I once watched a concrete road—smooth enough for bicycles and baby strollers—get pulverized by huge jackhammers attached to heavy vehicles, then left raw and jagged under the sun. Weeks turned into months, and nothing followed but dust, puddles, and excuses. That practice has become commonplace, and those who order it should be ashamed.

I have no quarrel with real road maintenance. Roads age, cracks widen, drainage fails—repairs are necessary and welcome. What angers me is the habit of destroying what is still passable, as if damage itself were proof of work, as if noise and rubble were substitutes for completion. A road that once served people decently becomes a daily punishment simply because someone decided to start something they had no plan—or will—to finish.

Every bumpy ride tells a story of carelessness. I feel it in my spine when a jeepney lurches, in my patience when traffic crawls, not because of volume but because of craters.

Motorcyclists wobble, pedestrians sidestep mud, and drivers curse under their breath. These are not small inconveniences; these are daily harms quietly passed on to ordinary people who never signed up for an endless “under repair” experiment.

What makes it worse is the equipment parade—the heavy machines roaring like a promise—followed by a long, awkward silence. Once the road is broken, the machines vanish, the workers move on, and the site becomes an open wound. No barriers, no urgency, no visible timetable. Just a scar across the neighborhood, aging badly, collecting trash and rainwater like an unwanted souvenir.

Visitors notice these things immediately. They don’t need explanations or press releases; the road speaks for itself. A town with unfinished streets looks careless, no matter how warm the smiles are or how good the food tastes. I’ve seen places lose their charm not because they lacked beauty, but because they lacked follow-through.

I often ask myself what kind of thinking approves this. Is it the urge to spend before the year ends? Is it the need to show activity rather than results? Whatever the reason, it reflects a mindset that values starting over finishing, destruction over discipline. It treats public space as disposable and the public’s patience as unlimited.

There is also a quiet cruelty in this practice. The elderly hesitate to cross broken roads. Small shop owners watch customers avoid their side of the street. Emergency vehicles slow down where speed matters most. All this, simply because someone thought it was acceptable to tear up a road without the decency to see it through.

The solution is not complicated, and it does not require heroics. If a road is still usable, leave it alone until funds, materials, and schedules are ready. When repair truly begins, finish it—promptly, cleanly, and with respect for the people who live on and pass through it. Roads are not props for announcements; they are concrete promises that should be kept.

Entrepreneurship is often romanticized as a path of innovation and financial freedom. However, beneath the surface of successful ventures lies a complex psychological landscape that demands resilience, perseverance, and a unique mindset. The entrepreneurial journey is rarely linear; it’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows, requiring individuals to navigate uncertainty, overcome setbacks, and maintain unwavering belief in their vision.

Understanding the psychological aspects of entrepreneurship is crucial for aspiring founders to prepare for the challenges ahead and cultivate the mental fortitude needed to thrive.

Resilience: Bouncing Back from Setbacks

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, setbacks, and failures. It’s a critical trait for entrepreneurs, who inevitably face challenges along the way. The entrepreneurial journey is filled with rejections, unexpected obstacles, and moments of doubt. Resilient entrepreneurs view these setbacks not as defeats but as learning opportunities, allowing them to adapt, adjust their strategies, and emerge stronger.

Key Aspects of Resilience:

• Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook and believing in the possibility of success, even in the face of adversity.
• Self-Efficacy: Having confidence in one’s ability to overcome challenges and achieve goals.
• Adaptability: Being flexible and willing to adjust strategies in response to changing circumstances.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Possessing the ability to identify and solve problems effectively.
• Strong Support Network: Having a network of mentors, advisors, and peers who can provide support and encouragement.

Perseverance: The Power of Grit

Perseverance, often referred to as “grit,” is the unwavering commitment to pursuing a goal despite obstacles and setbacks. It’s the ability to stay focused and motivated, even when progress is slow and the path ahead seems daunting. Entrepreneurs with grit are willing to put in the hard work, dedication, and long hours required to build a successful business.

Key Aspects of Perseverance:

• Passion: Having a deep passion for the business and a strong belief in its mission.
• Long-Term Vision: Maintaining a clear vision of the long-term goals and potential of the business.
• Discipline: Possessing the self-discipline to stay focused and productive, even when facing distractions.
• Hard Work: Being willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve goals.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward.

