So, I made it through college this year. And I did so with
flying colors. I hope this little achievement made my family proud of me, one
way or the other. It was a bonus my dad was able to take a short vacation from
his work in Italy to witness me march that 25th of April. More than
my hardwork as a student, my graduation reflects the sacrifices of my parents
to give me and my sisters the best gift of a decent education. And for that we
are forever thankful.
My four-year stay in the university definitely taught me
beyond what my Economics subjects can offer, but mostly values and life lessons
to live by. It instilled in me a certain level of patience to endure the long
lines during enrollment, composure to make it through every hell
day/week/month/sem and the all-important ability to push myself to the limits,
even beyond what I think I am capable of actually doing. It will be very cliché
to say this, but really, I cannot imagine how my life would be like right now
had I not attended UP.
…the same way I cannot imagine myself “working” anywhere
else but DBP. It gets tiring when people ask me “How’s work?” because what work
do we exactly do? We do classroom trainings, lectures, quizzes, exams. Our
training runs from July 2014 until mid of May or early June of next year (or
with so many holiday/s and other work suspension, probably July?) Our
classes can get really boring and technical. But mostly these days are best endured
with who I always refer to as the 27 of the smartest and the nicest people I am
privileged to have met this year. I tried my luck at different companies, big
and small, but I got rejected by each in the end. (See post: Where I should be) But now I am even more convinced why: because I deserve better. Simply because
being part of DBP’s Management Associates Program (MAP) was truly meant to be. It
will be wrong to say that I belong to this program, because not only do I
belong here, I also belong to a family, my DBP MAP VII family.
I basically kind of extended college for a year, only it’s
the Bank who’s investing in our batch. Which is why the pressure on the MAPees
(how we are called as trainees) is annoyingly understandable. All eyes are on
us because expectations are high as we are expected to be the next leaders of
the Bank, hence, the #MAPeeDapatPerfect inside jokes. Whenever I feel like
giving up on the program, I always remind myself (and my friends) that indeed “it
takes a lot of pressure to create a diamond."
At first it was hard to adapt to the new environment because
rules are strict (and duh, there is none of that in UP) but well, you
eventually get used to it anyway. There is a special kind of discipline needed
when we’re talking about the banking industry, especially a government bank
like DBP, because we are using the Filipino people’s money. Working for the
government inspires me. I see the sense of purpose in what the organization
does, and that is towards the development of our country, without compromising my
personal gain from it through compensation and other long-term benefits. It is
exactly what they say: the best of both worlds.
As a new member of the labor force (you know, the adult
life), I personally find fulfillment in taking responsibilities over my
financials. It feels good to be able
to pay for my own bills, food, or what other stuff that makes me happy. But it
feels great to be able to give back to
the people who helped me achieve everything I am and will be, especially my
family and friends. Sometimes I become too generous and I spend my money a
little too loosely and I go broke: as in X-days-‘til-next-payday
kind of broke. Which is okay, because it is particularly during these times
when I learn the importance of financial discipline. Next year will be
different, as I start investing in the Philippine stock market. (See: my not-bucketlist for 2015)
Part of being financially independent is being able to
support my travel goals. I never travelled when I was still a student, not only
because I don’t have much the time but also because I admittedly don’t have the
resources. And now that I do, I promised myself I will travel more and explore
the beauty that is the Philippines, and eventually the world.
Ilocos was a lovely start. It was my first airplane ride. I get to spend some quality time with my
friends and I get to see the cultural and the historical beauty of the place. Calle
Crisologo in Vigan is picture perfect, the beach in Pagudpud is refreshing, the
Bangui windmills are cool, the sand dunes in Paoay is amazing and pork bagnet
has always been a favorite.
Vacations can be addicting. Hence, my trip to Iloilo and
Guimaras with my sister and my bestfriend a month after. It was my bestfriend’s
first airplane ride. The city is quiet and life in the province is simple. La
Paz Batchoy tastes great, the churches (especially Miag-ao!) are beautiful, UP
campuses feel like home and well, The Fault In Our Stars in Robinson’s Iloilo was
particularly full of feels. Snorkeling and island hopping are exciting and the
taste of the mangoes from Guimaras is very distinct I will never taste mangoes
the same way ever again.
It was a bonus to have gotten the chance to travel my way to
Dumaguete when I was assigned there for two weeks for our branch immersion. The
people are the kindest, the language barrier is challenging, and the branch
work is tiring but a learning experience altogether. Food is literally in every
corner of the city: Dumaguete Express is an instant favorite and sylvannas are the
sweetest (literally and figuratively).
