Letting Yolanda Permanently Change You

November 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
tacloban

When I arrived home Sunday night to watch news on what happened with the super typhoon, I was in shock. The first few aerial pictures of Tacloban were coming in. It was utter devastation. Worse, there was a blackout on how people actually were on the affected islands as all communication lines were down. It was getting ominous. News over the next few days confirmed our very worst fears. Thousands dead. Cities, literally wiped out. Lives destroyed. The next day, Inquirer hailed it as the worst Philippine disaster. Ever. As media started descending on the island, the footage veered from bird's-eye onto man-on-the-street. I'm not so sure if anyone watching could hold tears back as … [Read more...]

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Start, UNPLUGGED!

February 22, 2013 by 1 Comment
MTV Unplugged 2.0 Episode on November 18, 2001

One of my favorite things about blogging on Juan Great Leap is that I get to document my entrepreneurial journey without much apprehension. The cathartic experience that comes from sharing, as a crazy individual who is just starting in the Philippines, enables me to embrace the fear monster. From my first Open Coffee to witnessing the art of sharing at living hope, I'm starting to realize why Peter calls Juan Great Leap his gift; there is great reward in giving and sharing for all. With Startups Unplugged coming up next week, I'd like to share what this event means to me and what I hope to give back to it. What does Startups Unplugged mean to me?  Three months ago, I was blurting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: GETTING STARTED, Life in a Startup, Small Steps, TAKE THAT LEAP! Tagged With: , , , ,

To Be or Not To be: 5 Reasons Why I think I need an MBA

January 28, 2013 by 10 Comments
In the summer of 2010, I took a visit to Columbia University during a family trip to NYC after college graduation

I loved college. I loved going to lecture and being inspired by the professors. I loved studying at the library, and I even loved taking naps at the library in between classes. I loved attending professor’s office hours to gain new knowledge and perspective. And most of all, I loved being engaged in a vibrant community of like-minded folks composed of young individuals who were hoping to do something in their own special way. I loved the idea of college so much that I aspired to be a professor. That’s what brought to me to the Philippines in the summer of 2010. The plan was that after graduation, I would go to the Philippines to take a one-month Tagalog class to “enhance” my knowledge of … [Read more...]

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Flipping the Script: My Inspiring Interview with Peter

January 9, 2013 by 2 Comments
Peter Cauton, Founder of Juan Great Leap, sharing a father-son moment with his son, Wakeen

This past Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, I sat down with Peter to experience Startup Saturdays first-hand. Initially, my initial vision for the interview was to ask as many thought-provoking questions as I could to get the insider's scoop on the person behind Juan Great Leap. I sought to reveal a different side of Peter that showcased him as not just the inspiring founder behind Juan Great Leap, but also as an ordinary fellow. However, as I was playing back the interview and transcribing his words something really clicked (it sometimes takes me a while to process things), I realized that Peter isn't ordinary, and that we already know him. He's already poured out his heart and soul to those that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: GOD@WORK, Life in a Startup, TAKE THAT LEAP! Tagged With: , , , , , , ,