What brings you to life? *Part 4* The Chef

The next part of my Passion Q&A series of my post titled What brings you to life?

STEPHANIE BRIMO

Owner & Chef of JiPan Cafe & Bakery

I can't even remember when we first met but it was some time in elementary school and it's been a roar of laughs since then. Despite moving to Canada in high school, we still kept in touch and even met up in Toronto while I was still living in Boston. We're now both back in Manila and busy with our work, which means we hardly get to see each other, but when we do, it's like there's been no space or time between us. She's got drive and spunk and is just a joy to be around, not to mention she kicks ass in the kitchen! Check out her latest baby JiPan with branches across the metro and see the mouth-watering treats on Facebook and Instagram.

What brings you to life?

Opening new JiPan branches.

Steph with her parents at the opening of JiPan Estancia Mall

What do you love most about it?

I love seeing the effort my team and I've put in taking effect. Whether it's increased sales, creating new products that our customers like, or opening new branches, it's all very fulfilling and exciting.

JiPan's pastries
Credit: JiPan Facebook

JiPan's Pork Pirikara Rice Bowl
Credit: JiPan Facebook

How long have you been in the business and how did you get into it?

I've always been in the F&B industry - starting in school then later when I started working. When I moved home [to the Philippines from Canada], we bought a small but successful bakery & cafe. I've been working at JiPan (now operated and run by Jess Fine Foods Inc.) for the past four years. I started with re-branding and then renovating the older branches we acquired. Since then, I've opened one more outlet and about to open another one this year.

With her fellow students at pastry school in Paris

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the same field?

Think really hard about it, especially if you've never been in the industry. It's a lot harder than it looks! Rely on people you trust and be selective on who you believe. Keep your family and friends close, they'll always tell you the truth! Work hard. Owning your own business is a 24/7 job. You may not physically be at work, but your brain will constantly be there.

Her No. 1 fans - Steph's family

How do you keep your passion alive?

It's tough keeping it alive all the time. There are occasional lulls when I'm less motivated for a couple of days and I somewhat lose the drive, but you really have to just shake it off. If the task I'm doing is boring me at the time, I switch and do something more interesting. Case in point, a couple days ago I was stuck in front of my computer working on financial statements and sales and budget forecasting. After a few days of this, I lost steam and just got disinterested so I got up and went into our baking area and started R&D on new pastries. Since baking and cooking are my first loves, stepping back into the kitchen - even just for a short while - reminded me of why I was doing all the "boring" paperwork so that I could keep on creating. It put the mundane things in perspective and gave me more energy to carry on.

At this specific point in time, where would you want to be and with whom?

I'm very happy where I am and with the people I'm with. I wouldn't change a thing! 

JiPan has branches in the following locations:
Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City (02) 532-1188
SM Megamall Bldg. A, Mandaluyong City (02) 633-5990
Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City (02) 718-3891
Glorietta 4, Makati City (02) 728-9442 

*All photos provided by Stephanie Brimo.

What Brings You To Life? *Part 3* The Entertainer

Part 3 of my Passion Q&A series from my blog post What brings you to life?

NIKKI MULLER

International TV Presenter & Host

An intelligent and talented beauty who I'm proud to call my friend and sister. We've had our ups and downs but no matter what, we've stuck it out and she's never failed to be my unending supporter. I admire her willpower, unwavering confidence, and for taking the reins of her life to follow her dreams. See what Nikki is up to on Facebook and Instagram.

What brings you to life?
I love Sheryl Sandberg's burning question from her book "Lean In": what would you do if you were not afraid? When you answer that honestly, you've identified your passion. For me, I found it out early in life. I thrive on LIVE TELEVISION. I didn't even think about a career in TV until I was interviewed outside my high school gates with some friends, by MTV Asia. When I took the microphone from the producer and interviewed my friends instead, he saw that perhaps there was a reporter in me somewhere. The thrill of being on air, of thinking on your feet, of managing several cues and external factors, and most importantly, meeting new people from all walks of life and different fields - that's what I enjoy the most. I am a people-person and I am forever curious. TV has given me the flexibility to meet tremendous individuals. Every day is new. I am never bored!

