Skip to main content

BDJ Women's Summit 2017: Women Can. Women Will. ♥

Being part of the BDJ Community is such a beautiful blessing. And one of the perks of being a bella, aside from having the best, most useful planner in the world, and enjoying great deals from partner brands, is attending events which aim to inspire and empower us women. 

In my previous blog entry, I mentioned that I was able to tick off the first item on my BDJ travel checklist. Just last Saturday, I was able to tick off two more items: attend a BDJ event and introduce the BDJ community to someone. ♥

When I got the very first email about the BDJ Women's Summit for this year, I immediately blocked off March 25

I was super excited to learn from them! ♥

A week before the event, I got an invite to the Old Navy sale which also happened to be on the same date. Because I also wanted to spend time with my boyfriend's colleagues (they were the ones who invited me to the sale), I decided to attend both events.

I arrived at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura just in time for the afternoon session. Thanks to the Grab promo, I only paid Php35 from Glorietta to SM Aura. :D

Though I know I missed the other half of the summit, I felt that the other half was really meant for me. :) 

Yes, I was not able to listen to Abby Arenas (good thing I had the privilege to attend a training with her during my stay in Splash), Jodi Sta. Maria, Hidilyn Diaz, and Rebecca Bustamante, but the remaining four speakers were more than enough!

For the benefit of those who were not able to attend, and for my own sake as well (reminder just in case I forget), let me share my takeaways from the summit. ♥

The first speaker I was able to listen to was Pia Gladys Perey, a Filipina fashion designer who made it big in the international scene. Honestly, I can compare her to Queen Pia (Wurtzbach) as they are both confidently beautiful with a heart. ♥ I loved her humble beginnings. Indeed, she's one perfect example of making it big by starting small. When she was narrating how her grandfather defined success, I got a little emotional because I remembered my own Lolo, who said the same thing: success is leaving a legacy built on integrity

On point, Ms. Pia! ♥

Ms. Pia also shared her weaknesses and the struggles and challenges she went through (and are still going through). Who would have thought that a successful woman like her was bullied during her childhood because of her eye condition (crossed eyes)? I was also thrilled to know that she is a single mom who's raising not just one but three kids including twins! She must really be a superwoman!

Her story will make you realize that truly, you cannot make excuses! If she made it big, why can't you? (That question was actually meant for me.)

What excuse do you have?

So what's her secret? She listened to her heart. She responded to her very own calling. 

Passion. That's the key.

You need to discover your passion first before you can fulfill your mission. Your passion will reveal your purpose - why on earth you were created for - and discovering what that is will enable you to live life to the fullest. But know that it won't be that easy. You must also be ready to ask yourself (and answer in all honesty) this question: how much are you willing to suffer?

It will cost you a lot. But it will be all worth it. ♥

Her last three slides were important reminders on how we can better ourselves and reach for our stars... 

Learning should never stop!

Because no one will believe you if you don't believe in yourself first.

... and of course while keeping our feet on the ground.

Pay it forward, but never forget to look back.

The other speaker for the second plenary was Rebecca Bustamante and I only got to meet her during the open forum. One thing she said that really struck me was about pursuing personal success first before finding someone to settle down with. She's right. Before you worry about being the last girl to board the train to happy ever after, work on becoming your best self first. Strive to be a successful single lady, then you'll be ready to work on a successful family life. 

Three amazing women on stage! ♥

The next plenary was about positive change and the first speakers were the awesome twins behind PLUMP, Danah and Stacy Gutierrez! If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know how much I love them! Their story, much like Ms. Pia's, is very moving, because it's relatable. I'm not fat. I'm too skinny. And yes, they're right when they said that we get bullied just the same. I swear it annoys me when people tell me, "ang payat mo!" Sometime's I'm tempted to respond, "e di kayo na perfect!" It just sucks that some people don't understand the struggles of both fat and skinny people. It's easy to judge and assume we're not healthy and that we're not taking care of our bodies enough, but if they only know how hard we really try to attain that "perfect" body. Thanks to Danah and Stacy who shared about body positivity! It was actually the first time that I heard about it and I believe it's high time for people to be taught how to be more sensitive and just help their fellowmen see and appreciate the beauty that is innate in them. We only have one body and we got to celebrate it regardless of shape and size. :) 

Thank you, Danah & Stacy!!! ♥

Last, but definitely not the least, is my girl crush, Jaymie Pizarro!

Wife. Mother. Runner. ♥

She is a living proof that it's never too late! She started her running career at 30! (Yep, I'm thirty and I know it. :D). You can read her story here. :) 

Very inspiring woman. Made me say, "kaya ko rin!" ♥

It was a pleasant surprise to me when she shared how she started The Dream Marathon with Sir Jim Lafferty. He used to be our lecturer in our leadership class back in college. And up to this day, I carry with me the greatest lesson he imparted to us: a principle is not a principle until it costs you something

I'll join that marathon one day! ♥

Jaymie also shared with us her winning attitude. Sounds simple but it takes a lot of hard work too! 

