I call it...PERSEVERANCE

June 2007 when I was hired at GrainPro Phils., Inc. as the Logistics and Purchasing Manager.  I was qualified I think because of my experience with Import/Export process from my previous jobs. I applied with all honesty as I did not finish any course in college.  Luckily, I was hired.

June 2008 was my job anniversary at GrainPro, Tom, our President evaluated my performance and he was quite happy with what I have achieved in one year but he asked me if I want to continue my studies.  I told him that I will think about it.

Years passed, every anniversary he would ask me if I have plans of getting a degree, I told Tom that  I am enjoying my position, and I am learning a lot so I think there is no need to study as I know my craft very well, I can basically manage 2 departments, so why do I need to study?  He was consistent on reminding me to think about finishing a degree.  Every year I would tell him, I will think about it.

Year 2011 when I learned about  New Era University-Vantage Education Management, it is an Open University  that offers on-line study.  I inquired and got interested, I told myself...why not try.  So I enrolled October 2011 but unfortunately I have to start as a freshman.  I decided to take up BSBA-Marketing Management.

Today, I received an email from the school that finally I will be graduating. Yes! When I saw my name on the list of graduating students, I was overwhelmed and ecstatic.  I ran to Tom and told him the good news.  He was so happy hearing about it.  He was a big part of this success as he pushed me every single time. Now I realized that if it was not because of his persistent nature, I will not be able to complete this course.  

I owe a lot to my colleagues too.  It was not an easy journey for me.  At the age of 44, I have to start from scratch.  The good thing is that I have all the support I have ever needed.  One of the disadvantages of studying on-line is that you so not have somebody or a Professor whom you can ask questions if you do not understand the topic or you need any further clarifications.  You have to do everything all by yourself.  Good thing is, there is Mr. Google and my ever supportive office mates.  From Accounting to Engineering, you name it, I have all the support.  Most especially to my family who believed in me and who is always standing by me.  Above all, our Almighty God who made all of my hard work, a success.

On April 29, I will be receiving my first ever college diploma.  It is a feeling I cannot explain.  I am just elated on this new found success in my life.  I finally did it and I call it...perseverance.

I love Coffee

Where does good coffee come from?  My friend and colleague Daniel claims good coffee comes from his homeland - Ethiopia.  True to his words, Coffea Arabica originated from Ethiopia and growing Arabica plant has become important to the economy of the country. Ethiopia is the world’s seventh largest producer of coffee.

But wait, my beloved friend Chema from Central America has something to say too, he totally disagrees to the facts stated by Daniel.  He claims good coffee comes from Brazil.  Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee mainly because of its climate which is perfect for growing coffee.  

Hey, what do these facts have to do with me?  I would love to share that I am a coffee lover.  My fondness of drinking 'real' coffee, and I mean real coffee came not from Starbucks but from the everyday brewing of coffee in our office.  I came to love the smell of freshly brewed coffee.  The smell alone increases my adrenaline.

I can't last a day without coffee

Sisters

Having a sister is like having a best friend, you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do she will always be there - Amy Li

Is this true to me and my sister?  Maybe yes.  We didn't grow up together, i have very few memories of us playing together.  What I could clearly remember is that she is far more feminine than I am.  She is Cristy, named after my father Cristobal.  She's 2 years younger than I am.  

Our Father was a US Naval Base employee for over 30 years.  He was granted a Special Immigrant Visa by the US government which serves as a way for my siblings to go to the states.  They migrated in Hawaii.  A place my father loved and admired so much.  

Cristy got married at 25, to Juan, also a Filipino but raised in Hawaii.  Blessed with 4 kids, she is trying to balance her work, being a mom, a wife and her active participation inside the church.

Meet Cristy, my sister, friends call her Kitte.

G7

The Group of 7 (G7) is a group consisting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of seven major advanced economies as reported by the International Monetary Fund: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States meeting to discuss primarily economic issues.   

Ooooops, that's not definitely us .  G7 is a group consisting of 7 Gorgeous women working together in building their dreams. 

There was a study found that people with close friendships are happier.  It is a kind of interpersonal bond between two or more people.

G7 started 2014 when the company,  GrainPro Phils., Inc., had a team building activity.  We usually hire facilitator and organizer for such an event but due to financial constraint, we had to organize the event ourselves.  Since then, all the company events are now being handled by the group.

Let me introduce the group.

Ivy Gayle  - Alluring and sexy at 36.  Fresh ideas contributor.

Kaye - the one who has the kindest heart among the group.  Our mathematician too.

Lerva - the artist and the game thinker. The brain of events.

Michelle Renee - the giggler who often ran out of breath when laughing. But also the most thoughtful.

Lizeth Ann - experienced and clever, tough life had taught her to be strong.

