There is no fire without a spark, but spark comes in different forms. It may come as a bold opportunity or a dramatic turning point. But sometimes, you don’t even realize it’s happening. For me, that spark came in the form of five simple words: “I see something in you.”
I will never forget the day my mentor told me those words. It was the day I completely messed up and thought I had broken everyone’s heart. I had failed to submit the final draft of my Capstone Project in graduate school. Because of that, I braced myself for a serious lecture and, worse, I was prepared to be removed from the list of graduates of AIM in 2019. But instead of getting mad at me, my mentor called me into his office, looked me straight in the eye, and said, “You’re better than this.”
I don’t know why, but at that time, I was so sensitive. I was expecting for more comforting words like, “We all make mistakes” or “Don’t worry about it.” But he challenged me instead: “You’re better than this.”
Those words lit a fire in me—not just because he believed in my potential, but because he had the courage to demand it from me. I wanted to explain why I missed that critical deadline but it hit me harder when my mind shifted from thinking he was just holding me accountable rather than lambasting me.
So a week later, I corrected my mistake, went above and beyond, and ended up with results that even I didn’t think were possible. I meticulously reviewed each section, sought assistance from my classmates, and fueled myself with cups of coffee. Of course coffee saved me from my bed’s constant invitation, but every morning, when I looked at the mirror, I see my dark eye circles were so intense! Despite looking like a creature of the night, I had finally done it. Our program secretary even had to stay late at night until I finally submitted my project. “Thank you talaga Sir Lyndon!” Sir Lyndon was an “antique” in school and he truly understands every students dilemma before graduation. The next day, my mentor approved my Final Draft. I felt a mix of exhaustion and pride—because this time, I had truly given it my all.
Then I realized—that’s the thing about being a protégé. It’s not just about being guided; it’s about being challenged to rise above your own expectations.
Now, mentorship isn’t always as serious as it sounds. Let me share a moment of levity from my graduate school journey. AIM regularly invited global leaders who had made an impact on the lives of vulnerable sectors. My mentor once invited me to attend a talk with the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Sung Kim. “Dress sharp,” he said.
So, I wore my best suit and arrived early, only to find out my mentor was just in jeans and sneakers. He grinned and said, “Lesson number one: always ask what I’m wearing before you show up.”
We laughed together but later on he shared me something about “Adaptability,” He said “Adaptability is the key to success. You have to be ready for any situation—whether it’s a courtroom, boardroom, coffee shop, or an impromptu encounter in the hallway.”
That moment I was enlightened that mentorship is about learning how to be, not just learning about skills. The beautiful irony of being a protégé is that when you start, you think your mentor has all the answers to your questions. But what they actually do is help you discover that you already have them. They ignite the spark of self-belief, and before you know it, you’re carrying the fire yourself.
So, what’s the real importance of having a mentor? It’s not just about guidance or expertise. It’s about having someone who tosses you up by encouraging you to do your best, someone who believes in you even on the days when you don’t believe in yourself, someone who wants you to set an example in lighting the way for others.
Last year when my son became the President of The Ateneo Muslim Society, I found myself on the other side of the conversation.
Overwhelmed by self-doubt, he would ask me to review their projects and without even thinking, I said the same words my mentor once told me: ‘You’re better than this.’ In that moment, I realized my mentor had ignited the fire in me and now it is my time to pass it on to my son.
Friends, I want to emphasize that we all have fire within us. All we need is a spark to ignite it. But once our fire is burning though, let us remember to share it with others.
Because every great leader, every success story, every dream realized starts with a spark.