YES I am ALIVE

Going back to blogging after a long break can be very difficult.

It is after 6 months that I am logging in to my blog.

Yes, I went away for an extended holiday. Yes, I went with the full intention of logging in as soon as I am in front of my computer. Sadly it didn’t happen for me like that, nothing like that at all. I've been used to doing Facebook and Instagram and putting lengthy words can be tedious at times. In short, I got lazy. I am sorry.

And YES, I am inlove. So I give all my time to the person I am with because, I am, well- uhmmm, norturing a baby relationship. Yes, the past few months have been truly wonderful and frankly just what I needed. It was good for me to step back and slow down, to savor sunny and sweet moments with the love of my life, attended casting calls, did some films, mostly shorts, had an AVPs with some corporations, celebrated Christmas and New Year and Valentines Day, hahahaha but the truth is that I missed this place, and all of you. And I know that my relationship is going to last a lifetime anyway so here I am unapologetic and jumping into Blogging again. 

Hello 2016, I am again dusting off my favorite spot in the cyber world, THE BiboBayona.Blogspot.com page. 

Today is a big day. I am on my way to Makati for  my rehearsals and fitting for the first commercial I booked this year. Shoot will be on Monday and Wednesday, so I think that everything is smooth sailing I figure  this is the perfect point to return here, to this spot I love to do this thing I love. It’s high time to tell more small stories about self and world, to unpack and honor the sweetness and struggle at the heart of my life, to ask big, unwieldy questions that seem urgent and interesting and meaningful somehow, to share simple and profound things I love and admire.

I still have to come up with a plan as to how I can regularly update my site, maybe I should schedule my post like M-W-F or T-TH-S,  but this is what make me being me, the unpredictability, and unfrequency, feels so right. 

But if you want to know more stuff about me, my Instagram is also public, follow me there: www.instagram.com/bibobayona, where I tend to eschew limits and go overboard and post tons.

Anyway, I’m genuinely thrilled to be back to blogging and and there is so much to smile about. And write about.  So that’s just what I’ll do.

Happy March everyone.

Until then,

Bibo

Leo's Warrior; Son of August

My Birthday Month

I was in my mid-teens when i came across this passage "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward"

So when life is dragging you back with difficulties,it means that its going to launch into something GREAT ..."

But only until recently that I really came vis-a-vis with its truest essence.

I hit the rock bottom in the past few months. I was really feeling down. I quit my job. I've known new quality people that during my lowest of low there presence made me bridge the gap. People that inspires me and motivate me to continue and push through with my passion, with the things that I really would like end up doing for the rest of my life- Acting.

This year, my birth month is extra special. I had a chance to do project for Cinemalaya 2015. A special project of Director Real Florido (my 1st ko si 3rde Director)

I also wrapped up filming Direk Arlyn DelaCruz' Tibak, Ang Kwento ng Kabataang Makabayan, a full lenth movie.

My first government infomercial as a Brand Ambassador for PhlPost Postal ID had been released.

I acted for TFC Global Kapamilya Seasonal Plug which has Global release via TFC channel abroad.

Joined GMA 7's top-rating teleserye Marimar. 

A writing job for IMAGES ASIA, an upscale magazine as their newest Feature Writer.

All these happened during my birthday Month. And I can wish for a brighter and better future for me.

Sabi nga "TULOY LANG ANG LABAN" and  will definitely fight for my dream.

Birthday Shoot
Photography: Joseph Nunez

Until then,

Bibo

I am Here!

I really don't know how to begin my first entry for 2015. I've been neglecting my blog in the past couple of months and I feel the need to update this.

Well, a lot of things happened. And I mean a lot.

I have a lot of backlogs. I spent my Christmas and New Year in my hometown in Samar. I promise that I will make a blog entry about the whole trip, so I hope that you will look forward to it.

I had an awesome year-end party with Xtera.

And I am starting my new year with so much hope because finally, I will be doing what I love most. I will also going to update you guys about it.

For now, let me share with you the photoshoot I had with Joseph Nunez before I left Manila for my Holiday Vacation with my family.

Until then,

Bibo

The Road to Miss Xtera Universe 2014

One of my other job is being an Admin Officer for Xtera Outsourcing Management handling Recruitment and Events.

In one of the job interviews I conducted, an applicant once mentioned to me that the reason why she left the job because of being harassed as a transgender in her previous company. She even told me that she wanted to be in an environment or a workplace where discrimination is not being part of the job. And we took her in. And currently she's one of our top-sellers in Outbound campaign.

In a country where an anti-discrimination bill is way behind a basic reproductive health bill, the message to LGBTQs is that they should just suck up the hostility in work environments. It's already difficult to expect better treatment for gays in a society when women still do not get what they are due. It’s even more unimaginable that LGBT employees would get equal pay and benefits for equal work. Xtera pride itself of providing equal and fair treatment to all sexes and regardless of their preferences.

In our company, gay employees are valued not only because of their hard work, but also because they typically don't have families, have few or no children, and are the less likely to take leave from work due to an unplanned pregnancy or childcare issues. These lack of constraints make them more amenable to work the US hours required by our accounts. Many Filipino gay and lesbian professionals are independent from their parents, and most consider their workplaces more accepting than their home situations.

