MANTRA for the week: “I find support from everyone around me.”
In this age of mobile phones and tablet computers, it is unfortunate that the art of conversation is slowly dissipating. I want to discuss this, hoping it might revive people’s interest in meaningful conversations that go beyond talking about the weather.
I have noticed that people seated together in parties but who are not familiar with each other oftentimes clam up. This is such a pity because they could have started new friendships, if only they had overcome their so-called shyness or lack of confidence, and introduced themselves to each other.
On the other hand, there are those who are friendlier and more gregarious but tend to turn off other party guests because they are unaware of how they sound during their conversations.
I would like to share some pointers on winning people to your side in all forms of social dialogue:
1) Learn to listen to the way you are communicating— whether you are monopolizing the conversation or you are not contributing to it.
2) Be considerate to others by gleaning whether they are interested in what you are saying. Otherwise, know how to change the topic to something that interests them.
3) Be genuinely absorbed with other people.
4) Be attentive. Look at the person directly when speaking.
5) Don’t interrupt. Always allow people to finish what they are saying.
6) Be respectful of other people’s dignity and opinions.
We attend gatherings to have a pleasant and fun time; if you carefully consider the aforementioned pointers, you will not only enjoy yourself but also make new friends more easily. This will also result in opening for yourself potential channels of greater good.
Fare thee well, Francis
To internationally multi-awarded filmmaker Francis Pasion, who has died unexpectedly, our heartfelt thanks for the three films (“Jay,” “Sampaguita” and “Bwaya”) you have left behind. They have enriched our lives and lent such stature to filmmaking in the Philippines.
You will be missed. But as you had written in your last will, you have now awakened “to a more peaceful reality, the reality that this life is just an illusion and the next is the real life of true peace and happiness.” God enfolds you now in Its Loving Arms.
Bob’s Oscars
Bob Miller celebrated his birthday in his mansion at Ayala Alabang which he shares with his partner, fashion designer par-excellence Ito Curata.
The invitation noted that the evening was to be a red-carpet Oscar Awards-style event with the corresponding dress code for those who desire to win an Oscar statuette.
Others could come as they pleased.
So, the glamorous guests came dressed to the nines while the hosts were dressed to the sixes and sevens, and many felt they were attending the wrong party or had entered somebody else’s home.
At the party I had an interesting conversation with Helen Ong about her fundraiser fashion show which featured 60 unusual models, and she said, smiling, “Tatlo lang naman silang kakaiba.”
‘Living at its finest’
The cocktails and dinner that recently launched the coffee-table book “RSVP Lifestyle Asia” at the Marriott Grand Ballroom truly made an evening that would match the slogan, “Living at its finest.”
It was not one of Lifestyle Asia editor in chief Anna Sobrepeña’s usual gatherings, where there would be at least 400 or more guests. That night, there were probably less than 200 invited and treated to a sumptuous and elegant dinner that could equal any of the featured Tablescapes and Dining experiences found in the book.
On the cover is a dinner setting by designer Chito Vijandre and partner Ricky Toledo, whose Firma shop is much admired and patronized. Both were seated with us during the dinner, along with Bulgari and Hermes’ Mario Katigbak; super PR lady Annie Ringor; Chito Sobrepeña’s visiting friend Bob Bontilao; Paolo Serrano of Arla Foods whose Danish cheeses we savored that night with his charming wife Rald, senior financial adviser of Manulife.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the dapper Jerry Tiu, chair of One Mega Group, who introduced me to his beautiful wife Lianne and children Cheryl and Christian, as well as good friend Joseph Chua, who talked about his Sison neighbors “whose garden I used to visit without their knowing it and was enchanted with all the trees and the Japanese tea house.”
It turned out that was our garden he was talking about. Imagine being neighbors for decades and not meeting each other until now!
Drug-free candidates
Congratulations to the newly appointed Dangerous Drugs Board chair, Sec. Felipe L. Rojas Jr., whose goal is to create a drug-free country by 2020 through the National Anti-Drug Plan of Action. I wish he could start this week by encouraging all national and local candidates running for office, especially the national ones, to assure us that we do not have any elected government official who is a drug user.
No response
Recently, author and radio commentator Erick San Juan challenged a leading national candidate to have a drug test to prove he has kicked his habit, but got no response from the party concerned.
Literally high
We suggest that Secretary Rojas conduct a random inspection and audit all private rehab centers, high-end clinics and hospitals because he might be surprised to discover how many patients are from the so-called elite families. Too bad, they take their being in “high” society literally, which I guess lifts them up to a state of “ecstasy.”
E-mail [email protected]. Visit www.GeorgeSison.com and www.iamism.org. Listen to the columnist’s “Positive Session” radio program on DWIZ 882 AM every Saturday, 9-10 p.m.
