Published

I never thought that my graduate school confessions entry – or any of my blogs – would someday get published in a national newspaper. My only intention in setting up a blog was for me to have an outlet from my complicated work-school-ministry-family life.

My blog, or blogging itself, has become a venue to fuel my interest in writing. Thus, in my Graduate School Confessions blogs, I try to record all my reflections, the lessons I’ve learned, even my mishaps, and the characters (professors and classmates) I encounter every term, so when I look back one day, I will be able to vividly remember my MBA days.

Confession: I’ve greatly admired those who can skillfully write, those who have the gift of literature. In my few years of immersing myself in the world of writers by buying and reading books, I have wished to have even just an ounce of a great writer’s ability to scribble his or her thoughts and a fraction of his or her imagination. I find it fascinating how people can write books, capture others' hearts by their articles (or blogs), and unknowingly inspire others to do the same: write!

Timing is everything. At the beginning of my first term at grad school, I decided to start blogging. It was a good take-off for me because I was enrolled in Business Writing at that time, and my professor was indescribably exceptional. My course helped me minimize my grammatical blunders. In fact, starting a blog compelled me to write, and write.

What’s my point? Today is the launching of my writing career. Well, that’s how Dr. Emil Hudtohan, my Ethics professor, described it. What started out as a blog about my BusCom subject became an article that was published in BusinessWorld under La Salle’s column, The View from Taft. Of course, due credit must be given (I know, I know, passive voice) to Ms. Marissa – a professor who is renowned for her writing and editorial expertise! – for her great persuasion. And yes, she did edit my work, cut it to a little over 800 words, and sent it as an entry for The View from Taft.

Starting this morning, I’ve been receiving feedback from family, friends, and classmates who had read it. They gave their overwhelming congratulations through email messages, text messages, Facebook wall posts, and phone calls. I felt as if I had won a Pulitzer!  At first, everything was just passing. But I realized that those God-inspired words had really made their way to the hearts of many. I had never realized how good (or in spiritual term, anointed) the article was until a classmate emailed me and said, “Congratulations, and thank you because the messages has truly touched my life.” He added, “I hope and pray that God will always use you as an instrument to spread His Word.”

Wow! I was at a loss for words. The impact of those words on me was indescribable in words. I was profoundly grateful and deeply humbled by God’s ways of using me, an ordinary, average student, to write in a newspaper column reserved for graduate school professors.

Confession: I started reading again the messages I had received earlier. This time, I was trying to read through their words and discern the impact the article had on them. What caught my attention and touched my heart the most was that a number of readers had said that the article had inspired them.

Out of curiosity, I researched the etymology of the word inspiration and what I received was a revelation. Are you ready for this?

The word inspiration comes from the French word, inspire, whose origin can be traced back to the Latin words in and spirare, which together mean “to breathe into.” The Latin root word spirare forms the base of other English words, such as aspire, conspire, transpire, and spirit. Note that last word, spirit, which means breath of life.

The ancient Greek was more specific as to the source of breath: God (Theopneustos, literally, God-breathed).  When God formed man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, Adam became a living being.

When we write, we can inspire others and breathe hope into them. God works in us, so we can extend His love, bring life to them, and, just maybe, remind them of their purpose and calling in life.

Getting published has taught me new lessons. And it did not just give me momentary bliss. It has inspired me to write some more.

What Noel Told Me About Grad School

Confession: I have not been doing much reflections these days. My school-life has been such a challenge and my work-life is not far behind.

The perpetual demands - and stress - are so draining that one has to pray for daily wisdom, grace, and strength. And for the past couple of weeks, I have felt the pressures from all sides: work, school, family, and ministry. I have to admit that if Jesus were my "significant other," - in reality, he is more than that - he would have broken up with me because of my schedule. But now, more than ever, I am grateful that his grace is sufficient for me, and I find his strength always perfect in the midsts of my failures and weaknesses. He is really the best person one could ever have in his or her life.

This term's set of challenges far outweighed the two previous terms of my first year in grad school. For one, I've been struggling to find my place in my Ethics class. I have to confess honestly that I was a little frustrated with the subject. I told a friend that it's either I have had great expectations from both my professors and my classmates or I have not been really paying attention to the lectures. Quite trivial. But if you know me well enough, you can probably answer that. As I am writing this, there is a slide presentation that I still need to review for our group report next week.

