Jess Espanola's Secret to Success

Ever heard of Jess Espanola? Probably not. Unless you watch The Simpsons.

Jess Espanola is the assistant director of the popular TV show, The Simpsopns. He received an Emmy award in 2008 for his work in one of the show's episodes, Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind. Oh and he's PINOY.

Jess has been in the animation industry for quite some time now and has been in other successful projects such as: The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible, Adams Family, The Jetsons Family Specials, Bill and Ted, Police Academy, The Flintstones Specials, Hallmark’s Timeless Tales, Scooby Doo, Smurfs, Tom and Jerry Kids, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Hiawatha, Ace Ventura the CD-ROM Game, Microsoft’s Barney and Friends, Howie Mandel’s Great World Adventure, and Kidsworld Online. However his road to fame was not a walk in the park.

Jess got his first break when his former company, Fil-Cartoons Studio, sent him to LA for an orientation tour. Then in 1994, an American company started hiring Filipino animators and Jess was one of the lucky ones to get recruited and earned a free fare going to California. From then on there's no turning back.

Disney and Japanese animation studios are among those who employ Filipino animators.

If Jess' win proves anything it is this: Pinoys are world-class artists.

In an interview with GMANews, Jess gave this piece of advise to aspiring animators.

“Whatever talent you have, if you enjoy it, you have to pursue it. You should not be discouraged when people tell you that there’s no money there. Money will come. Your work will find a way towards financial stability."

Bo Sanchez: Catholic Lay Preacher and Entrepreneur

Success is often defined with how much material wealth you are able to accumulate. Often too we associate being rich with graft and corruption, greed and deceit. Well Br. Bo Sanchez will disagree.

To those who know him, he is an inspiring Catholic lay preacher. Those who regularly attend The Feast at the Ultra every Sunday mornings can attest that he is an inspiration and a true servant of God. He writes and contributes articles to many ShepherdsVoice Publications like KERYGMA, FISH and MUSTARD. He has also written numerous books and articles about love, growing in abundance, facing fears, among other topics. And he never stops there.

He has established a number of communities to address the many needs of the people like ANAWIM, the center for the elderly; Light of Jesus, charismatic and renewal community and just recently, Grace to be Born, a center for teenage pregnant girls or women in crisis.

No wonder he has received awards like the Serviam Award given by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA), the Golden Gavel Awards from Toastmasters International and TOYM Award from no less than the president herself, Gloria Arroyo, for the many outstanding accomplishments he has made.

By the way, he is also an entrepreneur. No he doesn't make money out of the love offerings given every Sunday. He said that himself. He makes a living doing what he loves -- speaking and writing.

So what do these things have to do with being rich and successful? There are 3 points worthy of your attention here.

#1 Success is not about getting but about GIVING. The same is true with richness. A man's true wealth can be measured by how much he has given. Remember the Bible Story on an old woman who dropped 2 coins in the temple as oppose to the rich man who gave one bag of gold coins? Why was the old woman more pleasing to God? BECAUSE SHE HAS GIVEN ALL THAT SHE HAS AND NOT FROM HER EXCESS.You're NOT ENCOURAGE give up your money! Learn to share not just your treasures but your time and talent as well to serve others. You will be greatly rewarded.

#2 Know your God's gifts. Br. Bo realize that he can make money with his gifts of speaking and writing. If you search about his business ventures, the primary ones are related to his talents. From there, he ventured to other not-so-related ones like the stock market and real estate.

# 3 To be rich, you must think rich. It has been said that poverty is just in the head. If you think you are poor, you are. If you think you are rich, you are. It's not just a play of words. It's more of conditioning. To think rich is to be creative in finding ways to earn more money. To think rich is to be resourceful and open to opportunities to grow money THE LEGAL WAY.

We are rich if we nurture the talents God gave us to benefit not only ourselves nor our loved ones, but every one, for we all have the right to experience God's abundance in this life.

The ultimate purpose of wealth is to help others. -- Bo Sanchez

Think Rich, Pinoy! Yayaman Ako!

I can't explain my emotions now. I'm just reading books and I get high. I'm confused yet inspired. Excited yet anxious.

