There is no such thing as a self-made man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us or spoken a word of encouragement to us has entered into the make-up of our character and our thoughts as well as our success. – George Matthew Adams

The deposit of others whether in words or deeds make up who we are now. I look back into close than four decades of my life and see that many men and women shape who I am today – some with significant impact, some with small ones but when added – creates the kind of a person that I am today.

This is the power of understanding that there is no such thing as a self-made man, no matter how much the world tells us that they exist. For every person who made it in life, there is somebody who believed in him, set the stage for him or encouraged him.

In my life, I thank God for my dad, my brothers and my uncles and aunt who I grew up with at home. The meaning of family was established in our house at Araneta where four of my dad’s sibling lived with us.

I thank God for my teachers in school and my kid’s church teachers who shared to me the word of God. My homeroom advisors in high school who created such an impact in the shaping of my life, faith, and principles.

My youth pastors – from Makati Hope – Jojo, Andy, Desmond, Arsenio. My youth pastors from Victory – Omeng, Pastor Ferdie, and Rico. My pastors – Pastor Steve, Joey, Ferdie, Paolo, and Ariel.

My wife who pushed and encouraged me to man up – Thammie. My in-laws which are ever so supporting. My parents who would not allow me to make excuses in life.

To my friend who sticks closer than a brother – like Larry, Ryan, Joash, Allan, Lee, Francis, Dave, Bojo, and Tito.

So many people to thank God.

You shaped me.