Rewrite the Stars

Back Story

Two months after I graduated, I put up a small marketing and events firm, MOREments, with Lana and two other college friends, Juliana and Tammy.

My parents were loaded. They were in the real estate business since I was a little girl. Being the only child definitely has its perks. I got what I wanted. At least, most of the time.

I asked them for the capital to build MOREments. Because they could afford it, they did not hesitate and were very supportive.

Having the capital was one thing. Building a business and making sure it will survive is another.

The first two years were hard. It felt like hell. Vince and I almost broke up at one point because I did not have the energy nor time to do anything else.

But the four of us did not give up. We had goals and we were determined to achieve those goals. 

Our firm is now the 4th largest marketing firm in the Philippines after only three years in operation. We have a total of 167 employees with over a thousand regular clients, half of which are top brands across the country.

We recently started bidding for international clients and our outlook is positive. Our clients love us. Business was good. We were thriving.

Vince, on the other hand, became a freelance graphic artist. He struggled at first after not landing his dream job at San Miguel, but he was extremely talented. He started with small projects, but he now has big-name clients all over the world.

Because of the nature of his job, he had the freedom to choose his priorities, and he chose well over the years. He chose to work with well-known brands.

He has a solid portfolio and it's only a matter of time before San Miguel sees his potential and hires him. He was waiting for their call for a couple of weeks now. I know he was getting impatient. I was afraid we would have another blowout if he doesn't get it this time.

His father was San Miguel's Chief Financial Officer. It was his life-long dream to work for the same company. His father was his hero. He was trying to get in as a graphics artist, but he hopes to become San Miguel's Chief Marketing Officer or, at least, the VP for Digital Marketing someday.

He was doing so well as a freelancer. I still can't wrap my head around why he wanted to be tied to a company. But I was very supportive.

Vince and I have been together for five, wonderful years. I admit, I was waiting for a proposal. I was positive it will happen soon.

It was only a matter of time before he asked the question, right?

Five years was enough to get to know each other deeper. Five years was enough to build a solid foundation for a family.

So, yeah, I was certain he will do it soon.

One Saturday, as we were having dinner in our favorite Korean restaurant at BGC, Vince started to talk to me about my upcoming trip to New York.

We landed Kate Spade as our newest client for MOREments and the trip to New York was necessary to prepare for their launch here next year.

He cannot seem to hide his excitement. "Hon, when's your flight to New York? Can I come? I can work there for a couple of weeks."

That was his perk as a freelancer. He can work anywhere.

I had butterflies in my stomach. Me and Vince in a foreign country. Just the two of us. We've never traveled alone in the past five years.

Maybe, just maybe, this is it!

I was feeling giddy as I packed my bags. My thoughts were all over the place.