Risk Tolerance: Embracing Uncertainty

Entrepreneurship inherently involves risk, and a certain level of risk tolerance is essential for success. This doesn’t mean being reckless or impulsive but rather having the ability to assess risks, make informed decisions, and move forward despite uncertainty. Risk-tolerant entrepreneurs are comfortable with ambiguity and willing to step outside their comfort zones to pursue opportunities.

Key Aspects of Risk Tolerance:

• Calculated Risk-Taking: Assessing potential rewards and losses before making a decision.
• Comfort with Uncertainty: Being able to function effectively in situations where outcomes are uncertain.
• Decisiveness: Making timely decisions, even with incomplete information.
• Adaptability: Being willing to adjust strategies in response to changing circumstances.
• Learning from Mistakes: Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities and using them to improve future decision-making.
Creativity and Innovation: Thinking Outside the Box
Creativity and innovation are essential for entrepreneurs to identify new opportunities, develop unique products and services, and differentiate themselves from the competition. This involves thinking outside the box, challenging conventional wisdom, and embracing new ideas.

Key Aspects of Creativity and Innovation:

• Open-Mindedness: Being receptive to new ideas and perspectives.
• Curiosity: Having a strong desire to learn and explore new things.
• Imagination: Being able to envision new possibilities and solutions.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Possessing the ability to identify and solve problems creatively.
• Experimentation: Being willing to experiment with new ideas and approaches.
Self-Motivation and Drive: The Internal Engine
Entrepreneurs must be highly self-motivated and driven to succeed. This means having a strong internal compass that guides their actions and a deep-seated desire to achieve their goals. Self-motivated entrepreneurs are proactive, take initiative, and don’t wait for others to tell them what to do.

Key Aspects of Self-Motivation and Drive:

• Passion: Having a deep passion for the business and its mission.
• Goal-Oriented: Setting clear goals and developing a plan to achieve them.
• Discipline: Possessing the self-discipline to stay focused and productive.
• Initiative: Taking action without being prompted by others.
• Persistence: An unyielding commitment to success, even in the face of adversity.
Conclusion

The psychological aspects of entrepreneurship are just as important as the business skills and knowledge. Resilience, perseverance, risk tolerance, creativity, and self-motivation are essential traits for navigating the challenges and uncertainties of the entrepreneurial journey. By cultivating these psychological strengths, aspiring founders can increase their chances of success and build thriving businesses that make a positive impact on the world.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Indeed, Venezuela in spite of problems, she, Venezuela, in my mind is a place of Beauty Queens. As Kevin Siosana one of the Officials of the K5 News Network in Tacloban opined rather in jest that the real Target of Us President Donald J. Trump are the Venezuelan Beauties.

As a young boy surrounded by beauty pageant neighbors and family, Ms. Venezuela was the ultimate nation of Miss Universe and Miss International winners, from the 1980s to present. Maritza Sayalero, First Venezuelan to win Miss Universe, causing the “Maritza Effect” that inspired a generation of Venezuelan pageant contestants. From 1979 to 2025 there were 8 Miss Universe winners. Irene Saez, later became Mayor of Chacao Venezuela and later run for President, seeing these Beauty Queens are notable public figure.

Being in the forefront of the news these days when its President Nicolas Maduro also known as Super Bigote was extracted and brought to the United States for crimes like Drug Trafficking and Human Rights violations, indeed, the world cuts a deep look into Venezuela.
Venezuela and the Philippines both shine in their own ways: Venezuela is rich in natural beauty and culture, while the Philippines is celebrated for its people’s warmth, resilience, and values. Together, they show how nations can be admired not just for resources but also for character.

The political climate is also bearing semblance of turmoil, Venezuelans has Nicolas Maduro who is now detained somewhere in the United States, the Philippines has Rodrigo Duterte who is now at the Hague. Both strongmen who are now held accountable for theirs and their agents had caused.

The narratives are similar, using the issue of Sovereignty and Judicial Autonomy as arguments for their release. Both forgetting that they two had not respected the role of law in their time as leaders.

Venezuela however had some Oil reserves and yet its people are in abject poverty and as one Venezuelam describe Caracas the capital, it is a place of Heaven and a Place of Hell, depending on your luck and alliances.

Venezuela has beauty, biodiversity and yet it also has poverty. Philippines has the same and yet they are also intertwined with labels like that of having corrupt leaders.

Indeed, Venezuela and Philippines are in more ways than one, similar and yet we are separated by thousands of Kilometer space in between.

Today, I wish the Venezuela people the best and remind the Philippines that we are in more ways, like the Latin Country.