Kervy James Villajero

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general santos city, Kervy James Villajero

I was having a break from my research when I came across this Facebook post from General Santos City where a Grade 5 student knocked on an office door asking if they need somebody to mop the floor or clean anything in the office. When asked why, he told them that he needs to buy stuff for his project. For full Facebook post, click here.

The netizens were touched by this hardworking boy who wants to be a pilot in the future. Personally, I was moved by his determination to earn money so he can comply with his school requirements. At a young age, he’s already aware of ways he needs to do without depending too much from his parents. Of course, we just want children to enjoy their childhood instead of doing adult things. But like in his case, how can he pass a school requirement if his parents don’t have money to accomplish it?

I salute this boy for being determined and humble enough to go out of his comfort zone at an early age. I can feel his struggle everyday yet, still positive that his education will be fulfilled despite the financial challenges.

When I was younger, I used to do assignments and projects of my classmates so I can have savings – like an emergency fund so that when my mom have nothing to give me, I still have money to go to school and buy me some snack during break. I also used it to buy perfume (aficionado, hehe) because it was a thing during my time and my classmates and friends were also using it. You know, peer pressure. Kakainggit lang. :)

Anyway, this kind of stories inspire me the most. I know the struggle of young ones from underprivileged family as I was once one. I used to go to school without breakfast and baon. In fact, there were times na naliligo ako without sabon or shampoo before going to school. Those were the hard times.

Now, I always pray for my nephews to have a good life and a good childhood. I really don’t want them to experience the struggle I and this boy experienced. I will always be here for them. I am working hard for them as well.

And I will work hard so I can also help other kids achieve their dreams. As a child we always dream of being somebody someday. I hope and I pray that they will not stop dreaming by giving them the chance to achieve what they wanted to be. God bless you Kervy and God bless all the kids who wants to be somebody someday! I will do my part, I promise!

For those who wanted to help, below are the details. They only accept goods and school supplies for Kervy. They will open bank account for the kid so they can already accept money donations. I will keep you posted. 

Chriszel S. Vicente
Charter Ping An Insurance Corp.
Metrobank Bldg, 1st floor. San Miguel Street. 
General Santos City
(0917) 893 7135

Sherry Rose Yan
Charter Ping An Insurance Corp.
Metrobank Bldg, 1st floor. San Miguel Street. 
General Santos City
09055022437

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Goodbye and hello

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Business, Entrepreneurship, goodbye

 

During my first year in JNJ with my batchmates!

 

Shall I say, this is it?

Well, it’s an absolute yes. :) After a couple of months of contemplating about leaving JNJ – the most admired pharmaceutical company in the world, after talking about it with my mom and convincing her of my plans, after building two small businesses to start up my road to entrepreneurship, after emotionally and mentally preparing myself from the uncertainties of the future, be it good or bad, and after standing firm of pursuing my ambitious dreams, finally, I already tendered my resignation last May 12.

Yes, I am leaving a company a lot of people dreamt of being a part of. 

It was really a hard decision to make because it seems like I am in an organization that already helped me fulfill my goals. From family responsibilities, job security, financial stability, etc., it leveled up my economic status and seems to make life easier and more fun. I was able to travel to different places, experienced a few luxurious vacations, tried low-budget to expensive restos. I was provided a car that I can use even for personal na lakad, free unlimited data on my iPad, etc. It’s like my sahod is all take home money. We’re well provided by the company that’s why I couldn’t ask for more. And it’s rare to see companies that care for their employees like the way JNJ is to us.

But there are things talaga that you have to give up to pave way for another opportunity especially if it’s your dream that you want to have its way in your life. 

Don’t get me wrong by thinking that I am not contented with what I have. It’s not the point. Well actually though, I also thought about it before – that maybe I am not just contented with all I have. However, I’m pretty sure it’s not. Hehe. I am always grateful with JNJ because I don’t have all of these years before. It’s just that, I am really firm about making my name in the business world.

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur since my college days. 

Kaya I am willing to start all over again. If it’s the price to pay, I will whole-heartedly face it. In fact, for the past couple of days, I am already planning my next move because, in around one month, fixed income will never be my thing anymore; though on the bright side, 8-5 job will also not be a thing to me (sometimes, it’s 10-10 haha). Yahoo!!!

Honestly, it makes me quite worried to think how will I then support my parents (they’re my dependent). I wasn’t thinking about myself because I know I can always find a way for myself. Kaya lang sila, they’re not getting any younger. Soon, both of them will be senior citizens. They have maintenance medicines to sustain and of course, they’re more prone to diseases (knock on wood). But for the record, I bought them medicines good for a year. I hope and I pray (really hard) that it’s enough to buy me time to get a momentum for my business so that whatever happens to us (knock on wood, again), I am financially stable already.

On the other side, I am very excited for every tomorrow. Finally, I can do what I want!! Haha. I can start making my ideas a reality. In fact, I have a lot of business ideas that I wanna do since 2015. It was just difficult for me to manage my time. (This made me realized that I am not a multi-tasker, hehe). Pero ngayon, I have all the time. No reasons not to make it.

