Transition Quotient certified coach Tonette Velasco-Allones
HAVE you heard of Transition Quotient?
TQ “is one’s ability to recognize different stages of life transitions, perceive them as opportunities for growth and skillfully navigate them with compassion, clarity and curiosity.”
Atty. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, former Department of Migrant Workers undersecretary, said, “I was in an ‘emerging ending’ phase in my career at the end of August last year. As I sought productive coping, I signed up in a three-month program to be a certified coach on TQ. After eight Tuesdays with chief trainer Kari Cardinale, I earned the distinction to be a part of the pioneer class of 650 certified TQ coaches around the world. It was an empowering, enabling course that equipped me with frameworks, tools and confidence to journey with those who are trying to get out of their chrysalis and soar with the gifts of new beginnings.”
This program was also life-changing for her for it guided her transition from her 30 years of government work to her new role as chief human resource officer of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation last December 2024. When Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan told her that “this work is also ‘para sa bayan’ (for the country), it was easy to say yes.
She quoted William Bridges, “some people fight transition all the way and bewail their fate, while others come to recognize that letting go is not defeat — that it may, in fact, be the start of a whole new and rewarding phase of their lives.”
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During my mom’s second visit to “It’s Showtime” before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were about to sit in the lower third row in the leftmost side when we were uncourteously told to sit in the far upper side in the mid-portion. I kept my cool but it was alright for my persevering American mom. I was then a journalist for the Philippine Star’s entertainment section under editor Ricky Lo.
The reason why senior citizens and disabled persons are placed in the lower portion is so that it would be easier for them to get out after the show.
In fairness, during my mom’s first visit to the show, we were attended with due courtesy. She was then with my American sister Victoria M. Isip who lives in Green Valley, Fairfield, Solano County, California. They had a brief vacation to the Philippines.
Another incident I could not forget was during a live audience for Pinoy Big Brother one afternoon in 2017. I was preparing to go to De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila to cover the victory of the all-female DLSU Lady Spikers volleyball team in the UAAP Season 79 championship when I received a call from Julie Forbes, young sister of beauty queen-actress Ali Forbes, who was a housemate contestant in that PBB house. Ali needed support so I chose to go to the station. As I entered the studio, Julie greeted me and I joined Ali’s parents and younger brother in the audience. We were sitting there for a long time. During the short break, I needed to go to the nearest rest room. Little did I know I entered a secured automatic entrance. As to how I was able to penetrate the locked gate (one could only enter if you had an employee ID), I did not know, perhaps my telekinesis worked in times of emergency.
It surprised me that I was asked to go to the studio’s security management. I refused for I did not do anything wrong. Then came my savior, Col. Dani Enriquez, who was surprised as to what happened. When I got high blood pressure, a medic came to assist me.
So I could just hear the PBB happening just outside while my hypertension was being monitored.
I had a brief chat with TV host Robi Domingo (my cousin singer Yeng Constantino’s cousin) as I saw Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant Noven Belleza and Maymay Entrata passed by. We gazed at each other as I predicted these two would be the winners. (It indeed came true for Noven was the Tawag ng Tanghalan Season One grand champion and Maymay was the Pinoy Big Brother Season 7 grand winner.)
After the incident, Col. Enriquez told me to write what happened since I was with the Philippine Star, but I did not use my position as a PhilStar writer to reveal what happened.
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February is the month of love. I will feature different stories of love. I asked two respondents: (1) How do you define love? (2) Are you still in love with your spouse and why?
Their replies (third batch) are as follows:
Oly Sason-de los Santos, widow of former Philippine National Police Spokesman Napoleon de los Santos Jr.: (1) “Love is not a feeling. It is a commitment to do good for the other.”; (2) “Love is replaced by good memories and respect for him, for who he was and what he stood for.”
Guia Cruz-Buenaventura, a doting wife of Dan Villarba Buenaventura: (1) “Love is a very special feeling that makes you face life with joy and happiness. It keeps you going through life which is full of challenges and uncertainties.”; (2) “Yes I still do, he is a part of me and will always be. Life has to go on, focusing on our our son, daughter and furbaby, our present and what lies ahead. His legacy is very much alive as we continue doing what he loved doing then through ‘A Smile From Heaven’ charity efforts.”
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I met on West America road (in Green Valley) and asked an 85-year-old lady on how to go to Costco and Safeway on Business Center Drive in Fairfield. Clarita Biscocho, a UST alumnus and a retired teacher (she went to the U.S. in 1983), was kind enough to inform me of the right direction. A long walk indeed despite the cold climate.
I learned that her daughter, Noralyn Biscocho, a registered nurse, is our neighbor on Overture Lane. Teacher Clarita and her son Almer live on Aria Street not too far from us.
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My friend, Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso informed me that he was no longer with the Philippine National Bank as its president. He is now the president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
He was the president and CEO of HSBC Philippines, the first Filipino CEO in HSBC’s 144 years of operations.
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After the church service in Northgate, we had lunch at Hibachi Grill & Buffet restaurant on Gateway Blvd. in Fairfield, California. I saw lots of Filipinos.
Here I met Edna Arcebal, a retired nurse, with her son Dale Navarro. They live in Vallejo where we used to live. Then came Eleanor Kincaid, sister of Edna.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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