It’s less about the words we write and more about the insights we arrive at

To me, writing, praying and meditating are opportunities to be self-aware. Where are our thoughts tending to go? What are we feeling? What is our context?

More importantly, these are opportunities to be aware of a Higher Power. For the non-religious, this could be a realization that we are part of something greater than ourselves. For the faithful, this could be God and how we characterize Him in the way that makes most sense to us.

And if God is the Primary Insight, then prayers are opportunities for inquiry. Oftentimes we are challenged to find answers and validate them ourselves; but sometimes, we can enjoy unexpected eureka moments. Maybe it’s like a parent doing his child a favor without the child knowing how things happened at all.

Thus, it’s less about the quantity of words we write but more about going through inquiry and articulation, again and again, until insights visit us.


Matthew 6:7-15. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-059: FEBRUARY 28, 2023]

Consistency is underrated

It’s easier to notice peaks. We also cannot help but spread the word when we witness peaks (or even lows).

But the challenge is consistency – to remain centered and focused on our controllables no matter the context. To treat good works not as an opportunity for rewards but as a craft that we painstakingly practice, again and again, so that we can master our self.


Matthew 25:31-46. Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-058: FEBRUARY 27, 2023]

We prove ourselves not to others, but to our ever-evolving mission

I’ve been afforded a fortunate vantage point – being a teacher-slash-administrator of an academic program I was a graduate of. I see some pieces of me in every student I mentor, and this makes the space I am at all the more crucial.

I feel that if I’m not providing advice and opportunities that allow the new generation to be better than what I was back then, I would not be doing a good job or at least perform in a way that I would be proud of myself.

Looking at my past self and witnessing the journey of my students, I see how challenging peer pressure and hustle culture could be. At an age where our bodies are literally changing, the world ever-so-evolving, and the real world comes knocking, how do we find time to find our mission?

Our college lives are when it’s best to have an idea about our sense of self and what our mission could be. And it’s okay if we cannot articulate these as clearly as we would want – what matters is that we’re exerting the effort, experimenting, and willing to learn.

What should be managed is how much value we put to satisfying all the expectations of the world. As I ponder on these and witness my previous selves go through the same journey today, an insight seems to be getting clearer:

We prove ourselves not to others, but to our ever-evolving mission.


Matthew 4:1-11. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-057: FEBRUARY 26, 2023]

Self-care is a duty and responsibility

Self-care is not selfish because taking care of our own well-being allows us to be better equipped to care for and support others. When we are responsible for our physical, emotional, and mental health, we are better able to manage stress, maintain healthy relationships, and contribute to our communities.

Neglecting our own self-care can lead to burnout, resentment, and an inability to support others effectively. Moreover, if we have the capability to take care of ourselves but choose not to do so, we may be stealing limited resources that could have been better given to those who need it more.

Therefore, self-care is not selfish, but rather an act of responsibility, empathy, and compassion that contributes to the well-being of ourselves and the wider community. By investing in our own well-being, we could create a positive ripple effect where we position ourselves to be of greater help to those in need.


Luke 5:27-32. Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-056: FEBRUARY 25, 2023]

Spiritual detox

We usually engage in detox to rid our bodies of unhealthy substances. Maybe we also need to engage in a spiritual form of detox so that we may give up our negative thoughts, emotions and anxieties.

This prepares us for blessings and graces that may come our way. And when we are fortunate enough to receive these gifts, we should make the most out of the moment.


Matthew 9:14-15. Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-055: FEBRUARY 24, 2023]

Give up, lift up

Maybe it is in choosing to give up something when we are also able to lift ourselves up.


Luke 9:22-25. If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-054: FEBRUARY 23, 2023]

Flow and authenticity

According to Csikszentmihalyi, flow is a state of complete absorption and focus in an activity, where the person loses track of time and is fully engaged in the task at hand. This state of flow is characterized by a sense of control, effortless action, and a feeling of satisfaction.

What if we can frame flow as a response to avoid hypocrisy? Our perennial challenge is to avoid performing good deeds for the sole purpose of receiving recognition or praise from others.

If we can frame the state of flow as being fully engaged and immersed in one’s actions, flow can be a way to demonstrate authenticity, without concern for external validation or reward. In other words, we are motivated by the intrinsic value of the deed itself, rather than external factors.

Imagine if we can redesign learning platforms as an ecosystem that is conducive to flow.


Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-053: FEBRUARY 22, 2023]

Another reflection on GOATs, rankings, and flourishing within the ACM program

The past few days have allowed me to reflect on the journey of our BS in Applied Corporate Management (BS-APC or ACM) students during the pandemic. I’ve been reading their reflections on their personal journey. For the recent ACM alums, it’s heartwarming to see them graduate into a more optimistic post-pandemic era. The icing on the cake: another ACM student was chosen to deliver the university graduation speech!

As a product of the program myself, I’ve come to intimately understand the ACM program’s traditional characteristics: its three-term full-time internships and “competitiveness”, brought about by the yearly qualifying examinations and aspirations to intern at popular multinational companies. Students have expressed how they’ve felt the pressure to hustle, to keep up with their peers, to join multiple student orgs, do part-time internships while doing acads (brought by the online learning mode!), and so on.

In the last five years, we’ve been recalibrating the ACM program to emphasize humanistic and sustainability management strongly. This is so we can be consistent with our goal to produce authentic catalysts for change. It is imperative that we promote human, societal, and ecological flourishing.

For me, what’s romantic about “flourishing” is that it is not a zero-sum game. Whereas there can only be one GOAT or champion, in theory, everyone can flourish. We can all be the best version of ourselves.

My dilemma: how can we reconcile flourishing with a program that has been traditionally “competitive”?

Froshies experience pressure to join orgs and to compare themselves with high-performing peers. Is this conducive to flourishing?

Students inevitably compete with one another for limited popular internship positions. Is this conducive to flourishing?

Our K-12 system has popularized ranking systems and top 10 lists, which students internalize even during college. Is this conducive to flourishing?

How can we be consistent with a more virtues-based approach (comparing ourselves with our self) when our current context is peppered by rankings and GOAT conversations?

From my initial reads of student reflections, two approaches seem effective to promote flourishing and lessen distracting (and destructive) competitions: (1) a focus on thinking and feeling processes rather than “correct” answers, which train people to be comfortable with multiple rejections; and (2) positioning the program as a space where students get the opportunity to pursue causes greater than themselves – an ecosystem of support, healthy competition, and co-creative learning.

The youth will generally begin their journeys seeking validation from others while discovering who they are (self-awareness). We need to rethink our educational system, which should be less about outranking another and more about empowering a student to be a person capable of being the best version of themselves.


Mark 9:30-37. But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-052: FEBRUARY 21, 2023]

Necessary but not sufficient

As we navigate through the complexities of life, we often come across situations where certain conditions are deemed necessary for a desired outcome to materialize. However, it is important to recognize that just because a condition is necessary, it does not guarantee success. This notion can be best summed up in the phrase “necessary but not sufficient or guaranteed.”

It is easy to fall into the trap of assuming that meeting a necessary condition is enough to achieve a desired outcome. However, reality is rarely that simple. Additional factors can come into play, creating a multitude of possibilities that can impact the final outcome.

When it comes to matters of faith, the phrase “necessary but not sufficient” takes on particular significance. Many people believe that having faith is a necessary condition for salvation, spiritual growth, or a sense of purpose and meaning in life. However, having faith alone is not always sufficient to achieve these goals.

Maybe the challenge for us is to accept that nothing is guaranteed, but faith and sacrifice are necessary to increase the chances that we’ll live authentic and integrated lives.


Mark 9:14-29. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-051: FEBRUARY 20, 2023]

Love stops vicious cycles

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” can set into motion a vicious cycle of revenge and retaliation. In systems thinking, this can be framed as a negative reinforcing loop that can degenerate societies.

The wisdom of turning the other cheek is perhaps a principle that aims to stop such vicious cycles from snowballing into a generational kind of hate. From the perspective of a greater good, “loving your enemies” seem a reasonable antidote to the poison of revenge.

However, from an individual perspective, loving one’s enemies can be a difficult and challenging task. It requires a great deal of emotional maturity, patience, and empathy to extend kindness and forgiveness to those who have wronged us. In some cases, it may even feel impossible to extend love and forgiveness to those who have committed heinous crimes or caused significant harm.

Loving to stop vicious cycles is such an impossible struggle. But in overcoming this pain, we allow our humanity to be at its fullest.


Matthew 5:38-48. For he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-050: FEBRUARY 19, 2023]