Q&A: Miss Universe Philippines Ifugao 2025 Valerie West

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Apr 13, 2025 03:47 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• With determination coursing through her veins, she now proudly represents the picturesque Ifugao region in the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines pageant. 

Miss Universe Philippines Ifugao 2025 Valerie West

Valerie West, a vibrant 22-year-old freshly minted EMT from the bustling streets of New York, has embarked on an exhilarating journey that seems straight out of a fairy tale. 

With determination coursing through her veins, she now proudly represents the picturesque Ifugao region in the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines pageant. 

Her story is one of passion and resilience. She balances the demanding life of an emergency medical technician with the glitz and glamour of pageantry, captivating everyone with her spirit and strength. 

Valeria has her advocacy through the PUSO Foundation, founded by Robert Banez in 2017. Through various platforms, the foundation has the "purposeful unconditional service to others” in underserved communities in seven countries. 

“Through my partnership with PUSO, I spread the message of ‘paying it forward,’ and advocate for the importance of service work, especially amongst younger individuals. Through small and large acts of kindness and involvement in one's community, kindness multiplies, and lives can be changed globally. The message is simple: Give a little, change a lot!”

During a recent interview with entertainment media in Quezon City, Valerie enthusiastically answered questions related to pageants, her celebrity crush, and even politics.

Three things you will bring to a deserted island?

"I have to bring sunscreen. I am half-American, and I burn easily. I learned that lesson in Northern Samar and Boracay so that I will bring sunscreen. Second, I need first aid. I need to be prepared. Third, I'll get a firestarter because how will I survive without one?"

A moment in time you want to revisit?

"I would go back to the beginning of the pandemic. That's a weird answer because the world shut down on my 18th birthday that weekend. I was in a weird place because I was graduating that year. I was looking at a lot of things. And it was easy for many people to understand that the world was ending. But, there were many opportunities during the pandemic to explore and develop yourself. I will go back to that time and have a different mindset and be more positive about the future because many things are around the corner, especially If I knew I was competing in Miss Universe Philippines now, I think I would have been more positive and excited about what I could do in my free time leading up to the pageant."

The sexiest man alive?

"This one's hard. My first Filipino celebrity crush was Daniel Padilla. I'll say that for now. But there are many sexy men and women alive."

What is your message to President Marcos?

"You need to be a representation of your people. Listen. Any leader should be able to listen to the ones in need of the people they represent. So I recommend your genuine leader be an open and honest leader and a true representation of your people."

Famous person she wishes to help?

"This one is hard. None come to mind, but I think as a pageant queen, a leader in the community, or anybody famous or not who needs help and inspiration, I am willing to lend an ear. I am willing to help in any way I can to benefit and boost society."

PAGASA: 19 areas under ‘danger’ heat index on Palm Sunday

 

Catholic devotees wave their palm fronds or "palaspas" for blessings during a Palm Sunday Mass at the Antipolo Cathedral in Antipolo City on Sunday, March 24, 2024, marking the start of Holy Week.

The STAR / Ryan Baldemor

Ian Laqui - Philstar.com

April 13, 2025 | 9:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen areas in the Philippines are expected to experience scorching temperatures on Sunday, April 13, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its latest heat index bulletin, PAGASA reported that these areas fall under the “danger” classification, with forecast heat index values ranging from 42°C to 44°C.

The following areas are under the “danger” heat index classification:

NAIA, Pasay City, Metro Manila: 42°C

Bacnotan, La Union: 42°C

ISU Echage, Isabela: 42°C

Baler (radar), Aurora: 42°C

TAU Camiling, Tarlac: 42°C

Cubi Pt., Subic Bay, Olongapo City: 42°C

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan: 42°C

Dumangas, Iloilo: 42°C

Catarman, Northern Samar: 42°C

Dagupan City, Pangasinan: 43°C

Ambulong, Tanauan Batangas: 43°C

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro: 43°C

Aborlan, Palawan: 43°C

Masbate City, Masbate: 43°C

Roxas City, Capiz: 43°C

Iloilo City, Iloilo: 43°C

San Idelfonso, Bulacan: 44°C

Virac (Synop), Catanduanes: 44°C

Sangley Point, Cavite: 44°C

Other parts of the country are also under an "extreme caution" heat index, with temperatures ranging from 33°C to 41°C.