What do you love most about being a TV presenter & host?
I love that I'm in a field where I am always learning. I believe you must challenge yourself everyday and take on projects that scare you. Living outside of your comfort zone is when you learn the most about yourself. You are often pleasantly surprised by what you can do when under pressure.

The Bicycle Diaries (Channel News Asia)

What goes on behind the cameras at Fox

How long have you been a TV presenter & host and how did you get into it?
My first job with MTV was when I was 15 years old. I had a short spell at the United Nations Headquarter in New York but in total I've worked in television for 11 years. It's not just a job for me. I'm one of those people who associates who I am with what I do for a living. I have tried the desk job but it's not for me. I need to go out into the world because that's my classroom!

Nikki with her co-hosts during her time on Disney Channel's Studio D

What advice would you give someone who is starting out or thinking about getting into TV?
I started young but I believe if you enter this industry for the right reasons, then it's never too late. If your goal is to be a star, to be recognised, to be famous, then that's not a passion. You need to be curious. You must love telling stories. And you must remember it is NEVER about you. You are the medium but you are not the subject. You must make your path and go out of your way to meet influencers in the industry. Seek out people you admire and find ways to intern in a newsroom or set. You learn by doing. But most importantly, find a subject you care about very much and discover your voice and style.
 

With Aussie F1 race driver for Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo

How do you keep your passion for TV alive? Do you have any dull moments? If so, how do you get back on track again?
Television is unpredictable and involves long hours. There are times when I've burned out. I think it's important to take breaks on my own. I often travel by myself to recharge and focus. I am still grappling with work/life balance. I am doing my best to spend more time with friends because for a long while I was working for months on end without a social life. Even if I enjoy my work, I must make time for balance.

At this point in time, where in the world would you want to be and with whom?
At this very moment I want to be hiking in Switzerland. I go back often but never long enough to get to know my country well enough. And I would go alone. I am constantly surrounded by many people so traveling by myself is a luxury. I'm half Swiss but haven't lived in Switzerland longer than a year. I find it incredibly important to connect with my cultural heritage. I've spent a lot of time in the Philippines but not in Switzerland. It's also a way to feel closer to my grandmother who was my best friend. If there was someone I'd want to come along with me, it would be her. She passed away last year but she's always with me now, so perhaps I have everything I need after all.

Behind-the-scenes at a shoot I did with Nikki for Yahoo!

More BTS shots with our hilarious director Ian Kenny

*All photos provided by Nikki Muller.

Getting the job you want

It's been eight years since I graduated from university and that means I've also been part of the workforce for the same amount of time. Back in school we had a mandatory zero-credit class that taught us how to write an effective resume, how to prepare for a job interview, and how to manage ourselves during the initial and subsequent meetings with a potential employer. As I've interviewed with numerous companies throughout my working life, I found the class to be very useful and helpful in that I can honestly say that I've been prepared and was confident at every meeting and conversation I've had with HR and potential managers. I didn't get every job I applied for, but I'm proud to say I was offered a position more often than not. I've also been lucky enough at times to receive multiple offers simultaneously and go through the dilemma of having to choose the best fitting role.

As an interviewee it takes time and preparation. However, it also takes time and preparation to interview someone: going through stacks of resumes, trying to pick the best candidates, scheduling interviews, meeting the hopefuls, shortlisting the top guys, scheduling another round of interviews, and finally choosing the right person. Sometimes even making the final decision is tough because you have to choose between two or three people and once you've made your pick, you hope you've hired the perfect one.

These days I am the interviewer seeking for quality candidates to join my team. I've met an interesting bunch of people -- some are smart and talented while others... well, let's just say that's time I'll never get back! I'm not sure if all schools offer a similar resume writing and interview preparation class, but if they don't, I highly recommend that they do. In the meantime, here are some tips for those new to the workforce that I believe are important in preparing for an interview and making yourself stand out from the crowd.

