On Life, entertainment and learning experiences

Life

Lou, do you still host corporate shows?" was the question I least expected from a client who called me last week. I guess this was an offshoot of life's big changes, which began last February. As I set off on my 30th year that month, I found myself contemplating on my priorities in life and realized that my career had taken a big chunk out of it.



As an effort to balance the several roles I have taken in life, I decided to tone down career-oriented responsibilities to enable me to concentrate on family living. "Dapat lang!" was what my best friend of 15 years, Stephanie Porter, had to say the minute I informed her of my decision. Fortunately, those around me felt the same way. My family at Play House and B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy, where I had been functioning as a school administrator for the past 10 years, as well as my GMA 7 Kapuso gave me nothing but their support and understanding. I began carefully picking out hosting jobs and set a limit of three per month excluding "Singgit Cebu." Now, I'm spending less than half the time I used to on my career and set new goals for myself as wife and mother.

I am now finding great fulfillment in taking a supporting role in my husband's life. Afternoons are now well spent assisting him in his new and bold business venture, the Adrenaline Boards. I take so much pride in being the better-half of the very first Filipino to manufacture and export surf and skim boards and get thrilled at seeing him succeed in it. Children and domestic responsibilities come next where I further discovered my own capabilities and wonderful, new things about my children.

Since the first question popped up last week, three more people have given me a similar query. Will I eventually decide to stop hosting? Despite the recent changes, my final answer is "No!". Simply because it a source of great joy and fulfillment for me and has become a big part of who I am.

Entertainment

This Saturday, I look forward to seeing three of the most adorable little girls in Visayas as GMA 7 continues its search for Little Miss Philippines 2005. The regional finals will be held at Gaisano Country Mall at 4:30 in the afternoon and will be aired live at the city's most recently announced number one AM station, DYSS.

An exciting adventure awaits the regional winner as she will be sent to Manila to compete with other little hopefuls for the grand title of Little Miss Philippines this year. To the three finalists, the best of luck to you!

Learning Experiences

Last weekend, my old friends from a production outfit in Manila had asked me to host an event of one of their biggest clients. After the show, the director from Manila had asked me to host a conference the following day, which I refused due to my already tight schedule. I recommended another lady host, which had been substituting for me on such occasions. To make the long story short, I called the host and passed on all the information supplied by the show's director himself - only to find out that the latter backed out on the agreed talent fee the following day. My friend was paid only half of what was promised! I immediately called this director who said nothing but excuses. "Eh kasi, yung TF that we agreed on was for solo hosting. The group decided to give her a co-host late last night. Hindi nila ako ininform, Lou. So I wasn't able to tell your friend."

Such reasoning for me is unacceptable! They should have had the decency to inform the host that evening or at least the minute she got to the venue. My friend who gave up an already planned-out day just for this project was kind enough to absorb all this as a learning experience. So, to other Cebuano talents, always be protected by a CONTRACT no matter what the circumstances may be! I sincerely hope that this sharing will become useful to you.