Martha Blythe

I have always had an eagerness to work ever since I was a child. I volunteered as a helper at my aunt’s ice cream house as a summer job, and there were also times when I created my own small stall in front of our house to sell desserts or simple delicacies that I made by myself.

As I grew older, that enthusiasm for work remained. I was given the chance to reside in Japan after graduating from high school, where I studied the Japanese language and worked as a donut shop staff. After a couple of weeks, a better opportunity came when I was accepted into a bigger company as an encoder for a shipping company. After almost three years in Japan, I returned to the Philippines with the plan of pursuing college.

Since I returned in the middle of the school year and already had knowledge of Nihongo, I enrolled in a course where I could apply my language skills. I was able to finish Hotel and Restaurant Operations. While studying my vocational course, I realized that I was well-suited for customer service jobs. When an opening for a Reservations Agent for Korean Airlines became available, I applied and was able to secure the position. This role combined my love for travel and customer service, and from then on, I aspired to become a travel agent.

However, life took a different turn when I was called by my church to teach at their school. Considering accessibility and other practical reasons, I accepted the teaching job and stayed there for four years. Later, as a married individual with two children and with the call center industry booming, I decided to apply again, particularly because the night shift suited my responsibilities as a parent. I was thrilled to be assigned to an airline account, which allowed me to return to work I truly enjoyed.

This continued for several years until I was once again called to take on a role where I knew I could do better. I was privileged to become part of the production team of a blockbuster director here in the Philippines. I have been with this team for 20 years, and together we built our own production house. I was elected Secretary of the Board and assigned as the Administrative Director of our company. Since this is a project-based company, I am currently seeking another job—one that aligns with my passion for travel—so I can continue working in both travel-related fields and media production. This balance allows me to feel fulfilled in my professional life.