Interviews, Checklists, & Cool Ideas You'll Love

Whenever I’m asked, “How did you learn English?” I can’t help but smile. While some might find these questions tiresome or even offensive, for me, they were a reminder of a unique journey that began long before I set foot in the United States and well before I started formal schooling. Even back in those days, most Filipinos learn English from school because all subjects, except for the Filipino subject, were taught in English. As to how well one can learn English from school, it depends of course on the child’s learning ability. In my case, I had an exceptional ...

When I was very young, I spent a lot of time playing by myself. My older siblings had their own friends, so I often found fun in simple things. One day, I was playing with an empty can of sterilized milk on the concrete floor outside of our house, flipping it and trying to make it stand upright at each toss. It was a simple game, but it kept me entertained. While I was playing, my dad came over. He seemed to think I had taken some tailoring chalk, which I sometimes used to draw on the walls. He asked ...

My dad, Alex, and my mother, Celia. They and the pup are no longer with us. Often, the most profound business lessons come from places we least expect. What have you learned not from work, business, or formal education, but from the rich and complex construct of life? Looking back, some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned came from simple moments spent with my parents. I’m excited to share these stories with you in a series of short articles, each one offering a piece of wisdom that’s stayed with me through the years. These aren’t grand tales; they’re real ...

King George VI, the father of the late Queen Elizabeth II, famously struggled with his speech due to, as some suggest, being forced to use his right hand despite being naturally left-handed. This story echoes with my own, highlighting the importance of embracing our natural tendencies. During a meal, my aunt, with good intentions, reached over to swap my spoon to my right hand and fork to my left, aligning with how she thought was proper for a right-handed world. In Asia, it’s common to use spoons more than forks, so this switch felt odd. Without fuss, I tried to ...

When I was young, we didn’t have much money for toys, but my mother, seeking to save our walls from my scribbles, bought me drawing materials. This simple act wasn’t just about keeping the house clean; it was the start of a lifelong passion for drawing that became much more than a hobby—it shaped my philosophy as a CEO. Drawing taught me the art of stoicism and the power of being fully present. When sketching from life, you learn to see the world in terms of shapes and spaces, not just objects and people. This shift in perspective trains you ...