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.”

2014 ... my year

I am claiming it now, 2014 is definitely my year.  I started the year traveling.  I went to India for a supplier's visit in January followed by a trip to Vietnam with my colleague Jonathan and Tom.

India












                                                                                                                                                                   Vietnam

May, I was lucky to be granted a 10 year multiple visa by the government of the United States of America.  My sister immediately booked a flight to California.  I stayed there with my siblings and my mom for 2 weeks and came back before a very important announcement by Tom.

USA

July, I was promoted as Senior Manager of the Supply Chain of GrainPro.  A breakthrough to my career.  After more than 7 years of being with the company, my skills were finally recognized.

November, who could forget, my birth month.  My assistant Crystal surprised me by inviting some of our suppliers and friends to come to the office and have a party.  It was truly awesome.

 It is also my Iya's second birthday.  She was born 2 days after my birthday.  Thankful to the Lord for giving us Iya...our happiness.

A while ago, I received a phone call from SBMA Labor Department telling me that I was chosen as one of the 10 Most Outstanding Freeport Workers.  I am truly proud but most of all thankful to my colleagues and my Boss for believing in me.

I owe everything to God.  He gave me all these.  He believe I can be a better servant.   I will continue to worship Him. To God be the glory.

Temecula, California

Coming to California in June is not so perfect but fairly good. My sister's house is located in Temecula.  A very nice neighborhood, ideal to raise a family with golf courses and parks all around the city that attracts tourists. My friend and high school buddy Donnie whom I haven't seen for 29 years brought me to Pechanga Resort and Casino not because of the gambling but because of the delicious food they serve there.  Not knowing I don't eat that much, the resto is buffet.  So he ended up losing money, not with the games but with the fee he paid for my food.


My favorite place in Temecula is the Harveston Lake Park.  I used to walk around it every morning since I got to Temecula with my sister.

An awesome journey

Months ago, I had this feeling of emptiness.  I can't define what is bothering me but I felt lonely somehow.  It troubled me for quite a while.  As days passed by, I am trying to identify where its coming from.  A friend asked me, if I have problems within the family, I can't think of anything.  I am happy when we are together but when I am alone, I am sure something is not right.  I prayed so hard for the Lord's guidance.

One day after a meeting with my boss I told him about how i feel, knowing me for 7 years now, he told me I have to go to the US and visit my Mom.  She is really ill.  Having dialysis 3 times a week is not easy.  But the Doctors said, it is prolonging her life.  I just smiled and said,  "Not on my plans but I have to apply for a visa."  So I did and luckily I was granted a 10 year multiple visa by the US Embassy.  After my sister learned about my visa, she booked for a flight immediately and before I knew it I am on a plane to Shanghai then to Los Angeles, California.  That was June 9, 2014.

I could vividly remember while waiting for my brother to pick me up at the airport, I looked around and told myself..."Am I really here?"  "Am I really stepping on the United States of America soil?"  Feeling the cool breeze touched my skin I murmured..."I am one lucky soul!"

Beautiful Vietnam

After travelling to India, I had to go to Vietnam with the same purpose, to meet prospective suppliers.  I flew with Tom via Manila to Ho Chi Minh City.  We arrived at 2:00 am at Bong Sen Hotel.  It was a three star Asian styled unique hotel located in the heart of the city.

Cozy and relaxing

My room at Bong Sen Hotel

My first activity was to attend church service at 5:45 am.  So I woke up early with very little sleep and hailed a taxi that brought me to the church location.  A 10-minute drive from the hotel.  There I felt at home.  I felt I am where I belong.  I met some of the brethren and chatted a bit after the service.

Some of the brethren in Ho Chi Minh City 

Our meeting starts at 10:00 am, I met Tom and Jonathan on the buffet breakfast.  Food was superb.   Two thumbs up. Then we traveled for an hour and a half to Tay Ninh Province where Easternpoly is located.  We visited two factories.  Then we headed back to the hotel to get ready for another meeting at 2:00 pm with Kanematsu, a client of Jonathan.  It was an interesting meeting and though I am not in sales, I get to see how our sales team works.

At Easternpoly factory with Mr. Dung, Deputy Manager

Tom with Kanematsu's Manager of Grain Dept.

By 4:00 pm, we are all done for the day, it's time for shopping.  Jonatahn and I went for a walk to Ben Thanh market.  A place where tourists buy their pasalubong.  Crossing the streets of Saigon is an adventure.  Buwis buhay as we put it in tagalog.  There were pedestrian crossings but no traffic enforcer or a traffic light, you have to cross at your own risk.  Motor bikes are everywhere, their number one means of transportation. We had fun buying stuffs at Ben Thanh Market.

With pretty sales ladies at Ben Thanh Market

Jonathan with a Vietnamese lady who knows how to speak Tagalog

           

It's Lunar New Year

A real tourist in Vietnam

Day 2 was as busy as Day 1. We started at 10:00am, had to travel again by land for almost an hour to Binh Tan to meet Liksin, a new supplier.  Then we have to rush to the next meeting at An Giang in District 1, a place near our hotel, after that we had late lunch at 3:00 pm.  So we were all exhausted but Jonathan has one last meeting with a client.  But he was kind enough to let us go, so he went by himself.

Jonathan with The Opera House on the background

Amazing lights surrounded the city

I knew this is my last day in Saigon, so I decided to walk one last time around the city.  It was fun, there were extravagant lights on the streets as the Lunar New Year comes near.  From the classic decorated shops to small stores, everything seems glowing with the presence of chrysanthemum flowers all over the place.

That night Jonathan and I just sat outside the hotel and watched people walk around.  It was fun seeing so much people in the streets of Saigon.

I will surely come back here.  Thanks for the experience beautiful Vietnam.

My Indian Escapade

I was sitting in a lobby of a luxurious hotel in Mumbai called The Lalit Mumbai.  A five star hotel with Asia's largest atrium lobby.  It is located near the airport but despite the busy location, it is quite peaceful and relaxing.

Atrium Lobby of The Lalit Mumbai

Travelling to Mumbai is not easy, considering the long wait I have to deal in Hongkong.  I went Mumbai to meet our suppliers which I did in one full day.  One meeting after the other all done in the grand hotel lobby.

With Mansi of Staarship Logistics

With Mr. Joseph Albert of Star Group Logistics

                                                

While my boss Tom de Bruin was on a series of meetings with our clients together with my colleague Avinash Wagh in other parts of India.  He commented I was lucky I came to Mumbai as a client so I can schedule my meetings at my convenience.  Contrary to their purpose of coming to Mumbai as supplier, so he has to travel from one place to another to meet prospective clients.

Avinash, Sandeep, me and Tom

Rattan, Mr. V.K Taparia and Vivek Taparia of Supreme Industries

I was on my last meeting when Bhushan, my colleague, arrived with his wife Di and sister Pinky.  We are going to the Fashion Street.  I was able to taste MOD (Mad Over Doughnuts), a famous doughnut chain in India where Pinky is working as a trainer.  She personally invited me to an MOD store to have a taste of my self titled doughnut Hazel Dazzle.  It's delicious.   We went to a food night market and I had a taste of Pav Bahji and shop for shawls, bags, bangles and other pasalubong.  I had fun and it was quite an experience.
Driving in Mumbai is never easy.  Traffic is so heavy.  There were cars everywhere blowing their horns.  But I realize, if I have another chance, I would love to go back to Mumbai.

With Di and Pinky

At the Fashion Street

Pav Bahji

My self tilted doughnut Hazel Dazzle