Your mantra for the week: “Positive thoughts attract to me only the best in life.”
The holiday season has become so commercialized that its essence, which is to share love, is lost amid the shopping for gifts, decorating and lighting up the house, cooking holiday treats and other things that define the “Christmas rush.”
But Christmas is good for business and the economy improves tremendously, which is a good thing. If every month were Christmas in the Philippines, our gross domestic product would rise to a high of 12.
And yet Christmas is really for children. Here are some answers they give when asked for the meaning of this season of love. It truly brings Christmas to my heart.
Billy, aged 4, says, “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different… you just know that your name is safe in their mouths.”
Terry, also 4: “Love is what makes you smile when you are tired.”
Crissy, 6: “Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without asking them to give you any of theirs.”
Jessica, also 6: “You should not say I love you unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot… people forget.”
My favorite is from Billy, 7: “Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and LISTEN.”
When I read these quotes, I fully understand what Jesus meant when he said, “Unless you are like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.”
‘Hair,’ there, everywhere
Today, Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m., try to catch Repertory’s theatrical version of “Hair” at Onstage Theater, 2/F Greenbelt 1.
The original production caused a sensation in Broadway in 1968 when the cast appeared frontally in their birthday suits without an ounce of self consciousness. The audience loved it.
The Repertory version is less revealing most probably due to the Filipinos’ “consciousness of shyness.” But it’s still worth watching because of its unforgettable music described as Tribal Love-Rock with lyrics like, “When the moon is in the Seventh House… ”
I did not only have the pleasure of watching this hit musicale in Broadway, but also the privilege and honor of meeting Galt MacDermot, who cowrote “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” for “Hair.”
MacDermot happened to be a friend of my New York music publisher, Joseph Lewis, who was responsible for the Platters singing and recording my song, “What Name Shall I Give You My Love.”
“Hair” is directed by Chris Millado and its last performances will be on Dec. 16 and 17.
Christmas Charity Football
This Sunday, Hayden and Michelle Sison are hosting their annual Children’s Christmas Charity Football Tournament at Elsie Gaches Village football field.
Their advocacy is to develop the skills of indigent children, as well as children with disabilities, so they may grow up as upright citizens, self-sufficient despite their handicaps, and able to contribute to the betterment of their respective communities. More power to both of you!
Miss Universe after-party
Our Okada Manila experience began at the Miss Universe after-party, meeting Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach for the first time, and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere.
We later found out that the marketing head of the hotel and casino is a certain Julius Santos, who had been working with the Four Seasons for 21 years.
At the same time, I was asked by some people from the Philippine Cancer Society whether it was possible to hold its next Best Dressed Women event in Okada. So I got a hold of a card of Julius, who I tried to call, to no avail.
But in some roundabout way, I got Julius on the phone after finding out he was married to a first cousin, Cindy, and the Best Dressed Women event was scheduled last September at Okada.
Then something happened on the way to the affair that caused Okada’s grand ballroom not to be completed on the expected date for “family reasons.” Rumors had it that Mr. and Mrs. Okada were not okay about certain management methods.
But today, the wrinkle has been ironed out, enabling Julius to announce last week Okada’s readiness to welcome all who desire to experience “the most elegant ballroom in town.”
Oka-y na ang Okada!
Mostest hostess
There are women who are dubbed the “hostess with the mostest,” but there is a lady in town, Marissa Fenton, who can be labeled the mostest hostess because she gives at least five dinners a month for a minimum of 12 people all year round. Hosting such gatherings is her pastime and therapy.
On the other hand, there are those who get invited almost every day but has never invited for dinner—at least not that I know of. Maybe I was just never invited.
Where’s Mel Meer?
Meanwhile, Mel Meer, who’s now seldom seen in social circles, is about to change residence. He has put a down payment on a ritzy condominium while remodeling another luxurious apartment in Salcedo Village, not to mention his home at the moment in a plush village.
Well, it takes a different kind of talent to live in three different places at the same time.
“You see, I have no heirs” is his excuse. Mel, there are volunteers for adoption, if you are interested.
Babette’s back in town
In town for her annual sojourn to the Philippines is Babette Aquino-Benoit, who’s being treated by friends left, right and center.
The latest one was given by Mario Katigbak in his new apartment with close friends of Babette like Ernest Escaler and Carol Masibay Garcia.
Last month, Mario launched an installation staging the Hermès yearend collection of men and ladies shoes dubbed “Shoe Me The Way.”
He succeeded in showing us the way to being Shoe-Smart while Babette continues to direct the way it is to be stylish in Paris.
Back from New York
The globetrotting Noel Oñate is back from New York after attending the wedding of his son Paolo to the lovely Carissa Chan.
Before that, Noel visited Russia and brought home its most popular products, vodka and caviar, which he promises to share with us soon in a Christmas gathering.
When I asked his secret to success with many beautiful lasses, he smiled and said, “Na-convince ko sila na guwapo ako!”
‘Kontrabida’
The beauteous DJ Lopez was once caught in a minor car accident at 2 p.m. on busy Pasay Road.
Bothered and upset, she alighted from her car in a pink parasol to protect herself from the harsh afternoon sunlight, attracting streetchildren to rush over to her excitedly screaming, “artista, artista.” To which she irritatedly responded, “Hoy, hindi ako artista,” startling the kids who shouted back, “Ay… kontrabida!”
E-mail the columnist at georgedfsison@gmail.com.
