So when we found out that Source86’s PH Conference was going to be held there, I had my doubts. As someone who prefers to live in the coastal province, I wondered if we’d be able to really convey the true spirit of the Philippines for first-timers.
But of course, as with every Source86 Conference that I’ve been to, no amount of traffic 🚦, strong rain showers ⛈️, or excessive use of air conditioning 🥶 could stop us from having a memorable experience.
We sang, we danced, and we ATE. It was nice to be in our home country for a change. For me, it gave me more space to really show my personal view of my home. It was also great to reconnect with the city again after more than a year living in the province.
And by the looks of it (and constantly asking for feedback 😜), I think we were able to show who we are as Filipinos, and what the Philippines is like 🇵🇭
What I appreciated the most was that this year, we focused on what companies usually do not pay attention to:
Its people.
Where buzzwords like “dynamic team” and “we are a family” usually pose as red flags 🚩🚩🚩, we are conditioned to separate ourselves from who we are as employees and as actual people. It’s hauntingly similar to the premise of Severance (can’t wait for the next season, agh!).
We fear the repercussions of working ourselves to the bone to create a life we want to live. And in the Philippines, it’s embedded in our culture to sacrifice yourself for work. It’s an automatic response, a reflex rather.
Mind you, it takes a lot of convincing to even give some sort of belief that your workplace really cares about its people.
But it’s absolutely amazing and uplifting to see Source86 consistently try.
Keep trying. Keep going. And don’t stop.
Aalap Patel, COO Source86
Our workshops consisted of 3 days of digging deep within ourselves. Figuring out our purposes not in the company, but in actual life. The interconnectivity of who we are as people and as workers is an uncomfortable, but necessary, lesson to learn. From fully realizing our “whys” in life, to connecting it to each other, and the whys of the company, I left the conference hopeful, with a clearer sense of direction… and a bit of mental drain 🙈
Eran Mizrahi or Josefina Polito Grane would ask us how we were during the sessions, I’d always say: It’s like I’m in therapy for three straight days! 😂
Always try to figure out how to make time for yourselves. We have very little time on this earth, and it goes quick. And the older you get, the more you realize how finite it is.
Eran Mizrahi, CEO Source86
The reality of working in this world is cutthroat, harsh, and absolutely volatile. It may take more than my lifetime to create lasting, systematic change to really create companies that make it a breeze to work at.
But I’m a pretty hopeful person 💫
I realize time and time again, especially after this conference, that there are pockets of hope for workplaces to be safe spaces for every part of who you are.
Originally published on LinkedIn by Lucille, reflecting on the Source86 Philippines Conference.
