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From a #twentysomehing and searching to a #SSSoulful being...
This Sole Searching Soul blog plays an important role not only in my #QuarterLife crisis phase but more importantly in my personal brand building journey. 
WHAT DOES YOUR PERSONAL BRAND STANDS FOR?! Are you interested to take a journey within and discover your highest value? CONTACT ME and I'll be delighted to assist you. For the meantime, I hope this video helps you. Thank you very much to Andrew Chow, International Speaker and Book Author of Personal Branding 247 for curating this video interview as part of the #InternationalWomensDay 2018 Celebration! #SoleSearchingSoulinCyberjaya taught me to be grateful and #SSSoulful that's why I decided to include these keywords in my closing statement for the video interview with Andrew Chow of Personal Branding 247 as part of the #InternationalWomensDay2018celebration. Be Grateful. Be Soulful. Two simple sentences that summarize what had been a complicated yet very meaningful Iife I had ever since I moved to Cyberjaya. I first visited #Cyberjaya 2 years ago and I never thought that it would be instrumental on who I am becoming. As I reflect on my #SoleSearchingSoul journey this #HolyWeek2018, I am reminded to be thankful to every person I met and every #Lifelesson I learned... to be grateful for everything, not only for the highs but most especially for the down times because it made me realize the beauty of life and #love... I started to be #mindful and deepen my self understanding as I develop a more discerning heart. Today, I no longer worry as much as I do before. I no longer stress my self in controlling everything... I let things unfold in it's own sweet time. So this year, as I continue my purposeful passion in #MakingADifferenceOneTripAtATime, I let God direct my path and pray for strength so that I may always have the courage to follow His will. In everything that I do, I do it for His greater glory. ♡
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Being #mindful is challenging but for sure it will be rewarding. This #SoleSearchingSoul journey is not easy but I firmly believe that it's going to be worth it. I pray for God's constant guidance as I continue to work for my #TAAP mission while living in this fast-paced world.  We live in a fast paced world but that doesn't mean that you also have to be always in a #rush.
Remember that there's a season and time for everything. Don't sprint just because everyone is running and you're too afraid of being left behind. Find your own pace as you know more about yourself. Slowing down is not a sin. Don't be guilty if you find yourself stepping back to enjoy the moment and be mindful of where you are. Self mastery is very important if you want to have a meaningful journey and feel genuinely fulfilled when you finally reach the end. Self-actualization happens when you start to be mindful of where you're going and who you are becoming by having that patience to take one step at a time. 💓💓💓💓💓💓💓 #SoleSearchingSoul #SSSoulful #QuarterLife #PeerCoach #counseling #TAAPtips #TAAP #LifeCoach #QuarterLifeCrisis #selftalk #notetoself
Blending Travel & Activity
In one sense, we’re already witnessing the concept of travel – or at least its potential – through apps built for other activities. Of course, your average VR game is designed to take you into a new environment, and some are based on real world places. But some games and similar apps could more directly involve the real world. The chief example right now is probably in the exercise sector, where there are already cycling app prototypes that take your cycling workouts to the streets. Using Google Street View and other programs, these systems can make you feel as if you’re actually biking through the world when in reality you’re safe at home on an exercise bike.
Another blend of travel and activity that may be on the cusp of emerging comes from the casino business. Already thriving online, this particular gaming category is already producing games presented to you in sumptuous VR 3D via desktops or VR headsets.
Right now most of the content in these games is still animated, but there are a few card games and slot lobbies that closely resemble real casinos. That opens the door to an interesting concept of games mirroring actual establishments that people might otherwise travel halfway across the world to visit. Potential For Real World Immersion Both of the examples listed above demonstrate more than just the capabilities of VR and the creativity of a handful of developers. Rather, they speak to the possibility of real world immersion through this medium. The truth at this point is that cycling, casino, and other activity-related apps show you relatively limited environments. They get the job done for their respective activities, but they’re more about those experiences than about the environments involved. The potential is for us to see apps that focus more on the actual environments. In other words, there could soon be apps designed just to show us different parts of the world. Emerging Apps As it happens, some of those apps – the ones used to show us different parts of the world – are already beginning to emerge, even if they’re not getting a whole lot of publicity. There has actually been talk of travel booking websites and agencies developing their own apps in this area, which is an interesting idea to consider. That could essentially monetize the apps, as they would become useful for incentivizing people to want to visit certain areas. However, right now they appear to be largely experimental in nature. Digital Trends took a look at a few apps that will give you a taste of virtual travel, and pointed out some pretty inspiring examples. For instance, Google Earth VR allows you to start in space and , with a bird’s eye view, explore any place in the world, essentially “flying” from one major city or landmark to another. It’s an astounding tool that can almost literally show you the entire world. Boulevard, another app, functions more like an adaptation of the casino concept in that it shows you famous interiors, such as museums and other cultural sites around Europe. These are just a few programs, but they reveal that VR is already becoming pretty interesting for those who like to travel. It’s still no substitute for actually getting out in the world, but it’s certainly going to be a wonderful alternative for those of us with wanderlust when we’re stuck at home!
