Why Second felt like First - Thoughts on Winning at The Lopez Group Essay Writing Contest

Last year, we promised R that if she'll be an honor student for four quarters, we'll get an iPad for her.  Lo and behold, she did it. 4 quarters, 4 first honors (in her school, every child with no grade lower than 90 is given the first honor card), 4 conduct awards.  I was actually dilly-dallying because I was battling with myself.  I knew she can survive without an iPad.  And having an iPad, cool and fun as it may seem, wouldn't really matter much (at least for her at the meantime).  Ok, I was being kuripot.  I don't want to spend much on a gadget.  But, my hands are tied.  We made a promise and we should keep it. 

And then I saw an email.  It was an invitation to join an essay-writing contest about nationalism in the workplace.  The email said, the winner will get, you guessed it, an iPad plus a lunch with Mr. Oscar Lopez, the Lopez family's patriarch.  For me, it was answered prayer.  I would really want to sit down with the "boss".  I can buy an iPad anytime, but I wouldn't be able to afford Mr. Lopez's time, in a setting wherein we would be able to discuss his thoughts about business and nationalism.  Opportunities like these don't come often.  So I wrote an essay and prayed that I win.

Last Wednesday, I had lunch with Mr. Lopez.  And 3 others who also won in the essay writing contest.  I didn't win the top prize.  The result is here. But my heart is dancing with gratefulness.  I'll tell you why.

Together with Mr. Oscar Lopez are the winners - Hazel Velasco of First Philippine Holdings (3rd place),  Eva Maria Estigoy-Lobitana of First Philippine Electric Corporatio (1st place), Moi - Danie Rose Sedilla-Cruz of ABS-CBN (2nd place) and Joel Pelandia of Bayan Tel (4th place) - Photo from lopezsummit.com

TOP 5 REASONS WHY

BEING 2ND FELT LIKE 1ST

1. I had a good (and free) lunch. 

Sumptous!

2. I haven't had the opportunity to meet Mr. Eugenio Lopez Jr.  He died the year I came in at ABS-CBN.  It was a dream to personally meet Mr. Oscar Lopez.  And I did. I got to talk to him and even had the opportunity to have a book signed by him.  I also got to embrace him... my gesture of admiration for the kind of life he's leading.

Photo from lopezsummit.com

Photo from lopezsummit.com

3. He read my piece and cited some of the things I've written. I'm not a famous author but he read one of my works. 

 
4. I won an iPod Touch.

And the winner is...

5. I told R that I didn't win the iPad because I only placed second. But since I promised her the iPad, I'm still willing to give it to her if she's not happy with the iPod Touch.  She said, "Ok na 'to Ma. Thank you." Then she hugged me and kissed me.  It made me felt that everything was worth it.

Chris Daughtry said in one of his songs, "Be careful what you wish for, 'cause you just might get it all."  I'm not sure if he's talking to me.  But I get him.  I so get him.