Maaga ako nagising para maghanda na sa pagpasok ko ngayon sa opisina. I immediately took a warm shower at nagsuot muna ng bathrobe pagkatapos. Dumaretso ako sa walk in closet ko para pumili ng damit na susuotin, I need to look presentable dahil haharap ako sa mga board members namin. Ipapakilala ako ni Dad sakanilang lahat mamaya to also formally announce na ako ang magiging pansamantalang CEO or President ng company namin dito sa Manila.
Nahihirapan narin kasi magpabalik balik ng America at Pilipinas si Dad para lang asikasuhin ang negosyo namin. Our business is very well known for our well fermented wine called Avondaléi. May malaki rin kaming vineyard sa may batangas kung saan namin nakukuha ang mga ubas na ginagamit sa mga wines namin. We distribute our wines almost in the whole marketplaces in the Philippines and we also export on the states.
This has been our family's legacy for three generations already. Nagsimula ito sa Lolo ko pa sa tuhod na namana ng aking Lolo which is Dad's father and now, si Dad na ang nagpapatakbo nito and its been growing even more.
According to Dad, mahigit sampung truck ang lumuluwas kada araw sa ibat't ibang lalawigan para ideliver ang mga wines namin. That's how big our business is, kaya hindi ko maiwasan na makaramdam ng takot at pangamba sa sarili ko... Can I really handle this huge business of us? I know I studied business in the states with even a degree pero iba parin pag actual ka na nagtatrabaho.
I decided to wear a sleeveless fitted navy blue dress at magsusuot din ako ng white blazer mamaya. I pair it with my silver heels at kinuha ko narin ang black kong chanel bag. Nakapag blower na ko ng buhok at medyo kinulot ko ito gamit ang curling iron. I put light make up on dahil ayoko ng makapal na make up. I also wore a simple earings and necklace, I looked at myself at the mirror at ng makuntento na ko sa itsura ko ay lumabas na ko ng kwarto to have breakfast downstairs.
"Good morning Mom and Dad!" Pagbati ko sakanila sa dining, I kiss them both on their cheeks and seated beside them to join eating breakfast.
"You look stunning on your corporate attire anak. I can't believe our baby girl is really a woman na..." Mom said emotionally and I smiled at her.
"Mom I'm still your baby girl don't worry. Dad, llang board members po ba ang haharapin natin mamaya?" I asked at sumubo ng isang hotdog.
"Hmm mga sampo sila anak, most of our investors ay galing pa sa malalayong probinsiya, they only visit here sa company natin sa Manila kapag may importante kaming meeting. Today is an important meeting because I will announced that you will be their boss here in Manila while I focused on our branches in the states," Paliwanag niya at tumango tango naman ako.
"Are you sure they'll agree on your decision na ako muna ang mag hahandle ng company natin dito sa Manila?" I asked again and Dad is sipping his coffee.
"Why wouldn't they? Your my daughter at sayo ko lang kaya at karapat dapat ipagkatiwala ang kompanya natin. I believe you can handle this Zole, despite your illness I know your a strong, powerful woman like your mom... That's why I'm not doubting your capability to manage our company, you can do this anak... I know you'll make us proud," He assured me and I can't help but to smile by his words. Dad really trusts my capabilities even before. Mas lalo tuloy ako na pressure dahil ayoko sila ma dissapoint.
"Thank you Dad, don't worry I'll try my best to maintain the good status of our company" I assured him and we continued eating.
Sa isang kotse nalang kami ni Dad sumakay dahil pareho namang sa opisina ang punta namin. Hindi naman kalayuan ang opisina namin sa bahay kaya mabilis kami nakarating doon.
We arrived at our company at bumaba ang driver namin para pagbuksan kami ni Dad ng pinto. As soon as we entered the lobby, our employees greeted us at medyo yumuyuko pa sila habang binabati nila kami ng "good morning". Dad and I just gave them a smile as a greeting. We used the elevator dahil nasa may top floor pala ang board room kung saan sila nag memeeting ng mga board members.
