MONCHET OLIVES: Jose Ramon Diokno Olives Retired communications executive, writer, culture bearer and steward of Casa Mercedes Heritage Fan Atelier.

Beginnings

For over three decades, I built brands, told stories and championed creativity through media, publishing, communications and heritage retail.

I began my career at ABS-CBN and stayed for over three decades. Along the way, I worked in News and Current Affairs, International Operations, publishing, cable and communications. One of the great privileges of that journey was helping build The Filipino Channel (TFC) during its early years and seeing firsthand how stories could connect Filipinos wherever they were in the world. After retirement, I found myself returning to another story — Casa Mercedes, the heritage fan atelier founded by my mother and aunts in 1951. Life has a funny way of bringing you home.

Challenges

Reinvention. For many years, my identity was tied to a career, a title and an institution. Then one day, it wasn’t. What came next taught me that reinvention is not about becoming someone new. It is about discovering which parts of yourself are worth carrying forward. Tradition is not the challenge. Relevance is.

Where I am now

These days, I write, consult, mentor and help guide Casa Mercedes as it celebrates its 75th year. I spend less time managing brands and more time stewarding stories — whether in a newspaper column, a heritage craft, or a family business entering its 75th year.

Wisdom

If this year’s theme is Grit and Growth, I would offer a slightly different word: tenacity.

Growth is the reward. Tenacity is the price you pay for it. Stay curious. Respect the craft. Be kind to people. Trends change. Technology changes. Audiences change. Character does not. And never be afraid of reinvention. Sometimes the next chapter you are looking for has been quietly waiting for you all along.