MARIA JOHANNA ORTEGA PURUGGANAN
1. Give us an example of a goal you’ve set and how you achieved it.
As a kid, I’ve always wanted to either be a nun or in the media industry, that’s why I studied in Assumption College where both are offered. Right after college, I worked at the advertising agency, moved to the tv industry as an editor and eventually as a producer. After some time, I moved to the movie industry as an assistant director. After I got married, my husband and I set up our own media company which catered to all media. We had print ads, publishing, videos, websites, events, Theater ads and merchandise. We moved to La Union 6 years ago and started managing my properties. Recently, I was invited by my classmate to join the Velada. I saw that they needed help, a lot of help. They got stuck with 8 members for a long time and I set this as my goal to help to have a successful Velada. From 8 members, we are now more than
100 active members of the batch and the 8 performers are now 25. I told a batch mate of mine, that my goal is for a successful Velada for the batch and promised that performers are not to spend a single cent for this event. As of now, with all our fundraising activities, we are fast approaching in achieving my goal
2. Do you have any suggestions on how we can help our beneficiaries?
For me, the best way to help the beneficiaries is fundraising. This can be done through events, merchandise and sponsorships. It is also good to give recognition to these institutions for constant support they can get from generous donors.
3. What did you learn about yourself from the pandemic?
The lockdown taught me three things. First is Independence. We were back to square one and had to keep things going like everyone else. We had to work on our own devices to gain income and as luck would have it, we did. Second is Resourcefulness. We made use of our property and thought of a way it would generate funds. But with this, we had to be Creative, the third. We had to use our imagination to tickle other people’s imagination. We were able to create a home away from home for people who couldn’t withstand the lockdown. With this, we were able to inspire others to do the same.