An Evening At San Miguel

With a simple thank you and God bless, I ended my talk at the Corporate Library of San Miguel last evening. A warm round of applause followed the end of my simple sharing. Around 20 of San Miguel’s employees took time off their busy schedules to attend the April learning session.

I was invited last March by Bong from the Organizational Development arm of San Miguel, to give a talk at one of their monthly learning sessions. This is part of their Values Program to further instill the corporate values of their company.

Every time I’m given a chance to speak in front of an audience I make it a point to try my best to do so. It’s something that I’ve been doing as a way of giving back. I want to share the unique experience I’ve gained, insights I’ve been blessed to have as a result of living with Pompe. Truth be told I’ve learned a lot because of Pompe.

Some might say that having Pompe is a negative experience, I look at it as something positive. As much as living with Pompe is a constant struggle, I’ve learned so much from it. Of course life would be easier if I didn’t have it but I might also not be the person I am today if I didn’t go through it. I like who I am today.

The setting at the learning session was an intimate one. A few chairs and couches were prepared. The atmosphere was cozy. I shared with them several stories which were tied to specific lessons I’ve learned and lived by all these years.

From lessons on ThisAbility (turning a negative into positive), success as a process, being the best you can be, trying as the first step to success and faith, I’ve tried to impart to the audience how all these things have helped me get to where I am today.

From a distance where I am right now might not be much but looking closely and examining the road I took to get to where I am, you then realize that to a certain extent I am successful.

My teacher in highschool once wrote on top of our blackboard “Success is not where you are but how you get there”, it’s been one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my life. This has also been echoed by renowned leadership guru John Maxwell in one of his books where he stated “Success is a process”.

To the people at San Miguel who watched and took time out to hear me speak, my deepest thanks. It’s been a great experience for me as well.

2 Replies to “An Evening At San Miguel”

  1. Dickoy, the pleasure is ours. It was one of the most touching learning sessions we’ve ever had. It is indeed providential that our paths have crossed. You know what, I’ve long wanted to pursue an advocacy. It’s a shame that I’ve always referred to my “busyness” (sometimes, read as not being financially able)as some form of a learned helplessness. I missed those days when I was still in the academe when I devoted my summer breaks teaching underprivileged would-be preschool children pro bono. I’ve converted one of the rooms in my parents’ house into some sort of a day care center. It was a nice breather having to teach children; after all, I’ve been teaching college students since the time I laid my hands on my diploma until corporate life entered the scene. Yeah, a topsy turvy and demanding corporate life should not get in the way of the very things that make me happy. I’m still in the process of figuring out which advocacy to take. I’d love to teach children or, perhaps, write for a cause. Being in the field of psychology, I think I could also make a difference in counseling battered wives and children or in designing behavioral programs for the mentally challenged. Well, the list can go on and on. It may mean having to contemplate on what best I can do. But, yes, it is because I do not dare that make things difficult. Again, thank you for inspiring me with the gift of your person.

  2. Hi Bong, Thanks for leaving a note. Go do what your heart tells you. Whether it’s a simple thing or a big one, as long as you’re doing something with your life and you’re happy that’s good.

    Thanks again for inviting me. Maybe we can do it again sometime.

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