Welcome!
Thank you for being here.
Embarking on a transformation journey is both an exciting and daunting endeavor.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
My Story
As a human resources practitioner for almost 15 years now, I have supported the learning and development of hundreds of professionals across different industries, geographies, and organizations.
If there’s one thing that I’m taking away from a decade and a half’s worth of working with people from all walks of life and at all levels of the organization, it’s the power of human transformation. I’ve personally witnessed change at an individual, team, and organizational level and celebrated people’s capacity to transcend circumstances, overcome barriers, and achieve growth.
This is what I bring to my practice as a transformational coach, supporting internationals on a range of personal and professional issues related to living and working abroad. I believe that people can thrive anywhere if they have clarity on who they are and what their strengths and values are — and if they can find the courage to go after what they want.
My Journey
As a Filipino born and raised in Manila, I fantasized about living and working abroad for as long as I can remember.
That dream took a while to materialize. After graduating from college, I ended up working for multinational companies and while that opened my eyes to what it’s like working with professionals from all over the world, it wasn’t quite the international experience I had hoped it would be.
It took me years to muster the courage to leave everything behind and start anew. And when I finally did, I was unstoppable. I quit my job, gave up my condo, sold my car and most of my other belongings, and bought a one-way ticket out of the Philippines.
Other than stopping by the US to visit family and to regroup, I didn’t have a solid plan. I just knew I needed to leave and chase after my dream and that I’ll figure things out as I go.
After a sabbatical of sort where I bided my time and took the opportunity to travel across North America, I moved to the United Arab Emirates and eventually got a job in Abu Dhabi. A couple of years later, I moved to Germany and worked in Berlin for a few years until my partner and I decided to settle down in his home country of the Netherlands.
These days we consider ourselves lucky living in a town close to the Dutch countryside and enjoying the perks that come with proximity to nature after all that hustle and bustle of city life.
While living overseas has undoubtedly been an enriching experience for me, it was also a journey often fraught with fear, loneliness, and self-doubt.
I had to rebuild my life from scratch, and that was both an empowering and scary undertaking. I went through a process of transformation where I had to rediscover who I am at my core to be able to create the life and career I’ve always wanted.
Back in what seems like a lifetime ago, before and right after I took the plunge, I remember wishing I had someone who can help me deal with the challenges of living abroad and figure out a path forward.
I didn’t have anything back then other than pure guts and sheer determination to follow a road less traveled amongst my peers and while that helped me a lot, I knew I could’ve used some help.
Fast forward to today, I keep thinking, if I could be that person I needed back in the day and offer support to fellow dreamers who have the audacity to venture out of their comfort zones and build a life and career of their own desire and design abroad, that would absolutely be another dream come true for me.
If my story resonates with you, let’s chat. I might just be the right coach for you. Best guidance almost always comes from someone who has been where you are.
x Phillis
My Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with post graduate studies for a Master of Science in Psychology as well as continuing professional education in Human Resources Management.
I hold a diploma in Transformational Coaching from the Animas Centre for Coaching UK which is fully accredited by the world’s leading coaching bodies: the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the Association for Coaching (AC), and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
My training is grounded in humanistic practice and takes a philosophical and psychological approach enabling me to work with clients on a wide range of issues, both personal and professional.