Meanwhile, some areas are forecast to experience temperatures within the "caution" heat index range of 27°C to 32°C.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight—especially during the hottest part of the day—and limit strenuous outdoor activities.

Cloudy skies, scattered rains

Some areas in the country may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain, according to PAGASA.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected over the Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi due to the easterlies.

PAGASA warned residents in these areas of possible flash floods or landslides caused by moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the easterlies.

Over 3-M seaport, airport passengers expected as Holy Week exodus starts

BY AARON RECUENCO

Apr 13, 2025 11:19 AM

  

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Authorities are expecting around three million passengers in various seaports and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as Filipinos start the annual Holy Week travel to take advantage of the long holiday break for religious activity, vacation and bonding with friends and relatives.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said they expect 1.73 million passengers in various ports across the country from April 14 to 20 this year, a 3.5 percent increase from the 1.67 passengers recorded last year. 

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said that in the first three weeks of March alone, passenger numbers have already reached 3,027,881, or an average of 1,009,294 passengers per week. 

“For Holy Week, port passenger traffic is expected to peak, nearing pre-pandemic figures, with an estimated 1,729,426 travelers utilized port facilities during the Lenten season,” said Santiago. 

Based on the PPA analysis, the top five ports this Lenten season include the Port Management Offices (PMO) of Batangas with around 20,000-25,000 daily average passengers during peak season.

The Port Management Office Mindoro is on the second spot with highest number of expected passengers, PMO Panay/Guimaras still on the third spot same as last year, PMO Negros Orriental/ Siquijor, and the PMO Bohol on the fifth spot with most number of passengers during peak season. 

Santiago said they already initiated measures in anticipation of the influx of passengers starting Monday as part of the “OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2025.”

The preparations include the conduct of maintenance checks on critical infrastructure, placing standby generator sets for uninterrupted power supply, water systems, and ventilation to mitigate the effects of El Niño and rising temperatures this Lenten season. 

“We are prepared for the increased number of passengers this Holy Week 2025, especially as the Lenten Season coincides with summer, most of our local travelers are really taking advantage of this long days of day-off and for some tourists it is also a great time to explore our islands via sea travel,” said Santiago.  

He said they also mobilized additional personnel and enhanced terminal operations across key ports and optimized passenger terminal facilities to ensure the functionality of security and safety equipment.

He said they also deployed port police for crowd control and assistance.

Santiago said help desks have been established in major ports nationwide for immediate information concerns of travelers along with the port police and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) for a seamless travel experience.  

“With the adequate manpower, appropriate facilities, and back-up systems placed in ports, we can assure the public that we are ready for the influx but then again, it is the peak season so we appeal to our passengers to book their tickets ahead of time and allot extra hours for travel going to the ports,” said Santiago.

NAIA ready 

For its part, the new NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said it is expecting more than 1.18 million passengers from April 13 to 20.

                                              photo: NNIC

NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez said the expected passenger volume is 14.23 percent higher from last year’s 1.04 million.

Alvarez said they also expect flight movements to increase from 6,537 in 2024 to 6,724 this year, with Good Friday, April 18, is expected to be the busiest day, with 851 flights, while Tuesday, April 15, will see the lightest traffic at 818 flights. 

He said they already initiated measures in anticipation of higher volume of passengers, including setting up of assistance desks that will be manned by airport personnel, medical teams, and uniformed officers.  

Additional traffic aides, according to Alvarez, will be deployed to manage curbside and parking flow, while improved Wi-Fi connectivity ensures passengers can stay connected.

“These measures build on the operational improvements made during NNIC’s first six months at NAIA. These include the deployment of more passenger boarding bridges, upgraded security and baggage systems, expanded transport and parking areas, new air-conditioning units, and more reliable power supply,” said Alvarez.

“CCTV systems now cover the entire baggage handling process, further strengthening safety and transparency,” he added.

