I recently published a book where I share my journey towards becoming a Social Media Influencer. I narrate it in the context of the 2022 Philippine National Election, where I share what it was like to be part of the Pink campaign, from an insider’s perspective. Those of you who were also part of the Pink Movement can relate to the euphoria and heartbreaks that I describe in the book.

But that’s not my whole story. I also share in the book stories about my family, and some very close-to-the-heart moments and issues. In the process, I share some tips on how to make your posts viral. After all, it’s a book about how to become a Social Media Influencer.

What’s not in the book are details about my education, professional career, and other interests. There are stories to be told there, too.

Let’s start with my education. I’m part of Batch 72 – the fifth batch of Philippine Science High School (now better known as Pisay). I then moved to UP taking up BS Math. My stay at UP was rudely disrupted when I was suspended for a semester for being involved in a fraternity rumble. I moved to Mapua, taking up Metallurgical Engineering to take advantage of a scholarship offered by Atlas Mining. But Chemistry subjects and me don’t mix well. So I shifted course and took a Marketing program at De La Salle University. But I got married, and after a year or so, I decided to drop out of college altogether.

By that time, I was already working for an IT company. And it was quite fashionable to be a college dropout – with industry icons like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Larry Ellison as role models. So I progressed well in my IT career, even getting promoted ahead of my peers.

But Filipino parents take pride in being able to say that all their children are professionals with college degrees. And I was the only one in the family preventing my parents from declaring that. So, in 2018, at age 59, I finally earned my college degree – BS Information Technology from Lyceum University. And that ticked off the last remaining item in my Dad’s bucket list.

Career-wise, I was fortunate to have joined an all-Filipino Entrepreneurial-mode IT company for my second job. I saw up close its rise from a 20- to 300-employee strong company, and its subsequent fall. There were many lessons learned here. And it would prepare me, together with my wife – Marissa, in starting and growing our own companies in IT consulting and training, Marketing and Communications, and Events Management.

For the most part of my professional career, I lectured on IT- and Marketing-related subjects, as well as facilitated Strategic Planning sessions. God has blessed me with the gift of communications, and the ability to break down complex concepts into chewable nuggets of knowledge. I used the same gift in Ministry work, preaching occasionally. Today, I’m an Elder at WIthout Walls Ministry – a bible-believing Christian church.

In sports, my Dad introduced me early to the game of tennis. I played at a respectable level late into my teen years. Later, I would take on golf – initially, as part of widening our business network. But when my wife took on the game, as well, it became a game we truly enjoyed and where lasting friendships were built.

In the last chapter of the book, I described how I got first involved in political advocacy work, late in life. But there are still many stories waiting to be told, perhaps the subject of another book.

Today, I’m happily retired at age 66.

If you ask who Enteng Romano is, I’d say – an IT and Marketing Professional, an Entrepreneur, a Professional Lecturer, an occasional Preacher, an avid golfer, a Political Advocate, a Vlogger, and now an AUTHOR.

It has been a serendipitous life journey. THANKS BE TO GOD.