17,811,898
That’s how many page views my blog has today. If only clicks could be converted into pesos, I’d be sipping tea in the dream house I’ve always wanted. But while page views don’t pay the bills, they gave me something more valuable: purpose, community, and a second life I never thought I’d have.
Who would have thought that a simple blog post about my first mountaineering adventure with my son back in 2011 would become my lifeline? At that time, I was fresh out of the only world I had ever known: 17 long years working at a hospital. Leaving the medical field left me hollow. My first job after college had become my entire identity, and when burnout finally pushed me out the door, I wondered if that was it for me—if my story ended with me as a full-time mom, watching from the sidelines.
The BPO industry was my attempt as a restart, but sitting in a fluorescent-lit cubicle with officemates as young as my own children only deepened the loneliness. I felt invisible. Out of place. Old. Then one day, as if instinct led me back to something familiar, I opened my laptop and began to write.
From
Random Thoughts to Event Invitations
At first, LemonGreenTea was just an outlet. A safe place where I could pour my thoughts about skincare, movies, books, or my endless hunt for the perfect brewed tea. I didn’t expect anyone to read, but slowly, people did. They left comments. They asked questions. They shared my posts.
Then in 2013, an email arrived—my very first event invitation. Someone thought my words mattered enough for me to be included. I can still remember how nervous I was, picking out what to wear, rehearsing how to introduce myself. I walked into that event feeling like an outsider, clutching my notebook while everyone else seemed so polished. But by the time I went home, I realized something: I belonged.
A couple of years later, those invitations began transforming into opportunities. First, it was ex-deals—small tokens in exchange for reviews. Then came the first sponsored post. Before I knew it, blogging wasn’t just an outlet anymore; it was work, a calling, a stage. And soon, I was no longer the newbie nervously walking into events. I was the one giving advice to new bloggers, sharing my lessons on how to balance passion, family, and the realities of making content.
By 2015, I had taken the leap to go full-time.
The Hustle Behind the Blog
They say success doesn’t happen overnight—it’s stitched together from late nights, small victories, and quiet perseverance. For me, sakses was built on a thousand little moments: rushing to finish an article before midnight, worrying about tuition fees while editing photos, sneaking writing time between errands and bedtime stories.
Blogging may look glamorous on the outside, but behind every post was the same hustle any Madiskarte Mom knows well: keeping the household running, stretching the budget, showing up for family, while carving out a small space for myself to dream.
There were moments I almost gave up—days when it felt like no one was reading, when a campaign didn’t push through, bills had to be paid, or when the demands of family life simply outweighed the glow of my laptop screen. But each time, I remembered why I started: not for fame, but to rediscover myself after losing who I thought I was.
From
Hospital Clerk to Madiskarte Mom
For a long time, change was something I avoided. I stayed in the same job for 17 years because it felt safe, even when the stress was slowly burning me out. I told myself it was better to endure than to risk the unknown. But leaving that hospital job was like tearing off a bandage—it forced me to face the emptiness underneath.
I thought stepping into the BPO world would be the solution. Instead, I found myself more out of place than ever. My officemates were young, energetic, and spoke a language that felt foreign to me. I felt like a stranger in my own skin.
That’s when I realized something I wish I had known earlier: “Change used to be something I feared, but I’ve realized that it’s only when you leave your comfort zone that you truly find your passion.”
It wasn’t a smooth journey. At first, blogging was awkward. I second-guessed my words. I worried no one would care about skincare reviews or tea musings from a forty-something mom. But slowly, post by post, I found my rhythm. Each published entry was a small act of courage, proof that I could still learn, still create, still grow.
From a burned-out employee, I became a woman who rediscovered passion at 40. From a shy voice on the internet, I became a member of one of the most active mommy blogging communities in the country.
The best part? Discovering that I wasn’t
alone. Blogging connected me with other moms who were navigating the same
struggles—juggling work, family, and dreams. Together we built a support
system, cheering for each other’s small wins, swapping tips, and reminding one
another that every story matters.
Change didn’t just lead me to a blog. It led me to a community, to opportunities, and most importantly, back to myself.
Diskarte
Lessons I Carry With Me
The lessons I learned along the way didn’t come from textbooks or training—they came from living, hustling, and failing forward.
1.
Budget Your Time Like You Budget Your Money
I used to think multitasking was the key, but it only
left me drained. What worked better was creating time blocks—mornings for
family, afternoons for work, evenings for myself. That structure gave me
balance.
📸 Photo idea: You at your desk
with a planner and a cup of tea.
2.
Don’t Be Afraid to Start Small
My first skincare review was awkward, and my first
sponsored post barely covered groceries. But those small starts gave me
confidence. Each step forward—no matter how small—was still progress.
📸 Photo idea: You holding up your
first PR kit or event pass.
3.
Invest in What Keeps You Connected
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in more than a
decade of blogging, it’s that connection is everything. From sending pitches,
attending virtual launches, or helping my apos with schoolwork, a reliable
connection has been my constant partner.
That’s why PLDT
Home Fiber Prepaid feels like such a lifeline. No contracts, no
monthly bills—just fast, reliable internet I can load when I need it. It fits
my budget, it fits my hustle, and it keeps me present for both work and family.
I remember listening to PLDT HOME Senior Vice
President and Head of Consumer Business, John Y. Palanca, at a recent event.
His words struck a chord: “Filipinos have the innate talent and drive to turn
big dreams into reality.” It was during this event that the brand introduced
Ninong Ry, Suzzysaur, and Maki as its new ambassadors—three creators whose
stories echo the very spirit of hustle and heart.
Palanca went on to say, “Technology is at its
best when it empowers and enables you to succeed in life. With PLDT Home Fiber
Prepaid, we’re giving Filipinos the speed, reliability, and flexibility to
pursue their passions—whether it’s producing online content, streaming music,
learning, or upskilling. All it takes is a reliable connection and the courage
to begin.”
His message felt personal to me. Because
whether you’re a content creator, a mompreneur, or someone simply trying to
make life better for your family, the right connection doesn’t just link you to
the internet—it connects you to opportunities.
Why
This Is My Sakses Story
For me, sakses
is not about luxury, perfection or earning millions. It’s about progress. It’s
about daring to leave what no longer serves you, starting small when resources
are thin, and building a life step by step, post by post, cup of tea by cup of
tea.
From hospital hallways to BPO cubicles, to now
a blog with nearly 18 million views, my story proves that it’s never too late
to start again. And yes, life truly begins at 40—and it only gets better in
your golden years, as long as you keep showing up.
