Danny Leonera

Danilo Danny Villaruel Leonera…Here you will see me as informal as possible. Neither my professional role nor my public life are the main interest here. It is me as a person. I am writing about me.

Nick named Danny. I was born in San Jose, Ternate, Cavite on April 7, 1960 and had all my education in Cavite. I am the fifth in our family. In fact I am the first among my family who succeed in life. So I have some importance and responsibilities attached. I enjoy being what I am. I progressed through a totally normal life. The most important thing I have had was my parent’s care and inspiration to excel. Now I am a Parisian and I dream of settling as a successful person in Paris, France and my favorite place on this planet. The first and foremost I miss (apart from my family of course) is the world famous Chicken Macaroni salad. Whenever I go home I make it to the point to enjoy the dish at least twice a weak.

In 1966 at the age of six while I was a pupil of San Jose Elementary School, I transfered for Grade three to six at Ternate Central and I graduated with distinction during my primary school. After high school in 1973, I took up Typing and Stenography at Tanza Secretarial School where I obtained outstanding student during this period. I supported myself by working at Santo Nino Academy and took a night class at Western College Naic, Cavite in 1980, where I developed to be a teacher with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education Majoring in Math and Science. Admitted Licensure Board Exam for Teachers in 1981. Teaching basic courses in Science and Mathematics in Santo Nino Academy was not fulfilling my aspiration. I’ve spent one year teaching in this institution created by Mrs. Erlinda H. Monteagudo who had developed me a test for the nearest of intelligence.

In 1981 I left home for the first time to Saudi Arabia and work as Secretary at the administration of Engineering Equipment Inc. It was not easy to our family but certainly it was very exciting and rewarding for me. I did it till 1985. I was promoted as Executive Secretary at the same company by the request of Mr. J. W. Hay, my executive manager. Middle East is not my world so I decided to file my resignation and return back home and spent a year teaching in 1986.

Since that our economy is getting worse, I went to Europe as tourist in 1987. Here, I found myself very interesting. I must speak the language so I could work. I started as domestic helper. I challenge myself by doing this job for several years. I met lot of European friends and since I was young then, I was encourage to pose in a magazine for my ethnic beauty as Asian Filipino. The magazine was published all around Europe. I am happy with this job but not interesting for living. I strived very hard and chances are on my way to work in different hotels. I went to school at night while working during the day. I took up French lessons at the University of Paris Alliance Frances where I was on top of the class among 38 students. After studying French language, I took HRM for two semester at the American University, Paris.

Recently I was awarded second for Essay writing contest entitled ¨I’m Sorry, I miss you, I Love you¨ competed by Filipinos around Europe. From Housekeeper to Hotel Supervisor was the greatest gift I received by my inspiration.

In 1998, I was the Representative Manager of Rent Paris, LLC. I am representing Paris which our main office situated in Wilmington, Delaware., U.S.A. and to date I was the manager occupying 48 hotel residential.

As Manager, I help run the day to day operations of the hotel. I was responsible for activities such as personnel, accounting, office administrative, marketing, sales, purchasing, security and maintenance .

I have had the fortunate to learn and utilize a wide range of practical and commercial skills throughout my career. Both my professional and personal lives are oriented towards international contacts and cross-cultural understanding. My strength lie in the areas of organization, project management, team building and public relations. My greatest accomplishment was I bought my own apartment in Paris. I travel a lot around Europe and much of the Eastern U.S.A.

Now that I have my own life in the city of Paris. I am proud to say I was once a part of Ternate or should I say Ternate was once a part of me. I will never forget this heaven – like place with warm and hospitable people – that is really something to be proud of.

My most private moment is watching the sun set with the music of Jean Sebastian Bach. This was my greatest pleasure.