What Makes Me, Me: My Journey To Creative World.
I am the woman in her favorite white shirt, obsessed with scents, sunsets, and landscape photography. The one you meet randomly, sipping freshly brewed green tea, while packing her bag for a three-day hike into a deep and silent forest listening to her favorite playlist!
Being in the creative industry, we also experience drought seasons when it comes to ideas and concepts. However, travel and exploration are among our secrets to generating fresh ideas, learning new concepts, and gaining a deeper understanding of people’s behaviors—all while giving ourselves a much-needed recharge for another “kumbati” moment ahead.
Journey Started
“My burning desire to become a chef was blown away by natural circumstances that led me to a more fulfilling career”
It all began in 2018 when I started as a Marketing Staff after my U.S. visa application for an internship was rejected. I felt betrayed by my long-held dream because, ever since I was little, I had always dreamed of becoming a chef and opening my own restaurant. However, fate had other plans for me, leading me into a field that seemed worlds apart from my original career path.
Failures and downfalls from the past have shaped my character. They have made me more capable of discovering my purpose and understanding what I truly want to do. Every success is more meaningful when it comes from our own efforts and the determination to change our outlook on life.
“Fake It Til You Make It”
One of the famous sayings I held on to at that time during my first marketing job interview actually worked! Luckily, I got the job.
Throughout my university life, I never paid much attention to our marketing lessons because I was so certain about my future. But as it turns out, “the more you hate, the more you love.” Funny, isn’t it? I showed up, gave it a try, and got hired. And that’s how my marketing career started!
The Turning Point
From my experience as an all-around marketing associate, I discovered how vast, dynamic, and fast-evolving the field was. This experience became my window to a new perspective. It takes a lot of braincells! I started by learning the fundamentals of traditional and digital marketing, proposing and designing marketing strategies, creating marketing collaterals, crafting marketing plans, navigating various digital marketing tools, writing content for websites and social media, conceptualizing video productions, and even organizing marketing events.
I realized how much I enjoyed the creative world—playing with colors, shapes, and concepts—and the challenge of visually communicating a brand’s story. It wasn’t just about selling a product; it was about creating something that captured attention, evoked emotions, and told a story. More than that, it became a journey of self-discovery, unlocking my full potential.
I learned the importance of adapting and being flexible in the face of challenges. Guided by the basic marketing principles taught by my mentor, I never stopped learning. I took free digital marketing courses, continuously honed my skills, and ultimately discovered my true calling—beyond just flipping French toast every morning.
Creative Life
From then on, I slowly began embracing my path as a freelancer and business development advocate. I started designing projects for my friends, including logos, product labels, invitations, and various types of layouts. I also became a social media manager, handling multiple local accounts.
Driven by my love for art and writing, in 2023, I wrote and directed my first film, “Nganong Naay Blue Sa Buslot?”, which won the Best Actress Award at the 48-Hour Film Festival. In 2024, my first major film, “Aster”, won third place at the Sinulog Film Festival in Cebu City.
Lastly, part of my advocacy is sharing my knowledge and ideas with the youth and entrepreneurs. Beyond editing and creating, I am also invited to speak at forums about digital marketing, where I teach the basics of logo design and branding.
What I love most about this career is the fulfillment of witnessing my long-term clients succeed in their business journeys and collaborating with visionary individuals.