Doodling: It’s More Fun in the Philippines

When situations, school loads and others are stressing me terribly, I used doodle to ease the tension and to unwind. I’m not a pro and not even good in drawing. But there’s something on the strokes and coloring the cute creatures on the blank sheet of the doodle art that just simply alleviates my stress and calm my heart.I just can’t explain the feeling. All I feel is that when I color the doodle art, it makes me feel more relaxed.

When I’m so much stressed, I pour out my heart coloring doodle art. I told you, I’m not a pro. hihi

Doodling Art

But doodling was like an underrated form of art in the Philippines. Most of the time people labeled it as mere of hobby or just for a leisure time. That’s why I was overjoyed to hear that Titus Pens is holding a doodling art competition, Titus iDoodle on-the-spot Ballpen Art Competition Battle of the Champions. I was entirely excited to attend the event to find out what’s in store for the doodling art in the Philippines. 

Doodling: It’s More Fun in the Philippines

From a mere hobby,  doodling in the Philippines has grown into something – a more respectable form of art. The competition has showcased the talent of thousands young artists in the Philippines. I felt delighted to discover how rich our country with bulk of talented people.

There are groups like the Doodle Art Enthusiasts  that features the talents of doodlers in the country. The group also aim to inspire other people through this art and empower every doodler on their talent. If you have the heart on doodling, I encouraged you to be part of their group so you can get to know more with other people who have the same passion on doodling. 

 

 

 

Youngest contestant I met on the event. She’s just 8 years old! Very talented indeed.

The theme’s competition is about promoting the Philippines or showcasing why is it more fun in the Philippines. Here’s the best of the bests that caught my heart:

 

One of the best entries! One way to appreciate that talent of young Filipinos

Promoting the beauty of Cebu through doodling!

Before the time was up for the contestants, I was able to take a shot of some doodle arts of the participants.

Highlighting Filipino values!

The love that never binds the Filipino family

This is my favorite output that I saw on the competition. This is the mark and the heart of a Filipino!

I do hope that this kind of competition will continue for the coming years. Let’s us showcase and highlight what we have.  This is also the best way to maximize the talent of young artists in our country. The event will teach you 3 things:

1. Appreciate and love our own

Don’t overlook what’s literally in front of you. Appreciate our own. Our country has a lot to offer, innumerable places to visit, and sumptuous food and delicacies to try. (Read here: Love Local: Marikina’s Best – Food.Shoes.Places)

 

2. Maximize what you have

If you have the gift and talent, show it to the world. Flex it once in a while. Don’t make it jelly. Put your passion on it. (Read here: The Time is NOW!)

3. Connect to the right people

You can’t do it alone. You need people who will bring out the best in you and will tell that you can do it. Most of the time your fear subsides whenever you find people who have the same interest and passion like yours. Connect to their group and get to know them. Just be careful on what group you’ll join and people you’ll connect. Make sure they are the type of people who will unleash your potentials.  (Read here: While You’re Still Young and Amazing)

I salute the Star 360 and Titus Pens for uplifting the Filipino talents through this event. 

3 Gifts that Matter on Christmas

When you enter the age of young adulthood, responsibilities will welcome you and your priorities will be eventually adjusted. The things that you thought matters highly on your life will suddenly veer from your top priorities. And these changes will allow you to realize what really matters in life.

Like Christmas, the momentous day where the greatest gift of the Father was born -the day that marks our gratitude and the love we received from Him. Christmas is something that you can’t just remove on the calendar. Christmas for some became an avenue to receive numerous gifts and their wishlist, to finally meet Santa and his elves. It became a day for the kids and even a day for sumptuous feast.

But as you embark your journey as a young adult, you will gradually realize what really matters in life – the authentic gift that can never be equated to all superficial things. That all you received on Christmas day and all your properties and material things are just really meaningless.

I can sum up to the three  most important gifts in our lives that we must not take for granted this Christmas.

1. The Gift of Family

No one can ever replace your mother, father, and your crazy siblings as much as you want to look for other family. You are there for a purpose and this Christmas why not be grateful that you have your family and your relatives.