However, after my term paper on trees and personality test including MBTI, cosmology, generation classification, and Johari's window, I have felt a little appreciation of the subject. To give justice to professors who teach ardently, I acknowledge that I have come to understand myself better today because of the discussions we have had during the past ten weeks. Kudos to the Hudtohans for trying to educate us.

Another difficulty I am presently facing is my Management Science class. As of this blog, I have four assignments due on March 25, and my groupmates are either out of town or out of reach! Well, that's just a minor concern. Despite having Sir Dennis as my professor - as you know he's also my favorite professor - and being an accountant, I am scuffling every time I go to class.

Now, with all my school requirements (and my blog quota), I couldn't help it but recall what my late mentor Noel told me about his graduate school experiences. Surprisingly, I found hope remembering his stories in "the eye of the storm."

Pastor Noel was an industrial engineering graduate from U.P. Diliman and he earned his master's degree from Asia Institute of Management. On several occasions, he would tirelessly recount his grad school adventures - and yes, pains - as we would sit down and listen eagerly to his sharing.

One particular story that stuck into my mind was about a very strict professor who would give them five cases every week to read and study and would expect them to come to class prepared. Yes, five cases every week. Most of the students in that class were professionals and entrepreneurs. And on the top of their work responsibilities and business engagements, they had to do well in class. He said, and I remember well, that their professor would start to single out his students to discuss one case or to answer his perplexing questions. Because of this plight, Noel and his classmates devised a plan. They grouped themselves into fives and divide the assignments, then let each student summarize a case, and at least a couple of days before the class, he or she must give the group a copy, so they can study the case. Sounds like Strategic Management, huh? Fascinating, isn't it?

What Noel emphasized as I was listening to his story was that his five-cases-professor predicament made him realize that work never ends - either at school or at the office. Even if you work overtime and on weekends and exert so much efforts, you will never finish everything, and even if you do, there will still be more piling up on your desk the following day. At a certain point or at a certain hour of the day, you have to choose to stop: go home and enjoy the moment of solitude and rest. You have to know which one to prioritize, which one matters most. Grad school taught him that.

It was a lesson he had never forgotten. It is a lesson I must never forget.

Though he joined our Creator about five years ago, Noel's words live on. His MBA lessons, his passion, his faith, and his stories shared to me will always find their way back into my heart every time I need a little encouragement. :)

(unedited)

Understanding One's Self: Professional Tree

Audit and Corporate Policies

After graduating from University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, and passing the CPA board exam in 2002, I worked as an associate auditor at KPMG Laya-Mananghaya (now KPMG Manabat-SanAgustin). And after eight months of working as external auditor, I decided that it was not the right job for me – or not a job I truly wanted. I couldn’t imagine myself pencil pushing and number crunching until four in the morning and sacrifice my weekends any longer. My heart was longing to do something meaningful.

In 2003, an opportunity opened for me at the Department of Trade and Industry. The undersecretary for regional operations group Nelly Favis-Villafuerte was looking for an executive staff to handle the finance and operations of her sector. I took my chances and worked there for two years. Since we manage all DTI offices in 16 regions and 79 provinces, I had an invaluable training in MSMEs. I learned to appreciate more of our country’s best products and talents through local and international trade fairs.

When President GMA appointed my boss as Monetary Board member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2005, my boss offered me a job to handle corporate finance and banking policy research requirements for her office. Now, I am still enjoying my job – and the benefits! – at BSP. Doing policy research and sitting in the corporate audit and I.T. committees give me a better picture of how the central bank operates. My boss once told me that I am helping her help our country through sound monetary policies. For years, I have seen how my seemingly insignificant, unnoticed contributions made an impact to the banking industry.

Spiritual Leadership

As Christians, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As what my favorite author always says, “One of the most exciting spiritual adventures in life is helping another human being find God.” This is why I started THY Marketplace. It’s a place for young professionals to know Christ better and to make Him known to others. We conduct inspirational talks and activities for young people in the country and abroad.

Volunteerism

I’ve always had passion for volunteerism, so when Dr. Mylene Matti and her husband James Matti, founders of GreenEarth Heritage, asked me to be a member of the board of trustee of their organic agricultural foundation, I thoughtfully agreed. Being part of GEHF is an opportunity to help improve the lives of the farmers and, of course, promote healthy living. Community development is one of our goals in the next five years.