Sharon - the lead organizer.  Single at 32 but happy.

Practical and wise - that's me! The eldest and wisest.

Most Outstanding Freeport Worker

It started in 2001.  SBMA Labor Center launched a program which they call...10 Most Outstanding Freeport Worker.  This is an annual event where they get to choose 10 candidates from the nominations done by all the locators and SBMA departments.  I was initially nominated in 2009.  Unfortunately I was not chosen.  Then GrainPro decided to nominate me again in 2014.  Carrying all my experiences and achievements with me, I passed the initial and final interview and finally chosen as one of the 10 most outstanding freeport worker.

The awarding was held November 24, 2014 at the Subic Activity Center.  2 females and 8 males from different companies inside the Freeport Zone.  I was emotional thinking of my Father who maybe so proud if he's there with me.  I dedicate all my achievements to my Papang who taught me to be a better person.

My 5th in China

One of the best methods of researching for a vendor and its technology is to visit them.  The visit will enable you to examine the solution firsthand and find out how they work from the other side of the world.  And of course you get some fresh ideas about how to address the company needs.

Brainstorming at Amcor on the composition of material

That is what we did in China.  I went there with Tom and Michelle to visit Amcor, our supplier of SuperGrainbags.  Discussed useful ideas on how to improve the product.

Facade of Amcor

Then we visited Brita, one of our suppliers too.  It is always good to see how the raw materials used for our product being made.

Clean room at Brita

Autobiography ... Hazel Honrada Valera

“Challenges make life interesting, overcoming them makes life meaningful.”  This is what my Papang always tell me which I came to realize that will guide me through my personal life and my life at work.  

I do not easily give up or backed down on my life challenges, I usually find solutions as I know that if there is a problem there is always a solution somewhere.

My name is Hazel Honrada Valera, I was born on November 1 and to me this is a very lucky day because……. it’s always a holiday!

During my school days, I’m very active with my extra-curricular activities.  Aside from being consistently elected as the class president from Elementary to High School, I’m actively involved in most school activities.  

My parental life started out early for me.  I was married at the age of 17, I was then a freshman student in college.   . It was a struggle for both myself and for my husband because against all odds, we have to prove to ourselves and most especially to our parents that we can make our marriage work.   For me it is not easy to balance my studies with being a wife and being a mother but like what I believe that overcoming challenges is more meaningful, that push me to thrive under those circumstances.

We were blessed with three children.  The eldest is Mon Ami, she graduated Cum Laude at New Era University in 2008.  She got married at the age of 25 and now a loving mother to Mikaila Iyana, my granddaughter.  My second daughter Mon Cherie graduated in the same school in 2012, who took up Legal Management.  She worked at BPI Makati for a year and decided to pursue her Law Degree and now on her second year.  The youngest and only boy is Jean Ray, now taking up IT at Columban College.  He is so fond of music which he got from his father who is also a musician.  He plans to cultivate his music passion in the future.

I was hired as a Purchasing and Logistics Manager at GrainProPhils., Inc in 2007.  GrainPro is a unique company with a unique culture and the best team that made my career life interesting.  Working for 7 years as a Purchasing & Logistics Manager taught me a lot. I was exposed to dealing with multinational suppliers and same time I was managing the logistical demands of our global sales team. The company seeing my valuable contribution promoted me to Senior Manager for  Supply Chain Management.  Now as the Supply Chain Head, I have more direct reports and manages 5 critical and important departments that will ensure the right inventory that matches our global customer requirements.

One of my challenges in life is that I was not able to finish college but through the kind hearted nature of my boss and mentor, he convinced and encouraged me to go back to college. I enrolled in a Distance Learning Program at New Era Open University and I am two more semesters away from getting my college diploma.

It was my Papang's frustration that I was not able to finish college and it saddens me everytime I remember him, I know I have failed him somehow.  But the hard work and perseverance I have as a tool in my success comes from my father.  He worked as a maintenance Supervisor at Public Works Department of  the US Naval Base and having been awarded numerous times, I wish that he is still with us and witness my achievements  in life.  I am sure he is one proud father.

Looking back, life was never easy on me but I could proudly say that through all these challenges, I rose above all of these and I have surpassed all the hardships with the help of our Lord God.  He has been so good to me as  He gave me all my heart desires..  The value I have inculcated to my family is the same value we learn from our church.  Believing in God and entrusting Him all our troubles in life, is the key to a successful life.

Now, at this stage in my life, I only want simple things.  I wanted to be an inspiration to my family, to my colleagues and friends.  I want to share what lessons in my life has taught me, either good or  bad it doesn't matter but, the most important thing is ... we learn that “Challenges make life interesting, overcoming them makes life meaningful.”