A love letter to every woman I'm thankful for

When I was much younger, I liked a boy but he said he couldn't pursue me as he was intimidated because I was "too smart". I was stumped because it was the first time my brains worked against me. He broke my heart then but it was okay, I didn't think he was ready for this jelly anyway. 

Now, I'm happily involved with someone who's secure with himself and doesn't care about these things nor feel the need to downplay me and my abilities so he can appear superior. For what it's worth, he is smarter than me, so yay me! 

So, if there is anyone out there who may be going through the same situation and come across this post by chance, listen to queen Emma Watson and don't be afraid to be smart. In fact, don't be afraid to be whatever you want to be. ♥

In celebration of International Women's Day, I would like to take this opportunity to pause and thank God for peppering my life with strong, supportive, and inspiring women who give more spice to my life. 

I am thankful for my Lolas, my Mama, my Aunt Jean, and my aunts in the paternal side of the family for being my first role models growing up and for continuously guiding me until now, and my sister Kyla for inspiring me to become a better older sister so she can have someone to look up to.

I am thankful for Tita Judy, Chelsea, and Courtney for welcoming me in their family with open arms.

I am thankful for my oldest friends Niel, Carmela, Jellarmine, Dianne, and Aiza for sticking with me through the years. Months could go by without us seeing one another but it's always like no time has passed when we do get together.

I am thankful for all my teachers and professors for imparting their knowledge in and out of the classroom, in the same way I am thankful for all the authors, movie makers, writers, musicians, and artists whose works I enjoyed.

I am thankful for my officemates from my previous company for showing me what it's like to work with the best people a girl fresh out of college could work with.I stepped into adulthood alongside you.

I am thankful for my bosses Jenny Yrasuegui and Celine Gabriel-Lim for opening doors for me and for showing me the ropes in the PR industry. I am proud to have learned from you and be learning and working alongside you in this stressful and challenging (yet fun!) role of being a PR girl.

I am thankful for my friend-turned-workmate Alexandra. Work became easier when we became partners because we get each other. I am thankful I gave you a chance to be my friend. WOW.

I am thankful for my beautiful ARC PR workmates for making work A LOT MORE FUN and manageable and for taking my OOTDs upon request.

I am thankful for all the beautiful women with beautiful spirits I met in my line of work. You inspire me every day.

I am thankful for Anne and her tough love. I am thankful for my Breakfast Clubmates Chum, Ate Sheila, Ate Ahyen, and Ate Nina for making the time to still catch up whenever possible.

I am thankful for my blog friends especially Ana, Ava, and Sarah for the continued support not only in terms of my career but also for my personal endeavors. Your vote of confidence means a lot.

I am thankful for Mina V. Esguerra and the #romanceclass community for satiating my need for beautiful stories and happily-ever-afters.

I am thankful for Britney Spears, the Spice Girls, the Mean Girls movie, and the Schuyler sisters.

I am thankful for every important woman in my life that I forgot to include here only for the reason that I am so sleepy and it's 11:13 PM and I still need to wake up at 5AM for work tomorrow.

Happy International Women's Day! May there come a time when we wouldn't need to have a designated women's day because equality has already become the norm and not a privilege granted to a select few. ♥