13/01/2026
The road to the rental business is never easy. There will be moments when the journey feels lonelyâbut persistence is what turns solitude into success.
This realization became very clear to me yesterday.
I was at the office processing the monetization of my leave credits so I could raise additional funds for our ongoing rental property project. An officemate asked what I planned to do with the money. Feeling proud and hopeful, I shared photos of our construction. We have worked together for more than 15 years, and I genuinely believed that, as a friend, she would be happy for me.
I was wrong.
Instead of encouragement, I was met with doubt and comments that caught me off guard. One remark implied that my property might become a âflood controlâ project because it was too nice for someone who is âjust a government employee.â I calmly explained that I was monetizing my leave because funds were tight and that I did not want to take on another loan, as I already had significant obligations with Pag-IBIG and credit cards. Another officemate added a side comment about building a pool and how expensive its maintenance would be.
Those words disturbed my peace. I went home disappointed, unsettled, and regretting that I had shared anything at all. I realized that I had been unconsciously seeking validation from people who neither understood nor truly cared about the journey. In doing so, I exposed something precious to unnecessary negativity.
That night, I made a quiet decision: not everyone deserves access to your dreams.
People often see the outcome, but they do not see the stress, the fear, the sacrifices, and the hard work behind it. Not everyone will celebrate your progressâespecially when it reminds them of the dreams they never pursued. Some would rather see you remain where they are, because your growth unsettles their comfort.
My realization:
Work silently. Stop seeking approval from people who do not share your vision. Trust that you are on the right path, even when it feels lonely, heavy, or slow. Every small step toward your dream mattersâit is proof that what you are building is becoming real.
When you feel tired or burned out, pause and restâbut never quit. Big dreams are not achieved overnight. Strong foundations take time, patience, and faith.
Move forward. Pray. Trust the process.
God is with youâeven in the quiet, unseen moments.