Christmas means loving and forgiving. If you have been hurt and still have a hard time to forgive, this is the right time to release all the pain and let go. Remember that just like you, your family is never perfect. Your mom and dad make mistakes just like you, but despite that fact, they are still your parents.

GIFT OF FAMILY. Christmas with my relatives. Nothing beats the bond and fun with them

This is the time to be grateful to your family and to give them some token of appreciation. Why not treat them to a spa or in a hotel? Or just have a short but quality vacation. This Christmas let’s not take for granted our loved ones and spend quality time with them.

2. The Gift of Time

In the era where everything can be bought, there is an essential gift that no one can ever buy: the gift of time. It is a gift that no one can steal and turn back. It is the gift the most busy family and individual are in hunger and yearning for.

GIFT OF TIME. A year was added to me and I’m no longer a teenager. Grateful for the gift of time for it makes me have a quality moment with the special people in my life.

This Christmas let’s appreciate the time we spend to our family. The time we spend for ourselves and the time we spend for Him. Let us reflect on our goals, achievements, failures and how it gave us a remarkable lesson in our lives.

There are people out there whose days are already numbered so don’t waste your time living just like yesterday. Take your time to achieve your dreams and to conquer your fear. Go to an extreme adventure that you have never done before!

3. The Gift of Giving

Do not treasure things where moths live. Learn to give. Share how God has blessed you. Give back to your parents who were more than willing to sacrifice just to provide for you and give you the best. Take away that “kuripotology” that stinginess in your inner self. It’s never healthy at all.

GIFT OF GIVING. A treasured moment with the Lola on the Home for the Aged of Anawim Foundations. I greatly learned from all the lolas. I will surely comeback

One of the most priceless reward to receive is when there are people who are grateful for having you because you were able to help them and give to them not just in the means of money but in the means of love, time, advice and motivation.

This Christmas share what you have!

Christmas may be over on the calendar but it’s never too late to appreciate and realize these 3 gifts in your life that you may have overlooked for years. You can still seize these gifts for the true spirit of Christmas is not just on December 25, but it’s on our everyday lives. Like on the lyrics of a Christmas song, Christmas must truly be on our hearts. 

 

 

 

 

Embracing Serenity: 2 Staycation Hotels in Ermita, Manila

You might have been bombarded with pressures, deadlines, and circumstances lately and you are still pondering where to go. Give yourself a break and include these 2 hotels on your next staycation trip.

1. Hotel Kimberly

If you are on a budget yet you still want to embrace tranquil ambiance, and quality service and facilities, then you should go to Hotel Kimberly. The Hotel is just close to Robinson’s Ermita and LRT Pedro Gil Station. Perhaps you are familiar with their hotel in Tagaytay but if you’re sick having long trips, you can still have their hotel experience at their Manila Branch.

I love their interior! 

Their staff are very welcoming and they even invited us for a dinner but since we are running out of time we opted to decline and will just look forward for another invitation from them. 

 

Cafe K found just on the side of their lobby. Its ambiance is so cozy.

The following pictures are their rooms from Superior room to executive rooms. Their room rates are vastly affordable.

This is their smallest room or the Premier room that they offer. The space is well maximized that you can really feel relaxed upon checking-in on the room.

Deluxe Family Room. The room is certainly perfect for family.

Superior Room

Executive Room. Their rate for their biggest room is budget-friendly indeed. Regular rate is worth 5,900 per night but they have promo rate now worth 4,425, 25 percent off!

To check their budget-friendly rates, visit their website here 

 

 2. Miramar Hotel

An old hotel that has a lot of stories to tell. Built on the year of 1930, Miramar is classical and historical hotel perfectly located on Manila’s cultural hub and even facing the Manila Bay. The hotel is located along UN Avenue just beside the Bayview Park Hotel. 

From inside to outside look. Photo grabbed on Miramar’s website

What caught my attention is their wonderful paintings and artsy design wherever you go. 

Attractive indeed. Found in the Cafe Bar of the Miramar just beside the lobby

Small details and artsy craft have always attract me. Of course, a good and cozy rooms are already expected to a well-established hotels so I make sure I look for other details that hotel would stand out from others. 

