Schmuckumentary

While reopening this blog, I came across this in my drafts. I’m sure it was meant to be a longer tribute, meant to have photos attached. But I’m too lazy to fix it, so I’m publishing it as it is—a tidbit of my life from *gasp* 15 years ago.

*****

Five years ago today, we aired the pilot episode of Ako ang Simula, a short-lived public service program that became my baptism of fire.

I was fresh out of college, thrown headfirst into the real world. Since then, I’ve trekked mountains, waded through floodwaters, organized medical missions, helped build schools and libraries, and even assisted in processing a prisoner’s release.

And along the way, I learned this:

• Kindness and empathy are your greatest weapons.
• Keep your promises.
• Value effort.
• Be patient with people who work and think differently than you.
• Quality is directly proportional to enthusiasm.
• It’s okay to cry when you’re having a bad day.

And despite deadlines and disappointments, I still believe this:

There are always good people.
And they are worth working for.