The author with former Walt Disney Imagineer McNair Wilson

(First published on June 8, 2014 in Rappler.com) Dreading your next big meeting? Empowering advice from former Disney Imagineer McNair Wilson Whether you’re working by yourself or in a team, there will be times when you’ll need a breakthrough idea to save the day. Oftentimes, however, typical “brainstorming” sessions end with nothing much because, according to former Walt Disney Imagineer McNair Wilson, “Nobody knows how to brainstorm anymore… Usually what’s going on is playful arguing with snacks on the table.” Wilson, now an author and…Continue Reading “10 tips for your next brainstorming session at work (Rappler.com)”

(Published in Rappler on September 17, 2012) MANILA, Philippines – Two Filipinos were among those named as Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP), an annual search by the Junior Chamber International (JCI), otherwise known as the Jaycees. They are Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, president of MicroVentures, a social enterprise known for the multi-award-winning program Hapinoy; and Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña, Assistant Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, also…Continue Reading “2 Pinoys among 10 Outstanding Young Persons of the World (Rappler.com)”

(Note: This was originally posted as my status on Facebook. I joined Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s team in 2009–one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my entire professional life.)   I know that the nation is still mourning the loss of a great man, but I’d like to take time to thank and pay tribute to another great man on the occasion of his birthday. To Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, may the Lord bless you today and every day of your life and may He…Continue Reading “Marking the birthday of my best boss ever: My Facebook greeting for Sen. Kiko Pangilinan”

(Originally posted in the blog, Out of the Universe) I committed one HUGE mistake that proved almost-fatal to my political career when I was in college: I wanted to emulate someone whose position I was aspiring for, and when I finally reached that position my intentions failed to translate into effective actions. It wasn’t because I didn’t care about the responsibilities that were entrusted to me or about the constituency that voted for me—in fact, my involvement in the student council meant pretty much everything…Continue Reading “Lessons in Failed Leadership (Out of the Universe)”