It’s been a few days since The Freelancer Fair 2018. I wanted to share my welcome remarks, since there are three things that I want to impart to this community. I love that I am part of this industry and I will do whatever it takes to keep us united and bonded.
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the 3rd year of The Freelancer Fair! Wow! I can’t believe how amazing our turnout for this year is. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! Manila Workshops thanks you!
Before anything else, I’d like to thank the Department of Trade and Industry (DICT) for consistently supporting us. USEC Mon Ibrahim, Miss Emmy and the rest of the DICT team, thank you very much for supporting us for the three consecutive years that we have been running this. Also, I would like to thank the Digital Career Advocates of the Philippines (DCAP), especially to my dear friend and the president of DCAP, Genesis Reonico. I’d like to thank all of our speakers who took time out to share their knowledge with you all here today.
I’d like to thank all of the freelancing communities who are here today. I would have liked to mention you all, but you’re already too many to mention! I’d like to thank all our brand sponsors who have stuck it out with us for three years and to those who have supported us this year. Thank you, too, to my team, team Manila Workshops who tirelessly put up this event for all of us and to the attendees of this year’s The Freelancer Fair. May you pick up new ideas, learnings, gain new friends, and even new love today! Haha!
Kidding aside, I really wanted to start this welcome speech with a lot of thank you’s because my heart is truly filled with gratitude. I am so blessed to be part of this community.
Last year’s theme was Rise of the Free. And yes, we have truly risen and have made our voices heard. We made everyone know that the freelancing industry exists. And this year’s theme is Up Your Game. The reason why we thought of this theme is because we see what is to come, we see so much talent and we see the unlimited opportunities that await the Filipino Freelancer. We all need to be ready and pumped up to take on the world, Filipinos.
Today’s program is filled with a lot of amazing speakers who will give you the practical things that you need to be ready, and you will also be inspired by stories from freelancers who have succeeded during the past years.
So the things that I want to impart to you today are just three simple things that may be beneficial for you to take your freelancing profession to the next level.
Competency is useless without human decency.
Always treat others with respect and consideration. In the years that we have worked hard, we have all undergone hardships and challenges. Look at the person beside you. Nothing makes you superior enough to be granted a pass to disrespect your neighbour. We should all keep in mind that
Don’t mistake complacency for contentment.
This was actually mentioned to me by EJ, my better half and the CEO of Taxumo, while having a conversation on what would make this nation great again. We should constantly strive to be the very best we could be. We should seek for knowledge, know not only things that we are capable of doing, but get out, see the world. Learn about different things, and explore. Learn about other nations, but learn more about your nation. Strive to be a better version of yourself everyday.
No one rises without failing and falling.
When you stumble and fall, pick yourself up. When you see others fail and falter, help them pick up the pieces. When players quit, there’s no game to speak of. And this freelancing game doesn’t have to be one where there are losers. In this game, everyone CAN win. Everyone can win, because we make the rules.
I hope that today will be truly memorable for all of you. On behalf of the Manila Workshops team, welcome to The Freelancer Fair 2018 – Up your Game!
