Start the Year Right

2018 has been a really amazing year for me.

I was able to travel to Bangkok, Batanes, Batangas, Mactan (Cebu) and Baguio City with very limited funds.  Actually, the only trip I personally paid for was the one I took to Baguio City last Oct 26-28. All my other trips were all-expense paid because they were either work-related or was sponsored.

So before I event start stating my TOP 3 GOALS for 2019 I would like to look back on the Year that was and pat myself on the back for a job well-done.

Aside from the trips I had, I also meet and re-connected with some wonderful people along the way. Plus, I got to accomplish the following feats:

• Finished writing an MBA STRAMA (Strategic Management) Paper for a long-time client.
• Produced and represented a short film about children in a gold-mining community.
• Helped organize and led the marketing team of Rebelde Film Camp Year 5
• Managed and organized a newer format of Rebelde Class (Batch 4)
• Coordinated the Ivana Chubbuck Masterclass in Manila 2018
• Organized a Fundraising Event for Toffer Guela

Over-all, it was a very productive year and before 2018 ended I also asked myself (and continue to ask myself) what I really want and need to focus on so I can be the kind of Film Producer I want to be.

Failing Forward. One of the biggest lessons I learned this year is to really listen to what my gut and my body is telling me. IF, at any time, I feel discomfort or claustrophobia, I need to ask myself what is causing it. I also asked myself numerous times if my decision to go back to TV work is aligned with my values. I know myself and I know what my TOP 2 Needs are: 
I need Variety (Uncertainty) and Growth. And given a myriad of options, I would always choose Freedom over Certainty or Security.

I almost went back to working for a reality show at ABS-CBN in October but I realized two weeks into it that I wouldn't really enjoy the process and that there really was nothing important for me to learn that I couldn't learn doing something else. Also, the time commitment that  the workload entails will not allow me to do anything else. So before the reality show started airing again on NOV 10, I said my goodbyes. Good riddance.

Two of things I am really proud of doing in 2018 are the ff:

• Getting my own apartment in Matahimik St.
• Joining a Victory Group composed of Creative People (writers).

The first decision was prompted by my need to really have some space to just re-charge and be by myself. I've been praying for it since DEC 2016 after my youngest brother and his family went to Canada so it was long overdue. Plus, I have always daydreamed of living near UP and Maginhawa St. so that's why I feel blessed to have been able to "inherit" Joy's attic.

The second decision was driven by my need to have a group of people who can help me grow spiritually and emotionally. I realized that I really want to know God and create a new ME - one who is more forgiving, more honest with herself, less of a people-pleaser, and one who is more assertive and ambitious so I can be a bigger blessing to my community.

For 2019, I will continue to focus on these 3 IMPORTANT ASPECTS of my Life;
-- Spiritual and Emotional  Growth
-- Physical Health and Vitality
-- Career Growth

I believe that the first 2 things will help me in achieving the third.

I also believe that cultivating an attitude of gratefulness is the key to manifesting the goals I wish to happen this coming year.

Hence, I am thankful that I have such a wonderful set of people surrounding me: my Rebelde family, my VG group, my Ricky Lee family,  Direk Rahyan Carlos. Edong and Doc Almond, Raz+Bing+Athan and my ABS-CBN Writers Circle Batchmates; my elem and HS barkadas, D'CORJI, and the amazing people I have yet to meet but who are in my FB Universe. I am thankful for each of them.

I am thankful for my growing family and for my brand new niece: ALANA LUCIA B. RANIDO who was born last January 4. I am grateful for my new iPhone that my brothers gifted me for Christmas. I am super grateful for the job I have with istoryamanila and for all the wonderful set of events that will unfold this 2019 that will allow me to contribute my unique set of strengths and skills to the film industry.