The Journey of Starting a Business

There are people who say that, at some point in your life, you will meet someone who will completely change your mindset and the way you see the world. I used to think it was just something people say until it happened to me.

I met mine at the most unexpected time, in the most vulnerable and emotional place, my brother’s funeral.

He was unlike anyone I had met before. He owned a hotel and a coffee shop, and he baked his own pastries both French and local. There was something about his passion, his drive, and the way he built something from the ground up that made me see life differently.

To understand why that mattered so much, I have to go back to when I was in high school. My NCAE results showed that I better take something about “enterprising,” which I didn’t like at all. I wanted something more “clerical”, a path that leads to traditional professional jobs. I had my heart set on taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.

But life had other plans.

I enrolled late, and by the time I got there, there were no more slots left. With no other choice, I ended up taking Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management, the very path I had tried to avoid.

At the time, it felt like a setback. But looking back now, maybe it wasn’t.

Maybe it was preparing me for something or someone I didn’t even know I would meet.

I was content with my professional career. Climbing the corporate ladder was a journey I considered a huge feat, especially coming from an underprivileged background. Every step forward felt like a victory I had worked hard for.

I am currently working as a Training Specialist, handling professional development for the EMEA region. It is a role I am truly passionate about, one that brings me a deep sense of fulfillment. There is something incredibly rewarding about guiding individuals in their careers, watching them grow, learn, and eventually thrive. Being part of their journey is something I take pride in.

For the longest time, I believed I had already found my path.

I was content until I met him.

He ignited something in me that I didn’t know was still there. A spark. An entrepreneurial spirit that had quietly existed in the background, waiting for the right moment to come alive.

Suddenly, I found myself questioning everything not out of dissatisfaction, but out of possibility.

What if there was more I could build?
What if I could create something of my own?
What if the path I once resisted was actually meant for me all along?

Fortunately, this dream has become a reality. I established Esmeraldo’s Café in honor of my father’s legacy, a venture built on brilliance, humility, a touch of luck, and, above all, God’s grace. Along the way, I learned to embrace abundance, knowing that without making space for it, I could easily become overwhelmed.

Today, I can proudly call myself an entrepreneur, driven by a purpose to create a place where people can build deeper connections, meaningful conversations, and lasting relationships.

I also discovered a passion for baking, which we express through a variety of pastries inspired by my mood and creativity. Beyond this venture, baking has become a source of joy, my newfound love that continues to inspire me every day.

Being an entrepreneur is not easy, and along the way, I’ve learned so much. From handling construction and navigating taxes to securing permits, understanding legal requirements, and embracing social responsibility, each aspect has been a challenge that shaped my journey and helped me grow.

I truly feel blessed to have people who have supported me along the way. The journey has been much easier because God has never failed to provide help whenever I needed it. While I don’t know what the future holds, I remain excited about what tomorrow may bring. There is still fear in the unknown and uncertainty, but there is also a sense of wonder and excitement in exploring uncharted paths. One that will hopefully lead me to my purpose. 

An Open Letter to Everyone

 I don't post that much about politics and I seldom react on social media about it. With all these happening around the world including our country, let us all be careful on how we choose our officials. Please watch the debate and try to understand their values on how they react. Clearly, we have to raise the bar including to those who are in local positions.

Lately, I make sure that I am up to date with the current news and public affairs. As I it opened my eyes, I discovered and learned the hard way that deciding on who to elect should be treated as life and death situation.

Honestly, I don't like how things turned out during this pandemic. We heard news of incompetence on how we deal with this pandemic. We heard the left and right corruption involving "ayuda" of government. The overpriced sourcing of goods. The laws they passed during pandemic. The unendless politicking here and there not to mention the recently pardon given by the president to the culprit of Laude's slay.

If the government is saying they are tired, we are too. We are sick not because of this pandemic but because of their injustice deeds. Clearly, democracy works only if there are informed voters.

I can only hope.

I hope we have many AOC of New York, Vico of Pasig, Leni of Naga. Beyond everything else, I know many qualified candidates are willing to run; however, this is nothing but futile without our support.

I hope this pandemic wakes up our mind to do not settle for anything less, but for what we deserve. I hoe that we vote for the right candidate without basing it on name recall, affiliation, or PERSONAL gain. We vote because they have plans for public health, safety, education, employment, economy, transportation and a lot more.

I hope that the public thinks before we click and that any form of opinion should be based on merits, informed sides , and should be expressed with respect that nothing should be taken as personal.

I remember my professor said "Politics is like Janus. It is both good and bad". I HOPE  I know enough to see the good in it. 

To do lists...

