A girl can dream. Today as I sat for a meal, I mulled over the journey from my hometown to the far ends of the earth. I never imagined I would get to do run in all seven continents. But the thought never escaped me ever since I first caught wind of it. I just said perhaps it might happen in my lifetime. Tomorrow, a decade after, it finally will. As I prepare amidst my nerves and niggles, I am awash with gratitude for this unique chance to run a race of a lifetime. I am scared and worried and excited. All those feel the same way. And that’s a good thing. I am grateful I get to do this, full of gratitude for the strength and fortitude that I have been gifted with. The race starts in the deep field of Antarctica. Previously only accessible to science exploration, limited to 250 visitors a year, the Ultima Base will host 68 crazy runners representing 23 countries. We will land on ice then run 42 kilometres in this wonderful white wilderness. That’s amazing. So I have to respond in kind and just give it my best shot as I keep repeating: “You’ve got this. Just follow the fun.” Follow me on the Road2Seven.com

My Metaverse Filipino Worker (MFW) story started in 2021, in our tiny home office. It was the day YGG listed. I knew then that our lives would never be the same. What I didn’t know was how my career would take an interesting trajectory. A big part of my work journey was spent in corporate. Then my curiosity took hold of me and I took a bold leap of faith into startups. Throughout the two decades of working, I was perpetually searching for that elusive intersection of passion and purpose. Amidst the hits and misses, I realized that there isn’t just that one thing. But what seemed to be a common thread woven into my work is the desire to help people be the best version of themselves as I too was discovering that for myself. In 2023 I was in the middle of yet another cycle of self-searching. Then Gabby asked if I could lead YGG Pilipinas. I hesitated. It was a role that was out of my comfort zone. I was not a gamer nor was I an active participant in any community-focused endeavor. Yet I said yes because I simply wanted to support my husband. He needed someone he trusted fully to figure things out. But what ensued has been the most meaningful work that I have done so far. Here I found myself curious and creative with a team of unique individuals who, like me, are also trying to find out how they can do meaningful work that matters. We come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds, all seeking to be part of something much larger than ourselves. Here we have play at the center of what we do, following the fun yet taking our work very seriously. I am so much happier working this way. Perhaps because it feels like a coming together of everything I learned throughout my career. Or because I finally have agency as I show up each day, bringing my full self to work. Either way, I feel a genuine sense of belonging. So as I embark on my biggest adventure of running 7 marathons in 7 continents in 7 days, I do so as a proud MFW!

It’s been a decade since I first heard about the World Marathon Challenge. I said I will run it in my lifetime. This coming January, I finally get the chance to do so. I have been preparing for a little over four months. I don’t feel ready. But perhaps that’s always how it is. What i am sure about though is that it is the attempt that makes such undertakings worthwhile. Especially if it is for a meaningful cause worth pursuing. The run is a race to raise for education. I feel strongly about education as a way to change the trajectory of one’s life. I know this because I was once that scholar who was given that shot. So this fundraiser is to help build the Digital Transformation Center for the Sisters of Mary School. These kids are some of the brightest and we would like to equip them with the digital skills so they can participate in a future that allows them to make a dent in the lives of their families and their communities. Let’s give them a chance to have a shot at this. Join me on this Road 2 Seven, a journey to run 7 marathons in 7 continents in 7 days to raise 7M Pesos for education. Visit road2seven.com to participate!