RESUME
Recruiters receive many applications and this is the first thing that they see so be sure it makes an impact.
Keep it short - Recruiters don't have time to read an essay. Fresh grad profiles should NOT exceed one page. Only include experiences and activities that are relevant to the position you're applying for. If you sent in an application for a creative design job, your experience waiting tables at the university cafe won't help you. However, your work as a designer for the school magazine would be a big plus.
Simple & clean - Submit your resume in Word or PDF format. It is easier for recruiters to view and print without needing any special programs or having to resize the image/file. Use easy-to-read font (Arial, Times New Roman; size 10-12) and bold or italicise to highlight important information. Maybe even use some colour but do not submit a rainbow-coloured document unless you know what you're doing, i.e. someone knowledgeable in design, and submitting your resume for a role in the creative/design/arts industry.
Be concise - Avoid flowery and overused words/terms like "works well under pressure" or "a diligent and hard worker". It looks like you Googled a sample resume and copy-pasted sections onto yours. Honestly, I think you can take the entire "Objective" section out of a resume because that should be highlighted in your cover letter/email.
Cover letter/email - Do not email an attached resume without a proper subject and cover letter. The subject is what will make the recruiter open your email and the cover letter is what will make them open the attachment. Unless specified, the subject can be "Job Application for Marketing Assistant position; Resume Attached". Make sure to address the correct person or department. Some names are not gender-specific so if you're unsure, Google the person. More often than not, you'll find something online that will indicate if you should be addressing a "Mr." or a "Ms."
Proofread - For the love of God, absolutely do NOT submit anything without proofreading it first. Give your resume and cover letter to a friend or family member to look through in case you missed anything. Make sure grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting are perfect before you even think about making any submissions.

INTERVIEW
You've caught the recruiter's attention and now you've been invited for an interview. Yay!
Prepare - Are you familiar with the company and role your applying for? Do you know who is interviewing you? Be sure to read up on the company - research it's history and see what's been going on in the recent news. It's impressive when a candidate brings up the company's current events and any relevant industry matters. It's also important to understand the position you're applying for so you can highlight your capabilities that can fulfil the criteria. If you don't already know, find out who will be conducting the interview. Most people have a LinkedIn profile that you can search so you at least know a little of their background. Also, it doesn't hurt to practice a few potential interview questions with a friend!
Be confident (but not overconfident) - Interviews can be daunting and make many people nervous, which is natural and expected. However, if you come prepared, the nerves will settle and you'll do well! The interviewer has read your resume and is impressed enough to ask to meet you but, by all means, do not boast or be arrogant (yes, I've had some of those). Remember, you're the one looking for a job and they have the power to hire you or not.
It's not about you - It's about what you can offer to the company. Every employee is dispensable - tenure and position do not protect you. Think: Steve Jobs being fired from Apple, a company HE founded. If they hired you, what positive results can you bring to the table? You should be able to show (and later prove, once hired) that you're worthy of the company's investment in your skills and that you're eager to build your career within.
Ask questions - Don't just ask about the salary or the work hours. Bring some good questions like, "what is my career path within your company?" This shows that you're thinking longterm and not someone who's going to jet off at the next best opportunity.

POST-INTERVIEW
You've managed to survive through the nerve-racking ordeal. Now what? Make sure the interviewer remembers you by sending them an email thanking them for their time. Not a lot of people do this but I think this is really important because it shows that you appreciated their time and that you're really sincere about getting the job. It's good to also include an agreed upon date to follow up so you can track the status of your application. If you haven't heard back within the specified time, go ahead and follow up but make sure you're not spamming their inbox every other day. They'll eventually get back to you with the news and hopefully it's good!

These are pretty simple points to remember but I think they are key in landing the job you want. A job interview is not only a time for the employer to see if you're the only they're looking for, it's also a time for you to get to know the company and role to see if it would be a perfect fit for your goals. Hope these pointers have helped - it's all common sense really! - and good luck on your job hunt! :)

-JH

Dating An Offshore Dude

I’m an oilfield kid who grew up with an offshore dad (read: Mon Père, Ce Héros) so it’s not really surprising that I ended up with someone who works in a similar, if not the same, industry. Ross is an Offshore Piling Technician and before I even attempt to explain what he does exactly, here’s a video that shows you what his job entails:

Disclaimer: I just found this video on YouTube to give you a better understanding of Ross’ job. Neither Ross nor I have any affiliation with the company that posted and is featured in the video.

