What’s in an intro
Days prior to a speaking engagement, I was asked to submit my updated resume as it was needed for my introduction. I was however warned that they had to keep it really short so the chance of omitting some personal details was high. Later I was asked which parts in my resume are non-negotiable. I said, it is not in my resume.
In a seminar in one of the universities here in Cebu, the Resource Speaker was introduced this way —
“Ladies and gentlemen, he is a loving husband, a responsible father, a loyal friend. Let us welcome our Resource Speaker…” then I heard my name… “Mr. Rendon T. Geraldizo.”
Do you seriously agree with the descriptions about me? Before you even say a yes or a no, let me help you come up with a better judgement.
As the world celebrated the coming of the new millennium some years ago, I found love. She was the simplest girl who always wore a loose white shirt and purontong shorts during the choir practice. Her name was Percy. She was different and I fell in love with her unpretentious ways and natural beauty. So natural that she did not have wear make-up to be pretty. She did not have to put on any perfume or cologne to smell good. But she had this distinctive scent that made me adore her more. It was one that could make me imagine a person of too much beauty and wonder. In fact, I still get reminded of that smell now every time I see this most beautiful woman in the whole world, the universe rather
– Pia Wurtzbach. Letting go of my restrained curiosity, I finally asked what brought her that secret smell. Then, she revealed it was DOWNY! Yes, Downy is a significant part of this love story.
In the new millenium, I found the one, and I fell in love with her. Ten years later, I married her for the first time. Two years after that, I fell in love with her in a deeper level, and I married her for the second time. I could not thank the Lord enough for the gift of the Wonderful Instrument For Enjoyment, my World’s Ingenious Female Ever, and the one I consider a Wise Investment For Ever: My WIFE.
My name is Rendon Geraldizo. I am a husband.
One month after the second wedding, four pregnancy test sticks confirmed that we would soon have an angel. Before this, we had a very specific prayer: God, we wanted a baby girl. Then the ultrasound result revealed we got what we prayed for. We named her Isabella, which means, God’s gift. Isa introduced us to the beautiful world of parenting. You might ask, “Where is beauty in the sleepless nights during the first few months, in the expenses for the milk and diaper supplies, and in the monthly visits to the Pedia for the vaccines and boosters that rip you off every time?” Well, all these are nothing compared to the joy Percy and I got every time we held baby Isa in our tired arms even in the wee hours while our feet were never minding the monotonous dance steps that went along with the variety of lullabies. But yes, there is so much beauty in this girl now who will be celebrating her 6th birthday next month.
I remember when she celebrated her birthday last year, she received the most special gift of all - the gift of a sibling. Upon her knowing that we are pregnant, we told her that we had been praying for a brother for her, and we asked her to continue praying that we would have a baby boy. On April 27, 2017, he revealed himself to us through the ultrasound result: I am a baby boy… undeniably! Last week, Enoch celebrated his first birthday. His sister, Isa, was the most excited.
My kids are my daily reminder of how special I am in the eyes of my God. They are my prayers granted, multiplied by two. I could not think of any greater action to do with these lovely blessings than to take care of them, protect and support them, and love them in many ways so that when they grow up they will always come home because of Mama and Papa’s love and not for anything else. My name is Rendon Geraldizo. I am a father.
Last night, in our small group made of four couples, each of us shared about a blessing we received last month that we are most grateful for. Mine was the celebration of my birthday. I am grateful not just for the gift of my life, but I am most grateful for the life of the people, outside my family, who always make me feel special. Social media has a great way of reminding us that every year. I got some heartwarming messages that reminded me of how more meaningful my life has become because others willingly shared theirs with me. I was drowning myself with pure gratefulness while reading all the greetings. While I was at it, I humbly reaffirmed my value.
My name is Rendon Geraldizo. I am a friend.
Now, do you seriously agree that I am a loving husband, a responsible father, a loyal friend? If you ask me the same question, I would say, “I don’t know!” All I know is this: To become a loving husband, a responsible father, a loyal friend are my #lifegoals. I have set so many goals in my professional life thinking that my achievements based on them would define who I really am. But working mainly for the glamorous corporate titles and designations only offered the fleeting excitement and it somehow derailed me from focusing on what really needs to be done in this life.
How about you? What are your life goals? How do you remind yourself of that each time?
I am more than just a corporate executive. Every day, I am working hard toward becoming the person who my God created me to be. There is power in our introduction. It is not just a narrative of who we are now and what we accomplished in the past, because more importantly it is a personal declaration of who we really want to be. When I am introduced based on the accounts my professional records cannot cover, I share with the world and at the same time remind myself of the #lifegoals I have yet to achieve.
Ladies and gentlemen, with pride, I am Rendon Geraldizo: a loving husband to Percy, a responsible father to Isa and Enoch, your loyal friend.
*Rendon is the president of The Queen City Toastmasters. The club meets every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at Salt Restaurant, St. Patrick's Square, R. Aboitiz St., Cebu City near the Redemptorist Church.