Loving one's fate

«AMOR fati» is a Latin phrase that may be translated as «love of fate» or «love of one's fate.» It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one's life, including suffering and loss, as good or, at the very least, necessary.

Such phrase may closely describe the life and times of Maricel Borromeo-Amores, a Cebu-based human resources (HR) management consultant, whose colorful life is like a roller-coaster ride with twists and turns that defy the ordinary.

Borromeo-Amores' journey into the realm of HR was born out of a personal loss as she navigated the aftermath of her husband's untimely passing.

She was happily married for a good 18 years to Ernesto Arbas Amores of Valencia City, who passed away in 2004.

«During this transformative period, I turned to the wisdom of seasoned mentors, leaned on the counsel of trusted colleagues and friends, and found solace in their collective guidance,» Borromeo-Amores offered.

«As my two, wonderful and loving sons — Ernesto Miguel and Carlos Alfonso — matured into adulthood, their evolving perspectives and insights took on a profound significance, especially in my role within the dynamic BPO (business process outsourcing) industry, where the majority of employees belonged to the millennial generation.»

Her sons — Ernesto Miguel (Erl), 34, and Carlos Alfonso (Don), 30 — are both lawyers.

«Their invaluable input became a compass for me, allowing me to chart the intricacies of their generation, addressing their unique concerns and aspirations,» Borromeo-Amores said.

«Furthermore, as my sons pursued careers in law, their expertise in legal matters and document management has proven to be an indispensable asset, adding depth and richness to my professional repertoire.

»That journey, marked by personal growth and the influence of family, continues to shape my HR career in ways I could have never anticipated."

The death of her husband was not the first tragic twist in Borromeo-Amores' life.

Decades back, she tragically lost her father — a bright lawyer and considered a rising star in Cebu politics in the 1960s — to an assassin's bullet when she was only 7 years old.

«Shouldering some of the responsibilities of