Another thing to unpack about my life for the past years is this particular path of my career that I’ve been doing on the side: hosting events.
It wasn’t something I initially imagined myself doing. I started off just fine being a teacher—working with students locally and abroad, creating lesson content, and strengthening my communication skills day by day. But little did I know, those very skills would open another door for me.
Back in 2019, I uploaded a few videos of my sample classes: just simple clips with my students abroad. It was mostly to share my teaching methods and growth in the ESL space. But then something unexpected happened.
Friends and acquaintances started messaging me, saying things like,
“You’re made for hosting. Or even podcasting!”
At the time, I laughed it off. Hosting? Podcasting? Me? I didn’t know what to make of it. I was content with my ESL job and had no concrete plans of venturing beyond the virtual classroom.
But looking back now, I realize that was the first nudge.
The Academe as My Voice Builder
My teaching stints in Iligan City, particularly at Masters Technological Institute of Mindanao and MSU-IIT National Cooperative Academy, expanded not just my skills but also my public exposure. These experiences placed me in spaces where I had to speak clearly, think on my feet, and connect with a crowd—even if that “crowd” was a group of sleepy college freshmen at 8 AM.
More than anything, being consistent with my English proficiency helped a lot. Teaching in the ESL industry for six years and counting refined my articulation and tone. It trained me to think in rhythms, to pause for impact, and to be aware of how words land—whether in a classroom or on a stage.
Where I’m Growing Now
Lately, most of my hosting gigs have been happening within MSU-IIT’s College of Economics and Business Administration (CEBA)—my current academic home as a graduate student in the MBA program. It’s a little surreal: being both a student and a host in the same halls I walk through daily.
Hosting CEBA events while also pursuing my master’s degree has given me a rare kind of growth. I’m not just studying theories in business communication and leadership—I’m applying them in real-time, mic in hand.
Being in grad school and staying active in teaching has naturally widened my network. It feels organic—people remember your voice, your energy, and your way of holding space. And from there, new opportunities quietly roll in.
What I’m Learning (and Letting Happen)
Right now, I’m simply letting things flow. Whether I get booked or not, whether the next client finds me or not—I’m here for the ride. I never thought hosting was something I could do, and yet… here I am, enjoying every bit of it.
I’m deeply thankful to my previous workplaces, mentors, and especially to MSU-IIT — my second home—for creating these spaces for growth and surprise. Sometimes, the most unexpected paths turn out to be the ones that feel the most natural.
So here’s to the voice I’ve built—one classroom, one video, and one event at a time.
