Happy New Year, Happy New Career!

Ok yeah it's a little bit too early for new year festivities. It's not even December yet.


Oh come on, just let me let it out. I just can't hold it in anymore. Lately, my friends often catch me being a little too quiet one minute, then suddenly bursting with "I can't wait for this year to end!" the next minute. When asked why, I usually answer with "nothing!". 

Well, obviously, this is not "nothing". This is definitely "something". For me, at least.


Here's the reason for my recent mood swings: A big change concerning my career will come to pass this January 2010. So, will you, please, repeat after me: Happy New Year! Happy New Career!



Thank you.

The nature of both my current and future jobs does not allow me to reveal too many specifics, so forgive me if sometimes I sound a bit too cryptic in my blog posts. We're all very secretive in this industry. We even talk to each other in our own secret code language, e.g. "The eagle flies at midnight!", "The circus elephant is in the rabbit hole.", "Mr. L is in the building.". (To be honest, I kinda like it. Not that anyone cares that I have a secret or anything)

So, these are the only things I can say for now:
1. I will still work in the same industry.
2. I will still work for the same company.
3. I will finally walk the long, winding, and utterly fulfilling road to my dream career.


I was not the type who always knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. At 7, i wanted to be a doctor. At 10, I wanted to be a scientist (really, until after a few years when I realized that to be a scientist you have to actually be good in science). So at 12, I wanted to be a lawyer, because everyone else wanted to be a lawyer. At 16, I wanted to be a fashion designer (from lawyer to fashion designer, where did that come from?). 

Then, I graduated high school. Then, I was in college, that time in our lives when we're supposed to begin the long walk to our future careers. That was the time when we're supposed to be able to already envision ourselves doing whatever it is we were destined to do. So what about me? Doctor Iza? Scientist Iza? Atty. Iza? Fashion designer Iza?



I was starting to get anxious. What am I supposed to do with my life???



In the midst of all that soul-searching, I began to write. I wrote my thoughts, I wrote letters, I wrote stories, I wrote poetry. When I was happy, I wrote. When I was sad, I wrote. When I was pissed, damn it, I wrote! I wrote at night until I fell asleep. Next morning, I wake up still holding the pen I was writing with the night before (I kid you not, this happened A LOT). Every ounce of passion I had in me was dedicated to writing, and it was all I ever really enjoyed doing (aside from reading, for one cannot live without the other).



That was how I finally discovered who I want to be. I don't know why it never occured to me before. It woke me up like ice-cold water thrown at my face (but in a good way). Eureka! I want to be a writer! I was probably about 20-21 y.o. when I discovered this... and unlike my childhood dream jobs, I haven't changed my mind since.


Then I got into advertising. It's been a little over 2 years since I started working in this industry. I've done some creative writing tasks, here and there, but I have yet to call myself a copywriter. That was until just a few months ago, when I saw an opportunity... and damn it, I took it!

Starting January 2010, I will fully enter the creative world. I am now being mentored by one of the most idolized and brilliant creative minds in Philippine Advertising. I am very lucky and grateful for this opportunity. It's overwhelming and terrifying at the same time. Kind of like the feeling of being in luuuuuurve.

It's a risk, alright... but it's a good risk. What are we supposed to do with good risks? I say just close our eyes, let our instincts guide us, and take that proverbial leap!

So here's to next year... and the next... and the next... and the next! Wish me luck, my friends!

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On other news... 

Congratulations to Mr. Efren Penaflorida, for being named 2009 CNN Hero Of The Year. Efren started a "pushcart classroom" to bring education to less-fortunate children in our country. 

It's people like you, sir, that make me proud to be a Filipino. Mabuhay ka!

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry," Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. "Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need."

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html

Watch the video to see Efren accept this great honor.