Who Are You?

Who are you?

It has always been a routine to introduce ourselves.

At the first day of school;

During a work interview;

At a party;

Anywhere.

Everywhere.

More often than not,

Every first encounter with someone.

When we were at our primary school, we simply tell our classmates and teachers our name, age, address, name of our parents and our dreams in life, especially what we want to be when we grow up.

As we grow up, we add some information such as our likes and dislikes.

As we grow older, we add more- especially the strings of our profession and work; relationship status and accomplishments. But we also start to omit some things. Information that we consider confidential or we think are better kept secret. Some people understand and respect this. But others dig deeper into these private information either to know us better or to use them against us.

Who are you?

Who am I?

Are the things about us that we publicly share or the things that we keep secret define us as a person? What should other people consider in judging our personality- what we tell and show them or what we keep secret?

When I was in my primary years, every time they hear my name, they always say "he is a bright child."

When I was in high school, "he is a friendly officer." 

When I was in college, "he is a nerd."

Few days before our graduation in college, I received a text message stating that our dean needs to talk to me. When I arrived at her office, she looked at me from head to toe and said:

"So, you are Mr. Briones. I haven't heard your name for the past four years. I didn't even see your face in this office."

I don't know what to tell her.

She continued: "But anyway, I would like to congratulate you and- prepare your speech."

On our graduation day, I was the last to march among the other graduates.

The head of our research department was behind me. She called my name and said:

"Mr. Briones, you will not forget me I guess."

I replied: "Of course Ma'am... Because you gave me a hard time during our thesis defence, but I still made it."

"Indeed... So, Congratulations."

She closed and I started on one of the most unforgettable marches in my life and delivered my speech being the Cum Laude of the graduating class.

Once when I was still training for my second company as a call centre agent, my trainer told me:

"I don't know how to break your shell. I know there is something inside you, but you are too quiet and distant."

I just smiled. But inside me I responded: "There's no hurrying. You will know me as the days go by..."

On my third company, one of my team mates told me during our team building activity:

"You know, you are nothing. You don't have an impact in this team. When you were out and went to care bay, your absence wasn't a lost at all. When you are around, it is as if you don't exist."

I felt so furious knowing that he is just a newbie. But I kept my composure. After few months, he left the company while I stayed 3 years and six months and held couple of leadership/ management roles even as an apprentice.

Currently I am working overseas.

It's my first time so I'm so filled with inspiration and passion. I'm given an opportunity to show leadership and my craftsmanship. Every time I meet someone and introduce myself, they say: 

"Oh, so you are Gilbert. I love the balloons you make. You changed how parties are being held here." "We love the events that your church or your team organize for the Filipino community."

The situation here is worsening since 2014. I have decided to go home but I tried my luck first to change employer. And I got accepted. Even before I started working, they kept on asking: "Who is this Gilbert and why the head of the department is all praises of him?"

So the pressure is on.

When I finally started, I have realized how different this new work place is. They actually call it "The Jungle". One of my colleagues said: "You're not even good enough to replace me in this department. I wonder why they are all excited to work with you when you actually look so weak and dumb. I'm far better than you."

I don't know if he hears himself... Few more months and that person was sent home.

Last year, our church organized a charity concert. Everything was properly planned. But months before the event, our pastor approached me and said: "We've been preparing everything for few months now, but we are missing someone in this event." Puzzled, I asked him who. He said: "We didn't assign the Concert Director yet... and I want it to be you." I had some "directing" experience  for group mini dramas when I was still studying, but directing a concert? None.

But I still accepted the challenge. And praise be to God the show went perfectly well.

Then this year,

I was asked again to manage a show. The program was already made, but the challenge was how to execute everything and how to make it a "real" show. It was only a short notice but I still accepted and praise be to God everything went perfectly well again.

But few days after the show, I have learned that during the planning stage, the chairman of the organizing committee was in real doubt if I can handle the task, since he really doesn't know me at all. He doesn't really want me to be part of the program but due to testimony of two good friends, I was in.

Who am I?

Who are you?

Knowing someone by heart is the most important thing in any relationship.

We can never be truly friends with someone we don't know. When we do, the friendship will only be superficial.

We can never work well with someone we don't know. When we do, everything will be a mishap.

We can never tell others about someone we don't know. What he does. Where he goes. What he eats. Who his friends are. His job. His problems. His mistakes. His life. When we do, it is called gossip.

But we have to understand as well that in an instant, we will not know everything about someone.

It takes time. And different circumstances will also reveal the real personality or different personality types of somebody.

Is a single introduction good enough to sum up the whole you?

Does first impression always lasts?

I guess not.

And will never be.

Knowing someone is a continuous journey. It is a process. It needs respect and responsibility.

So who are you?

Who am I?

Let's have a journey of knowing each other.