Official Website of Rochelle Sy Chua
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On April 8, 2016
I’m slowly going back to the blogging scene and one of the first events that I went to is for iRegalo. iRegalo has just launched a new set of health packages aimed to help overseas filipino workers in ensuring their beloved family’s well being despite being far away from them. Read More
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On March 3, 2016
This weekend is a good time to drop by at Glorietta Activity Center to take part in the biggest volunteering event this 2016, the Go Volunteer Expo!
Each one of us has a passion to volunteer/help on a cause. I, myself, has a soft spot for child abuse victims and have been looking for an organisation where I can lend a helping hand. So if you are looking to support a cause or advocacy, there are about 25 organisations ready to take in volunteers and share about their programs and where you can step in to help. Read More
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On June 12, 2012
I became a big fan of Yeng Remulla after I read his book, Productive Pinoy. It was the first book written by a Filipino that I got so impressed with! Productive Pinoy has so many lessons in it that I felt a lot of people can take advantage of.
In my case, I do not have a dad. However, reading Productive Pinoy felt like I do have that father-like figure who was providing me life-long lessons to live by. Each chapter is a gem in itself. Yeng was too selfless in sharing all those important lessons in life with us through the book.
So when Yeng sent me an email and asked me to be one of the speakers on his free Start Something seminar, I couldn’t say no. Two reasons why I said yes even if I had some reservations on speaking in public:
The Start Something Seminar by Productive Pinoy was held at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street last June 8, 2012. It was a free event and it was a successful one! The forum was full of registered participants all ready to learn from Productive Pinoy himself, Yeng Remulla.
Yeng wanted to help the participants start the idea they’ve been dreaming of doing by providing the free seminar. I guess the Productive Pinoy group wanted to inspire the participants through Yeng’s personal productivity tips as well as the guest speakers’ testimonies on how they started something.
As Yeng said in his blog, “Whether you’re planning to write a book, start a business, shift careers, or put out your art, I hope this event will help you jumpstart the work that you’ve been dreaming of.”
An activity was done during the Start Something seminar which I found very effective.. A paper was given to each of the participants and everyone was asked to draw the idea that they have been putting off for quite some time.
Then some participants volunteered to share their ideas to everyone. Upon hearing some of them, I was just blown away. Their ideas were so good! I felt that they are destined to work on their ideas. I mean why would they attend a ‘Start Something’ seminar if they didn’t have the willpower to start what they have thought of, right?
When it was time for the guest speakers to talk, I started to really get nervous. I didn’t even know if I could make it on stage , hahaha! I just said to myself to suck it up and think that I might be able to inspire people by sharing how I started my blog.
Here’s a transcript of my 5-minute speech:
Hello everyone! My name is Roch and I’m the blogger behind HeaRty’s Haven. You can find HeaRty’s Haven at rochellesychua.com. I’m here to talk about how I started with blogging but first, I’d like to say that I became a big fan of Yeng Remulla after I read his book, Productive Pinoy. The book is just too good! I highly suggest you get one now if you haven’t. It’s a good compilation of lessons that we can live by. For me, it was like taking different self-help trainings molded into one book.
Now, how did I start blogging? I’m working in a multi-national company which I have been dreaming to work in for the longest time. I wanted to improve on my work every single day so when I got feedback that I needed to improve on my written skill, I decided that I need to do something about it. I thought of writing a diary but it just won’t cut it for me as I hate my own handwriting and I rarely use pen and paper due to the advancement of technology. I ended up creating a blog wherein I put all my experiences whether it’s food, travel, gadgets or movies, I just put it all out there. Don’t try to check out my 2008 entries because I assure you, they suck (haha)! Anyhow, I never thought that my site views went up from 0 to 60,000 a month! I was able to turn a weakness into a strength. I was able to improve on my writing plus I was also able to find a new passion/hobby.
Always remember like what Yeng said in his book, Productive Pinoy, that we should stop being a spectator, we should take a lead and start something! Because we can do it! 🙂
I was afraid while I was doing the speech as I do not believe I’m good in speaking public. I have stage fright that I can’t seem to get over with. I tried to work on it by attending effective presentations training and joining toastmasters but I couldn’t sustain it. I guess I have to try to speak in a public forum to finally realize how fulfilling it is. I would like to thank Yeng of Productive Pinoy for giving me this rare chance to talk to everyone. I’m not sure if I was able to inspire the participants but I really hope I did 🙂
It’s really such an honor to have known such great motivational speakers like Cornel Bongco (Yoyo Gospel Man), Malvin Dinlasan (BroTalks) and of course, Yeng Remulla (Productive Pinoy) in the Start Something event. It’s truly an unforgettable experience!