This job is not your typical 9-5 desk job where you come home every day and get to spend a lot of time with your family and friends. Though technically Ross is supposed to be on a rotation, there is no set schedule depending on the project, weather, crew availability, and numerous other things. This means that he can be away in the middle of the ocean for as little as 6 weeks or even as much as 3 months (sometimes more!), and is working at least 12-hour shifts DAILY. When the offshore guys are at work, there are no weekends or holidays. When the project is going well, the days can go by quickly but when problems arise and things are put on hold and they’re on standby, well… there’s not much you can do on a barge except for eat (sometimes the food isn’t even that great!), sleep, read, workout, and surf the web if the internet isn’t shoddy.

It’s tough, it’s dangerous, it’s physical as well as mental, and it’s definitely not for the weak. Not every one is cut out for this profession and it takes a certain type of person to be able to handle it. The time away from loved ones is probably one of the most difficult things – for the offshore dude and for the ones they leave at home. Growing up in this industry and with people who went through the same thing would make you think this would come easily, but it’s never easy being away from people you love and care about. 

Drenched from the downpour at Robbie Williams' concert in Singapore during the F1 Grand Prix in Sep 2014

During our first year together, Ross and I were pretty lucky in terms of being able to spend time with each other. He didn’t have to go offshore as much and worked a good amount of time in the shipyard in Singapore, where I was based at the time. When he did have to work offshore, the stints weren’t very long – 6 weeks at most – so we were even able to sneak in a handful of holidays – two in Vietnam, one in Thailand, one in the Philippines, and one in the UK. I think the Universe was working in our favour as I think we needed that time to really get to know each other. This year, on the other hand, has been the complete opposite. Since moving to Manila in the beginning of February, Ross has been working the entire time apart from a short 10-day break in May. The current project he’s on wasn’t supposed to last more than 6-8 weeks but so far he’s already been there for 12, and will be offshore for at least another few weeks!

Our first trip to Hoi An, Vietnam in April 2014

I can tell you it’s definitely not a walk in the park. It’s not easy being apart; it’s not easy constantly worrying about his safety; it’s not easy adjusting to life “without” him, especially when I’ve gotten used to waking up next to him; it’s not easy not knowing exactly when you’ll see each other again. I’m a planner – I like to know what things are going to happen and when, so this relationship has definitely tested that. I’m also not the most patient person, so this situation has also tested that. However, despite all this, I am extremely happy with and in our relationship. So how are we making it work?

At Glencoe in Scotland in Jan 2015

I’m not a relationship guru and my relationship with Ross is far from perfect. We celebrate the “ups” and work through the “downs” TOGETHER. Amongst many other things, these are the key factors that are keeping our relationship strong:

Patience
Patience is the numero uno element here. We can’t plan for things well in advance; we have our bad days and sometimes take it out on each other and it’s tougher to handle over iMessage or FaceTime; it gets lonely when we’re apart; and a million other things that can get really frustrating. However, at the end of the day you know you can’t have the good without the bad and the waiting is all worth it for each other.

Trust & Honesty

Simple – without these no relationship would work, at least not a healthy one. Of course we can’t tell each other EVERYTHING because you have to leave some things a mystery! ;) But one thing is for sure, we don’t give each other reasons to doubt the other.

Respect & Support
We respect and support each other in every thing we do – from our professional lives to our personal interests. We encourage one another to succeed and are each others' No. 1 cheerleader.

Time
We already spend quite a bit of time apart so the time we do have together is essential. Despite the distance and time zone differences, we still make time for each other even if it’s just via text message, email, or a short phone call to tell each other “I love you”. When we’re together, we make sure that it’s quality time spent having fun and appreciating each other.

Goals
We’ve discussed our goals and future together – where we want to be, what we want to do, etc. This is important because it gives you something to work towards together.

Celebrating our anniversary 2.5 months after the actual date since Ross was offshore

If you’ve made it this far down the post, CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU! I hope this has been an interesting read – from learning what Ross does to what our relationship is like and how we’re managing it. For those in similar circumstances, I wish you all the best and hope this blog post has shown you’re not alone (yay!) and has helped put some things into perspective.

Cheers,
J xxx

What brings you to life? *Part 2* The Thespian

The second of my passion-focused Q&A series from my blog post titled What brings you to life?

