legacies
Slowly adding to my collection of online reads, penned by people I actually know. Rec your blog and/or newsletter: http://bit.ly/addvoid
Manila, 9 August—What do you want to be remembered for?
These sort of apocalyptic times have made me realize that we are never too young to think about what we’re leaving behind. I used to think it’s hubris—who are we to think we’re ever leaving anything behind, right? Aren’t we but specks in the grand scheme of things? etc—plus don’t even get me started about the word legacy, which is definitely tied to age (see also: Legacy systems, legacy plans, etc.)
Anyway, I’m thinking about legacies in light of my boss’s upcoming retirement—which has been a long time coming, actually, but was only recently formalized with the appointment of his successor. It was also aptly publicized on his birthday, which coincides with the company’s disclosure of first half earnings. (READ: TV anchor Cathy Yang named PLDT group head of communications via Newsbytes)
I’ve been lucky to find myself learning under good bosses after all these years—bosses who have been stalwarts in their respective industries. Just as there’s nothing quite like learning and working in LJM’s newsroom, I must say there’s no better on-the-job teacher on public relations and corporate communications as RRI, who has been at the helm of comms at PLDT for the past two decades and a half. (READ: Mon Isberto prepares for life after PLDT via Inquirer.net)
I’m among his newer wards, but in those years under his wing, I have learned so much about writing clearly, working hard, and treating everyone with respect and empathy. In fact, I have learned so much just by watching him at work.
One can only aspire to be worthy of one’s teachers; in the end, I suppose all that we students can aspire for is to be able to leave a positive mark on at least one other person, in one way or another, just like our teachers.
Here’s to the ever-present struggle toward a life well-lived.
Media recs
📺 Currently watching The Umbrella Academy on Netflix! We’re late to the party, and we just managed to finish Season 1 and are now about to binge through Season 2. No spoilers please, but let me just let this out, post-S1 finale: What the everloving f—?
🎬 Cinemalaya 2020 is on Vimeo on Demand and it runs until August 16. The Premium Bundle is at $7 (~PHP350) and has some 70+ movies for streaming. Register for Vimeo, pay via PayPal. Interesting business model, let’s support CCP :)
‼️ One last rec: The Twilight Zone reboot on HBO GO is amazing and terrifying. We’ve watched three episodes so far, and it has that Black Mirror-ish but not quite feeling that’s unsettling on its own.
Hope you had a good weekend.
XO,
K