Your mantra for the week: “Loving myself is the greatest love of all.”
When people ask me what IAMISM is about, I say that it’s simply a course on Happiness.
My explanation:
1) Many individuals are so critical of their flaws and weaknesses that they forget their strengths and abilities that are oftentimes abounding.
2) They seldom prioritize their needs, most of the time putting themselves second to others, a result of the misunderstanding of the concept, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” They forget that one cannot really love one’s neighbor until one loves oneself.
3) They ignore their positive attributes and successes, believing it is the humble thing to do.
4) They do not spend enough time with the “me” that connects them with their hearts and Spirit.
Self-love is wrongly defined as selfishness. In truth, self-love is the most important love of all because it is the only thing that enables us to love others.
Violin virtuoso
The 27-year-old violin virtuoso Chino Gutierrez, who projects a teenage persona onstage, enthralled the audience last week at the BDO Tower, playing on a 1760 Vinaccia violin, which is on loan from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.
He began his concert with Schubert’s “Violin Sonata in A major” followed by Brahms’ “Sonata No. 2.” It made us feel that the violin seems easy to play. A musician who is able to do that is a master of his craft.
Kudos, too, to pianist Mary Ann Espina who accompanied Gutierrez. She’s a two-time Aliw awardee and has been a soloist for top symphony orchestras.
The second part featured “Poèmeo” by Chausson, “Summertime” by Gershwin, a number by Heifetz, and an Ilocano folk song, “No Du Duaem Pay.”
Gutierrez’s encore, “Bayan Ko,” brought tears to my eyes because this was the song we used to sing as martial law detainees in Camp Crame.
Gutierrez, Ching Montinola’s “adopted son,” leaves for Salzburg to continue his career under the tutelage of French violinist and pedagogue Pierre Amoyal.
Birthday boy
It was a busy week for birthday honoree Chief Legal Counsel Sal Panelo. It started with a dinner hosted by Philip and Ching Cruz in their palatial residence, with guests who included former President Gloria Arroyo, who was enjoying her freedom, not only from the Veterans Hospital but also from her neck brace.
Also present were Philippine Airlines chair Lucio Tan with his pretty Letty; Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez; the warm and genial Robina Pe; CATS Motors’ Felix Ang and his Grace-ful wife; Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte.
Helping Sal attend to the guests was his spouse, Dr. Araceli.
I had a nice conversation with Ria, wife of Sal’s lawyer son Paolo Panelo. She is awaiting the birth of her second child, but still happily working at Stores Specialists Inc. Her daughter Pia Isabel is Sal’s favorite playmate.
Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval and his wife, Malabon Vice Mayor Jeannie, were seen enjoying the dinner prepared right in the Cruz kitchen—from the fabulous paella to the pastas, salads and desserts.
Three days later, it was the turn of Sulu Hotel’s Tina Cuevas to honor Sal at a sit-down affair in the hotel’s ballroom. She served a delectable dinner that included pumpkin soup, prawn salad, salmon and pork steak.
Among the guests were Food and Drug Administration Philippines director general Charade Puno; mother and daughter Helen and Marian Ong; SM Group’s Tessie Sy-Coson; Thai Ambassador Thanatip Upatising with his wife Bee; and the sexily dressed Agnes Huibonhoa.
There were several guest singers including Imelda Papin and sister Aileen, but Sal out-sang them all, especially with his own composition, “You Are the Love of My Life.”
Still another party was held for Sal at Manila House, hosted by Singaporean Jonathan Lim.
At home in the Sala
One noontime at Sala Bistro, it looked like someone was hosting an event because most of the guests in the restaurant knew each other. At one table was Lizzie Razon with amiga Libeth Virata, feeling safe and at home in the Sala, rather than in the House.
Chona Mejia was at another table with Linda Enriquez and a visiting dignitary from Singapore. Also present were Mia Borromeo, Frannie Jacinto with Margarita Sison and Mario Katigbak—who recently received an offer from a rich businessman to buy the rights of Bulgari. Mario smiled, although he looked like he was entertaining the idea.
‘Let it snow’
At the 60th birthday party of the son of a notorious politician, many guests were thrilled because it “snowed,” and some invitees kept singing, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
‘Life After Tokhang’
Tomorrow, Oct. 2, at the Multipurpose Center in Camp Crame, the Life Rispondé Foundation and the Philippine National Police will sign a a memorandum of agreement for “Life After Tokhang”—a community-based drug recovery and wellness program.
Honeylet Avanceña is guest of honor. Here’s looking forward to the program’s success. Nothing like a woman’s touch.
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