Pressing the Fast Forward Button

  

Last week I visited the blog of a well-known inspirational speaker, Francis Kong. He had a post entitled From the Past to the Future. He is, to some extent, challenging his readers to write his future. It is not easy to forget our past because we are fond of continuously pressing the rewind button in our head. Doing this is effortless, isn’t it? Why don’t we take the harder challenge...to look into the future.

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My First Movie Review: 100

It was a late Saturday night. Just when I thought of pressing the off button in the remote control, Mylene Dizon appeared in the boob tube in a silent scene. Few minutes later, she was joined by Eugene Domingo. I got nailed in the couch, instantly. This is not drama. It’s comedy. And it's not Cinema John Lloyd.

Fed up of seeing huge emotions and hearing long dialogues in both tv dramas and local movies, this film though a serious story was treated in a very simple, light and natural approach (as if the actors are not acting) yet tear jerking. It was an independent film about a woman in her thirty’s stricken with cancer played by Mylene Dizon. The entire movie revolves around the remaining days of the main character named Joyce (Mylene Dizon). Because of her grave condition, she decided to leave her successful career. Knowing that she only had few days to live she decided to live life to the fullest. She spontaneously wrote 100 things she would like to do in a small note pad and stick it in her wall. Together with her best friend Ruby (Eugene Domingo), every single day she would fulfill it with head up high and full of zest. Ruby, instead of crying a bucket of tears, joined Joyce and showered her best friend with time and attention.
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Telling the painful truth to her mom (Tessie Tomas), was apparently the hardest thing to do in her bucket list since her father died of the same illness not so long ago. Joyce mother, in the beginning of the story, was seemingly living an easy and quite glamorous life. But as soon as she found out the poor health of her daughter her character naturally transformed. She then became a typical mom in a typical Filipino household just wearing simple clothes mostly duster, taking care of everything that her daughter needs. Hopeful, she brought Joyce to Manaoag Shrine and asked for a miracle; tried Chinese herbal medicines; sought different doctor’s opinion; had a pray-over rite, forcefully changed Joyce eating habits and prevented her from smoking. But nothing worked. In an emotional scene, Joyce pleaded her mother to just accept her situation so if and when she dies, she will die peacefully.

The story also showcased Joyce many relationships with other family members, former colleagues and a couple of love affairs. With loved ones beside her, she organized her fate with such order and gusto as though a fabulous event is about to unfold.  I am putting an end here because I do not intend to give away the entirety of the movie. I highly encourage you to find a copy of this film and watch it yourself and be moved. This film will teach every viewer how to look at a difficult situation from a new angle with enthusiasm. There are many tearful scenes but expect to smile and laugh too. A perfect mixture of drama and a pinch of wit every now and then and a very valuable reminder that life is short...let us not waste it...

Photo grabbed @ archive.supreme.ph

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Magnenegosyo ako. Ows?!

Business is not for everybody. This is a short but thought provoking statement from the speaker in one business-related seminar that I attended. Among the many essential matters that he shared, it was that simple message that had the biggest impact in my memory. I agreed, instantly. Evidently, not everybody has financial resources to start a business. When I remembered this recently, I realized that my reason was so lame; that there’s actually a bunch of grounds why not everybody can venture into business.

Have you heard this “Ang hirap magtrabaho. Pag may pera na ko, magnenegosyo na lang ako”? Perhaps you have heard it from some relatives; or some friends; or from neighbors; or from colleagues; or from anonymous people inside a jeepney, in food courts, in public places.  Well, I have heard it too and I bet as many times as you do. Years passed by, a lot (if not all) of people that said that are still employees. Sometimes some people couldn’t start a business because it’s all in their mind and they don’t actually make an effort to raise capital. Serious aspiring entrepreneurs, however, know how to put aside or think of ways how to raise funds. However, business is not just about money. I once thought that starting a business could be simplified in an equation as simple as this:

 Money + Business Plan = Business

Now that I, myself, is a micro entrepreneur, I am beginning to understand that starting a business is not just about having a capital and a business idea. Putting all your resources into reality is entirely different and it’s complicated. Starting a business is challenging, affecting all aspects of one’s life. When my family and I were just beginning, I was full of zest. I was already thinking of expansion and hiring more people. In two years of running micro businesses, there were many times that I wanted to give up because it seems to me that nothing much is happening. Today, I have become oblivious of my initial plans. Realizing all the adversities attached in doing business, I have seemingly found contentment in our current status. Satisfied that at least we are able to pay our monthly outlays.

Today, Metro Manila is cluttered with huge shopping malls and other commercial buildings. The used to be location of our grandparent’s favorite grocery is no longer in existence. With the emergence of various shopping centres in the metropolis, a lot of micro and small businesses are dying. But a true entrepreneur, despite a no match to the moguls of our society, knows how to vie. I believe, they are the ones who have learned that doing business is more than just having material treasures and concept. Business is character, skill and passion rolled into one. And I must say, at this point I’m still asking this: Is business really for me?

Photo grabbed @ profesorbaker.com

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