My Simple Biodata

October 28, 2019, Bangkok

Within minutes after I said yes to becoming one of the panelists / speakers at the Women’s CEO Summit in Bangkok, pitching in for Vivienne Tan of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, I received several emails informing me of the discussion set-up, the topics to be discussed, the guidelines, the format, and other eks eks. I was like, oh my, what have I gotten myself into? Now, I have to read these long messages and my mind is not programmed to absorb serious topics. I have plans of going to the spa to have a foot massage, and now I have to stay in the room to type my biodata. In defiance, I left the room and went out. I was surfing through my mind for a good excuse to back-out. Merong akong migraine, bigla akong nilagnat. Nahihilo, merong ubo baka mahawa 500 people.

When I got back to my hotel room, I saw a message from the organizing committee requesting me, with urgency, to send my biodata including a picture. What? I was really in a bad mood. I am not going to type my biodata and I told Boots ‘ano ba yan, para akong nag-a apply ng trabaho, mag-ta-type pa ako ng biodata.”
I received another follow-up message. Nahiya na ako. Sige na nga.

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Dear Ms. Annie Tan-Yee,

Thank you very much for stepping in at the 11th hour to join the ASEAN CEOs Roundtable on 31 October. Your agreement is truly appreciated.
Session Guidelines: Please find attached guidelines regarding the session for your perusal and we will also introduce you to your fellow panelists via email so that you can liaise with your Moderator (Ms. Anna Coren, CNN International).
Your Bio and Portrait Photo: Please could I also request your bio and headshot a little urgently so that we can update across all media?

Please do contact me for any information you may require and it will be a pleasure to assist.
Best regards,
Adrian
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I no longer have a prepared biodata saved on my computer. My secretary has but it’s eleven o’clock in the evening and I don’t want to bother her. Plus I don’t want to send that comprehensive information that lists all achievements including tenth honor in kindergarten. Napaka corny and pretentious. Parang hindi na uso yan. Even if true, para bang craving for papuri those highly educated and successful speakers that list down every dental plaque, certificate of sermons, nursery medals, that they have accumulated in their lifetime of achievements. I have outgrown that and I don’t have one kilo of medals.

I sat down in front of my computer and for some reason, I couldn’t think of any information or achievement that is worthy of divulging to the world. All I know is that I am a mother of two and a wife of one. That’s just what I want to say. But that can’t be.

I will sit in front of high-powered women who are absolutely proud of what they have accomplished in life. They want to shout to the world how they got to where they are now, what they are still doing to advance women empowerment. They hold their heads up high knowing and believing how great they are.
Me? I feel pretentious to say I am great. I don’t believe I am great. The past is no longer important to discuss. I have moved on from the world of chasing dreams and recognition to a world where simply being a good person is considered great. My priorities have changed a long time ago. Yes, I still seek self-improvement, but mainly to satisfy my curiosity about the world, and to set a good example to my two children, that no matter how old a person is, there’s always a room for improvement and additional knowledge. And there were things I wasn’t able to do before so I am only continuing them now. Not for recognition, but it’s just for my own satisfaction.

My husband suggested that I mention Harvard. Anooo? Kumain lang ako ng spaghetti with meatballs in Boston, Harvard na?
Yes, I did earn a certificate from Harvard and I cultivated a lot of stored knowledge to survive the competitive discussions with my classmates but it’s going to be super embarrassing to even mention Harvard. You are only allowed to brag about it if you earned a diploma, and not a certificate. I bought two maroon t-shirts with HARVARD on the front, but that doesn’t mean I am a Harvardian. Tiga dyan dyan lang ako.

So, I don’t want to mention any prestigious school name, eh di pa-humble effect na lang, Binangonan Elementary School. Whaahhh hindi naman bagay. Baka naman hindi ako papasukin sa grand ballroom.

I calmed down and typed a simple biodata.
Annie C. Tan-Yee
Philippines.