Business

My family background and work experiences have influenced my business inclinations. The 1415 Group is an accounting and I.T. consultancy business that I am still trying to establish. Hopefully, it can be a good way to help solve unemployment and improve stakeholders’ economic lives. My work experiences at DTI and involvements at BSP have helped me develop my management skills. I have brilliant business ideas, which, I believe, will one day come to pass.

One of which is to have my own chicken inasal outlets in Metro Manila! J

Confession: I have not really thought about the facets of my professional life until my Ethics professors required us to submit a term paper. Honestly, I don't think I have such remarkable acumen in business matters compared to the others. But what I do know is that every time I do something and put my heart into it, I bring results. I'm not saying, I am jack-of-all trades, master of none. I am simply called to do something different, unconventional. What I'm saying is that God has allowed me to have rich experiences at a young age and brought me to different fields for me to see where He is at work and how I can be a part of His plan.

Understanding One's Self: Inspirational Tree

I am a product of many influences and environments. I am a product of my family – and those whom I’ve considered family. My inspirational tree is an inclusive picture of who I am today. The people I specifically mentioned here have significantly influenced my life that their life stories and lessons share to me have shaped my heart and mind. Their wisdom and support are unparalleled.

My parents’ Christian faith ushered me to understand and accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ. They were instrumental to my Christianity. My faith is the very foundation of my values system and principles. Consequently, I try to live my life to honor God and to bless others. I am grateful that I have discovered my purpose and calling in the Lord.

From 1991 to 1996, my Sunday school teacher Betty Sue instilled in my heart many stories in the Bible and the words of Christ. In 2003, I met a remarkable pastor, Noel. He became my spiritual mentor and he imparted to me his life and love for Christ. One of the most unforgettable things Noel gave me was a letter he wrote in 2004. He died of cancer the following year. His letter remains in my office drawer today. He is survived by his wife Sandy who later became a friend and a spiritual counselor. In 2008, Sandy introduced me to a Korean couple, Pastor Ahn and his wife Samonym, who also became me my spiritual mentors and bible teachers.

One important character in my life is Marita. Our paths crossed when I was eighteen years old. She is fourteen years older than I. Marita continues to challenge my faith, my dreams, and especially my heart. Next to my parents, her faith and passion helped me discover my gifts and find my own path to a deeper faith. Having Marita as my guiding light made me realize that the challenge a mentor-friend offers is the challenge to continue to choose God.

Nelly is not only my boss but also an inspiration. Her unwavering, dedicated service to our country is remarkable. For the seven years that I’ve worked with her, I have seen her passion for justice–probably because she is a lawyer–and hope for transformation. To work with one of the most powerful women in the country today is a privilege indeed.

Although none of my family members has master’s degree in business, I chosen to enroll in graduate school because Nelly, as well as Marita and Sandy, did encourage me to pursue higher education.

I also consider my professors as my heroes. My grade school teacher Ma’am Desiree introduced me to the world of girl scouting when I was a twinkler. Community service through girl scouting became bedrock of my passion for volunteerism. In 1998, I was awarded a Presidential Medal for community service at Malacañang. I am still volunteering for non-profit organizations today.

My accounting professor Ms. Stephanie taught me the virtues of humility and diligence. Though we never really spent time together, she demonstrated to me a life of an honorable teacher. She's worth emulating.

At graduate school, I met Ms. Marissa. She was my professor in Business Writing and Business Communication. As her student, I learned to study English with passion. Her zeal for writing inspired me to discover my gift of communication.

Lastly, I was never a voracious reader, but I developed the love of reading about ten years ago. I consider the book authors mentioned in my tree as mentors. For years, I’ve collected their books and shared their fervor to make a transforming difference in the lives of others. In one way or the other, they have given me something noteworthy.

Confession: It's only now that I get to appreciate my Ethics class. I'm sure my professors have a better explanation why we have to do the Trees for our term paper. But from what I've picked up, our paper will help us understand ourselves more, our background, our sphere of influences, and our way of thinking. I guess, it's a way to gauge if we are ethical or not, and if we have a balanced life.

