Browsing through my various musings, I came across a Christmas Card from 2012 that I had written. It was the Year of the Dragon. Unforgettable.
TeamAsia turned 20. What started literally in a garage in San Lorenzo has blossomed into an amazing award-winning strategic marketing communications firm that develops place, corporate, and personal brand strategies, creative concepts and marketing communications programs for its clients. It specializes in non-traditional communication channels, including the Web 2.0 (blog, Podcast and social network marketing, online brand advertising and website development, search engine marketing), contact center services, direct marketing, public relations, events, and innovative experiential and direct marketing communications collateral.
With 70 awesome talented and hard-working team members, TeamAsia has overcome enormous challenges, riding the crest of technology, bowing with the winds of change, seizing opportunities, while keeping true to the values of integrity, innovation, quality, excellence, and professionalism. Through all two decades, it’s been a Mike and Monette-led tandem.
Now that we’ve grown bigger, we’re delighted that our dedicated and seasoned executive team has stepped up to lead our initiatives. We’re so very proud of them, and blessed that they have chosen to grow with us as a family. They have allowed me to take on additional responsibilities as president of PACEOS, trustee of the League of Corporate Foundations, and private-sector director of the country’s Tourism Promotions Board.
And yes, the new guard is getting ready to lead TeamAsia’s third decade. Bea is finishing her masters in Integrated Marketing Communication at Boston’s Emerson College with a straight 4.0 average and will be back for good in a few months. Brimming with ideas, with a fresh, global outlook, Bea is excited to make things rock at TeamAsia. Well-loved by her circle of international friends, Bea has blossomed into a mature young woman, confident of her abilities.
Our adventurous Cara bonita is making things rock at Shangri-La Boracay’s chi-chi Rima. Trained under Chef Luca, Cara is ready to take on new challenges whipping exquisite dishes for discerning guests, and leading the kitchen staff to greater heights. Lithe and bronzed, our little thin chef has taken on dragon boating with a vengeance, and is enjoying what she loves best: cooking and beaches.
Niccolo is finishing up high school at Zobel, and getting ready for college life. This year, our sports enthusiast has mastered the art of mountain biking and duathlons, winning races, and making tons of friends and fans. I still can’t get over having girls’ heads swivel when he walks by. He has discovered the wonderful world of books, devouring several best sellers, and learned the joys (and sorrows) of driving.
October 10 was when the world came tumbling down for a brief moment. Mike, my beloved, my soul mate, my partner, was taken gravely ill, and we learned that the dreadful C has invaded our lives, unwelcome, unbidden. It was a test. A test of faith and resilience.
Prayer is the bridge between panic and peace. True story. I am grateful to my wonderful friends who are praying for us. When Bea brought home yellow arm bands of Hope, Faith, Strength and Survivor, it was interesting that both Mike and I chose Faith to wear like a shield.
We realize all the more how precious the gift of life and love is. We are so very grateful to our Lord for all the many blessings He has showered us: a wonderful company, real friends, and a family so full of love, strength and faith. We’re taking on this new challenge with hearts full of hope, armed with fervent prayers of family and friends. We choose to believe in God’s almighty grace.
So as the world gets ready to welcome 2013, we wish you all long, happy, healthy, prosperous and wonderfully meaningful lives.
Fast forward to today, August 9, 2014. Life has a way of turning on its head. Mike is home with the Lord, achingly missed by all of us.
Niccolo is in his second year of college, a strapping young man, looking more and more like his father each day.
After taking an internship in Palermo, Sicily, Cara is sous chef at Asya Premier Resorts, still in the Boracay that she loves, and giving in to wanderlust.
After bagging the President’s Award at Emerson College, Bea is back home running TeamAsia as our Managing Director, injecting her own brand of sunshine and sparkles, and doing a marvelous job leading our team of amazing people that create innovative ideas and deliver next-level experiences for brands.
As for me, I’ve taken on writing to ease the pain of losing my beloved Mike, and begin life anew, slowly, slowly, one day at a time.