"Si Ate, ako at ang Turismo" : How I started and chose to continue to #MakeADifferenceOneTripAtATime despite all uncertainties & vulnerabilities
I already forgot her name but I always remember her #SSStory. This photo somehow fuels me to keep reaching for my current goal, a vision and purpose that's bigger than myself, which can be summarised in #3Ts. Tourism.Technology.Training. SI ATE. This young mother from the rural area was the very first person I taught about "Facebook Marketing" outside my formal and part-time job. It was a spur of the moment thing that happened after I had my meal in her resto. She owns several cottages in #Bantayan #Cebu where I met her during my first ever #SoleSearchingSoul journey.
AKO. You see, back in 2012, I started to feel uneasy in my so-called "comfort zone". That's the year I started asking myself "Is this all that I am?" "Is this all I can do?" For #twentysomething, I consider that time as the start of my#QuarterLifeCrisis.
Don't get me wrong... I had a very good career, actually, it was great coz I had a very trusting and supportive boss in my time full-time job as a marketing manager. I also had this different sense of fulfillment knowing that I'm honing future media practitioners and marketing professionals in and from Bicol when I was invited and hired by my dear Alma Mater as a part-time faculty but you see I was still looking for more... somehow deep in my heart, I don't feel at peace. I know there's something MORE that I can do but I just couldn't pinpoint it yet so I started wandering while wondering and found my sole searching for my soul... 
ANG TURISMO. I found myself on the quiet island of Bantayan. While taking my lunch in the restaurant, I asked Ate why it's so quiet and I barely see tourists. I understand it was already off-peak season that time so I got curious and asked her how's the business. She told me that it's bad. Not so many guests are checking in. Low sales, not enough money. Her husband died a few years ago and she's left with raising their only daughter as well as running their simple yet decent hospitality business.
Ate doesn't know how long it's going to last before she throws the white towel over the rising cost of maintenance, rebuilding after the typhoon and provide for daily needs of her family and employees. I saw her frustration as well as determination so I asked her if she's willing to learn, I can somehow show her how to use social media to promote her hospitality business and accept room reservations on Facebook. Given my little understanding of "bisaya" and my poor use of the local dialect, we still managed to communicate while I demonstrate to her how to use #technology to boost her tourism-related establishments. During those time, I'm not yet very familiar with the #tourism industry aside from my experience as a traveller which also served as my foundation for giving my best as the marketing manager of the homegrown hospitality brand I helped to build online and offline. Looking back, that impromptu #training moment with ATE could have triggered my desire to learn more about tourism beyond the promotions. That very moment reminds me why I should not give up now on my big dream of "studying" and learning more about sustainable tourism for development. 
Right after attending the UNWTO conference in Manila in June2017, I volunteered to visit a COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM site in Laguna and introduced to them the #IY2017 #TravelEnjoyRespect
I do not have an academic degree in Tourism & Marketing but I'm not letting it stop me from chasing my 3Ts. This is not just anymore for my personal and professional development but also for the sustainability of our growing tourism community... for the many "Ate" in various rural areas I visited and will be visiting in the future, who can benefit from my insightful experiences as a #ResponsibleTraveller and trainer... I'm continuing this journey, not only as an advocacy but as my #ikigai. This is my calling. It has not been that easy and smooth-sailing but I'm not giving up. I'm going to keep moving forward, continue to make a difference one trip at a time and SHARE my insights and learnings to others!
That moment captured by my dear friend and spiritual counsellor Ate Apple Thea 5 years ago is going to always remind me that THE WORLD IS MY CLASSROOM which presents me with the different interesting case study. Even before #IY2017, I've been practicing #TravelEnjoyRespect as an ordinary traveller and now as a young aspiring tourism professional who supports World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in raising awareness for International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 through my online and offline engagements as well as private citizen. I believe inclusive growth that's why I fully support the Sustainable Tourism Development Goals.