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Road with You

I met a guy last Sunday and I think I like him. I told him that because I promise to myself that I will never complicate things and that when I fall in love again, I will make sure that "that-special-someone" will know of it. I already learned my lesson. I have been single for ages and I think I am ready to fall in love again. I thought of creating a poem for him. Here it is!

Road with You

Everyday, I walk on the same road
I see same faces, same houses
Same trees, same fences
I have been walking in that same road for four years
Longing to see any difference.

Don't get me wrong because it's my comfort zone
But sometimes same comfort  for the long time is stagnation
It bores me, I want to explore more roads
A little mudy and rough, maybe more toads.

I have been in the same road for years, back and forth
At first it is fine, but then I discovered
A road traveled with someone is less tiring
That's when I met you.

You talk about almost everything
And I am just listening
I am interested in your stories
So please keep on telling them.

You told me about your experiences
How you spend your weekends
How you even met your friends
And from that moment, I know
I want you to be my "special" friend.

I told you I like you
Because I don't want to lose you
I took the chance because it is a lesson from my past too.
You said,you want to walk with me
I just hope it is true.

I would be honest. It relieves me
Because for the past days,
I have been overthinking about it
"Why he is not reponding?
Is he still interested? or Does he want to part ways that early."

No matter what, I am still here
Text me when you're not busy
I will be glad to walk the same road with you
And perhaps I'll take another route just to be with you.

I don't know where the road will lead us
I am afraid to risk again but I am ready.

Am I not gambling everything, if I will not try?
I can't afford to have another regret
thinking what if I tried...

Dear Evan Hansen

I watched the Tony 2017 awards night and I must say, I am impressed with how the musical "Dear Evan Hansen" rise above among the other musical stage plays. I love the story as it tackles the issues which those who have social anxiety disorder face everyday.

I remember my old self. I don't have social anxiety disorder but I am just really not the type of person who manages and enjoys "barkadas". I am more fond of the bff type. I have friends but literally you can just count them in your fingers . I don't also usually open up that easily. I have journals and diaries and as long as I express myself through writing, I am good. I write almost everything, everyday.

Now that I am a trainer, I learned the importance of expanding your network and building connections. I now enjoy meeting and talking to people. People change but you know what sometimes, I miss that part of myself I once was.

The One Who Got Away

An Open Letter to my special someone
DeaRest Joe,

I had been so defensive from the first time I saw you. It was during our cheering days that I started to like you but I was so reluctant as I always had been because I did not want to fall to anyone because I believe true love never exists for someone like me or "us".

But then...we became friends. And later on, the closest friend I got from the small group we joined. I never thought that I would fall for you because we are in the "same page". There was never a single day that I was not excited everytime we have practice because I always wanted to see you.

Then, we won! It was a mixed emotion. I was happy because all of our hardwork paid off and sad thinking we will not see each other anymore. That was just a thought because after that you always had time to visit me in my post during your breaktime. Then there I was like a magma seeking a crevice to come out from my hiding. I was confused. I was asking myself back then "What are you doing?" "Why you are doing what you are doing?"

Days passed by and you were not visiting me anymore because you are busy but we still keep in touch. At that time, I started to miss you because I got used to you always being around. I started to get angry to myself. Why I let myself fall? I should have stopped myself maybe that's better. Then, I unfollowed you in facebook and hid your post so that I won't see you anymore

It was my defense mechanism. My refuge from all of these stresses.

I started to ask myself "Is this normal?" "Is falling in love with the man who has same preference just normal?" I was in confusion. I was very confused of the new feeling that I started to feel back then. So many identity crisis questions.

Then I learned, gays do fall in love with each other. I hate myself for letting you in to my  world (indie films, corny movies, different levels of weirdness).  I feel like I am victim of my own trap. I hope that you always do good and fine. That's the only thing I could do for you, wishing that you always be just fine.


Lovingly yours,

JLo

Welcome 2015 with Love!

I had been through a lot this 2014. I fell in love, bought a lot of things, paid all my credit card dues, finished my first semester in grad school and now half way through my MBA Degree, broke down, saved money, dated few, bid goodbye to a friend, accepted somebody's farewell, broke down again, applied for a new job, rejected the job offer, experienced quarter life crisis, finally moved on, reacquainted with my past, tried IJP and still waiting, I fell in love again, naduwag, nasaktan ulit, joined comtests like halloween costume and fashion designing, tried to be positive again. There were challenges and triumphs and I must admit it's a colorful one

You? How was your 2014? Have you learned something? Have you discovered another mystery? Have you forgiven all those who wronged you? It's 2015 and let's start the year right!

Time to make a bucket list and lets welcome 2015 with a positive aura!