More than love: What women truly deserve

BY GODDES HOPE O. LIBIRAN

Apr 13, 2025 00:02 AM

  

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THERE'S HOPE!

 

 

In the Philippines, we've grown up on stories that tell us love conquers all. From teleseryes to timeless kundimans, we are taught that no matter the hardship, as long as there's love, everything else will fall into place.

“Love Will Keep Us Alive” may be a karaoke favorite, but it has also become an unspoken mantra in our culture — tender and poetic, yes, but one that can quietly turn into a dangerous illusion when taken as absolute truth.   

Just to be clear, love is beautiful. It is a gift. But love alone should not be a woman’s only pursuit, nor should it be her ultimate salvation. The truth is, women do not need romance to survive or to succeed. What we need and rightfully deserve are respect, emotional stability, peace of mind, and a deep sense of security, the kind that nurtures, not negotiates, our well-being. 

Time and again, we’ve seen women rise, not because of romantic love, but because they were empowered by environments that cultivated their potential and honored their boundaries.

Romantic love, while meaningful, should never be the currency with which we measure our worth. It must not become the reason we remain in spaces that diminish us, drain us, or make us doubt ourselves.

We should never settle for a kind of love that brings more questions than answers, more tears than sleep, or more doubt than assurance. No woman should have to shrink her dreams or dim her brilliance just to grasp on to a love that barely holds her together.

In this 21st century, women are building careers, leading movements, heading households, and changing communities. We are no longer the damsels waiting in towers but architects of our own castles. And yet, amid all these advances, the mindset of some still clings to the old idea that a woman’s fulfillment hinges on finding and keeping a man.

But here's the truth: women can be whole on their own. A good partner complements us, but we are not broken without one.

And just as women are evolving, men must keep up and change too. 

While we now live in a world that champions equality, let us not bury the good values that once defined honorable men. Chivalry, contrary to popular belief, is not dead. That should not be the case.

Respectfulness, gallantry, and principled leadership are not outdated ideals but timeless virtues. In a world striving for equality, these traits should not fade but evolve. Modern manhood is not defined by dominance, but by the ability to lead with humility, protect with honor, and respect women as equals in every sense.

Strength in women does not excuse weakness in men. If anything, it calls them to rise even higher—to be steady anchors, not passive bystanders.

Biblically speaking, men are called to be providers, not just financially, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. A man who leads with love, supports with strength, and uplifts with humility is a blessing. And when he sees a woman as his equal, not a subordinate, that is real partnership.

To the women, you are not “too much” for wanting more than love. You are not selfish for choosing peace over chaos, ambition over dependency, or self-worth over fleeting affection.

To the men, be the kind of partner who does not dim a woman’s light but helps her shine even brighter. Provide not just financial support but a sense of emotional, mental, and spiritual safety. Lead not with ego, but with wisdom and grace.

In the end, let us not raise our daughters to chase fairy tales, nor our sons to be princes who save. Instead, raise a generation that builds together, grounded in love, but more importantly, in respect, stability, and shared strength.

Because love doesn’t just keep us alive, dignity does too. There is Hope.

Palm Sunday: A reflection on peace and purpose

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Apr 13, 2025 00:03 AM

  

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Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the day the faithful reflects on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent which leads to Easter. According to the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a humble donkey, while crowds greeted him with palm branches, shouting “Hosanna!” This seemingly jubilant procession was a quiet declaration of a different kind of kingship — one marked by humility, compassion, and sacrificial love. 

Beneath the surface of the joyful procession lies a powerful invitation — not just for Christians, but for all — to pause and reflect not just on spiritual matters but also on the key challenges that affect the broader sections of our society and nation.

Let us reflect on the persistent issue of income inequality in our country, with a significant portion of the population struggling to meet basic needs. Let us rekindle our compassion toward those in need, fostering a society where everyone can thrive, and no one is left behind.

For Christians, the significance of Palm Sunday is multilayered. First, it is a moment of celebration — a recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. But it also carries a heavy foreshadowing. The same crowd that welcomed him with palms and praises would, by the end of the week, call for his crucifixion. This shift reflects the fickleness of public opinion and the danger of misplaced expectations. Jesus did not come to meet political agendas or lead a rebellion; he came to serve, to suffer, and ultimately, to redeem. 

