FROM THE ACADEME TO DIRECT SELLING

Bong Isidro, with his family, at a recent Philkraft event.

"To be the best server” is a dream of young Bong Isidro, when he was an altar boy at his parish church in Pasay City. It was no surprise then to his family and friends when he decided to enter   Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary for his high school,  and San Carlos Seminary for  his AB Philosophy degree. For six years, he went through a rigorous formation that would prepare him to a life of priestly service. But before starting with his theology studies, Bong decided to explore the world outside of the seminary walls.

That exploration led him to San Beda College Alabang, then Benedictine Abbey School, where he worked as Prefect of Discipline and as the Academic Coordinator for Christian Living.

One day in 1986, a direct-selling company selling premium quality kitchenware and fine table appointments was introduced to him–Philkraft. He was so impressed with the products and the financial rewards that he decided to work for it, part-time. After school hours, he would sell with great pride Philkraft items to his friends. Realizing that he was earning more from his part-time job, in 1988 he decided to work full-time as Trainer for Philkraft.

Bong considers selling a vocation. He believes that selling is a form of service wherein one can help people make favorable choices or decisions that would personally satisfy them.

Today, Bong is the Head of Sales at Philkraft, where he has served for  over twenty-eight years now. Such length of tenure is proof that in a different context, he has remained true to his dream of being the best server.

In the book "Pointers for New College Graduates." Bong shares the following pieces of advice:

• Know what drives you. Listen to your heart. What moves you to get out of bed to welcome the morning? What constructive activity gives you meaning and focus? Your genuine answer to these questions can lead you to your passion. This will give meaning to whatever you are doing and hence, have passion in doing it.

• Give your best. Mediocrity has no place in success. "Hindi pwedeng pwede na". To drive home my point, let me share with you this poem that I read in high school that has always inspired me:

“if I cannot be a huge mountain, I will be a rock;

if I cannot be a vast ocean, I will be a stream;

if I cannot be a super highway, I will be a pathway;

if I cannot be a tall tree, I will be a shrub;

but whatever I may be, I shall ensure that I shall always be

the best that I can ever be.”

• Check company backgrounds. Do not just let companies choose you. You choose your company! Companies check your personal background, so it is just fair that you check theirs as well. Choose a company that has a philosophy and mission and vision that are consistent with yours. But be careful that you choose a company that is TRUE to what they profess. Remember that you are not only looking for job, you are looking for an employer to whom you will be committed. In the end, you will be a part of that company, you will be that company.

Real more about Bong's pointers for college graduates aspiring to be in Direct Selling.

"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

WHAT IS DISCERNMENT?

(Above) Fr. Rolando R. Agustin at St. Andrew Cathedral in Paranaque City.  Before he was assigned Rector and Parish Priest, he was once Spiritual Director at San Carlos Seminary and Rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, where he helped many young men discern their vocation. Photo source: Facebook

In the book, "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  Fr. Rolando R. Agustin, former National Executive Secretary of Directors of Vocations in the Philippines, under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP),  writes -- in simple terms-- a  chapter on   "discernment."

"Discernment comes from the Latin word discernere meaning to“separate or distinguish.” As a process, it takes time. As an ability, it is a gift, a personal skill that allows you to quiet down, to listen and to see signs and their meanings.

In discernment, it is assumed that you have a prayer life. This means that you recognize God’s presence in your life and that you have a personal relationship with Him, the One whom you believe created you for a purpose.

Remember that discernment is different from the decision-making process as taught in business school. Specifically, decision-making in business involves metrics and cost-benefit analysis to reach a decision for optimal results in the short- and long-term.

In contrast, you turn to discernment to uncover God’s purpose and mission for you. You discern when you are faced with a number of options. Or when you need to decide on what state in life you will take, which profession or career you will pursue, and who to choose as your partner for life. "

"Pointers for New College Graduates," avaialable at Fully Booked, St. Pauls Bookstores and Catholic Book Centre.

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Note from  Gerry P. Siquijor, author of "Pointers for New College Graduates:"

I am deeply grateful to  my high school classmate, Fr. Rolando R. Agustin,  for for  contributing this  chapter on "discernment."  I will certainly be joining him  on January 19, at the St. Andrew Cathedral in Paranaque, when Fr. Rolly celebrates his 25th year in the priestly ministry.

A RELIGIOUS VOCATION IS NEVER LATE

Msgr. Dan Sta. Mara as he appears on the cover of his  third book:

One interesting career journey  featured  in "Pointers for New College Graduates" is that of  a priest, who found his calling way past college graduation. 

Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Cubao,  recalls his  years before and after entering the seminary. 

He was born and raised,   together with  eight siblings.  in Mandaluyong City,  He wanted to reciprocate the dedication and hard work of his parents,  and did so  by graduating summa cum laude at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he earned his degree in BS Chemical Engineering.

Like a typical new graduate, Msgr. Dan thought he would be a family man.  When he was in college, he had a girlfriend , who broke up with him when he had to leave  the country  for  his masteral studies at Clarkson University in New York.

Msgr. Dan experienced how it was like to be corporate executive. He worked for years with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio and with Dupont in Houston, Texas.  

Yet the call of a priestly vocation  proved too powerful for Msgr. Dan.  His  life took a big turn when he returned  in 1979 to the Philippines and decided to enter San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, then later, San Jose Seminary in Quezon City. . 

After what seemed  like a long and colorful journey, Msgr. Dan was ordained priest in 1986 at   the age of forty-three.

Learn more about Msgr. Dan's vocation story and his pointers for young adults at life's many crossroads.

Ms. Dan Sta. Maria wrote the foreword of "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.