Monthly Archives: January 2026

Reunions can be fun, and life-changing.

nonprofit

I recently met up with a long-time friend, Ray Borja, at Ichiba Japanese Market near Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Ray had just arrived from abroad the previous night and wanted to catch up over lunch before taking a 10-hour bus ride to his home in Naga City. This was one of his regular trips toggling between Chicago and Manila for business and pleasure.

Ray and I last saw each other in November 2013 after Typhoon Haiyan, locally named Yolanda by Filipinos, devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the central region of the Philippines. It was one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded, killing at least 6,300 people in the Visayas region alone and displacing some 4 million people.

I met with Ray that one night in November at the Rizal Filipino Cultural Center at the corner of Irving Park Road and Clark Street to drop off what little I could add to the relief goods being donated for the survivors of this natural disaster. Ray was spearheading the drive for non-perishable food, clothing, medical supplies, and other essentials to be shipped to Manila and distributed to survivors of the storm. He garnered support from the Chicago mayor, the Illinois governor, and several local media outlets.

After that night, I didn’t hear from Ray for several months. Months turned into years. Yesterday, he told me that his experience helping the people, especially the youth, affected by the storm made him realize his new purpose: To empower youth through education and skill-building that transforms them into resilient changemakers for their own communities. Ray then relocated back to his hometown in the Bicol region of the Philippines. His family immigrated from Naga when he was four years old. So, for the past decade, along with managing his youth programs, Ray has been listening to the sound of ocean waves crashing against the rocks, which is frequently interrupted by roosters who, according to him, would sometimes operate in a constant loop.

We were five hours into catching up when Ray checked his phone and realized he still had to get back to the hotel before booking a ride to the bus terminal. After we parted ways, two questions came to mind:

1. What powerful experiences can knock us out of our current orbit and set us on a new trajectory in life?…and,

2. When we come face-to-face with this potential change, do we fight it and preserve what’s familiar, or do we embrace it and open ourselves up to unknown possibilities?

All I know is, from Ray’s perspective, he wakes up every morning to greet the boats on the calm shores of the Pacific and to see the sunrise on the horizon, where the sea always meets the sky.

Managing Change Begins with Listening

communication, leadership

VR_Blog2_Change
   By Pon Angara

As a child growing up in the Philippines, I enjoyed listening to the adults in my family tell stories. I recall one afternoon when relatives came to visit. My cousins were outside playing while I was sprawled on the floor of the living room, drawing pictures on sheets of paper that Dad brought home from work. He and Mom sat with my aunts and uncles around the table to enjoy a light merienda of rice cakes and fruit juice. I remember trying hard to stay still and quiet while listening in awe to stories about their lives in the rural provinces. Having been raised in urban Manila, I was transfixed by new images conjured from the imagination of a young mind. At the same time, I was transported to a new place.

Listening to a live storyteller is like opening a human book. Not only do you get the words, but you also get the actual emotions from their voices and facial expressions. The Human Library Organization is a global movement that uses the power of personal storytelling to foster dialogue about social issues. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, the organization secures spaces in libraries, educational institutions, and conferences for people to engage in transformative storytelling.

The goal for storytelling is threefold: to spark conversation, to change people’s perceptions, and to influence their behavior. We must transport them to a different place where they gain a new consciousness and a new human perspective.

Listening to those who can affect change is the first step to engaging them. It opens the door for them to be heard, which in turn opens a window for them to listen.

Story begets story. It’s an emergent form of communication that naturally sparks conversation. The more stories are shared, the more learning happens to expand people’s worldview. 

Learning forges relationships. In time, a level of trust is formed between the people who now share a common perspective. When we build community around a shared narrative, we can find meaning in our actions for creating change. 

Begin with the willingness to listen first. It sets you on a course to rediscover your young mind, set it free, and let your imagination transport you to a new place. Then invite others to share your vision and work with you to realize a new space for all who need it.

Let Barkada Circle® guide you and your leadership team through the challenges of managing change in your company. Contact us today by sending an email to pon@barkadacreative.com or by calling (773) 852-3522.