KRISSY JESUDASON 
Founder & Artistic Director of Phenix Arts 

My best friend since 9th grade, we know each other like the backs of our hands. We've been in love with Channing Tatum since "She's the Man" and comforted each other through bad break ups. We laugh hysterically at things no one else understands and pretty much even have our own language. She is a strong-willed, tough, and beautiful woman through and through. The blood, sweat, and tears that she's shed for her craft are truly astounding. Read more about Krissy and her upcoming projects on www.phenixarts.com and Facebook. 

What brings you to life? 

I think the easy answer here would be theatre and Shakespeare, but actually I think it’s actually more complicated than that because other things bring me to life too. For example, my other jobs in Food & Beverage, a good book, and kite surfing. I think what really brings me to life is self discovery and making connections with other human beings, and theatre and Shakespeare are how I pursue it. 

What do you love most about theatre/Shakespeare? 
Well the reason I love theatre, acting, and Shakespeare is because it’s the easiest way I make a connection with others. Through the stories I get to tell, dealing with other actors very intimately, and also knowing that the audience that is watching me is also trying to connect with the same story.

How long have you been into theatre/Shakespeare and how did you get into it?
Honestly, all my life. I think it took me a while to realize it though. When I did, I ran from it, denied it, and quit. But in the end I just kept coming back. 

What advice would you give someone who is starting out or thinking of getting into theatre? 
DON’T DO IT. I’m kind of kidding and kind of not. Having a career in theatre is HARD. You have to realise that as you grow up everyone else will be hitting certain milestones in their lives except you. While others are buying cars, houses, and raising children, you will probably still be looking for the next paycheck. You won’t be able to afford certain things like a balanced diet, a membership to the gym, and maybe even rent. So if you can do anything else…DO THAT INSTEAD.

If that little schpeel doesn’t deter you (as it didn’t me when I first heard it right after theatre school), my advice is to grow a thick skin. Be resourceful and think of yourself as an entrepreneur who is running a start-up. You are your business. What is your product? What is its value to others? How do you monetise it? What's your marketing strategy? Think outside the box and create your own mark. Learn a side craft and marketable skill to do on the side so you’re not waiting by the phone for your agent to call. Get out there and get busy. CREATE. 

How do you keep your passion for theatre/Shakespeare alive? Do you have any dull moments? If so, how do you get back on track and find it again? 
I surround myself with like-minded people. People from the theatre and acting as well as other industries, who are as ambitious and driven as I want to be. I run my own theatre company and most of the time it’s an uphill battle. A lot of the times I question why I’m doing this - Why theatre? Why acting? Why Shakespeare? Can’t I just give up? And then I remember that I’ve given up before, I’ve failed and quit before. And when I came back to theatre I found that my previous experiences and failures are now serving me very well because of what I’ve learned from them. Every failure only brings me knowledge, wisdom, and practical experience. The more experience I have the more qualified I am, regardless of my perception of failure or success. So I just keep climbing that mountain and if I succeed, great. If I fail, that’s good too because it means that I get to learn and apply it next time.

At this specific point in time, where in the world would you want to be and with whom? 
That’s a hard question because I know that to fantasize like that takes me away from where I am right now. For example, 5 years ago I would fantasize that I was a working actor doing plays, producing and teaching, and maybe even have a TV show. Low and behold, 5 years later I’m doing exactly that, which is great, but my life is not any easier than it was then. I’m just handling it better.

Sometimes I fantasize that I’m rehearsing Macbeth with the Royal Shakespeare Company but then I’ll think, "wait, how would that make me any happier than I am now?" I mean, yes it’s a wonderful opportunity and I would kill for it but…what I’m doing right now is pretty awesome too and I don’t want to miss out on that. If I start to fantasize about being somewhere else with someone else then it takes me away from everything I can accomplish right here right now. 

Watch Krissy on stage with fellow actor Zachary Ibrahim at Phenix Arts' first production BASH: Latterday Plays by Neil Labute showing 20-22 Aug 2015 at Orchard Central in Singapore. Buy your tickets now from TicketMash.

*All photos provided by Krissy Jesudason.