I'm reading about becoming rich. Yes you read it right. I want to be rich. But being rich not only for myself, nor my family. I want to be rich so I can help others become rich. Difficult to understand? No. If you are reading Larry Gamboa's Think Rich, Pinoy! and Grow Rich Pinoy!, this won't be a far-fetched idea. Being out of the rat race and into the fast track is now made possible in simple practical ways.

Sir Larry is a Pinoy Real Estate investor who's book is an adaption of the principles he learned from Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Being in the business for four years now, Sir Larry learns to be financially independent and helps others gain financial freedom as well. He's mentor to well-known lay preacher, Bo Sanchez.

I'm still trying to digest and organize the information I'm learning and to unlearn myths about money and making-money. One thing is clear: I will not be an employee for the rest of my life. I will not be an OFW for long. I will be a business owner. I will be an investor. I will be a Pinoy capitalist. But a capitalist with a strong sense of social responsibility. A millionaire missionary (as Br. Bo coined it). And I will start it when I come home this August. I WILL MAKE MONEY WORK FOR ME. Instead of the other way around.

I will be ONE OF THE ONE MILLION PINOY MILLIONAIRES by 2020. (Not just me, but my husband as well and my siblings and my in-laws and my friends =)). Recession or no recession. Whoever is the next Philippine president.

Do you share the same dream? A life of financial freedom for you and your family?

Read more.

Tita Cory

“I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.”
-- Corazon Aquino

If there is any indication of the healing masses offered daily by her friends it is this...Tita Cory is well-loved and admired. The X and Y generation may no longer know her accomplishments other than being the mother of TV personality Kris Aquino so I took the time to write about her and what she has done.

The Philippines has shown the world that a peaceful transition of power from dictatorship to democracy can be done. The turning point was 1986. And the person who emerged as the country's beacon of hope for a new Philippines was Tita Cory.

Born Maria Corazon Cojuangco on January 25, 1933, Tita Cory belonged to the wealthy Cojuangco clan of Tarlac. She received her basic and secondary education from Assumption in Manila, an exclusive school for girls. She earned her Bachelor of Arts major in French and minor in Mathematics from College of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City. Upon her return to the Philippines to pursue law, she met Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., a brilliant young senator, whom she later married. What could have been a blissful marriage turned bitter at the turn of events.

Wanting to end Marcos' tyrannical rule, Sen. Ninoy Aquino returned from his US exile on August 21, 1983 amidst the objections of his family. He was shot dead on his way down the tarmac at the Manila International Airport. The Philippines hope for freedom seemingly crushed with his untimely demise.

In order to unite the opposition, Tita Cory reluctantly agreed to run for president against Ferdinand Marcos. Being the widow of a well-respected senator, support from various groups rallied behind her: the Roman Catholic church, the civil society and the military. The 1986 presidential elections gave the win to Marcos to the dismay of Filipinos. Nonetheless, a series of non-violent civil disturbances were launched by Aquino supporters that culminated in the peaceful People Power in EDSA on February 25, 1986. Marcos and his cronies fled and Tita Cory assumed the presidency from 1986-1992.

For her works to restore democracy in the country, Tita Cory received numerous accolades and honorary degrees. Among them were TIME Magazine's Woman of the Year (1986) and TIME Asia's Asian Heroes (2006).

Visit her official website to learn more.

TAKBO TAYO!

I used to jog at The Fort with my friends from the Legion of Mary. Those were Sunday mornings. We would wake up at 5 am and text or call others to meet at the Staff House. From the area near Market!Market! we jog (well, mostly walk) to the area near where Jollibee and Chowking now stand. We join strangers in the aerobic workout conducted by a health group. There is a fee of 20Php but many times we get away without paying for it (We stay a block from the exercise area and imitate the steps =), evil).

I dreamt of joining fun run events especially if they are aimed to benefit foundations or charities. The last attempt I made was in late 2008 when the La Salle Brothers organized a Fun Run to benefit the ONE LA SALLE scholarship fund. I was supposed to join my students from the SACB in the event but sadly I wasn't able to go.

Now, I'm grabbing this chance to realize my dream. On August 15 at 8pm, I will join my friend Mavic along with husband and fiance in the Kenny's Open Urbanite Run at the Fort.Organized by Finishline, the event aims to raise funds for Hands On Manila and the 57-75 Movement.

