25/05/2026
Eleven years ago, a 20-year-old girl stood near this exact spot, gripping a folder of resumes with white knuckles. I was a provinciana girl walking into the towering, glass-and-steel jungle of Makati for a walk-in job hunt. To say I was intimidated is an understatement. The buildings felt like they were leaning over, whispering that I didn't belong. The fast-paced corporate crowd, the sharp suits, the echoing footsteps in the underpass—it all terrified me. My heart was a chaotic mix of wild ambition and paralyzing fear, desperately praying for just a tiny seat in this massive corporate world.
Fast forward to today.
I stopped at this exact spot, looked up at the Paseo de Roxas sign and the familiar skyline, and a wave of shock hit me. I am literally living what I prayed for. The girl who used to be terrified of the elevator rides is now sitting at tables with the big names of the industry. The learning curve has been immense, and every masterclass this field has taught me was bought with grit and resilience. I’ve discovered what I can uniquely bring to the table, and I’m still evolving every single day.
If I could reach back through those 11 years, tap that scared 20-year-old on the shoulder, and show her a glimpse of my life right now, she wouldn't believe it. Praise the Lord!
Am I still scared sometimes? Honestly, yes. The stages get bigger, and the stakes get higher. But if there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s this: Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. Being brave means you are terrified, but you straighten your posture, lock eyes with your future, and show up anyway.
To anyone standing at the bottom of a mountain they want to climb: Keep going. The view from the top is worth every single step.