Also, I have this urge to hire people who are undergraduate and looking for a modest job. Ako naman, makita ko lang yung dedication matuto, I will patiently teach them. If they deserve the job, I will hire them so they can also fulfill their family responsibilities. Honestly, kapag nakikita ko mga kapatid ko at mga kapit-bahay namin na walang trabaho pero gusto magkatrabaho, I always wanted to help them by creating businesses where I can offer them opportunities. I wanted them to feel hopeful that life could be different if they have decent jobs. I don’t want them to be contented with ‘isang kahig, isang tuka’ mentality. I really believe that each person has capabilities yet to discover, maybe not as decorated as others but at least, it can help them improve their lives.

‘Where’s the good in goodbye?’ 

Well, it’s simply in what’s gonna happen after the goodbye. Personally, I am excited with this goodbye. I am positive of all the opportunities to come, especially this time that I am seeking for opportunities based on the dreams I wanted to achieve and based on things that I wanna do.

There is good in goodbye because it opens another door in life. What’s important is how we make it matter. Kaya, hello new door! Here I come!! :)

I am Anthony. Resigned from work. But not resigned to life. (edi wow! haha)

How life has been going

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Business, entrepreneur, inspiration, Photobooth in Davao, startup, Supplier of Dishwashing Liquid in Davao

Before my previous post, it’s been almost five months since my last published blog. Honestly, a lot has already happened between the months I was off of my journal. It wasn’t really good at first. In fact, it felt like I was in a quarter life crisis. It was a long and painful process, especially that I wasn’t with my family. In September, everything was already making sense. It became clearer to me of what I wanna do with my life. Though the plan I wrote in my post late last year (See: Taking a leap of faith) didn’t happen, the experience opened the door for me to start reaching my ambitious dream, to be an entrepreneur.

They say ‘the beginning is always the hardest.’

True enough, it took me two years to finally start creating a business. After my 24th birthday, I started thinking about getting paid for my hobby. I and a friend started reading about setting up a photo booth, creating and buying hand props, watching photoshop demonstrations in youtube, etc. In less than a month, we made it! By December, we got four clients right away. Presently, we already served around 20 clients while at the same time doing our corporate responsibilities. Soon, I know for sure, I can focus more on this venture as I bid goodbye from my job in the corporate world.

First 4 clients last December 2016

During editing of photos from my first basic wedding coverage

It’s so amazing how tireless you become once you’ve done something that you love. I say it to myself repeatedly that work isn’t actually work anymore. To see people smile on my camera actually means a lot in capturing their moments with friends and family. It’s totally a different fulfillment than a 4.0 in performance rating.

But what is more meaningful is that I think I passed the first challenge – to start my first move. It truly feels great to finally gone over that line that separates me from entrepreneurship. I understand that the photo booth business will not really make it so big, however, it’s an achievement for me to finally sell something to people I don’t know.

Goods for households

Last Christmas break, I was researching about products that can be easily done at home – something that is manageable and useful to households. I did this to prepare my family for my supposed resignation last January. I wanted them to be ready because I know that my road outside the corporate world won’t be easy, ultimately for having no fixed income every month. I want them to be independent of me for the mean time while I am making my way through.

Then, I thought about the dishwashing liquids – manageable and useful to households.

Wow Dishwashing Liquid

Wow Dishwashing Liquid

People are not really particular with the brand. There are some who even use ‘bareta’ as dishwashers. So I thought, this might be easy to sell. Also, it’s so easy to prepare. We only struggled to find suppliers of raw materials. But after that, all were set. In less than one week, we sold all the 16 liters we made. Thankfully, it’s getting a right response from consumers.

When it seems like the quality of the product is notable, I decided to bring it here in Davao and be a supplier to restos. Since April, we have two regular customers already. I pray that it will pave a way to more, bigger and satisfied customers.

‘Lucky’

One of the things I planned to accomplish this year was to purchase a van for business. I’ve been thinking about this since 2016 but I can’t find a concrete reason why I wanna buy it. Then come last quarter, I realized what purpose it may serve me eventually with all the plans I’ve been thinking. Right now, it can’t serve its real purpose. But for now, I’ll use it to serve our clients for the photo booth and dishwashing liquids, and for those who wanna rent it as tourist van.

Last April, we were able to acquire the van. Thanks to Toyota Otis for a very smooth and quick transaction! My mom named it ‘Lucky’, claiming that it will give luck to our life as we work harder.

Right now, I’m so excited to focus all my attention on this ventures. I’m so positive of all the developments that can happen along the way. I know we have a lot of potentials to uncover to open for bigger and worthy opportunities. Knowing that all other successful businesses came from small ones makes me hopeful and optimistic that someday we can also make it, just like them.

That’s what keeping me busy for how many months already. I am preparing myself to a journey I have never been before. I am planning for my future that finally, I can say that this is what I wanted to do with my life. That part of my life when I felt lost drove me to find myself. And I have no one else to thank for than our Almighty God. Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings, challenges and opportunities. Indeed, there is always purpose in whatever circumstances we are into. Just trust the process.