Join us in this worthy endeavor. Click here for registration details.

For more fun run events, visit Takbo.ph for schedule.

Choose Love

"At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity..." Matthew 9:36

It took me a while to write another article about inspiring Filipinos because I had to research about this one particular person. I was watching Pinoy Meets World last week and it featured Thailand. More than the wonderful sights and interesting facts about this country in the Southeast Asian region, it caught my attention about an unheralded Filipina caring unceasingly for the unwanted and abandoned. Her name is Sis. Eliza Dumapit.

Sis. Eliza Dumapit, a member of the Daughters of Charity, has been working in St. Clare's Hospice in Thailand for 11 years. Her job? Nursing people afflicted with AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome). Despite many awareness campaigns to educate and foster understanding regarding this illness, not very many will be willing to care for those afflicted with it. But not Sis. Eliza. Everyday, she attends to the medical needs of her 16 wards. Everyday, she would lovingly feed them, dress them, listen to their stories, bring smiles on their haggard faces and bless them with her presence. She has seen death many times but still she continues to do what she does every single day. I don't think a lot of people will be willing to work or endure a day in the company of people with AIDS but Sis. Eliza negates this seemingly unthinkable task. What is the reason why she continues to do so? COMPASSION. It is SELFLESS LOVE for others.

I am reminded of Mother Teresa because she belongs to the same congregation as Sis. Eliza. And who would not know her? Just like Sis. Eliza, she cares for the poor and the sick in India. She continued to do so even until her death. Her simple acts of charity showed how much love this world can still give only if people will allow themselves to do so. I believe this is also what heroism is about -- to love others more than yourself.

In Jesus' time, we have read how he spend most of his days helping the needy and preaching the good news. He had died in the cross for our sins and the single reason for that is His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for all mankind. And there are many people in our present time who, like Sis. Eliza and Mother Teresa continue to care and help -- a love that is UNCONDITIONAL and UNREQUITED!

I believe that God calls us, first and foremost, to love our neighbors. By and through what means is up to us. We are given so many blessings every single day there is no reason for us not to share. So choose to care. Choose to help. Choose to LOVE.

Success is fueled by Passion

I was watching GMA's World Class Pinoy episode on Japan since last Monday. The good thing about the show is that it features Filipinos who made it big abroad. Let me tell you about Maria Mercedes M. Corrales.

Does the name ring a bell? Probably not. But she's a big name in Japan. I don't know if she's related to our Philippine singer Pilita Corrales, the mother of actress Jackielou Blanco. Currently, she is the Representative Director CEO & COO of Starbucks Coffee, Japan Ltd. Prior to her involvement with the largest coffee company, she worked for 31 years with Levi Strauss and Co as an executive officer in charge of international marketing. In the TV interview, she said that the ingredient to her success is that she loves what she's doing. She loves meeting people and learning more about their culture. This is her motivation. I call that Passion.

Time and again we have proven to be a very resilient and hardworking people. Wherever we go, no matter what the obstacles are we continue to strive, to dream and succeed. The key to all these is PASSION. If a person REALLY DESIRES to make her dreams come true, it will come true. But PASSION must be complemented with ACTION. As Albert Einstein says, nothing changes if nothing moves (or something to that effect.) One must ACT to REALIZE her goals. PASSION is what sustains her.

If you have read my article about Soul Dreams then it's time to ACT on those dreams. They won't come on a silver platter. They will not be easy to realize. But as I said, if you are determined to get it (and if it will bring you closer to God), then God's resources will flow to you like a rampaging river! I learned that from Br. Bo (watch the July 1 & 2 videos in www.preacherinbluejeans.com).

We need to be inspired. Enough of the bad news. We have enough disappointments to deal with. Now is time to be motivated to live another day and fulfill our dreams.

Choose your thoughts for they become your words.
Choose your words for they become your actions.
Choose your actions for they become your habits.
Choose your habits for it forms your character.
Choose your character for it forms your destiny.

BELIEVE in the POWER OF YOUR DREAMS (THOUGHTS), for even if it takes a long and winding road to reach your DESTINY, PASSION will make you reach your destination in the end.

Read more about Ms. Mercy Corrales at http://www.ea-tokyo.com/seminars/speakers/MercedesCorrales.php