Hey, it's Father's Day today.

How do one become a good Father? 

Bitterness aside, I really don't know.

I see única hijas like me around me and they seem to see their dad as the best person in the world. They pattern the traits of their would-be husbands after their dads.  I envy them.  

Bitterness aside, I really don't know. 

I grew up seeing women in our family establish our family.  They make the decisions and the fathers are only consultants - worse, not consulted at all.  They are the breadwinners, the bearer of values, the gatekeepers, and most of all the one who decides if you're allowed to go out with your teenage friends and how much allowance you're allowed to have today. So if you ask me what was the Father's role in the family?

Bitterness aside, I really don't know. 

I used to pretend that my dad was my best friend. He get's me out of trouble by simply not telling mama about it.  He drove for me when I didn't know how to drive for myself.  He, at certain times, worked hard to buy me things I need/want. He was actually there when the time calls for it. We have a just-ok relationship and I think I got my artsy vibes from him.  These actually begs the question: are those the only roles a dad should fulfil?

Bitterness aside, I honestly don't know. 

But what I know is that my older brother turning out to be a great dad to his two kids.  I am surprised and at the same time impressed! I have seen in his eyes genuine love - the constant need to ensure his family's safety and to provide for them. I think those are enough as proof to be a good father.

So to you, Kuya, Daddy, Tatay, Titos and all the dads I know - Happy Father's Day!

Slackers at work should be stoned to death.

Slackers at work should be stoned to death.  I mean it.  They should die in ineptitude mud along with the rapists and serial killers.

Live My Life

ZenithOptimedia's employee exchange program to foster diversity and life changing experiences.

So, apart from The Eye, Saturday Borough, and the Duke of York, what's there to see in London?  I think I want to visit two great women from there:  Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.

I was lucky enough to get in an office program called Live My Life.  Think of it as a talent exchange program done not for an entire school year but only for a couple of weeks.  The aim is to be culturally immersed with each market's culture and transfer these learnings to own marketing through research and initiative/s.

This is actually a reward to the company's "Person of the Year" awardee while the rest had to pitch/sell in their own little creative way why we deserve to do so.  Do I look like "Person of the Year" material?  Of course, I had to pitch my way in, silly goose!  I actually coerced my boyfriend to shoot, edit, render and upload the my application video which was done overnight like a school project or a porn movie.  Mine wasn't as creative as others judging from the entry videos so far.

As this is an exchange program, each participant have the chance to host a visitor from other market and be hosted as well.  The talent head didn't match each participant in a whim .  She had to ensure that we actually are compatible with each other.  There are only 3 participants from PH office this year.  The others are going to Paris and New York.

The first one already went to visit Paris.  She said she was really happy and finds the city beautiful. The people are really nice especially her host who was kind enough to provide her a couch for her to sleep in her 3-br apt she shares with her friends.  She didn't speak a lot about work there though as her host ensured that she would have more time touring the city and tasting the cheese!

I will be hosting mine this September, only a few weeks from now, and I haven't actually figured out where she will be bunking.  I was looking at getting her a room of her own in my building (although that will be expensive) or just kicking out my boyfriend (oh yes, the same one - no other one - who helped me with my audition video) for a couple of weeks to save money.  My guest is from Spain and is also part of their Digital Team.  How awesome is that?

I initially plan to take her to places I have been like the La Union or probably to Zambales to surf and we can stay at the Circle Hostel (the place to be!) or we can go farther to Vigan if I'm allowed to take days off.  Tagaytay is also a must and maybe I might just take her to the Walk This Way Tour just for kicks.

More of this soon.  Wish me luck!

Counting My Blessings

It's not boasting if it's true and told in a matter-of-fact way.  

How do you like my Elphaba look?
Green hair and stockings + black dress.

People at work say that my promotion announcement is the most extravagant announcement in our company's history.  Champagne toasts, round of applause, cheering and jeering at  Opus on a Friday night with the rest of the team, clients, partners, and friends.

This is not actually true.  It was all about being in the right place, right time AND (especially) having awesome friends.  The company was actually launching a new division/business and it was our Chairman's birthday.  My opportunist office-friends (you know who you are), as expected, fancied the moment to also toast me!  I am not much of a public speaker and I think it's already abusing the moment so I just went up there and squeaked my simple thanks.  

Kidding aside, it does feel great to be appreciated especially those times when it's most needed.  

Team Awesome with our game faces
sans the big boss