Susan Marie Liao: Desinging her life the better way
'We should love ourselves and live our life to the fullest. Learn to appreciate what we have and who we are'
San San in Boracay..
Susan Marie Liao is an artist at heart, a Christ-centered person, friendly, understanding, loving, thoughtful, determined, and a person who is always full of new ideas whether for business or for myself. She loves to have a good conversation about current events, movies, fashion, design, and more about the arts.
This graduate of Interior Design and a fan of architecture shares how she designs her life in ways to make it better for her and her fellow Antiquenos.
TNT Antique: What are your hobbies?
Sansan: I love to read and collect Interior Design and Architecture books or magazines. I love to dine out with my family and friends, go shopping, surf the net, collect limited edition DVD's and CD's. Since I am into the arts, if I'm in my "artist" mood, I do paint and I love photography. Aside from using a dSLR camera, my sister introduced to me another type of photography called lomography and it is quite addicting. I love to take pictures that have depth and a story most especially portraits of people from all walks of life. I am also a movie and TV series addict. Back in college, weekends are reserved not for late night gimmicks but for fine dining and movie with friends or with my sister.
With siblings at the French Riviera in Nice, France.
TNT Antique: How are you as a daughter? Sister?
Sansan: I have one younger sister and one younger brother. As the eldest in the family, I am a friendly and responsible sister to my siblings. My sister and I were together for three years in Manila during our college years, and we would usually go shopping, try out new restaurants, and watch movies together. We are also both into arts so she is my partner in coming up with new ideas for our business. With my brother, since he is still in high school, we would usually be discussing about the latest gadgets, or upcoming action and adventure movies.
TNT Antique: What are you as a friend?
Sansan: A loyal and thoughtful friend. I still communicate with my grade school and high school friends (most especially the ones who are based abroad). I can be very generous and supportive. They say that I am good listener and gives good advices whenever they need one.
With the sisters.
TNT Antique: What principles do you stand by?
Sansan: "A woman of faith, a woman of action". This statement has been one of my guiding principles in life. When I was still studying in Assumption, being a student was not purely about academics. We were exposed to the realities of life that was not visible inside the four walls of the school. We were honed, taught, and were molded with the values, teachings, and principles of St. Marie Eugenie and the church in order to become what the society needs today --- agents of change. sI believe that our world is so diverse and it is a challenge for all of us to make a difference. Now that I am out here and immersing in the real world, I have to be focused and determined to reach my goals, aim high for my dreams and make a difference.
TNT Antique: Your educational background form elementary to college.
Sansan: For Grade School, Saint Anthony's College (SAC); high school, Assumption Iloilo and college, Assumption San Lorenzo with the coursse in Interior Design.
Bonding with cousins..
TNT Antique: How are you as a designer? Why did you choose this craft?
Sansan: Ever since I was in high school, I was already fascinated with Architecture. I would usually doodle houses or furniture during my free time. Back then, during our school plays I was tasked to be in charge of the production team, most especially the props and stage lighting. Since I wanted to go to Assumption San Lorenzo and Architecture was not offered there, I chose Interior Design as my course. I maybe moody at times, but nevertheless I can work up and challenge my imaginative mind as fast as I can in order to create and turn something ordinary into extraordinary.
TNT Antique: What are your family businesses in San Jose?
Sansan: My family is into lumber and hardware business. Just last year, we ventured to another line of business by opening The Pinnacle Suites and Functions. I myself also opened my Interior Design Consultancy shop called Kymac Interiors and my sister and I on the other hand, started venturing into graphic design and accessory-making called POP ARTE DIGITAL ARTS.
With good friend Lizzie.
TNT Antique: In what way can you help Antiquenos in terms of your business?
Sansan: I can help my fellow Antiquenos by providing them employment so that they can earn not just for themselves but also for their families. I believe that I am here working in Antique for a reason. I know that there's a big opportunity for me if I work in Manila or abroad. But God placed me here so that I can share with them not just my expertise but the values I have learned from my family, from school, from the people i've met and from my experiences as well.
TNT Antique: Do you have advocacies and what activities do you take part in relation to these?
Sansan: Aside from helping out the families of our employees annually during Christmas Parties, etc. I am also involved in the Tourism Stakeholders group. It is a private group of hotels and restaurant owners in San Jose, Antique. We are just starting, so in the coming months, the group will be implementing projects that can help boost the tourism of the province. I have been helping out also in raising funds for the church most especially for SSVP. SSVP or Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been helping out the less our less fortunate brothers and sisters of the province by providing them food and other necessities.
As of now, there are numerous plans, mostly fund raising projects, in my planner and I'm taking my time organizing and planning these upcoming events with the help of my sister.
TNT Antique: Do you travel? What places? Where do you like most? Why?
Sansan: If our work schedule permits (my family), we take a short break from all the hustle and bustle of work in order to have more bonding time. I have been to the United States because most of my maternal cousins are based there; plus, I have some friends who migrated in the US after high school. I have also been to some Asian countries, and to some parts of Europe. We went there for the canonization of Assumption's foundress, St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus. It was a priceless experience for us because it was a once in a lifetime event. I'd say Europe is my most favorite place to visit. Most particularly Paris and Venice. I simply fell in love with those places because their arts and culture is so rich that I just want to spend my whole day in different art museums and take photos of their breathtaking architecture.
TNT Antique: How do you manage your time with your family and business?
Sansan: My parents have taught me how to balance everything in life. You cannot enjoy life and its sweet surprises when all you do is submerge yourself with work. I make it a point that after working hours, I'll spend time reading my favorite book, watching my favorite tv show, or simply having a good conversation with my family and friends. After all, happiness is not about money and fame that you can get from work and from the career you have chosen. It's simply seeing the magic that is beyond our day to day experiences. It's about experiencing God's presence in everything that we do. Amidst all the stressful work I have, I make sure that all my triumphs, failures and lessons are lifted up to God because He alone can give us the balance in life that we need.
TNT Antique: What thoughts can you share to all Antiquenos?
Sansan: Believe in yourself. Believe that we are all called to be agents of change of our society. It maybe just a simple and random act of kindness but it can make a big difference. Life is beautiful not to be wasted. It's full of surprises and it's up to us how to discover and make use of our God given talents. As one of my favorite saying goes, "Be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it's sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world."
Another thing is that we should love ourselves and live our life to the fullest. Learn to appreciate what we have and who we are. If we love ourselves, then true beauty radiates from us and people tend to love as back. It will bring about a deeper happiness, and joy to a more stronger relationship with God, with our family and friends.
On the other hand, we should love and appreciate and be proud of our heritage as Antiquenos. I know that Antiquenos are competent enough to be known not only in the whole country but also world wide. We should help one another promote and uplift the beauty of our province because in one way or the other, we are the ones who will be benefiting from all the achievements of Antique.