At INSEAD dreams do come true as we remain relentless in the pursuit of what sets our hearts on fire. After eight years in FMCG, entrepreneurship and coaching, I’m excited and grateful to share that two weeks ago, I’ve started my MBA at INSEAD, Europe Campus - one of the top programmes in the world. Kicking off the year as one of only three Filipinos, I’m so excited to learn with 60 different nationalities and make real connections with 484 amazing humans.

• Read more about 2 Rejections, 3 Admissions With Scholarships, 1 Dream School

Leaving an MBA without a job can be a scary experience – just imagine having lots of fun on your graduation trip, but at the back of your mind knowing that soon you need to venture into the real world of job hunting can be quite a scary experience!  

• Read more about Navigating the Post-MBA Job Hunt Landscape

We all know that over the years globalisation has resulted in connecting people all around the globe and bringing the world at the tip of the finger with the help of advanced technology, the internet as well as speedy access to information sharing and communicating. However, during the midst of the recent pandemic, the virtuality of globalisation has been more useful than ever to explore, learn and master these skills faster. During my first MBA module I had the opportunity to witness one of the best demonstrations of this phenomenon. 

• Read more about A Glimpse into My MBA Learning Experience in P1

I came to INSEAD to immerse myself in an environment to build a business. I am proud to say that this dream became a reality in June 2021 after winning the 42nd INSEAD Venture Competition (IVC) with our new venture, SPATULA Foods. What I didn’t expect was sharing this experience, and building this business with my wife!

• Read more about Couples Who Work, Grow, and Build at INSEAD

We are all destined to achieve great things, at the right time.    In simple terms, the universe sends events (e.g., an EMBA) our way when ‘we are ready to receive those events’.

• Read more about The Time Is Right for an EMBA

As I was entering the final year of university, I thought I had a good idea of what I wanted going forward. Though my plans were not set in stone, I knew that I wanted to graduate, work for a few years and then maybe pursue a master’s degree.  Then the pandemic hit. As I saw more and more of my classmates struggling to find entry-level jobs, doubts began creeping in my mind. What had been a robust job market, at least in Canada, was not looking so good anymore. 

• Read more about Why I Chose To Do MIM at INSEAD

I’m now in the second half of my Executive MBA journey at INSEAD. Since the month of July, we have been leveraging the learnings gained from the core modules.

• Read more about Be the Entrepreneur of Your Life!

To begin with, almost every MBA student has a story to tell. However, unlike many MBA aspirants, I decided to go for an MBA 16 years ago, on the evening of April 23, 2005, when my grandfather surprisingly ask me, “What would you like to do in life?". I replied, "An MBA". However, I did not realise then that it would take me another 16 years to finally go on my MBA journey. So why did it take me 16 years and why now? The short answer will be - no time and resources, but it really boils down to right timing.

• Read more about Solving Why's? - Why Emba, Why TIEMBA, and Why Now?

Last year, my EMC peers and I delivered two sessions for our INSEAD alumni community where we explored the concept of negative capability.  This idea was introduced by John Keats in 1817. He described it as a state in which a person is ‘capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason’. It is a relevant and powerful skill - especially in a current context.

• Read more about Negative Capability - a Powerful Tool to Navigate Ambiguity

When I'm going through difficult situations in my life, there are three coping strategies that I find useful. They are my personal strategies and might not work for everyone, but I’d still like to share them with you in case you’d like to try them. 

• Read more about Three Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Situations