If you’re into classical ambiance, then you can have your staycation in Miramar. But if you’re more into budget-friendly room rates and a relaxing ambiance, go to Hotel Kimberly. And if you’re still looking for more extreme relaxation than just staying on hotel, you can go hiking! Read my extreme adventure here

The tour was made possible by Ermita Malate Business Owners Association during their thanksgiving event #EMBOAHandogPasasalamat

Best Advice from Robert Kiyosaki and Masters of Wealth

The key to wealth is being generous; the more you give, the more you receive. – Robert Kiyosaki

Being rich means giving back. If you just keep your money for you own, it is just useless. You need to have a driving force to reach out other people.

But being financially free is never an instant. It will cost you and demand something from you. And for you to get there, you need not only passion but also practice. Action sets the difference to make your dreams come true.

Robert Kiyosaki during his talk at the National Achievers Congress 2015 last November 30. (C) Rappler

During the Robert Kiyosaki Live in Manila last November 30 at SMX, Mall of Asia, the Masters of Wealth (MOW) including Robert Kiyosaki have shared advice, motivation, and insights to all the entrepreneur and businessmen who were there to witness the National Achievers Congress 2015 brought by Laurus Enterprise and Success Resources.

Here are the following advice coming from MOW:

Robert Tiopel, top international trainer, emphasized the importance of working smart and reminded the delegates to be authentic and remain who they are. From Tiopel:

1. Shift your mindset from working hard to working smart. 
Freedom will not come from working eight hours a day, but working smart and taking risk to embrace opportunities and venture new things.

2. If you have passion, you will do something no matter what
Not pursuing your passion is just so bad. Life is short not to do craft that you really love. Take away that fear and pursue your passion

Mario Singh, Asia’s No. 1 forex coach, followed after Foxx and discussed how forex works and how we can generate money through it. From Singh:

Thousands of entrepreneurs seeking for more advice and learning at Robert Kiyosaki Live in Manila (c)Peng Joon’s Facebook Account

 

 

3. Success is a decision
Are you committed to succeed? It is in the moment of your decision that your destiny is being shaped. You have to decide to succeed!

4. System will set you apart from the other
Remember 97% of people fail because they don’t have system. Success is not about how good you are but how good the system is.

The No. 1 wealth coach, J.T. Foxx mentored entrepreneurs and shared the reasons why people fail like fear, procrastination, lack of funds. 

5. Results will always do the talking
It is not how much you say but how much you do.

6. You need an accountable partner
Who are going to be your pusher? Who are going to encourage you when you badly want to give up? Stop thinking you can do everything on your own

Foxx humoring the crowd during Robert Kiyosaki Live in Manila (c)Rappler

Foxx added that for you to succeed, you need these 4 keys:
1. Right Strategy
2. Right System
3. Right Information
4. Right Coach

Andrew Matthews, illustrator and international speaker first took the stage to emphasize how we can have a happy life – that happiness is never an accident; it is how you carry your situations in life.

7. Happiness is a choice
Happiness is how you respond to your situation. Happy people enjoy and embrace the problems. The joy is always on the challenge

8. You can do the impossible when you change your thoughts
Be positive and be grateful. Focus on what you currently have.

“You don’t find happiness in the absence of problems. You find happiness in spite of problems.” – Andrew Matthews

The leading authority in wealth creation online, Peng Joon  shared how we can maximize the internet to generate income.

9. People fail because of information overload
For you to avoid information overload, you have to create a step by step process. System matters!

Peng Joon sharing his story of success. Disclaimer: I do not own the photo

10. The best investment is constant learning
Learning is priceless!

And the most-awaited speaker of the conference, the author of the bestselling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad was the last to give his insights.

11. People are poor because they are not taught to be a good entrepreneur.
Study things that will help you to be a good entrepreneur.

12.The reasons why poor people are poor is because they practice being poor
Act and practice like a successful and rich person

13. The best way to learn is by doing
Study. Practice. Apply

14. Study what will help you to be rich and successful
“If you want to be an employee, go to school. If you want to be rich, you don’t need school” – Kiyosaki. Study subjects like selling, marketing, advertising, public relations etc.

15. Buy assets first and let it pay your liabilities
You can buy your dream car if you work on your assets first and let it pay your dream car. Train your brain to get what you want.

