“I don’t necessarily need to hold a position to lead,” she said. She’s known in Bangkok for her small yet fruitful efforts in helping some Filipino community organizations in Thailand. She arrived in Thailand in 2007 after living for six straight years in Cambodia. Half of her first year in Thailand was spent in involving herself to various community programs. She was first introduced to the Filipino community by the wife of the Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mr. Antonio Rodriguez. And in just a very short span of time, her accomplishments in the Filipino community are truly remarkable.

In December 2007, she was introduced to various organizations like the United Filipinos in Thailand (UFT), Philippine Ladies Group (PLG), and Association of Filipinos in Thailand (AFT), Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (ACT), Filipino Educators Council (FEC) and Siam Pinoy Aperture Society (SPAS). Much of her voluntary time and unselfish effort was devoted to some known Filipino organizations like the Philippine Ladies Group (PLG), the only Filipino organization registered as a charitable institution in Thailand, having elected as the program officer; the Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (ACT) as an active member; the Filipino Educators Council (FEC) being one of the council members of the core group; and the Siam Pinoy Aperture Society (SPAS) as the group’s treasurer.

“My involvement with the Filipino community in Thailand is motivated with my goal in helping those who are in need. I joined the Philippine Ladies Group because I wanted to reach out with the orphanages in Thailand. With the Association of Cordillerans in Thailand, it is my wish to help my fellow Cordillerans to be more exposed in various activities to help boost their self confidence. My part of share with the Filipino Educators Council came into view because I was and still am a teacher. I worked as a kindergarten teacher in an International school in Cambodia as well. Finally, my hobby is into photography thus my active participation with Siam Pinoy Aperture Society,” she explained enthusiastically.

This huge involvement with “politics” is worth it, and her time and effort with the various organizations are her “precious moments” as she described it. She always set her priorities in order to equally respond to her responsibilities. A few of her accomplishments are credited with her contributions with the “Summer Dance” charity program with PLG; by helping in purchasing native gongs for the first year anniversary of ACT and by facilitating its recognition with the Philippine Embassy; by helping in organizing the Thai Culture training which happened to be the very first meeting of a very big number of Filipino teachers through the FEC; and by allowing her photos exhibited during the Philippine Independence Day with the SPAS and AFT to name a few.

Real success is not an easy thing to achieve and indeed her accomplishments were coupled with challenges. But the challenges paved way to a better understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. She became stronger and more mature in dealing with other sorts of people. She learned to embrace more positive “aura” rather than crying over failures.

This development of her personality was due to her devotion in helping street children in Cambodia for five years. Remarkably, her singing and teaching career in the place gave her the opportunity to establish her charitable connections which provided her the access to help street children and children with AIDS by visiting them every Sunday and providing them with basic necessities of life. In fact, she spent her December holidays distributing food and clothes to orphans.

“The dire situation I saw and experienced with the street children in Cambodia made me realized what ‘poor’ exactly means. People in well to do countries who described themselves ‘poor’ should think twice. To me, being ‘poor’ are people especially young children who have nothing to eat, no clothes, no parents and no place which they call home. I exactly remember joining a group of photographers in Cambodia and we worked with the UNICEF to document the poor situation of the street children. I was truly inspired by a young girl who was taken advantage of by her own father. Despite the problem she’s into, she continued to struggle earning money for her family and for her young siblings by selling whatever things she think could bring food on the table. I saw the courage in her. I became more open and patient, and showed more appreciation to other people’s lives. Every time problem occurs, I just have to remind myself of the story of this 7 year old girl and that gives me the courage to deal with even the most serious problems. She became my inspiration. She is now being taken cared of by the government and it’s very heartwarming to know that she’s in a better living condition,” she divulged.

Her contributions in Cambodia and in Thailand placed her in a position in giving some useful tips to her fellow young professionals who desire to help others. She strongly advised them to set their objectives in a given time.

“All should be time bound. This helps you in prioritizing the WHAT and WHEN of whatever you wish to do. Second, always be yourself and be honest. I hate those who are hypocrites and those who still have the “crab mentality” thinking. I described myself as a “dragon” in terms of my strengths. I am a very kind person and friends tell me that I am easily trusting and emotional but if someone bites me, I burn them. Third, do not expect anything in return. When you help, you help. It doesn’t mean that when you are helping, people will automatically like you. It is difficult to please people. Pleasing people is not an easy task so better stop pleasing them and do what you have to do. Finally, always stay diplomatic, neutral and open. You are always on top of your game when you avoid having enemies. It is always nice to weigh things properly before judging others.”

Something that makes her special to a few people is her values towards friendship and trust. To her friendship is literally through thick and thin. She regards her friends more than her brothers and sisters. Thus it’s not a joke when she utters the word “friend” for she believes that it is a deep camaraderie founded by trust.

“I always tell the words ‘trust me’ to people because when I was given the responsibility and the task to do something, I always make sure to bring the bacon home with me. And my friends understand this value very well. If they can’t trust me then there’s no reason to continue the friendship. I never doubt my friends as well. I will definitely fight for them and so I always expect them to be very supportive and honest at the same time in return.”

To date, she is busy with her hobby in photography. Recently, she made her first solo portfolio called “Lotus” and now aims to come up with more of her crafts of nature, flower and animal themes. Thanks to Michel, who actually gives her the highest form of inspiration and moral support. And in the future, she hopes to have her own business and she sees herself still involved with charity programs.

“….and I’m Lorna Coral, 32 years old and a proud Igorota in Thailand,” she finally said with her brightest smile.

lorna