We also went to Cebu to spend the weekend with my girl
friends Erika and Steph who were assigned there for the immersion just the same.
Lechon from Cebu is delicious (an understatement), a picture from UP Cebu
oblation is another campus off my bucketlist and Skyranch is a crazy
experience. The trip was short-lived but well-spent. I know there is a lot to
explore in Cebu and I am excited to go back soon.
Very recently of course is my adventure to where do broken
hearts go: Sagada. Blame it to my instant favorite/ spirit-animal-movie “That
Thing Called Tadhana” (more on this soon). The journey was long, literally, but
it was definitely worth it. The view of the mountains and terraces is beyond
wonderful, the Sumaguing cave experience is one for the books, the weather is
crazy cold and the trek to the Bomod-ok falls is fun (we even bumped into
former teachers and friends!). That there is DBP in this secluded area makes me
even proud of our mandate of countryside development in the Philippines. The cultural
night during the Sagada Bonfire Fest 2014 is a proof of the richness of their
culture—we even joined their community dance! Importantly, it is comforting to
know I have a second family in my bestfriend’s. I would not have ended my 2014
any other way.
What a great year, indeed. In fact, I am certain when I say
this is the best year of my life so far. It was not a perfect year, as there
will be none, because how many times did I cry this year over one particular family
problem and over the littlest of things? But the bottomline is this: it doesn’t
matter anymore. Another cliché it goes: “it’s just a bad day, not a bad life.” It
doesn’t matter how many times I arrived late in the office because I woke up
late, or traffic is crazy, or the van drivers take alternate routes I know not
of, because at least I have work to sustain my needs (and wants). It doesn’t
matter if I failed one exam or more, as long as I learned something from it (it’s
bullshit because sometimes I really don’t, so). It doesn’t really matter if
the Jollibee Pancake sandwich is out of stock when I was craving for it,
because I can get it some other time. It doesn’t matter if I’m still single,
because I am enjoying the company of myself and some friends. (Or?) It
doesn’t matter how many of my old friends I have lost contact to, as long as I keep
the few ones worth keeping (and to catch up with them once in a while in dinner
or two, as I gladly did this year) because it is okay to outgrow people. Because
we mature (it’s alarming if we don’t!). Eventually we will know ourselves
better, through our family and friends who truly love and care about us, and through
the new experiences that shape us. Our priorities also become more relevant
that there is a long list of things we Just. Don’t. Give. A. Damn. About.
This is my secret to a happy 2014: I appreciate the little
things, because it is in these little things that we find simple happiness.
Sure, there will be bigger stuff in a year that will dominate our mind in
excitement—like every trip I had this year—but it is in appreciating the
everyday things in life: that cup of
coffee you had the morning you barely have slept! The delicious lunch your mom
prepared for you! The jeepney drivers who give your 50-cent change! The
how-are-yous and random bumps with friends in random places! The movies you
watched in theaters or in torrents!—and a whole lot more, that actually completes
a year.
My outlook in life also became more positive, although I
rant a lot to my friends and on Twitter (because where else?), and it served me
pretty well. And I plan to continue just the same this coming 2015. I hate the
idea of my favorite year ending, but 2015 looks equally promising, too. I am
booked for 3 pending trips next year (Dear airlines, calm down on your seat
sale/promo, can you please? Thank you.). I will start investing in the
stock market. My mom is turning 50 and we will throw her a little party at
that. And I am claiming it, I will be a good officer of the Bank. (See again:
my not-bucketlist for 2015 for more, link above)
Looking forward, my ultimate wish next year is for everyone
of us in MAP VII to graduate come May or June. We all deserve to. None of the
six batches before made it to graduation complete. I hope, and I believe, that
our batch will be making history to be the first to achieve 100%. Because we
are strong…because we are #28Strong. The program is intense, wild even. Like I’ve
been telling myself and my friends every after module: after this program I
(we) will be invincible. There is nothing else in life I (we) cannot do. But of
course, that’s me exaggerating a bit.
Although seriously, I can say that I am one stronger ategirl (yes, I like to call myself
that, thank you) physically after surviving my everyday commute, the Sumaguing
cave experience and Bomod-ok trek in Sagada, mentally to absorb everything at work,
and emotionally to move on from one problem after another and from feelings
that’s not even supposed to hurt this way.
I hate to say goodbye to 2014, my favorite, but thank you.
Staying strong,
Kimberly <3
