Lessons I learned in 2007

It seems so long ago since the last time I spent the holidays at my home here in Manila.

Time flies and another year is around the corner. This year seems to be the year with the most accomplishments for me so far. Accomplishments, for me, are lessons learned and the maturity that comes from them.

I feel like this year has added more life “guidelines” for me more than the past years have.

I feel fulfilled every time I look back at experiences I’ve gone through at work and a few personal aspects of my life.

I am writing this in Baguio City, where I’m enjoying the cool weather. We’re taping a new TV program which should air early next year. This project is also one of the main challenges for me at the moment. This is my first time to have a soap opera requiring a lot more work than usual.

Doing scenes with good directors, great and seasoned actors doesn’t only demand extra work. It also teaches me something new every time.

I’m thankful for having given my best even under great pressure. As hard as it may seem, I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Good things are never easy to get, and this is a perfect example. I grew stronger and became even more determined to do better, all throughout the time I’ve been spending long hours with great men.

Our directors, Jerry Sineneng and Retchie del Carmen, mold me into becoming a better, more responsible person by showing me their dedication to their craft. I couldn’t be any more thankful to them for making me part of the team.

Staying in Baguio for almost a week with them also contributed a lot to our wonderful working relationship.

Even if I am almost getting the flu and feeling very weak the past week, I still managed to enjoy the weather.

It reminds me of my trip to Seattle last Christmas, where I had to wear thick jackets even during the day.

We were also given a few hours in between takes that gave us the chance to go around and see all the different sites, such as the markets.

The shoot wasn’t too tiring since the weather was perfectly cool. One week of staying here right before the holidays is just right for me.

I can’t wait to travel back home and be with my brother again. I am very proud to say he is slowly learning to converse with me. Before, he just repeats nearly everything I say to him. I always dream that he and I would be in beach together and he’d come up to me and just say hello.

Now, he can answer simple questions like “How are you?” and “Have you eaten?.”

Through this I learned that hardships and even disabilities are better faced with love and hope.

Now that he has his own celfone, my brother calls me everytime I’m away for work. I’ve never talked to him this much, even if it’s just a few questions answered over and over again.

I appreciate all those who have taken their time to advise me on my brother’s condition. I may not get the chance to reply to every single message I get, but I do read them. Thank you all so much for your concern and support for my brother and me.

I am lucky to be where I am now, and we all should. Putting in extra work and effort brings great rewards. I hope this thought will carry us all through a wonderful start of the next year.

Reading a few chapters from the Bible once in a while also creates a great change in the way we see challenges.

May we have a wonderful Christmas.