Not only for profit company

I could remember clearly back in 2007, I was employed at Cacho Hermanos Inc., as an Import/Export

officer.  I received a call from a friend asking me if I want to apply to a newly opened company in SBMA.  I was hesitant at first but the urge to try came across my mind.  So I sent my resume and I was called for an interview.  I met Tom de Bruin, and he asked me a lot of questions.  True to myself, I answered with all honesty.  The only weapon I have is my years of experience and expertise in what I do. I was offered to take the job as Purchasing and Logistics Manager. Hesitant to make a career leap, I declined and decided to stay at Cacho Hermanos Inc. But Tom was persistent. All the while, I prayed and asked for a sign, which I received. So after 3 calls, I gave in.

After 6 years I am still here.  I am thankful I made the right decision.  It is indeed a not only for profit company but a company that cares for its employees, family, environment and customers.  The technology is just amazing.  It's the solution for post harvest losses.  A drying and safe storage solution that can effectively reduce losses due to its hermeticity.

GrainPro Phils., Inc.  exports to different countries and later on the Philippine government has realized the importance of the product.  We are serving Department of Agriculture and we offer a complete package.  We do training and sharing the know how to farmers and end users.  

The people I work with are the reason I feel at home.  The sense of belonging.  I was treated as the ATE since I am one of the pioneers i should say.  I enjoy the respect I gained for 6 years and will always be thankful I am a part of this company called...GRAINPRO.

Real Shoe Lover

Women I guess are born shoe-crazy.  Buying a pair of shoes always has a supernatural effect on me, I call it shoe lust.  I never dreamed that I would find myself having more than 10 pairs of shoes.  I've always love shoes.  But since I was on a tight budget with my kids going to college and all, I will satisfy myself by merely browsing and dreaming I could own such nice shoes.  

    

I started liking Zalora  fb page early this year.  Since then I found myself checking their website almost everyday.  Zalora is an online shopping website.  I registered and bought a pair, and another and another, until I had over 20 pairs to date.  But please take note those are on sale.  I still can't buy over Php 2,000 worth of shoes.

I love it, I just love it.

    

My adventures with everlasting memories

My first adventure outside the Philippines happened in 1996 when I was working with Subic Star Inc., manufacturer of Reebok shoes.  I was a Research and Development supervisor then.  I was invited by Reebok Philippines to join their visit to the outsole suppliers in China.

When I joined GrainPro Phils., Inc. I was not aware I could experience more trips outside the country.  I went to a plastic exhibit in Guangdong China with our President Tom and Kaye, our Production Manager.

We stayed at Grand Forward Hotel

Taiwan was one of the favorites.  I enjoyed the night market so much.

In 2012, I went to India to meet with suppliers and forwarders.  I stayed in a nice hotel in Mumbai.  It was crowded but I remembered how I enjoyed the fashion street where you can buy pasalubong at a very low price.

Got tatooed at Gateway Of India

But the most memorable moments happened in Ireland  I fell in love with the country.  Forty shades of green as they say, with rainbows, leprechauns and the famous Guinness beer.  We conducted our Annual Strategic Planning in Ireland for two consecutive years (2010 and 2011). We stayed at Springfield Castle in Limerick.  It was an ancestral home of Lord and Lady Muskerry. It was a self-catering accommodation, so we end up having groups of  'in-charge for the day' who will do all the chores.  It was also a part of our team building activity.  I always dream of going back to the same place and experience the unpredictable weather of Ireland.  There is so much to enjoy in Ireland and the color, the various shades of a single color, will forever be green.

Springfield Castle

Stop over in Hongkong, Avenue of the Stars

Education

I was once asked..."What is your biggest regret in life."  I stopped, thought for a while and wondered...do I have one?  When I got pregnant with my eldest, I was only 17.  I was in my first year in college.  So I had to stop, get married and be a mom.  It was a struggle of proving to everybody that despite our young age, we can make our marriage work.  So I tried all kinds of job that I know would help us.  From direct selling, shoe making in Reebok, Administrative job in a construction company, Import/Export officer until I became a Purchasing and Logistics Manager in GrainPro Phils., Inc.

