(Photo by Twinkle Benitez)
I remember Kia as a happy, energetic, strong-willed 6-year old little girl in Junior Class at the Iloilo Montessori International School. She often exercised leadership among her peers, elbowed her way to sit next to me, and determined who would sit where and with whom during which activity. I remember Kia fighting with Belle, my daughter who was also her classmate; they were both strong-willed and wanted to be by my side at Circle Time. I remember wondering how Kia would be like when she’s an adult, as I did wonder about Belle and all my other students.
And so here I am asking Kia, the second among those I was able to interview, and here is this blog managed by Belle from where she is right now in Europe. Please share my double delight!
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Dot: What can you remember about your Montessori childhood?
Kia: My Montessori childhood was a typical child’s dream. I remember all those play time sessions when even weird drawings can become art. I remember singing in one of our school plays for Christmas where I was an angel. I remember the playground where we took most of our year-end class photos. Those were days when I had nothing to think about except make art and play, just like what normal kids do.
Dot: Did your parents make any reference to your Montessori education while you were growing up?
Kia: My parents, just like every other parent in the world, love to give the best education to their children. They often told me that Montessori was a dream to them. Blessed. That’s the word they used whenever Montessori came up. It was an expensive school, with my classmates coming from mid-income earning families. They often told me that they were willing to be all-out when it comes to good education because my primary years should have good, solid foundation in preparation for my future.
Dot: What are your interests or passions?
Kia: Traveling and writing. I maintain my own blog although I am not that active because I work on weekends. My blog is all about my personal reflections, essays, stories, and travels. I feel the need to share with the world that traveling can be done early or even twice a year as long as you save and you don’t neglect what’s necessary in life.
Dot: In terms of career, advocacy, mission, or education, are you now doing what you really love?
Kia: In terms of career, my mind was in chaos just a few months ago. I suddenly got bored with what I was doing. It felt like a routine and it basically became a desk job. I told myself I was not born to do a desk job. I am a marketing graduate so I should go out. Explore and learn things. After a lot of thinking and praying, I decided to stay.
As for my advocacy and mission, I am not there yet but charity has always been my favorite in the company. I have a heart to help and a lot of time to go with it. Unfortunately, I don’t have that much cash now; but I do a lot of volunteer work whenever time permits.
I plan on taking up a Masters course in Marketing in UP Diliman. This has been my dream for myself. I am also looking into scholarships abroad since this will fulfill my love for both education and travel.
Dot: What wonderful things are you seeing in the world now?
Kia: I’ve always believed that there is still kindness in the world. I personally have my fair share of experiences of people who just go out of their way to help. One time, when my friends and I were in Ilocos and I really needed to pee, I just knocked on a door and asked the owners if I can use their restroom. They opened their house for my friends and me despite the fact that we were complete strangers. So there is still hope for the world. Even if we have an ongoing war in Mindanao and people kill each other, I believe that the world is still good, that there is faith in humanity and people can still be genuinely helpful and nice.
Dot: Given a chance to be a world leader, what would be your greatest work?
Kia: Education. I can’t think of anything else except education. I want to be a leader in the field of education and in making sure every kid in the world will never be deprived of good education. I’ve seen children walk mountains, cross seas and lakes, and even walk barefoot just to go to school. I have seen hope in their eyes and their determination to succeed so I am going to help all these kids have better education even if it means creating more schools and bringing education closer to them. Education should never be a luxury; it is the right of every child to have good education.
Dot: If the universe gave you $500,000 next week, how will you use it?
Kia: Five hundred thousand dollars is quite a huge amount. I’ll divide it into three different expenses: $100,000 shall go to a business franchise. I’ll need financial stability so I can support myself and my family; $50,000 will be for my travel and education funding; the rest will be allotted for me to build my own educational foundation with the purpose of funding children’s education in the Philippines.
Dot: What message can you give to parents? Educators? Leaders? Young people?
Kia: This is a crazy world. Everyone is different and we do clash from time to time. But always remember to be nice. Be kind to everyone. Invest in good things. Invest in learning and education.
Parents, no matter how hard life is, never give up on your children. Give them everything that you can give. Help mold them to become better people.
To young people, strive hard. Do not give up. Ever. Even if life is hard. Even if you think nothing goes your way. Just do better every day. Live life to the fullest and end your day with learnings and not regrets. Invest in things that will help you grow, excite you, and make you happy. Take your time. Learn that you can only compete within yourself and be the best version of YOU every day. Never forget to look back and appreciate people who helped you along the way. Lastly, always be yourself.
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