The elevator opened its doors and we walked our way out headed directly to the board room. The seven gentleman together with four women stood up as soon as we entered the room.
"Good morning, Mr. Avondal..." Sabay sabay nilang pagbati kay Dad, naramdaman ko na ang kaunting kaba sa dibdib ko ng makita ko ang sampung board members sa harapan namin. They look at me with smiles on their faces so I smiled back. Karamihan sakanila ay mukhang mga ka edaran din ni Dad, some looks younger in their mid 40's.
"Good morning everyone, you may take your seats" Pagbati ni Dad and they all seated, Dad and I remain standing infront of all of them.
"As I said to you on our last meeting, my daughter will be the one who's going to manage our business here in Manila while I'm focusing our business in the states. I would like you to guide her to all of the important details regarding to our company to help her understand how can she properly manage the company. I gave you my complete trust that you will help her along the way," Dad pronounced to the whole board members and they all nodded their head as a response.
"Don't worry Mr. Avondal we will guide your daughter like how you've guided us from the start. What's your name again Iha?" Tanong sakin ng isang babae, she looks kind but professional looking. I smiled at her.
"I'm Zole Louella Avondal po Ma'am, its a pleasure to meet you all. I'm looking forward in working with all of you, I know that you all will guide me well enough like how my Dad guided me," I said and they all gave me a warm smile.
"You have a gorgeous daughter beside you Mr. Avondal, may nanliligaw na ba sakanya? Would you let your daughter be courted by a guy though?" Tanong ng isang board member and all of them laughed. Napatingin naman sakin si Dad and we both just laughed at each other as well.
"Of course I would let a man to court my daughter, hindi ko naman siya mapipigilan kung magmamahal siya ng ibang lalaki diba? Just make sure you'll pick the best man for you anak okay? Yung hindi ka na sasaktan ulit, I hate it when I see you hurting," Dad reassured me and that makes my smile fade and so as my Dads. His now looking at me worriedly and I can't help but to breath heavily and held his hand.
"Don't worry Dad, it won't happen again... I assure you that," I said and smiled at him. Buong akala ni Dad ay naghiwalay kami ni Nolan noon dahil niloko ako ni Nolan, but his wrong. I actually needed to clear that part to him, but I don't know when or do I really need to even mentioned that. Matagal na kaming wala ni Nolan, I don't think he will still be interested knowing the truth behind our break up.
"I really hope so anak. Anyways, ladies and gentleman I would also like you to know that my daughter is fighting from a chronic illness. As of the moment she's in stable condition, but if you notice her not feeling well please don't force her to overwork herself. Kung may problema dito sa kompanya and she's not feeling well ako nalang ang iinform nyo regarding the problem. Is that clear?" That said, most of them are shocked of what my Dad said.
"She's sick? Kailan pa?" Tanong ng isa, I really needed to know their names dahil magkakatrabaho na kami simula ngayon.
"She's been fighting this disease for five years already. We don't know kung saan niya nakuha ang sakit na 'to, the doctor saids it may be heredity but wala naman sa pamilya naming mag asawa ang nagkaroon ng ganitong klaseng sakit. Its a lifetime disease, gustuhin man namin na tuluyan siyang gumaling, her medicines are just to control her Lupus not to trigger. Please don't look down on her despite of her illness, she's a strong and smart woman like her mother... Alam kong makakaya niyang patakbuhin ang kompanya na 'to kahit na may ganito siyang klaseng kondisyon," Dagdag ni Dad and he patted my shoulder.
"I assure you, hindi makakasagabal ang sakit ko sa magandang pagpapatakbo ng kompanya. I've been battling this illness half a decade already, I know how to handle myself... hindi ko rin naman pinipilit ang sarili ko if I know it would make my condition worse. Please trust me that I can maintain the growth of our company with my own hands, I would not let our company down especially the trust that my father gave me." I assured them and they all started to look at each other na para bang nag uusap sa pamamagitan ng pagtitinginan. A few seconds later they nodded one by one like agreeing to each other and looked at me with a smile.