I could proudly say, I reached this level of my career with only my experience as my weapon.  Until I realize how important education is.  But education is not all about studying and getting good marks.  It is really a means to discover new things which we don't know about and increase our knowledge.  Then I realized, what I need is a diploma.  That is my biggest regret, not having a diploma! 

Now with the help of New Era Vantage Education Management, I am able to continue my studies.  It's an Online University with a vision of becoming a world class institution with a unique Christian culture of excellence, discipline and service to humanity.  I am now in my second year, taking up BSBA-Marketing Management.  It's a distance learning with materials supplied, I can study at home but most of the time I do it during break time at work.  Kudos to my office mates whose always there to support.  I'm like a high school student, learning from my coaches.  It's fun.  I am more determined now more than ever to pursue my education with my family as  my inspiration.

  

Sweet Tooth

My craving for sweets since I was a little did not vanish.  I greatly enjoy sweet foods.  From sugar coated candies, cakes and specially chocolates, it somehow comforts me.  Maybe it's in my genes.  Having sweet tooth isn't necessary a bad thing but I also believe over consumption may lead to health problems.  

This fondness led me to start making my own candies.  Local home-made candies like polvoron, pastillas and yema.  Main ingredients are sugar and milk.  I am making money from this small business and a colleague of mine made the brand name...SWEET HAZE.  

Sweet Haze special home made pastillas and polvoron

Pillow Pastillas

Precious Little Love

She was born 2 days after my birthday, November 3, 2012.   I can't explain the feeling the first time I held her in my arms.  It's like magic.  Unexplained happiness, full of love.  A feeling only a grandmother has for her granddaughter. Her name is Mikaila Iyana, so tiny and pinkish when I first saw her.  A lot of things ran into my mind that day.  I silently made a promise to myself that I will protect her, love her and guide her every step of the way.

Iya is now 7 months old, she lives with her Lola Leda and Lolo Jaime during weekdays and come to her other house in New Cabalan on weekends.  We are all going crazy over her.  Whenever she comes home, everyone is excited, specially her Lolo Johnny.  She plays with her Tita Cookay and Tito Cocoy all the time.  She brings laughter and joy in our home.  We watch her every move, hurriedly attend to her when she cries.  We always pray that God will bless her, our precious little love.

                                                                        Iya

My inspiration

I would like to introduce my inspiration...my family.

When I married Johnny we were like kids having fun.  I'm 18 and he's 20.  Against all odds.  Some people say, you can tell how successful a man is through his achievement as a father.  Looking back, I could proudly say, I am thankful that the good Lord gave me a responsible and loving husband.  That's Johnny a.k.a. Cookie.

Mon Ami

My eldest Mon Ami, Nami to her friends, graduated with honors and married at the age of 25 to Jaisol, my son in-law and a loving mother to our princess Iya.

Mon Cherie

Mon Cherie, Cookay as we call her, graduated pre-law course at New Era and now pursuing her law degree at the same school.

Jean Ray the youngest and only boy, Cocoy, is so much inclined to music.  In fact, he enrolled high school in the Special Program for Arts, specializing in guitar playing.  At the age of 15, he has been to gigs and fulfilling his dreams of becoming a guitar expert.  He got it from his Papa.

All about me

My name is Hazel Honrada Valera, married to Johnny Valera and a mom of three wonderful kids.  I am 44 and proud to say a much happy and contented wife and a mother.  I am working as a Purchasing and Logistics Manager at GrainPro Philippines Inc., 'a not only for profit organization' that manufactures hermetic agricultural storage.  

I was not able to finish college obviously because I married early and had my Mon Ami.  She's the eldest and graduated Cum Laude at New Era University.  My second daughter Mon Cherie graduated in the same school and took up Legal Management.  She graduated March 2012 and was immediately hired at BPI Head Office in Makati.  She worked for a year and decided she wants to fulfill her calling....to be a lawyer.  She's now back to school for another 4 years.  My youngest son Jean Ray is a graduating high school student of Special Program for Arts at Olongapo City National High School.  He's got his musical talent from his father.  He learned to play the guitar at the age of 9.

I decided to blog to share my insights, experiences and thoughts that may or may not inspire others.

Watch out for me!