Discrimination in the workplace

Last night, my group in Ethics class reported about discrimination in the workplace. My groupmates and I started with a game called "test of discrimination." We showed some pictures of different people and asked our classmates to answer (by raising a paper with a YES or NO sign) if they were going to hire the people shown in the slides for various positions in their companies. It's quite a surprise to see how we subtly discriminate others based on looks. Then we proceeded to a short "interview" about discrimination experiences--either you discriminated someone or somebody discriminated you. After that, we played a short video about anti-discrimination showing that we are all equal, and that we should treat everyone equally.

As we set the mood for discussion, I saw some interest building up among our audience. It was a good sight, I thought. At least, we somehow captured their attention.

Then we went through the important terms related to discrimination, such as glass ceiling, workplace harassment, and sexual harassment. We also discussed how people discriminated others according to their religion, ethnicity, race, sex, age, and disability. We also talked about some forms of discrimination: isolated, institutional, intentional, and unintentional.

In the workplace, discrimination is rampant. Some people may experience this in recruitment, screening, or promotion stage. Unknowingly, some people may get fired not because of their inefficiency at work, but because some superiors--or even co-workers--simply don't like them! We, too, realized that employees hesitate to report these illegal acts or policies, including harassment, because of fear. Fear of losing their jobs, of being embarrassed, of disrupting the workplace, and so on.

We came to understand that it is very difficult to integrate utility, rights, justice and care in operating the company and managing people, but it is not impossible. To minimize these incidents and lawsuits, the company and its key officers must know and understand the laws which prohibit discrimination at work. And we did share that with the class last night. Our facilitator, Dr. Perla, commended our thorough research on the Philippine laws related to our topic. I remember that it was I who suggested to the class that every time we present a case or do group report, we should site Philippine-based cases and practical applications.

To give emphasis on our report, we did a short skit after going through the theories. We sited G.R. No. 118978 of May 23, 1997 (PHILIPPINE TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANY, petitioner, vs. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION and GRACE DE GUZMAN, respondents) as our case study. It was actually fun to see your groupmates acting. Well, it's never too late to change a career!

My role was to make a conclusion and recommendation. Here's a snippet of what I shared in class.

Discrimination is a wrongful act. Consciously or unconsciously, people in the workplace tend to discriminate others according to their religion, ethnicity, race, sex, age, and disability.

As entrepreneurs, employers, or superiors, we should always ethically exercise careful judgment or make sound business decisions. It is important that decision makers should treat their stakeholders—officers, employees, suppliers, clients, creditors, etc.—with respect and dignity. As decision makers, we should weigh our options well, make legal, moral, regular, and humanistic corporate policies, and implement those policies that will best improve the life of the business entity and best serve its stakeholders.

Oftentimes, even though management has challenging situations to face and decisions to make that might entail high costs to the company, it must always reexamine and refine its company guidelines and policies to ensure that the company will not face a greater consequence more than it could possibly bear. It must not only think of what the employees can do for the company, but also what the company can do for its employees. Discrimination—intentional or unintentional—must never be part of our culture.

As subordinates or individuals, we should honor our officemates or colleagues no matter what or who they are. We should regard people and uphold their interests above ours without compromising our values and integrity. That is why it is important to build our values system, and try to do unto others what we want others do unto us.

Our choices determine our character. We must learn to fight for what is good, what is right, and what is just. And if we are a victim of discrimination—no matter how we are being treated and how our cases are served—let us remember that everything has a consequence. People (or companies) who discriminated us will someday face the consequences of such actions. We MUST care for what's happening around us.

It is comforting to know that government continues to look after the welfare of its people and protect its citizens against discrimination. Though there are still deficiencies in the implementation of the laws to protect us from discrimination, we can see that our government is making efforts to minimize if not totally eradicate all forms of discrimination. We suggest that the legislators must amend the law by increasing the penalties to be imposed on the perpetrator.

Our Commission on Human Rights must be more aggressive in its advocacy to protecting people from job discrimination to ensure the protection and promotion of workers’ human rights. Also, other government agencies such as Dept. of Labor and Employment, Dept. of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Commission on Women, and other Non-government organization must exercise properly their duties to monitor and ascertain the implementation of the laws.

To my groupmates Belle, Stell, Ken, Stan, and Wally. I had fun working with you. :) To my teachers, the Hudtohans, I was really glad that you didn't ask questions or make unnecessary comments. We presumed that you liked our presentation. It's just that I was made to confess my political ambition to the class just to save my group from the question "What can we do to make a difference in this country?" I guess they were satisfied when I answered "I will run for Congress." :)

(unedited)