2020: A year of working on dreams 

Many of us thought 2020, the first year when the pandemic hit us, was a crippling year. But it was the year that liberated some of us and showed us what our calling in life could be. 

Around that time, we discovered so many versions of ourselves. Some of us became K-drama fans, some became plantitas, vloggers, and even Zoombies. While I daydreamt of being a real-life Yoon Se-ri, 2020 was also when I started fulfilling one of my childhood dreams: becoming an author. 

In the four corners of my room, fearful of the virus yet hopeful of the future, I started writing the first sentence of my manuscript. Sometimes, a self-sabotaging voice would emerge, forcing me to delete my sentences. Despite this, I persevered, managed to silence that voice, and continued writing my manuscript, one word at a time. 

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How it started: From a fresh graduate to a millennial corporate leader 

When I graduated in 2012, I was dying to read something about how to best transition to the workforce - what to expect, how to answer interview questions, and, of course, what would be the reasonable starting salary, but there were no resources. As an idealistic, bookish fresh graduate, I was disappointed. 

I entered the workforce blindly, and despite the shaky start, I grew much from that idealistic fresh graduate.

After 5 years in the so-called real world, I became a millennial corporate leader. Now, I oversee a team of managers nationwide to promote the company's recruitment culture. I have flown to countless places and met hundreds of individuals with different perspectives in life. 

But a part of me couldn't help but wonder how easy the transition could have been if someone had just been there to guide the younger adult me, and I know that I'm not alone when I think this. Many of my fellow millennials, who want to create good and impactful lives, need guidance. I saw this, especially during the pandemic, when we were all forced to make many life-altering decisions. 

Hence, the birth of The Millennial Black Box book, which features inspiring stories of millennials, many of whom are women who fought, failed, and triumphed in their lives. 

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The women that make up the Millennial Black Box

I know many stories of untold women, and I wanted this book to be a space for these bold and passionate stories to emerge. 

I wanted to showcase stories like those of April Rose Cañete, a writer and previous college editor, who experienced firsthand and covered the Zamboanga siege last 2013, and of Anjelica Napala, a medical doctor who devoted her first few years in the field reaching out to far-flung areas to treat people as a doctor to the barrio. 

We also feature the story of Azie Marie Libanan, a mental health advocate, researcher, and writer of #UsapTayo, and also sits as the chief officer for the community and organizational development of #MentalHealthPH.

Their stories are only the start, and while putting together their adventures, I couldn't help but remember mine, the tale of a woman who hails from a city not heard of as much but is now inspiring countless younger ones to take space and take space loudly. I am reminded that dreams are difficult to achieve, but with persistence and hard work, it is possible. 

May our stories inspire all the women out there. May they be reminded of the force that is woman power, and yes, that we run the world. 

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‍Francis Lyn Malalis is a delegate for the Harvard Project for the Asian and International Relations Conference in 2021. She has also won countless awards, including the Youth Leadership Excellence Award from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 2008 and the Youth Excellence Award of the JCI of the Philippines & Gerry Roxas Foundation 2008. Check out The Millenial Black Box Facebook page here.