you are affiliated, as long as your endeavors are for a purpose — a purpose of taking your community to a better place. I found mine and I’m really hoping for the best out of this.

In behalf of Meet Manila, a warm thank you to all of you!

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Cooking for Dummies: Breakfast

I woke up today feeling great. Good sleep (void of bad dreams) makes a happy person in the mornings. And since mornings are usually my favorite parts in my days, I can say today started out pretty well.* It was after all time for me to test my newly acquired skills on garlic bread and sunny side up eggs. I stood up from bed a few minutes before the rest of the household (mainly comprised of my older brother and sister) stirred and woke up for their respective jobs.

I brought out pan de sal, oranges, butter, and organic eggs from the ref. I sliced the bread and the oranges as such; I minced the garlic. To be honest, my favorite kitchen activity is mincing garlic to very tiny and fine pieces. It took quite some time though, as it always does. And the smell that sticks to the fingers isn’t something I’ve gotten used to yet. Hm. My friends suggested we store a bunch of minced garlic in the freezer. Maybe one of these days, just for kicks, I’ll spend one whole day mincing garlic for storage. Lol.

Here now were the semi final products of my kitchen spree. Both my siblings were rushing out for their offices, so I picked out microwaveables  from the cupboard and packed them their breakfast: Two pieces of garlic bread, well done sunny side up egg, and a slice of orange each. Yes, I burned some of the bread (insert sad face here) because the timer of our toaster no longer works. Sure blame the timer, Aix. I completely forgot about that one detail so I wasn’t able to keep watch. Before I knew it, a good six pieces were already only edible for the trash bin. Ugh. Anyway, the failure got canceled out by well done sunny side up eggs! I did the flip. Except, I used a spoon for support lol, cheat.

Here was my breakfast. Because I don’t have work (yet) and I didn’t have to rush out of the house, I got to have my breakfast on an actual plate. Ha ha! I was very pleased with what I did, I rewarded myself with good coffee.

My learning out of this? Well, for one, I can now cook sunny side up eggs. And two, it’s true what they say: the best way to cure self-pity and loneliness is to reach out and take care of people other than yourself. It was very endearing when both siblings said they wish I was always home. I wish I was too.

*Background: Growing up, my parents made it a point to wake us at 7am everyday. Mainly because we used to have daily schedules that went something like this: 8am breakfast, 9am house clean up, 10am TV time, 12 lunch, 1pm siesta, 3pm tea/reading time, 5pm TV time, 6pm dinner, 7pm until 10pm free time. Until now, even if there are no schedules anymore, my mum thinks still being in bed at 9am is already a sign of laziness. My dad on the other hand would always say, “you’re burning daylight!” So yes, my body clock was developed as such. I love mornings.