Palm Sunday invites believers to reflect on the nature of true leadership and the cost of discipleship. It challenges Christians to ask: Are we welcoming Christ into our lives for who He truly is, or for who we want Him to be? It also encourages a re-examination of how we receive those who bring uncomfortable truths.

For non-Christians, the imagery of Palm Sunday can still offer meaningful reflection. The palm branch has historically symbolized peace and victory, even in ancient non-Christian cultures. The story of a man riding into a city not to conquer it but to heal it, not to demand allegiance but to offer grace, is a powerful counter-narrative in any context. It’s a call to reconsider what kind of leaders we follow, and what kind of legacy we wish to leave behind.
Beyond its theological implications, Palm Sunday offers a broader, more universal message — one that can speak to people of all backgrounds. At its heart, it is a day that celebrates peace over power, humility over pride, and service over dominance.

In a world that often glorifies strength, conquest, and spectacle, Palm Sunday reminds us that real change, lasting influence, and moral authority often come from those who walk humbly and act with love.

As we face a world fractured by conflict, inequality, and a crisis of trust in institutions, Palm Sunday reminds us that peace is what we should all work for now.  That begins with peace in our hearts and in our homes. 

The path to healing often begins with humility and a willingness to serve. Whether one views Jesus as the Son of God or as a historical figure of unparalleled moral courage, His entry into Jerusalem challenges us all to consider how we respond to the gentle voice of peace amidst the clamor for power.

May this Palm Sunday be a moment not only of reflection, but of rededication — to the values that heal, unite, and uplift us all.

Mariah Carey on her career, Hall of Fame, new music

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Apr 12, 2025 10:28 AM

  

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NEW YORK (AP) — It may be hard to conceive of now, but there was once a lull in Mariah Carey's superstar career. 

In 2001, her film “Glitter” was a commercial flop; the album that followed, 2002’s introspective “Charmbracelet,” was met with a muted response. She was at a crossroads.

And then everything changed. Carey released "The Emancipation of Mimi" in 2005. It joined her athletic R&B-pop with synth-y hip-hop and fun, flirty, enduring hits — she was now only belting when she wanted to, thank you very much. She sounded free, as the title suggested, and the world embraced her for it once again. 

On Saturday, the album turns 20. To celebrate, Carey is gearing up to release deluxe, expanded editions of the album on May 30, featuring bonus tracks, new remixes and much more — including the official release of “When I Feel It,” a song fans have been waiting for since 2005. It was originally planned for “The Emancipation of Mimi” but was ultimately shelved because of clearance issues with its sample of The Dynamic Superiors’ “Here Comes That Feeling.”

 “These are new gems, as far as I’m concerned,” Carey says. “It’s exciting to me.”

Carey discussed “The Emancipation of Mimi,” her recent nomination to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rihanna and plans for new music with The Associated Press. 

The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. 

AP: Has your relationship to “The Emancipation of Mimi” changed over the years?

CAREY: It’s still one of my favorite albums that I’ve done. And, you know, back then when it first came out, everybody was calling it a comeback album. ... I didn’t really agree, because you never think you’ve gone anywhere. You know what I mean?

I just always really loved the songs and the performances. People seem to really be into it. And new fans came from that album.

AP: I hear a lot of creative freedom on that album. Do you think it revitalized your career?

CAREY: I do think it’s got a fun feeling to it and it definitely feels free. I guess it sort of revitalized my career. I spent a while making that album ... working with some great people, some great collaborators. ... It was an experience that I’ll never forget, creating that album. 

AP: In June, you’ll celebrate another anniversary. Your self-titled debut turns 35. When you think back on that time, did you envision this career?

CAREY: I don’t know. I really was just so involved and entrenched in making the music and this new career that I was embarking on. And it was amazing. I mean, it’s what I had wanted to do for my whole life. And then I was doing it.

AP: You’re also a 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee.

CAREY: That’s a huge honor. I don’t know if I’m going to win it, so I don’t want to get too excited about it. So, I just want to say that, again, it’s a huge honor and I guess I didn’t expect it. I wasn’t really thinking about it. And here we are.

