On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of interviewing Riggi Solinap. Riggi lives with his wife and son in Langley, BC. Riggi’s family is from the Philippines. He began his journey to Canada about 10 years ago. He worked in California where he aided in building a church. Riggi remembers his childhood years to be happy and carefree.
Currently, Riggi is working for the TWU and taking this course in preparation for his future. Riggi shared that he sees himself moving towards doing work that is more true to heart. He wants to focus more on his interests and doing what feels right in hopes of making an impact on his community.
Riggi shared with me that a time when he felt at his best was during an important presentation that he gave to a group of people. He felt as though he had made an imprint in these people’s lives. Riggi felt that through his effective presentation skills, people learned that there are greater things in life than just the day-to-day routine of work. He felt like people realized that there are greater things they can do in life beyond what they are doing. Riggi knows that his presentation made an impact as his presentation is still being talked about many months later.
Riggi hopes to continue this kind of work and leadership. He hopes to share words of encouragement, inspiration and motivation, to many groups of people. Something that Riggi said that resonated with me is this, “life is more meaningful when you work for something that will leave an imprint after you die.” I truly agree and believe in this statement and it is one that I try to live my life by. Riggi said this in regards to the leadership he would like to work towards. He wants to make a difference in people’s lives. Riggi wants to volunteer and be a part of instilling values in young people. He wants to be their inspiration. Riggi also wants to give back to his community.
I had a wonderful conversation with Riggi. I find it interesting how each person in this course is so different and comes from different stages of life. Riggi mentioned to me that he recalled being my age and thinking similarly to the way that I currently think. I thought it was interesting and it made me wonder how my thoughts will grow and change as I am influenced by people who are wise and knowledgeable and who inspire me. I also wonder what it will be like to look back and reflect on my 27-year-old self.
Riggi left me with the names of a few books that I will be sure to read. I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with a classmate.