Where Khristy is from

Quezon City, Luzon, Philippines

 

Interview

What was your dream when you were a kid? What was the reason?

My dream when I was a kid is to become a pilot. I like the idea of going to places for free and it will be cool to fly a plane. There were times I said that I want to be a nun to a few friends. I guess I like the idea of helping and in my point of view at that time, the ones who does it are those in church.

 

What was your dream when you were 18 years old? What was the reason?

At this time I was in the middle of my first Associate Education Program. It’s a 3-year scholarship program that I was fortunate to have with associations in industrial companies so I can get a job right away after graduation. My family cannot afford to support my studies and the best way to help the family is not to add on cost. I started working at 19 years old for a multi-national semiconductor company.

I guess the dream was set aside due to our family situation. Money was the priority to support our living.

 

What made you start thinking about social entrepreneurship/social enterprises? When was that?

During my career, I started initiating outreach programs like blood donation (thru red cross), support a child to school and recreation programs for under-privilege kids. What started as an annual thing became my personal annual giving project. Then, I got more involved in ministry project in church.

At this times, we had to support our mom who had dialysis treatment. Surprisingly, working in the ministry for kids has helped me even more to cope with our family condition. Looking back, our financial crisis and ministry were miraculous years. We were able to go through with it until in 2012 when my mom passed on.

So when I finished my Theological Studies program in 2013 and being surrounded by my new network of religious non-profit organizations, I decided I wanted to do more professionally. In 2015, I quit my job and search for a different journey. Instead of entering a social sector locally, I decided to join Hult MSE program to combine my corporate experience and the social business.

 

How much do you think social entrepreneurs play an important role in the world?

Social entrepreneurs are the new heroes of the social class. Given the right motivation and support they can be contagious. Though it will be hard to answer all social problems, a social entrepreneur can be any person trying to live out social values and be in the business of social causes. Whichever industry people are, a social entrepreneur must spread the spirit.

 

What would you say to future social entrepreneurs / those who are interested in social entrepreneurs?

Social Entrepreneurship is a commitment. To be more effective, it needs to be a full time career. Your heart needs to be in it all the way. It is a must that you find your passion in this journey because your true heart will show and it will be tested over time.

It is always good to start small and be immerse in the culture of the people that you wanted to help. A lot of times, our idea of what they need is different to what they really need.

Also, it should be a profitable business with a lot of conscience.

 

What is your favorite quote? Who said that quote?

This is something I have discovered in my path to my spirituality. It’s a quote inspired from the bible. In the future, I would like to name my foundation, “Treasures in Heaven”.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21 (bible verse)

 

Who Khristy is

Khristy is a helper and supporter no matter what happens to you or herself. She is willing to offer any help and that is what she likes to do, but what I really respect about Khristy is that she can put herself aside and devotes herself to something that you need help for. She never thinks that she is the priority, rather she is secondary. For example, when Khristy posts something on Facebook, it is not about her but about her friends or her family. When she wants to show something to us or to share something with us, it is not about her.

Khristy is like a shadow; she is someone who supports you even though  you may not notice her existence while the spotlight is illuminating you. That is why her support is very powerful, meaningful and impactful. Her emotion is very stable so you can definitely rely on her and depend of her whenever you need help from her.

Khristy is the most trustworthy person amongst the  MSEs (our classmates; Master of Social Entrepreneurship) to ask for support and help.

 

Awesome Episode

Khristy is like the Sister of Asian MSEs (our classmates; Master of Social Entrepreneurship). They (including me) come talk to Khristy and ask her advice. Whenever I saw Khristy in a classroom, at least one Asian MSE student was with her and talking about something serious. Even I have experienced it. I cannot explain well but I just felt like talking to her because I knew that it made me comfortable somehow.

Khristy is like a Buddhist priest, open to anyone, so every Asian MSE student comes to talk to her when they need consultation from her. Go ask other Asian MSEs — they will understand what I mean, agree with me and tell you the exact same thing as I said.

 

The Power of MSE

What Khristy is holding is a symbol called “go-en(ご縁)”, which means ‘fate’, ’destiny’ and ’special tie.’

I believe that it is meant to be that we met in San Francisco! I studied Social Entrepreneurship with Khristy for a year, saying “We will make the world a better place.” I would love to spend the rest of my life with MSEs (Master of Social Entrepreneurship; my classmates) until the very day I die. They have already completely changed my life.

At the same time, however, I also think that we should not be together all the time, because that is not the reason why we learned Social Entrepreneurship. That is not how we will deliver the impact we want to give to society and to the world.

I think MSEs are like dandelions. We were seeded at the first day at Hult and we bloomed on our graduation day. Our mission is that we spread all over the world like dandelions and seed the future, the next generation, from each place where each of us has landed.

本当にありがとう(Honto ni Arigato-); Thank you very very much for everything!! The world needs you! Let’s make the world a better place together!!