- TFCU ignites youth’s passion in the first “TFCU Talks Sydney”
- Speakers Marco Andre Selorio, Gretchen Ho, and Eman Rodriguez shared stories that encourage the youth to pursue their passion, find their purpose, and to keep moving forward
The air of excitement is immediately felt upon entering the ballroom of Blacktown Workers Club in New South Wales, Australia as young students and professionals gather for the very first “TFCU Talks Sydney” which happened last April 7.
TFCU is an initiative which aims to connect, inspire, and empower Filipino college students and young professionals through the TFCU Talks event, which features industry professionals and personalities who share their stories to inspire the younger generation to realize their full potential while embracing their cultural identity.
There have been series of TFCU Talks held in the U.S. like “TFCU Breaking the Mold” which featured Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” season four winner Lanai Tabura; “TFCU Talks Carson: Rise Up” where actress and philanthropist Monique Coleman shared her inspiring journey; and “TFCU Talks Embracing Identity” where comedienne and YouTube personality Christine Gambito (happyslip) was one of the speakers.
“We started empowering young people in America, but I felt the need to empower the younger generation in a greater way because we all have a dream, we all have a gift, we all have something to share,” said Romeo Marquez Jr., TFCU program director, during his welcoming remarks at the “TFCU Talks Sydney”.
He further adds, “The intention today is for you to receive a message, a message that hopefully will inspire you in a greater way.”
Anchoring on the theme “Pursuing Your Passion”, TFCU Talks Sydney tapped Marco Andre Selorio, Gretchen Ho, and Eman Rodriguez to talk about their journey of self-discovery that led them to their respective careers.
Set Your Goal
Just like in Selorio’s favorite sport basketball, there were a lot of obstacles trying to stop him from making that winning shot when his company HOOPDREAMZ started organizing events. One event failed after the other which made people around him, including his parents, say that it is time to give up—an advice he decided not to take.
“If you are passionate about your dream or what you want to do, don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do anything—not even your parents–because if you are passionate, you’ll get it,” Selorio said.
Now, his company has organized events like the renowned dance competition “World Supremacy Battlegrounds”, and the talent show “Urbanstar Talent Quest” where international singer Iggy Azalea and “Pinoy Big Brother Teens” winner Ylona Garcia joined at the beginning of their careers.
Selorio also emphasized the importance of embracing the unknown, but at the same time setting a goal. “Step out of that comfort zone and have a goal and see what happens. For me, I’d rather fail than not see what is going happen down the track. I don’t want to regret anything,” he explained.
Finding Your Purpose
Five years ago, Ho never imagined herself being a host. Five years later, she is now a regular host of the news program “Umagang Kay Ganda (A Beautiful Morning)” and ANC’s lifestyle program “Modern Girls”. Transitioning from being an athlete to a host was not easy, but embracing the uncertainty curved the path towards her purpose.
“It is so refreshing to be in the face of the unknown, to know that anything can happen the next moment, that things can change years from now and you can grow into somebody that you never thought you would be,” Ho encouragingly said.
Discovering your passion is great, but for Ho finding your purpose is better. “Purpose is what makes us stick and what makes us commit to whatever we love because we know why we do it–that makes your work more meaningful,” she explained.
Her word of advice for those still looking for their purpose: “Keep on experiencing life.” There will be times that one will make the wrong choices, but Ho reminds them that “our failures teach us so much more about ourselves. You only really fail when you don’t learn.”
Keep Moving Forward
At a young age, Rodriguez already knew that his passion is dancing, and the greatest highlight in his career is when he joined the dance group Justice Crew and competed in “Australia’s Got Talent” in 2010 where they emerged as winner.
Before the success, Rodriguez recalled how he had to go through a lot of rejections, but he did not let this dishearten him and just kept moving forward. “Move on, take that straight away before it goes deep into ‘I’m not good enough.’ It is not about having a break, it is about working harder,” he said.
Along the triumphs and pitfalls, the most important lesson that Rodriguez learned and would like to share to everyone is to keep on believing in yourself. “A lot of people will drag you down but you just have to keep lifting that burden off and know your purpose and to keep on driving it,” he concluded.
Providing a lit performance is the JMA Dance Crew with Eman Rodriguez that was choreographed by Maurice June, one of the founders of JMA Entertainment, the talent agency behind the popular Australian dance group Justice Crew.
Watch out for the upcoming TFCU Talks event in your town by visiting www.tfcutalks.com or facebook.com/TFCUofficial.
For updates about TFC’s upcoming events, visit facebook.com/TFCAustralia. Connect with fellow global Kapamilyas and follow @KapamilyaTFC and KapamilyaGlobalPR on Twitter and Instagram.