Learning is all about progression and not perfection. It is not only for personal benefit but for scoiety's greater good. My desire for further "academic" studies is not about the titles, glitz and accolades but out of genuine desire to learn so I can continue to nurture others as well. I'm not a straight A student. I have my fare share of failure but I'm not letting it define who I am or stop me from who I am becoming... Beleive me when I say that it's not all about the head, but what truly matter is the genuine heart and helping hand. The #grit for something you truly beleive in.
To all those who personally know me and believed in my capacity to be an agent of change and influence, THANK YOU. It is written in my name #Allison and with full confidence in God's Divine Direction, I know that #ThyWillBeDone. <3 Fly with me and let's make this world beautiful and sustainable! 
#SSSoulful Papercut Art Workshop I organized last July 2017 to promote Sustainable Tourism in a Fun way to the youth
 For those who do not know me well, let me tell you now that I love taking selfies. Yes, that's true. I even became a selfie expert while travelling around the Philippines and Asia. Well, before you judge me as narcissist or being too vain, you have to understand that taking selfies in the Philippines is part of our digital lifestyle as social media capital of the world. :-) But in my case, I don't just do it for vanity... I find ways to incorporate my advocacy into it and spark social energizing actions for others to do the same.  This time, I'm using rolling out this new tourism advocacy campaign #SelfieForSustainability to help World Tourism Organization in raising awareness for Sustainable Tourism. I'm not a technical person but I love to take part that's my I'm doing this campaign as part of actualizing my passion and purpose in life as a Tourism Advocate.
Special thanks to my circle of friends and network of tourism advocates for showing your interest to support this awareness campaign and be part of #TAAP2017!  Sustainable Tourism means giving importance to our rich history and culture. I'm very fortunate that I have "Sir Danny" Dr. Danilo Madrid Gerona as my former history professor when I was in Ateneo de Naga University. I reconnected with him a few years ago when I started to have a deeper interest in local tour guiding and I wanted to know more Bicol and Naga City's history to trace my roots.
I'm now talking to different stakeholders in different industries and places, in and outside the Philippines, so that we can collaborate in this awareness campaign. So far the response I'm getting is very promising. Thank you very much for all those who expressed their positive reception about my ideas even if it's very raw and not in formal paper. I just love taking action now and just taking correction or improvements along the way. Yes, this is also a learning process and always a "work-in-progess" but I hope you can take this meaningful journey with me. INTERESTED to be part of this selfie movement? Contact me on Facebook! Mirror,mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?!  This is one of the beautiful mirror ornaments I saw at famous Mt. Popa Monastery in Myanmar when I visited last February 2016 during my #SoleSearchingSoulinBagan journey. Looking at my broken image on the mirror, I can't help but have this reflection: Growing up, I intentionally learn how to be "better" instead of being "bitter" but from time to time I can't help but see the traces of emotional challenges I've been through especially during my childhood. I always manage to pick the shattered pieces and broken dreams. It wasn't easy but I gather all the courage I have to put it back together and smile like nothing really happened, that everything's just fine... My life is such a #BeautifulMess! The photo above became more significant and meaningful after a few months when I unexpectedly found myself nursing a major heartache. It was also during those time that I came across this concept of Kintsugi, also known as Kintsukuroi, which is an ancient Japanese art of repairing damaged pottery with gold or silver to make it more beautiful. To be honest, I found consolation in this Japanese concept. It reassured me that just like the "broken" mirror I saw at Mt.Popa, there will still be something beautiful out of it. There might be a time that you will also feel broken so I hope this post will serve as a gentle reminder that it's okay... Being broken shouldn't stop you from seeing the beautiful piece in you. Don't hide if you feel "broken". Embrace the mess and turn it into something new and valuable!  Sometimes as you wander around, you learn to pick the broken pieces and embrace all your imperfections. You do not have to be the greatest among the rest; you just have to be the best version of yourself. So next time you're in front of the mirror, bravely face yourself and say, "Yes, I am beautifully broken and I am empowered to be the best that I can be! I am valuable beyond anyone can imagine!!!" This 2017, embrace God's greater plan for you and let Him show you His wonders. May His holy words comfort you. I personally believe that there's a blessing in being broken... we just have to discern in order to understand and appreciate it. I hope you'll find this post helpful. SHARE this to someone you know who needs to be reminded that she/he is still beautiful and valuable!  I hope by reading this post you'll be able to realize the importance of knowing your PERSONAL VALUE and how it can guide your personal and professional decisions.  Did you know that a Brand Manager in the Philippines earns an average salary of PHP 672,214 per year?! That's according to Payscale.