"Very well said Ms. Avondal. Of course we trust you wholeheartedly, your the daughter of our great leader and we are sure that you can manage the business like how your father used to manage it on his own. We are all glad and looking forward to work with you too," One of the board members said and I gave them all a genuine smile as a sign of my gratitude.
Mababait ang board members at sa unang araw palang ay ramdam ko na ang pag welcome nila sakin sa kompanya. Dad is so lucky to have a kind co-workers like them, and so am I.
Naupo narin kami ni Dad sa swivel chair, si Dad ang nasa gitna ng malaking lamesa samantala ako ay nasa kanan. He will be discussing about some keys to remember for me to manage the business.
"Our wines has evolved and improved over the past 50 years, simula ng nag introduce ng bagong flavors ang Lolo mo ay mas lalo ito lumago at pumatok sa panlasa ng mga tao. Still, some of our loyal consumers and resellers prefer our original flavor pero may iba parin talaga na naghahanap pa ng iba, yung kakaiba naman sa panlasa nila. This is the reason why our business is growing anak... We continue to grow by expanding and introducing new to our products, our main goal is hindi magsawa ang mga tao sa produkto natin, instead they will crave for more," He explained thoroughly and I just continue to listen and focus on what his saying.
I needed to remember everything he saids, because I'm starting to handle our business by my own decisions. Of course I'll still asks permissions to him, but I know most of the decisions are needed asap and maybe hindi ko kaagad ma inform si Dad because his also busy in handling the business in the states. You need to make your decisions right Zole.
"May iba't ibang clients ang nag po-propose ng various options to improve our product. Pero syempre bago natin 'yon aprobahan, dadaan muna tayo sa mabusising proseso which is product testing. Our wines are made from our natural grapes galing sa sarili nating vineyard, inalagaan pa 'yon ng Lolo mo sa tuhod. Doon nagsimula lahat ng ito. Marami tayong competitors pero we still able to remain our top record among them, dahil 'yon sa kalidad ng ubas na nanggaling sa vineyard natin at sa kung paano natin ginagawa ang mga wines," Dad continued to explain and I remained as focus as possible.
"Dahil matagal na tayo sa wine industry, nahihirapan narin talaga ang ibang wine company na kalabanin tayo. But we won't let our guard down, even if we maintain our top status... There's a possibility na may makatapat tayong mahihirapan tayong tapatan. When that happens, we should prepare ourselves, just keep in mind that never give up and continue to trust our brand until the end. Huwag tayo panghihinaan ng loob, strive to fight... Hindi dapat tayo magpapatalo sa kung sino man ang kakalaban sa atin. This is what my father has always reminded me before he said goodbye to the world, that is why I'm passing this reminder to all of you... To inspire you all and gave you the fighting spirit that my father has lend me before he died,"
Hindi ko na gaano naabutan si Lolo noong bata pa ko, I'm still too young when Lolo left us. I don't even recognize his face, pinakita na lamang nila Mom sakin ang kanyang picture, he still have a picture with me though... His carrying me in his arms, his smiling while looking at me habang ako ay iyak ng iyak. How I wish his still here with us, siguro siya din ang tumutulong sakin ngayon para mapatakbo ng maayos ang negosyo namin.
Dad continues to discuss more about our company and pagkatapos ay nagpaalam narin kami sa mga board members. Sinamahan niya ko sa office niya na simula daw ngayon ay magiging opisina ko. His office is big, well because he is the CEO kaya talagang malaki ang opisina niya.