Have fun! Because you only live once. :) 
And she ended with this quote: 
I cried when I saw this.

I came out of the hall empowered and convicted that I CAN and I WILL! I was so inspired that I can't wait to begin. So yeah, I'm ending this post now so I can begin my pursuit of personal success and happiness. :D 

P. S. 

Just a little more photos from the summit... 


Keynote speaker was VP Leni Robredo! This time, she was actually there! 

Raffle time! Umulan ng giveaways, promise! :D

Yep, I won! :D

Validity is until next year! Pwede pang magamit sa kasal! Hihi. ♥

Goodies from the generous sponsors!!! ♥♥♥

Again, to the BDJ Team, the speakers, the sponsors, and everyone else who made this event possible, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! ♥

This is how I was able to tick off the other item on my checklist - share the BDJ community. :)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Lupang Hinirang

Every Filipino knows Lupang Hinirang (though some know it better as " Bayang Magiliw "). How can you not know it when it is the national anthem of the Philippines? But do we really mean the lyrics that we sing? Do we understand it in the first place?  Photo Credit:  http://diazi.ism-online.org This video has gone viral weeks ago. This afternoon, I shared it to my teammates, and one commented, "Yun pala yun . Ngayon ko lang naintindihan."   He immediately downloaded it and converted to MP3.   So for those who have not seen it, once again, here is Joey Ayala's version of Lupang Hinirang. And I agree, you would never want to sing it in another way. (But that's just me. :D) This rendition is simply beautiful. Truly Filipino. :) Of course that doesn't mean we need to revise our national anthem but maybe we can consider about correcting the way we sing it (read: proper pronunciation). Read more about the Philippine National Anthem here .

Jesus Week 2015: A Time To HEAL ♥

I had the best, most meaningful HOLY WEEK ever, so far (the best is yet to come!). :) Thanks to Joy who shared the Jesus Week poster on Facebook. It was God's personal invitation, and I couldn't thank Him enough for the grace that He also gave me to respond. Everything is grace. It was not just my personal decision to join. It was God's grace that allowed me to.  So how did it go? Well, as what I have told my friends, it was amazingly beautiful! The experience was priceless! On Holy Monday, I posted Fr. Jerry Orbos' acronym for HOLY WEEK . I experienced all of that and more! :)  I won't be able to share everything as there is just a lot of personal, intimate encounters with the Lord. But if I were to summarize, it was a time for me to HEAL. :)  H alt . Indeed, I was able to stop and just rest in the Lord. Before leaving Manila, I have already told myself that this retreat will be all about Jesus ( Jesus Week nga e :D ). No emails, no texts, no calls. I

Thank You, Lord! :)

It has been a long and stressful day (the past three days have been lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and stressssssssssssssssssssssssssssssful), but You are just so amazing, Lord that I couldn't sleep without telling You how grateful I am. :) Thank You, Lord for the miracle that You did yesterday. Break even and more. :) Thank You, Lord for the laughter and stories shared during the post-mission meeting with Team Thailand. :) Team Thailand - Princesses from SFC Metro Manila :) Thank You, Lord for Lawrence. He is just the (almost) perfect man. He has his flaws, but they are acceptable; he makes mistakes, but they are all forgivable. There are a lot of men but there can never be anyone else. He's really the one. And You know it very well. :) ♥ Nemo. Love. ♥ Thank You, Lord for giving me strength and endurance each day. :) Thank You, Lord for the short but restful sleeps. :) Thank You, Lord for every waking moment and every opportunity that You give

The Holy Spirit*

*Cluster 4 Household Topic Reflections from John 15:26-16:4 True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers His disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend?  Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour that He was to be glorified - through His death on the cross and His resurrection - He revealed more fully to His disciples the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit?  First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who kindles faith in hearts receptive

Interesting Facts Courtesy of Celebrity Bluff :)

I was writing a different post, but Celebrity Bluff  is just so fun and informative, I had to stop from blogging to list down the fun facts that I learn from each round. :)  Thought it would be nice to share them here as well. For future reference. :D  Q: In 2012, what kind of animal was named after Beyonce? A: Horse Fly Q: What rare job in China will pay you US$50,000 a year?  A: Fart Smeller Q: What alcoholic drink literally means "water of life"? A: Whisky   Q: In which part of the body can you find the tragus? A: Ear Q: According to Merriam-Webster, what is the female equivalent of dude? A: Dudine Q: What is longer in the male turtles than in the females?  A: Nails And the final question is... Q:  According to Box Office Mojo   what are the top four (4) movies of 2013 according to global profit? A: (1) Iron Man 3, (2) Despicable Me 2, (3) Fast and the Furious 6 (4) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire That's all