16. You need a team
You can’t do it alone. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. 

If you want to be financially free, there are a lot of things you can try. Think like an entrepreneur and successful person. Sell product in the internet, go to forex, ebay, and amazon, build your business etc.

Masters of Wealth after the National Achievers Congress 2015 (c)Cashflow Club

Study things that will make you rich. Just bear in mind that it takes time to be financially free so you must constantly work smart and be persistent on your goal.

Never get tired to solve problems. Continue to solve problems! Remember you are born to succeed! Unleash the potential within you.

The business conference was also brought by Light Network.

 

 

 

 

 

Her amazing journey: Road to 20

        From a little caterpillar to a full-blown butterfly, your amazing blogger turned 20! I’m nostalgic in a way realizing how time flies. Now that I’m out of teenage years, I am overjoyed to say that I had the best teenage years.

One thing I’m thankful on my road to 20 is that I succeeded to face my fear and intimidation. Without conquering it, I would not be able to meet amazing and best people who mentored me and encouraged me to unleash my potentials.

To all the teenager and young at heart out there, don’t be afraid to try something new. Pursue your passion and fight for your dreams. Never look down on yourself just because you are young. 

These are the things I learned and made my 20 years of existence more meaningful.

1.  Meet new people and learn from their experience

Never get intimidated to start a conversation to people you just met for the first time. Know their stories and learn from them. 

Whenever I attend an event, I’m usually part of the young people or sometimes I’m the youngest on the audience. Naturally, it’s intimidating to talk with professional people knowing their  expertise. But along the process, I managed to overcome my  intimidation and was able to talk with successful people from  different fields. Who would have taught that I can have a constant communication with CEOs? I never even imagined it. The only key is to have that innocence. Just be genuine and makesure you are really enjoying the conversation.

Sometimes it’s good to be innocent or clueless about the background of the people you are talking with. There was the time that I didn’t know I was talking to the bassist of Eraserheads and I only found out that he was the bassist when I googled his name at home.

Meeting new people is always amazing. You learned a lot from them and you learn from their mistakes. So you need to take  away  that fear and appreciate the beauty of each other’s stories

A year ago, I have a huge gratitude to Light Network for discovering my blog which led me to seize more opportunities

Meaningful conversation with the OMF authors! They are one of my inspirations in writing

My internship family at Manila Bulletin – Balita  during my mentor’s birthday celebration

Meeting new people from our neighboring countries! Some delegates of 42nd Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) during their visit at Gawad Kalinga Payatas Community.

2. Experience extreme adventure

Come out from your comfort zone! Try something new and  extreme. Though it will cost your physical strength, it will all be worth it at the end. Don’t limit yourself. Sometimes you’ll never  know that you can do it until you do it. Go hiking, snorkeling, bungee jumping, eat local. Perhaps, life is too short for you not to enjoy it.

 I always love to challenge myself that’s why I love to go extreme  adventure. Besides, nobody wants a dull life! Just like recently I went hiking with friends. Read it (here) 

I just touched the sky! Hiking at Mt. Balagbag, Licao Licao Bulacan

3. Go out alone
Contemplate about your life. Go out alone and go to a serene place. Think about your dreams and goals and write about it. It’s essential that you pause sometimes and regenerate your energy so you can be more focused after evaluating everything.

Going out alone is my favorite rejuvenating time. I usually go to milktea house just pondering and writing about life.  It’s like a relief to me whenever I remind myself with my goals, dreams and things that I should be grateful for.

Me time at my fave milktea house: Serenitea!

4. Take Risk and Face your Fear

 If you know how amazing your destination, you will never have second thoughts to take risk. You will face your fear no matter how it looks difficult for you know that your dreams are at stake.

Whenever I managed to face my fear and take risk, I always bear  in mind that I’m getting closer to my dreams and to my mind-blowing destination.

I was able to conquer the crowd and was able to share my love for writing.

Metamorphosing to a wonderful butterfly is extremely amazing. There may be pain and challenges along the road, but all these circumstances made my road to 20 more meaningful. It made me more equipped to face more challenges.

I’m heading towards my transition from being a student to a young professional – making myself ready for the big leap. Thank you  everyone for being part of my amazing journey. For more amazing years to come!