The percentage of LGBT employees in our company is so significant, making it important for us to have adequate representation of this minority. And to celebrate the equality and diversity, we are staging this Ms. Xtera Universe 2014.

It's still a long way to go before the Philippine government genuinely shows its LGBT taxpayers that they are equal to other citizens under law. But in a country where the private sector takes more credible initiative and whose moves make a more reliable impact on Filipinos' daily lives, I hope that through this platform, and our company policy for no discrimination; we are taking the move towards that elusive concept of equality in Philippine society.

As we celebrate diversity and equality, Xtera Management brings you the road to the 2014 Miss Xtera Universe crown.

The meeting with the official candidates and Xtera Events Committee at Army Navy Valero St, Makati City

Final Briefing and distribution of Acceptance fee. An official candidate each gets an allowance to help her prepare for expenses. Winner will take home Php15,000, runners up will receive PhP10,000 and consolation prize of PhP5,000 for non-winning contestants. We also have 5 minor awards to be given away with PhP3,000 each award.

Our 6 hopefuls along with the reigning Queen Kim Balia Aka Jennifer Torres who won this title last year during our Christmas Party where I also served as one of the hosts along with my colleague Venus

Let's meet our 6 Official Candidates:

Name: Gab Pujalte
Account: Gov.Sales Account Executive-LMU
A.K.A: Kelly Lopez

Resty Menasalbas
AKA: Katherine Petrova
Account: Triple A (Makati Site) Lead Gen Specialist

Jhaymie Allen Carbonera
LMU Account Executive
AKA: Victoria Arida

Owell Azelleb
LMU Gov Sales Account Executive
AKA: Maria Leila Lopez Garcia

Marvin Hinoguin
Triple A Account Executive
AKA: Jean Soriano Marcel

Kim Garcia
LMU Account Executive
AKA: Isabella Leonza

You can also vote for your favorite contestant to win the People's Choice Award by liking her photo on our Facebook page. Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.782069385164925.1073741873.577808732257659&type=1

See you on October 11, 2014 for the grand coronation night of Miss Xtera Universe where I will serve as the pageant host.

Until then,

Bibo

Gwen's Harmony

Three years ago, one of my colleagues, Venus became pregnant but lost her daughter shortly after giving birth. The baby was named Gwyneth Harmony.

I am not a parent yet but I know that the death of a child is the most devastating loss. The order of nature teaches us na mas madali ihatid ng (mga) anak sa hantungan ang magulang kesa ang magulang ang maghahatid sa anak  sa hantungan.  You mourn the loss of his or her life, potential and future. Your life is forever changed. But for Venus it's not over; for her "You can get through the grief and come out the other side". Now on its 3rd year, she celebrates her daughter's birthday in the orphanage. And this year she decided to have it in Manila Boystown.

What makes it more special this year is that our company Xtera Outsourcing Services, as part our of our social responsibility sponsored the Feeding Program. We prepared food for the kids and some fun activities. And our company donated ( through the generosity of our Boss Ocel some amount) for their maintenance.

What an emotional and life-changing experience it was. See you next year for Gwen's Feeding Program Year 4.

Venus and her great way in honoring her child's memory. Through the company of the kids

Everyone was moved by the boys presentation. They sang the Tagalog Version of "Dance with my Father"

(All photos courtesy of Fredo Cortez)

Remember in spite of it all, it is possible to cope. You, your family, friends, co-workers and others can all do things that will help you make it through the loss of a child (or other significant loss) in shape to make a better tomorrow and able to care for those who remain. Always remember, those who remain need you as much as those who died.

Until then,

Bibo

A Time to Give Back

No candles to blow nor Parties to throw. But we made more than 100 abandoned Lolos and Lolas smiled today.

My ever patient brother Tj driving us all over the place. From picking up the food to buying bottles of water. It was my sister Em and my Mom with the help of my brother Tj organized this small Give back "party" to share the little things that we have and the blessings that we continue to receive big or small. God always provides.

My other sister Bianca, may not be physically there but she made some donations for the Missionary as well.

They were all ready and waiting for us as we arrived. They immediately rendered a birthday song.

What was heartwarming was when we were welcomed by the Lolas and Lolos with their handmade personalized garland made for us.

It's heartbreaking seeing these bedridden lolos ad lolas. We checked 'em out as they couldn't join the celebration set up outside. it won't be our last visit. i promised that.

Lola waving her hand as we left the Missionary of Charities. We promised to come back real soon.

It was my sister Em's idea. Last month on her birthday she also did some small charity event back home in Samar

with my brother Tj

with my Mom and my sister

and as per my sister Em "It's always a great feeling when u at least make somebody else's happy even just for a while especially the grannies..."

The token given to us by the Sisters of Missionary of Charities. A rosary touched by the Saint--Mother Teresa. Had goosebumps when I received it.

Special thanks to Sister Jocelyn of Mother Teresa's Missionaries Of Charity Home for the Aged for helping us out along with the other volunteers.

As I celebrate my birthday this year, allow me to share this passage from Oprah that I came across today “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate.”

Until then,

Bibo