'Sparkada' ladies face career challenges head on

INSTAGRAM PHOTO/KIRSTENGONZALES_

By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times

The entertainment world can be as exciting with tons of career paths to choose from but it can also be tough to break into. Just like anybody else, one has got to start somewhere. New members of Sparkle, GMA Network's talent arm, know just that.

Collectively called Sparkada, the fresh faces include Raheel Bhyria, Caitlyn Stave, Roxie Smith, Kim Perez, Tanya Ramos, Kirsten Gonzales, Vince Maristela and Sean Lucas who are all handpicked by renowned star-maker Johnny Manahan. All have the looks and the talent, but the journey to stardom takes more than that to succeed.

Among the discoveries Gonzales found about herself is how she was able to push her limits when it comes to doing what she is very passionate about.

"Akala ko madali lang lahat kasi I think I have the talent na, I thought enough na yun. Pero you really have to exceed the expectations of people and because of that, napu-push ako to get out of my comfort zone and to grow," shared Gonzales in an intimate Zoom conference.

As someone who entered showbiz pretty quickly with no background, Stave also took some time to adjust to the culture.

"I had no absolute idea what to expect but because I'm is super outgoing, super energetic, I wasn't so scared or too nervous upon entering. When I was really there, though, knowing what really goes on, it is hard and it is really difficult. It's not easy. At the same time, I'm also passionate about what I do and I'm having so much fun," Stave enthused.

Being open to new challenges is also what made Smith more confident to where she is now. From being a beauty queen who won Miss Philippines Earth 2020 and competed in other major pageants such as Miss Tourism & Culture Universe 2019 (1st Runner-Up) and Face of Tourism Philippines 2019, she was able to do other things that she never thought she will do now that she is in GMA.

"Totoo pala na you could achieve anything you set your mind and your heart to. Kasi noong pumasok ako akala ko ang mabibigay ko lang is acting.But I get really good feedback with my hosting. So, I am now a morning show host in 'Unang Hirit' which is something I never thought I could actually do and didn't think have the confidence to do," Smith happily said.

Career Doubts?

A career is a rapid motion. A course of action. Professional conduct in life. Progress through life. What is a careerist? One, who rushes widely and makes his advancement his or her aim in life. In times of Covid-19, you may not think about your career. Sure. But somehow life goes on, and career doubts rise again.

When career doubts won't go away? What if you're not happy with your job? Is it possible that you're in the wrong entirely?

My parents always (!) wanted me to become a banker. So far so good. Why not? Maybe I would have been more (or very happy) in my job. Or not?

The pressure "to be" someone starts in life early indeed. Not only my parents, but also peers, and teachers have begun to exert influence. Yes, I even didn't know where my inclinations lie.

Being a doctor or a lawyer? Yes, I was interested in law and medicine during that time.

"The way that people pick careers is incredibly primitive," said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of "The Pathfinder". So, it's no wonder, he said, that so many people are dissatisfied with their jobs. Me too. Yes, count me in. Mass-communication has been my subject, as well as publishing house management. So far so good.

I always thought about a true calling for me. Sure, people whose careers aren't the right fit often feel like impostors, Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

How about you, my dear reader? Are you also placing too high your value on the external rewards of the job, like money, prestige, and power? Sure, these things are indeed important. Hold on! The work you do and the skills your opportunity requires and the value of your work are more vital to fulfillment. Paperwork or not... Do you think you find a better career fit? Go ahead - but don't expect that this is your life's career!

I waited for my "better calling" experiencing many better and wonderful moments in life. I also experienced that what I did had been very much compatible with me, as what my parents thought.

Personal note: In times of soaring Covid-19 cases in the Philippines, there is only one thing: stay safe and healthy everyone.

To Those Who Doubt!

Career is a rapid motion. A course of action. Sure! A professional conduct in life. Even a progress through life. Here we are! That means, a careerist is one, who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement as well as his (or her) own aim in life!

What can we do, if "career doubts" won't go away? First allow me to quote my bible, especially Jude (watching out - sounding an alarm!), who writes in a style of a teacher who is watching a freight train bear down on his student's driver. Yes, bells ring out: "Be merciful to those who doubt." (Jude 2:22).

My parents always wanted me to become a banker. So far so good. Why not? Maybe I would have been much more happier in my job during those times. Maybe not? I wanted to be a journalist already at the age of 16... . Believe it or not!

The pressure "to be" (or later NOT TO BE - thank you Mr. Shakespeare!), started early in my life. Not only my parents, also my peers and teachers began to exert their influences on me. Yes, I even didn't know yet where my inclinations lay. I only knew, I wanted to become a journalist... .

Suddenly being a doctor or a lawyer? Yes, I was interested in law and medicine at that time. I really got very lucky becoming an editor of German law magazines during my last 18 years in Germany. But I never became a lawyer - or doctor! Now, I would ask myself - who cares?

"The way that people pick up careers is incredibly  primitive," said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of "The Pathfinder". Strong tobacco, indeed. That's why so many people are indeed dissatisfied with their jobs. I wanted to be a journalist, but mass communications wasn't my major subject yet. During the early 1970's publishing house management, German language, marketing and writing skills training. Once upon a time in Germany... .

Believe me, I always thought about a true calling for myself. Sure, people, whose careers aren't the fight fit often  feel like impostors, as Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

How about you, my dear reader of this column? Are you also placing too high a value on the external rewards of job, like money, prestige and power? Of course, for many of us (most?) these things are indeed important. Hold on, please! The work you do and the skills  your opportunity  require and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfillment. Paper work, or not... . You think, you find a better a career fit? Go ahead - but don't expect that this your life's career!

I waited for my "better calling" (what a terrible term!) experiencing many even better and wonderful moments in life. I experienced also that several professional things I did in the past had been not very much compatible to me. But I stored many valuable experiences. Yes, I was in doubts many, many times. 

Though I reached already my retirement age, one thing is for sure: today, I am what I am. And, I am proud of it. Human thinks - but our good  Lord leads ... !