Wow, no wonder some of the people I know said I'm too stubborn and stupid to decline job offers from MNCs with fat paychecks to pursue the things I'm very passionate about like helping MSMEs. To quote one of my very good friends who takes business very seriously "That's why they say #millennials are bullshit!" he exclaimed to me after I answered his question on my career consideration and replied that "making a genuine difference while making money is great as long as I don't violate my personal belief in doing good and that I'm not stepping into others right." My #TAAP journey in pursuing my biggest dreams and advocacies had been very challenging especially in my finances and there was a time last year that I went literally #broke! My finances bloody negative, I spent all my savings and I even had to borrow money to settle my very high credit card bills which until now I'm paying little by little. If I was wise enough and only consider the financial aspect, the best logical decision was for me to accept high paying jobs that were being handed to me on a silver platter... I remember one of the tempting offers I received in 2016 was to work in a global business of a very prominent family which could have saved me from being financially broke. More than 40,000 pesos monthly salary even on a part-time engagement, who's stupid enough to decline that?! Well, apparently me! After a few days of immersing myself to their company, I felt that I'm losing my #authenticity. Yeah, I walked away from that gold pot. Why? Because I don't see my personal value fits their value. I cannot 100% buy-in to their vision. I felt that by just taking that job because of money I am going to lose my true self in the process. It's not my true calling. It's not going to fulfill my personal value and vision. It's not me. There's a misfit. [[ I'll share more about this #Misfit on a different post and share why "company culture fitness" is very important.]] You see, I always put my <3 in everything that I do so even though my head is already telling me that I need the money in order to financially survive yet I still followed my heart. And for me, that's something significant. #Heart. I could have fulfilled my childhood dream to be a multi-millionaire by now and saved myself from being financially broke if I had opted to accept all the high-paying jobs that were offered to me right after I graduated in 2009 but I am pretty sure that I wouldn't have the same level of fulfilment I have right now. I may not have all the money in the world right now but I am rich in experience and network... I've amassed "wealth" that I know in God's perfect time is going to bring the ka-ching!!! I don't regret pursuing my passion because that's how I found my purpose which I believe and declare is my key to #infiniteLOVEandABUNDANCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all the people who relentlessly shower me with their support and encouragement... to my very understanding family, mentors, circle of friends and colleagues, and even to total strangers whom I have befriended with along the road and have touched my life in one way or another, thank you for affirming my decision to take this path no matter how rough. I know, we can all make it... Together, we're going to be on top! #TAAPAsia #SoleSearchingSoul #inSSSpire #SSStalk  Time really flies so fast. First month of 2017 is already slowly fading away and we're about to say hello to the month of love in just few hours. What happened in 2016? Why I haven't really updates this blog? If you follow my instagram @msappleallison you'll know by now that I've been through a lot last year. I ventured outside the Philippines to pursue some of my ASEAN advocacy and yes, I also gave love a chance but somehow that personal aspect failed. Hard to admit but it's true... I'm not really used to failure so it took me months to recover. I was nursing my heart and couldn't find the strength nor will to open this site. My instagram and Facebook Page served as my emotional outlet to feel a lot better. Yes, I totally ignored this site for several months and found myself asking why I should continue writing in this site... Well, I almost gave up but here I am, typing this letters as I reflect and think about my deepest why. What do I want to do next? I still don't have a concrete plan... all I know is that as I am typing this post, I just want to restart again. Yes, I want to restart again and see where I can take this Sole Searching Soul journey. Everyday I keep telling myself that I should just move on... that I should move forward.  And now moving forward, I summon all the courage in me to write this post as a start. While I continue to pray for clarity and focus, I am reminded to "do what I love to do." And yes, I AM GOING TO DO WHAT I REALLY LOVE TO DO!  For now I want to go back to the core essence why I put this blog in public... to document and share stories on how I make a difference one trip at a time. And when I speak about making a difference, it also means making a difference in myself and inspiring others to do the same hoping that we can make a difference in our communities. Now, I as celebrate my Sole Searching Soul's 3rd year anniversary, I am rekindling my passion+purpose statement --- I AM GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE TRIP, ONE POST, ONE TALK, AT A TIME. I hope you can take this Sole Searching Soul journey with me. Your support means a lot to me.  Lord, as I look back and reflect on what happened in my life this 2016, I pray for enlightenment and guidance. Bless me with clarity of mind and heart so that I may understand your Holy will.
Talk to me in my dreams and let me see the path you specifically prepared for me. Oh God, direct my actions this 2017. I lift up to you all my biggest dreams and #TAAP goals. AMEN. #ThyWillBeDone #SoleSearchingSoul |
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MABUHAY!
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