If we were sitting together right now—maybe over a warm coffee, or perhaps something a little stronger—I’d probably lead with a nervous laugh before telling you the truth: This year broke me and tested every single part of who I am.

It wasn’t a dramatic, cinematic trial. There was no swelling violin music or slow-motion montage. Instead, it was a year of quiet nights, long pauses, and those heavy moments where I stared at my screen and whispered, “Lord… what is happening?”

From the outside, it looked like business as usual. My creative agency was running, projects were landing, and the content was flowing. But on the inside? It felt like God was gently—but firmly—pulling things apart so He could rebuild them better.

How this year broke me: Navigating Team Changes and Misunderstandings

One of the hardest truths of this year is that more than half of our team left. Even now, saying that feels heavy.

At first, the reasons seemed standard—personal timing, life changes, “it’s not you, it’s me.” I accepted them with grace. But as the months unfolded, a different truth surfaced. It wasn’t about facts; it was about stories. Stories created in people’s minds. Stories repeated without being checked.

It hurt. Not because I felt the need to defend my ego, but because being misunderstood cuts deep when your heart is in the right place. I learned the hard way that once someone convinces themselves of a version of you, explaining yourself doesn’t bring peace—it just drains your battery.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

I had to learn to protect my peace. I replayed conversations and questioned every decision, but I eventually returned to one grounding truth: My conscience is clear. I know the heart behind my leadership. And I know I chose to do good—even when it cost me comfort.

The Divine Reset: Why God Removes What No Longer Fits

I see now that our team went through a “makeover.” We are now more diverse, more refreshed, and more aligned than ever. I’ve realized that sometimes God doesn’t fix what’s broken—He removes what no longer fits to make room for the new.

When things feel heavy, our minds naturally zoom in on what didn’t work. But when I finally slowed down and looked at the evidence of grace, I realized how much we actually conquered.

Why I’m Writing it Down (The Evidence of Grace)

When life gets heavy, blessings don’t shout; they whisper. I started listing them on paper because if you don’t track them, you’ll swear they aren’t there. As I wrote, the list actually shocked me.

In the midst of the “breaking,” look at what was built:

• Major Event Coverage: We successfully covered the Dubai Ride and Dubai Run for the 4th year in a row. We were on the ground for the Dubai Muscle Show, the Riyadh Muscle Show, and projects for TikTok.

• Corporate Trust: We produced high-level corporate videos for global giants like Nestle, JTI, Ultracare, and Innoventures. Check our 2025 latest behind-the-scenes reel
• Creative Expansion: I launched the LOUDER Podcast, creating a space for stories that matter, and was elected as a Board Director for the Philippine Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates. I am so grateful for the trust given to me!

• Personal Restoration: We traveled to the Philippines for my mom’s 70th birthday. For the first time in years, we were all together in the cool air of Baguio City.

The Pivot: Why Becoming a Certified Pearl Grader Changed Everything

Among all these wins, one stood out as a quiet revolution: I became a Certified Pearl Grader.

At first, it might seem like a pivot away from the agency world, but it was actually the final piece of a puzzle I’ve been working on for years. This certification wasn’t just about a title; it was about mastery. It was about learning to see the value, the luster, and the imperfections that make something truly rare.

This is why it matters: This 2026, I am relaunching Olivia Pearls. Stay tuned for that!

8 Hard-Won Lessons from a Year of “Breaking”

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the team members who left, the stories that were told, and the financial stretches that kept me up at night. Here is what that fire taught me:

God is the CEO, I am the Steward. The moment I stopped saying “my business” and started saying “His business,” the weight on my shoulders shifted. I don’t have to “save” the company; I just have to be faithful to the next step.

Peace is more profitable than proving a point. I used to think I had to defend my reputation. Now I know that the time spent “correcting the record” is time stolen from my actual calling. Silence is often the loudest form of strength.

Subtraction is a form of growth. We usually think of growth as adding—more staff, more clients, more revenue. But this year, growth looked like God removing what no longer fit. Sometimes, a smaller, aligned team is more powerful than a large, fractured one.

Mastery requires “Stealth Mode.” While the agency felt like it was in a “reset,” I was becoming a Certified Pearl Grader. I learned that the best way to handle a public “breaking” is to engage in private building. Excellence in the dark leads to a relaunch in the light.

Financial “tightness” is a strategy filter. When money is flowing, you say “yes” to everything. When things get tight, you are forced to ask: Is this project actually worth our soul? The lean months taught me to stop chasing every lead and start choosing the right ones.

The “Helper” principle. I realized that growth isn’t just about more “hustle”—it’s about allowing support. Hiring a helper at home wasn’t a luxury; it was the final admission that I cannot be a hero in every room simultaneously.

Blessings require a paper trail. When life is heavy, your brain is wired to find threats, not gifts. I learned that if I don’t physically write down covering the Dubai Ride or the Riyadh Muscle Show, my mind will let the “team drama” overshadow the “global wins.”

Integrity is a long-term investment. Doing the right thing often feels like a “loss” in the short term—especially when it costs you comfort or staff. But integrity allows you to sleep at night, and that rest is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Carrying the Lesson into 2026

I am walking into this next year with a different kind of strength. I am relaunching Olivia Pearls bolder than ever. I am leading my agency with a refreshed, aligned team. And most importantly, I am keeping my peace.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

This year didn’t break me. It built me. And if you’re coming out of a season that felt like a “breaking,” remember: You aren’t failing. You’re being prepared.