AP: It seems like the Rock Hall has become more fluid in their definitions of genre over the years. Missy Elliott was inducted in 2023, for example.

CAREY: I don’t really know if genre matters. I feel like people are more open to all different genres, much more than they were, you know? But I feel like a rock star sometimes.

AP: You know, after Dolly Parton was inducted, she released a rock album. If and when you are inducted, will you finally release your ‘90s grunge album? Fans have been waiting.

CAREY: I mean, I really want to, but I want to do videos, and I have just so many ideas for that.

I don’t think I’ll be able to pull it together by the summer (before the Rock Hall ceremony) but maybe, maybe I’ll release a few songs from it.

AP: During your Christmas Time tour last holiday season, your children Monroe and Moroccan joined you onstage. They played guitar and drums; they were really rocking. Would you ever consider a family rock ’n’ roll album?

CAREY: I would love to. They just have a lot of their own things that they’re doing, and I don’t want to force them to do anything.

AP: And at your final date in Brooklyn, Rihanna was in the front row of the audience. Would you ever work with her?

CAREY: I would love to. Did you see what happened? She wanted me to sign her breasts. I was trying to do it neatly, and it didn’t come out right. So, I tried.

AP: Your last album of original music, “Caution,” came out in 2018. It’s been a minute! Are you working on a new album?

CAREY: I’m not supposed to talk about it. ... But I’m working on something. We won’t say what it is, but something new.

ASSERTIONS TO BEAR

We love to complain! Many times we don't have reasons at all to do so - but, we love to complain. Especially nowadays. Our world is full of mess - isn't it? Of course, somehow it is indeed if you look around.

We bring many more assertions to bear: first, in the past we have been thriftier and economical, more religious and devout, more patriotic, industrious, more hard-working, keen and obedient. And, second, above everything and all: in the past we had more idealists. Third, nowadays we have (mostly?) material things in mind - what a disgrace. 

Materialists or idealists? Materialism or Idealism? Whom or what do you love? Love most?

I just quoted Vox Populi... .

A "materialist" has indeed become a swear word. I don't mean with "material" the accumulated data out of which a writer creates a work of literary, historical, or scientific value. A materialist is being easily described as someone with an attitude, who ignores spiritual values, compared with an idealist, who has the tendency to seek the highest spiritual perfection.

Idealism means the doctrine that appearance is purely the perception, the idea of subjects, and that the world is to be regarded as consisting of mind. The coquetry of higher philosophy makes it difficult to bear the ups and downs in our daily life.

Sure, we all know that "our last earthly dress has no pockets  any more". Striving for earthly and terrestrial possession, property and estate might be the hit-man of idealism. That's how we have been taught. "Wine, women and song", having the unpleasant feeling of fullness, egoism and bragging as well as showing-off - are these the materialist's real attitudes?

Is the idealist, many times not being able to stand on earth with both feet, the only one who occupies himself with religion and virtuousness - so to speak, with celestial and heavenly things? Is that really so? Can we make such a distinction? Sure, it's easy to do so: it's manageable and comfortable. But well, why is the enjoyment of having a tasty meal BAD, and listening to a recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach BETTER? Why should art be better than roasted pork and a bottle of wine? Value judgements and moral concepts... .

Owning a house and lot and a car  - or even more then one - are earthly properties, as well as bank saving accounts, profitable insurances, and invest advantageously in stocks. Is a terrible underpaid nurse or a book author an idealist, because he or she doesn't work for the filthy lure but for higher values? 

Has Jesus been an idealist, because He accepted renunciation and died without terrestrial possession? Has Jesus been a materialist, because He fed thousands of people on the breadline? Are we idealists, if we bequeath nothing to our families and might die without a single centavo, because earthly things are bad?

Worth to think about it ... .

Anger

 

ANGER

by Klaus Döring

Anger. A day rarely goes by without us feeling angry. It is not necessary to cite examples. Sometimes, it's just a minor reason like we hate the fly at the wall. Sometimes anger has important reasons. 