Yeng’s How to achieve Major, Major goals are as follows:
Start Something seminar was very inspiring, informative and really nice!
I, myself, was inspired to start something again!
——————-
Start Something Seminar by Productive Pinoy
June 8, 2012, 1–4pm
The Forum, Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street, The Fort, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
http://www.productivepinoy.com/2012/04/be-productive-pinoy-at-fully-booked-bhs.html
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On June 1, 2012
I was born in a negative environment. All I’ve been hearing throughout my life is how imperfect I was and how inadequate I was. No matter what I do, everything or anything just wasn’t ever enough. A few years after college, when I started living alone, I realized that I need to put some positivity in my life or else, I’d be doomed. I tried so hard thinking positively in spite of living most of my life in a toxic way.
Positivity is slowly entering my system as my goals are being achieved one by one. It was a very slow process but I’m on my way there. I had to shut off negativity when it started to crawl in again. Thinking positively has been a very difficult goal for me to achieve. In fact, I felt that I was already faking happiness because I know deep inside, I was still lonely. This has changed when I accepted the Lord. I’m still on that positivity & happiness journey but now, I know that I’m not alone.
Now, why am I sharing this? Today, I took a leave from work to attend the Happiness Boot Camp arranged by Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions. I didn’t wanna miss the chance to learn how to be happier. We are all a work in progress after all!
The Happiness Boot Camp was organized to also launch the 2012 Search for the Happiest Pinoy. The search seeks and recognizes the country’s most optimistic and passionate Filipinos who overcame difficulties and shown resilience in spite of life’s difficult challenges while keeping a big smile on their faces.
Here are some information about the search:
Who are qualified?
So friends, if you know someone who fits the description then don’t hesitate to nominate them. Let’s make the happiest pinoy happier by recognizing their cheerful attitude, their passionate heart and their happy virus!
Me, on the other hand, enjoyed the Happiness Boot Camp. It was held at the Nurture Spa in which I got the impression that I’d be getting pampered and relaxed especially since I’d be getting my much-needed massage 🙂
Well, it wasn’t only the massage and the relaxing ambiance that made my stay enjoyable but the valuable lessons I got from all the talks from the speakers.
2010 Happiest Pinoy Runner Up Nona Andaya-Castillo
Nanay Nona was my roommate! It was a blessing that there were issues with logistics that I ended up in her room. I learned so much from her! She shared how being a vegetarian made her a happy Pinoy. I believed her, I do! However, I know that eating meat especially my comfort food helps me relieve stress. I guess, that eating my meaty comfort food isn’t good long term wise but I’ll have a hard time practicing what she taught us. It was a valuable lesson especially when she shared her personal experience.
Nanay Nona used to eat a lot of processed foods but that caused her illnesses. She became interested in studying about health in preparation for motherhood by reading tons of books and attending trainings on natural fertility management and natural healing. After a non-medicated birth experience, she exclusively breastfed her child and gave her only natural food. She became happier considering her illnesses didn’t come back anymore. She then became an advocate of indigenous vegetarianism, natural healing and natural parenting. She’s a hero and she’s indeed deserving to be one of the winners of the 2010 Happiest Pinoy Search.
2010 Happiest Pinoy Winner Winston Maxino
Being in the same room with Happiest Pinoy winner Winston Maximo was truly an honor! I was totally humbled after hearing his story. I couldn’t complain more about my life considering what Winston went through. He truly deserved to win the Happiest Pinoy search and I’m glad that he took the time in inspiring all the participants of the Happiness Boot Camp with his presence and story. Winston Maximo has a positive outlook in life and he’s such a strong person. If I’m in his shoes, I’m not sure if I can handle the same situation with that kind of strength and resilience.
Maxino was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (causes swelling in a part of his spine and constant pain in his lower back). He gets by with pain killers and drug infusion to lessen the tenderness in his back. As a matter of fact, while he was speaking at the Happiness Boot Camp, he was in pain. In spite of that, he still had a big smile on his face. Truly admirable!
He’s a great speaker too! I learned so much from his speech and he was able to inject some jokes here and there. Winston Maxino said that he chose to be a winner in spite of the pains and struggles in life. He also mentioned that he was humble and happy to realize that he inspires people with his story.
