Believe in yourself

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be.

Okay let me start with this. When I was a kid, I was a victim of bullying. Looking back at elementary years, I cannot recall not being bullied by my classmates, especially boys. They bullied me about how I looked, what I wore, what my father was (a drunkard). The world was filled with them, while I exerted much effort to get away from them. It hurt me. I lost what little selfesteem I had, and did not believe in myself.

But one time, I learned to stop believing what they had been telling me. I realized that bullies were a waste of time. Their bullying became my strength. I learned, too, to just strive hard, concentrate on my studies, and pursue my ambitions in life.

After I graduated from elementary from a small village of Badian island, my sisters decided to take me to the City to continue my high school. They enrolled me at University of Southern Philippines Lahug

Campus. Life in the city was quite tough and hard, especially because I was used to provincial life. As years went by, I graduated from high school. Then, I enrolled in college in one of the prestigious University here in Cebu with the degree of Bachelor of Science major in Tourism. Because of my sisters’ hard work, I completed my tertiary education. My family played and continues to play a very important role in my life. They are the shoulder that I could easily lean on.

We all need family. Our family motivates us to strive hard, and to help us succeed and do things in our life.

I thought life would be easier after college. Yet I confronted another problem. In fact, the first problem I had as a fresh graduate was to look for a job. I kept applying for a job that fit my course. One after the other, companies began to reject my application. I became hopeless and kept on questioning my capability.

I have learned a lot of things in my life. The saying, “Believe in yourself,” kept pushing me forward with prayers and faith in God as my strongest weapons.

One day, a friend of my aunt named Alex, who worked as a banquet supervisor, asked me to send my CV to Cebu Country Club. According to Alex, Cebu Country Club were in need of a waitress. At first, I was hesitant to apply because I was not not trained in the food and beverage industry. But my aunt and Alex encouraged me to apply (and because I was still unemployed at that time). So, I sent my CV to CCC. Waited. And waited some more until I received a call from the Administration Office inviting me for an interview. I did not expect to be hired because there were many other applications who applied for the same position.

I was fortunate and blessed indeed, that I was chosen. I underwent trainings in order to be familiar with the food and beverage functions, duties and responsibilities. I worked hard and started loving my work. I always believed in the saying, “Stop doubting yourself. Work hard and make it happen.”

After six months of working as a waitress, the management decided to transfer to me another position – as a front desk officer in the registration office. I started working as a guest registration officer in 2004. I continue to hold that position.

Like how I started, I was worried because I did not have any experience. But I realized the lack of competence will always be outweighed by a teachable and positive attitude. Skills will always be learned. What is difficult to learn is to have a positive attitude. I realized too that the main ingredient one needs to face challenges is CONFIDENCE. Even if I did not have much experience in the new field I was positioned in, I just began to believe in myself. Being confident helped me feel great in accomplishing things, no matter how hard the tasks were.

Having a stable job, I began to look forward to filling and creating my love life. At the age of 24, I found my true love here in CCC. I met my ever loving better-half, my perfect guy. Now, we’ve been married for 12 years. We have 2 talented and amazing kids.

To connect the dots backward, I believe that life is so much brighter when you focus on what truly matters. Cherish yesterday, dream for tomorrow, and live for today. End.

– This is the Ice Breaker Speech of Irish; her first published work. Irish is the VP-Public Relations of Fun n Fairways Toastmasters Club. Their next meeting is on February 6, 2018, at 2:30 pm at Cebu Country Club. For more information about the club meeting, please call Irish or Club President Chona Mendoza at 032 231 0345 during office hours.