I can’t thank God enough for all the blessings he’s given me and my family, and for always being there for us. When I look back on the year that was, I find that the beautiful moments outnumber and overpower the stressful, I-want-this-to-be-over days. And even on those times, there were lessons learned, and more importantly, silver linings—-things always turned out fine (even if they didn’t always turn out the way I wanted them to), much thanks to God. :)

Here are the top eight things/people/moments/lessons/experiences that made my 2011 extraordinary. Some are mainstays in my life, others are new additions—-but everything’s special and close to my heart:

1. Family

They definitely make it to my list of life must-haves. I do what I do because of them; each day, I wake up driven to do my best so they can be proud of me. If I have an ultimate goal in life, it’s to see my family happy and to enjoy life’s wonders with them. :)

A wacky Christmas from my mother’s side of the family. No photo yet with Dad’s side of the fam—-missed our Christmas get-together.

2. Friends

I barely saw my friends in 2011, but the great thing about us is that we have remained good friends despite the distance. I’m truly blessed to have them in my life—-we are each other’s rah-rah girls, shoulders to cry on (or just vent or rant on), and partners-in-crime. They help me keep things in perspective—-with them, everything’s just candid and real. Oh, and I also made lots of new friends: My fellow EAs, and my Fullcourtfresh buddies, among others.

Divi trip with Anne and Ela.

With the GFs after the UP-DLSU game. Last time we ever got complete.

3. My job

It’s been a crazy good year working on 12 issues, coordinating countless photo shoots, editing/correcting hundreds of pages and files, and everything in between. I just turned 22, but I feel like I’ve already gone through a lot; sometimes I feel like I’m having too much too soon, and that can be pretty overwhelming. I’m really thankful I’ve learned to manage the stress, the long hours, and the pressure that come with working for one of the top publications in the country. I’ve learned so much just over a year in my job—-the life lessons and character-building experiences are priceless.

I love working on the Journal page. It’s inspiring to get to know these personalities beyond their beautiful faces. Seen here: Our November feature on model Fatima Rabago.

4. All the talented, passionate, and awesome people I’ve met and worked with

Being part of the Metro editorial team means working with the best people in their respective fields: Photographers, designers, models, stylists, makeup artists, and hairstylists. It means getting to interview celebrities (I always find myself gauging their sincerity—-but if anything, I can say most local celebrities are easy and fun to work with. They’re human just like us, so why the fuss?) and working on stories that I also learn from (I love, love, love doing beauty features—-besides profiles, that is). Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with and met on the job (my editors, including Bianca, who moved to New York in August to attend J-School), you have inspired me in different ways. Cheers to another year of creating beautiful, and hopefully thought-provoking and/or life-changing, stories! :)

Team photo after we wrapped up the Metro Holiday Issue Cover Shoot/Masquerade Ball. From left: Features Editor Geolette Esguerra, Staff Writer Ria Gamboa, Beauty Editor Charmagne Garcia-Laconico, Executive Editor Michealle Torres, Creative Director Patrick Ty, Fashion Editor Mela de Luna, Managing Editor Ani Hila, and me. Photograph Daniel Soriano.

With James and Phil Younghusband, makeup artist Ines Lobregat, Metro’s Managing Editor Ani Hila, and hairstylist Jerry Javier of L’Oreal Professionnel after our Metro Man shoot (Check out the story in Metro’s December issue!).

The Metro team at the Samsung Metrowear Filipiniana show last June.

With Samsung Metrowear Icon Oliver Tolentino.

The Metro team with Metro Society Editor-in-Chief Raul Manzano and Metro Group Content Head and CCPMG Marketing Head, Chris Lopez.

5. The opportunity to venture out on my own

I got to travel on my own (with other media people) for a fam tour last March. Initially, I was so scared to venture out sans my family, but I definitely enjoyed the experience. Davao is a beautiful city filled with wonderful people, and I can’t wait to go back. And I definitely can’t wait to travel to more places! :)

At Eden Nature Park. Top: Camwhoring in my hotel room at Marco Polo Davao.

6. The opportunity to give back

Last January, I started sponsoring a child’s education through World Vision. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do; knowing I’m making a difference in someone’s life, albeit in my own small way, is one of the things that keep me going.

7. The courage to step out of my comfort zone

As much as I hate to admit, I’m one of the corniest people I know. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I avoid going out at night as much as I can. I’m one of those not so adventurous Sags. I like routine, I like knowing what happens (hence I tend to read the last chapter of a book, after going through the first couple of chapters), I like surprising people, but I don’t like being surprised. 2011 was about loosening up a bit. I can say I’ve been pretty successful, as evidenced by my attendance at the ADHOC event last February (I’m not in college anymore, I know..haha), my profile’s cameo in one of the special features in Metro’s August issue, and my participation in our office Christmas party’s celebrity lookalike contest (I won 3rd place, by the way). Baby steps, baby steps. The best thing about all of these? I learned to open up, and I’m now actually looking forward to trying out many other new things.

Spot me! “Indie Stage”, Metro August 2011. With the most talented indie film actors (and they’re successful tv stars, too! With the exception of Pepe, who’s a filmmaker and writer).

8. A better sense of self

Sometimes you think you have everything figured out, then something happens that makes you realize you don’t. The past year exposed me to other facets of myself I never knew existed. I learned to believe in myself more, enough to actually take on challenges that the old me would shy away from. But although I realized I’ve changed quite a lot, deep down, I’m still the same person: real, optimistic, determined, and hoping to make a difference. Then again, I am a work in progress: There’s still so much to learn, do, and be. I’m very thankful for who I’ve become, but I also know I can only truly realize my potential if I continue to work hard and continue to allow God to lead my way.

A screencap of the Young Star web page the day their feature, “Assistants Gone Wild” came out. Being part of the story is definitely a milestone for me. :)

Lord God, thank you for the year that was. I pray that you continue to bless and guide me, my family, my friends, and the whole world. Help us do what is pleasing to you and help us be a blessing to each other, and live our lives to the fullest. :)