One of the stories he mentioned was from his childhood and it stuck in my mind. When Maxino was in grade 4, he wanted to be a boy scout but was rejected by his scout master that declared that he didn’t meet the physical requirement for camping and other boy scout activities. Winston couldn’t accept a ‘no’ so he approached the head teacher but he was rejected too. Winston went home and plead for help from his father. His father wrote a letter to the school which successfully registered Winston Maxino a boy scout officially.
Winston fought hard and became outstanding boy scout of the year which partly paid for his high school tuition. Imagine Winton’s perseverance paved the way for his partial scholarship and service awards! His father must be very proud of him!
He is happy to have lived his dream and aspiration to be a boy scout. He refused to be defeated by his sickness and he worked very hard to improve his situation. He took failures as lessons in life. He went through moment of weakness and anger too but as Winston Maxino said, you can fall but you can also rise. He managed to pick himself up, lick his wounds and move forward.
Another story he shared that touched our hearts was the story of Winston’s 2nd daughter who was born with down syndrome (mongoloids). In fact, his daughter is like his father, you can see how she choose to be happy in spite of the sickness. She was all smiles when she was introduced to us. Happy people are really the little heroes of the world. I salute those people. It is really a choice.
My take away with Winston Maxino’s talk is that the Happiest Pinoy search is all about honoring and celebrating the Filipino resilience. Resilience is something that has a bad past but has bounced back and moved on with his own life. There’s a certain streak of stubborness that rebels against despair and helplessness. He never say die even if the world has turned its back on him. He surrounds himself with people who loves and cherishes him. He has faith that God will send him the relief. When good things come his way, he appreciates them and give thanks. These are blessings in life.
Money cannot buy happiness and resilience. We already have everything we need to be happy. Let us be infected with the happy virus and eagerly pass it on to other people.
There he ended his speech with ‘the happiest person wishes to be excused’. That was really funny, hahaha! He spoke only for 15 minutes but every word that came out of his mouth was full of wisdom. I feel honored to be one of the people who have listened to Winston Maxino. He indeed is the Happiest Pinoy I know.
Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions General Manager Jonathan Batangan
The Happiness Boot Camp wrapped up with Jonathan’s talk about Happiness.
Some things I learned is that Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions created the Happiest Pinoy Search to promote positive Filipino values of optimism, resilience and hope in these uncertain times. Apparently, Philippines is currently #13 in the happiest countries list by nation master. The 2012 Happiest Pinoy search winner will be crowned on September 25, 2012. I wonder who will it be this time. I was just so inspired by previous winner Winston Maxino and I’m sure that if we get to know the next one, we will be equally inspired. We have so many heroes in our country and I’m glad that they are being recognized with contests like this one.
Jonathan Batangan summarized the Happiness Journey with the ff.:
I’m also thankful for meeting new friends in the Boot camp.
So there, that was how I spent my thursday and friday. I hope my narration inspired you as it had inspired me during the Happiness Boot Camp. If you know a Happiest Pinoy, do nominate them!
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On July 13, 2011
We generate ideas numerous times. We talk about them when we go out with family, friends, colleagues & classmates. We even share our ideas with strangers. Why not make those ideas a reality?
In relation to this, I would like to share a very good news for students as Unilab Ideas Positive is back!
Unilab Ideas Positive (now on its 2nd year) is a two-in-one initiative where college students are invited to share their unique, creative & innovative ideas to address the health & wellness concerns of the Philippines. Unilab helps the students turn their ideas into a reality by guiding the students in further developing their proposals through a social marketing bootcamp and by funding the winning student groups’ social marketing projects with a total of Php 250,000 seed money.
Isn’t that way too cool?
All you need to do is form a group of 5. You must be currently enrolled in the same university to qualify as a group. Then follow the full mechanics posted in the official Unilab Ideas Positive site and share your innovative idea. You’ll never know you might be one of the student groups who can make a difference in a community! 
The hands clasped together symbolize the Bayanihan spirit of people reaching out and working with each other, this time represented in a variety of colors to reflect the youth’s diversity in background, upbringing, personalities, and way of thinking.
The differences may seem discouraging, but when held together by a common beneficial cause, such diversity produces a beautiful and powerful show of positives—both ideas coming from the youth, and the transformation in the health and wellness of Philippine communities.
I can’t wait to see in the news what ideas this year’s youth groups will come up! I especially am excited to see those ideas turn into reality! Last year, Unilab had three student groups making a difference as illustrated below.
Aren’t we glad that we are giving back to the community? If you’re a college student, hope you can influence 4 of your classmates and join the Unilab Ideas Positive contest! You’ll never know how far your ideas can go. Be a part of a great initiative for a better Philippines!