There's an area with lounge chairs and a center table na may carpet sa ilalim, dito siguro niya pina upo yung mga clients pag pumapasok sila dito. Sa harap non ay ang malaking desk chair that has an imac monitor, some miscellaneous stuff and a lamp shade. There's also a comfy looking swivel chair sa harap ng desk kung saan ako palagi ngayong nakapwesto. I noticed the nameplate on the center of the desk and my name is written on it.
Zole Loella Avondal
CEO
Napangiti ako ng makita ko ang pangalan ko sa nameplate na 'yon, I can't believe na ako na talaga ang CEO ng kompanya namin.
I continued to roam around the office at may mga bookshelves at file cabinets din ako nakita sa paligid. Some are just decorative features to brighten up the whole space. May sarili din akong restroom.
"May gusto ka pa ba ipadagdag anak? I can call our interior designer if you want to change the whole office that suits your taste?" Tanong ni Dad pero umiling ako.
"No need Dad your office is already nice, I like how it is but thank you for your offer" I said and he just nodded.
"Okay then, siya nga pala dadaan tayo sa factory mamaya ah para makita mo yung process ng pag-gagawa ng wines natin from scratch. Mag eenjoy ka doon for sure," He said at natawa nga ko sa sinabi niya.
"Really? I would love to go their Dad. Bakit hindi pa po ngayon are you meeting someone?" I asked.
"Well imemeet ko kasi yung Financial Head natin to report our financial records this month. You can roam around the building to meet some of our employees to kill some time while waiting for me if you want," He said and I nodded.
"Sure Dad I could do that, gusto ko rin makilala ang mga empleyado natin dito," I said. Nagpaalam na siya sakin at ako naman ay lumabas para makapag ikot ikot sa loob ng building.
"Good morning po Ms. Zole! Do you need anything po? Coffee? Juice? Tea?" Biglang tanong sakin ng isang babaeng employee, she looks the same as my age. I smiled at her at umiling.
"No I'm fine, by the way what's your name? I'm kind of trying to get to know some of the employees here," I ask at medyo nagulat pa siya sa sinabi ko at inayos ang kanyang sarili.
"My name is Charlotte po Ms. Zole, isa po ako sa staff dito sa company ninyo. I'm one of the Tasting Room Managers po, Its a pleasure to meet you at ang ganda ganda niyo po lalo sa personal! Hindi po halata na may sakit kayo," Pagpapakilala niya at natawa naman ako sa pagpuri niya sakin.
"The pleasure is mine as well Charlotte. Huwag ka na mag po sakin parang halos magka edad lang naman tayo. Since your the Tasting Room Manager, can you recommend me one of our best seller wine?"
Namilog naman ang mata niya at ngumiti ng malawak, she snap her fingers na para bang siguradong sigurado siya sa sasabihin niya.
"Sure naman po, I can recommend you our Avondaléi Aigre. It's a combination of pineapple, citrus lemon, green apple, may dinagdag din po na baking spices at caramel that's why it taste sweet with a bit of sour," She explained at napataas naman ang kilay ko na kumbinsido sa sinabi niya. I trust her recommendation since siya nga ang Tasting Room Manager namin dito kaya kabisado na niya siguro lahat ng lasa ng mga wines namin.
"Where is the Tasting Room located then? Pero itu-tour din naman ako ni Dad mamaya sa buong building pagtapos niya kausapin yung Financial Head. Its nice to meet you Charlotte, looking forward on working with you," I said and she smiled at me widely. She looks friendly, I can be friends with her para naman may nakakausap ako dito sa opisina.
"Sa may 2nd floor po ang Tasting Room Maam tapos po yung pinaka factory kung nasaan po ang mga equipments sa paggawa ng wines ay sa may basement. We have a company partner po who provides and maintains all of our machines. Bukas po ata ay bibisita yung anak ng owner ng company to check on the machines tsaka for cleaning and sanitation din daw po" She added at napatingin sa kanyang wrist watch to check the time.
"Sige po Ms. Zole mauna na po ako, looking forward on working with you din po," Paalam niya kaya I gave her one last smile before we parted ways.