Anger seems to become the main part of our daily life. That's why it is really important to talk (again?) about this phenomenon. As I said, anger is one of the most basic emotions. Everyone can really get angry. If someone told you, he won't get angry, better don't believe him.

Anger is a terrible feeling of being against something or someone. It can be my neighbor, because he is still (!) burning poisonous plastic and rubber garbage. Many of us get angry observing some politicians during those days worldwide.

Anger is a hostile emotion that sets people against one and another, or even against themselves. By its nature, anger involves opposition, hostility, hatred and dislike. Anger, however, is simpler to define that to identify. Emotions of antagonism can take a wider variety of faces. Expressions of anger range from the overt, in-your-face brand of open hostility to the cold indifference of a silent individual.

Anger at the workplace is becoming very common nowadays.

One of my good friends works as a stewardess. Imagine yourself 35,000 feet up, pushing a trolley down a narrow aisle surrounded by restless passengers. A toddler is blocking your path, his parents not immediately visible. A passenger is irritated that he can no longer pay cash for an in-flight meal, another is demanding to be allowed past to use the toilet. And your job is to meet all of their needs with the same show of friendly willingness. For a cabin crew member, this is when emotional labor kicks in at work.

A term first coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild, it’s the work we do to regulate our emotions to create “a publicly visible facial and bodily display within the workplace”.

At times, anger can be felt like an inner fire. It hits you in the gut. You see red and feel hot and maybe sweaty. Your stomach gives you problems, our blood pressure rises, and breathing rate increases. Not only neighbors or politicians are the reason for anger. The silent withdrawal and lack of understanding and innumerable shortcomings of a partner or in the family are often an indication that one is angrily punishing the other for not doing things his or her way.

 Back to the workplace: unhelpful attitudes such as ‘I’m not good enough’ may lead to thinking patterns in the workplace such as ‘No-one else is working as hard as I seem to be’ or ‘I must do a perfect job’, and can initiate and maintain high levels of workplace anxiety.

When research into emotional labor first began, it focused on the service industry with the underlying presumption that the more client or customer interaction you had, the more emotional labor was needed.

However, more recently psychologists have expanded their focus to other professions and found burnout can relate more closely to how employees manage their emotions during interactions, rather than the volume of interactions themselves. Perhaps just today you turned to a colleague to convey interest in what they said, or had to work hard not to rise to criticism. It may have been that biting your lip rather than expressing feeling hurt was particularly demanding of your inner resource.

But in some cases maintaining the façade can become too much, and the toll is cumulative. 

As I stated earlier: Minor things could become the start of anger. Over the years, handling the stress caused by suppressing one's emotions became much harder. Small things seemed huge, we easily dreaded going to work and  anxiety escalated. 

Across the globe, employees in many professions are expected to embrace a work culture that requires the outward display of particular emotions – these can include ambition, aggression and a hunger for success.

The way we handle emotional labor can be categorized in two ways – surface acting and deep acting.

“How we cope with high levels of emotional labour likely has its origins in childhood experience, which shapes the attitudes we develop about ourselves, others and the world,” says clinical and occupational psychologist Lucy Leonard.  

“Unhelpful attitudes such as ‘I’m not good enough’ may lead to thinking patterns in the workplace such as ‘No-one else is working as hard as I seem to be’ or ‘I must do a perfect job”, and can initiate and maintain high levels of workplace anxiety,” says Leonard.  

When things get tough, you might be very lucky  talking to colleagues to unload. “It’s the saying it out loud that allows me to test and validate my own reaction. I can then go back to the person concerned,” one of my former officemates in Germany explained many years ago.

Those who report regularly having to display emotions at work that conflict with their own feelings are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion

Remaining true to your feelings appears to be key – numerous studies show those who report regularly having to display emotions at work that conflict with their own feelings are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion.

Of course, everybody needs to be professional at work and handling difficult clients and colleagues is often just part of the job. But what’s clear is that putting yourself in their shoes and trying to understand their position is ultimately of greater benefit to your own well-being than voicing sentiments that, deep down, you don’t believe.

Where it is possible, workers should be truly empathetic, be aware of the impact the interaction is having on them and try to communicate in an authentic way. Easy to say, yes, I know. But let's give it a try!