Your mantra for the week: “I am whole and complete because I am happy.”
Last year, the Department of Health had a budget of P151 billion. That’s a whole lot of money.
In IAMISM, we recommend 10 things to do to increase one’s resistance to disease. The first is to develop high self-esteem because it works wonders in overcoming mental and emotional disturbances that result in one form of disease or another.
Self-expressiveness is the second next recommended preventive approach. Bottled-up emotions create imbalances in one’s mental and emotional health, and getting this out from one’s system is a most effective precautionary measure. Unexpressed negative emotions are precursors to internal diseases. In the vernacular, it’s called sama ng loob na kinikimkim.
The third is the feeling of being loved and supported. The absence of feeling loved opens a path to a form of addiction. I trust this information can be passed on to rehab facilities or families with members suffering from substance abuse.
The fourth is self-awareness which underscores oneness with the God within, and that one is born with Original Goodness.
The fifth is to avoid stress, which has been cited as the cause of many diseases. But stress is just the result of negative mental and emotional states, afflicting the depressed, antagonistic, judgmental, and those who always complain or blame someone else.
The sixth is to discover one’s purpose in life, which is basically finding out what one loves to do without losing financial security.
The seventh is to counter lack of drive, which comes from the inability to see a bright future. A lot of pessimists find themselves in this category.
The eighth—incidentally a number of regeneration—is the capacity to forgive the so-called unforgivable. Keep in mind that God is fairness Itself and, therefore, the unforgivable can be considered bad karma paid.
The ninth is to get rid of resentment—the common denominator for all forms of cancer. To simply be happy and unresentful guarantee a healthier, more energetic body.
The 10th is to practice tithing, which is usually associated with prosperity. But in IAMISM, true prosperity means a perfectly healthy body, financial stability, harmonious relationships and success in one’s endeavors. What is not tithed is usually taken away in unpleasant situations like hospitalization.
Review these 10 recommendations often. By practicing them, you will find a happier, healthier you.
Unique invitation
When you receive an invitation package in a black-and-gold, cake-like box measuring 9 x 11 x 3 inches, you think this must be a special occasion, especially upon finding inside the box a replica of a turntable with a speaker that can fill a room loudly and clearly—with five popular songs stored for one’s pleasure.
By the way, the speaker can be detached from the box and attached to your mobile phone. The huge, gold letters on the box cover spelled “Gilly”—who turned out to be the debutante.
Gilly Rustia is the youngest daughter of entrepreneurs Joel and Joy Rustia of the now popular Madison Mall located at the entrance of Alabang Farms of the Bagatsing clan.
At Gilly’s debut party, the unique invitation box was a perfect match for the sensationally decorated grand ballroom at Shangri-La at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City. The floral arrangements on each table were a feast to the eyes, and the all-around décor was nothing short of breathtaking.
The guests were composed of Gilly’s friends, families of the Wambangcos and the Rustias, Joy’s schoolmates, and familiar faces from the social circles the Rustias now move in.
There were quite a number of Philippine Cancer Society’s “Best Dressed Ladies” like Sheree Chua, Merci Padolina, Elsie Pascua, Nikki Tang, Ofie Wadley, Ann Ong and Sandie Poblador.
Likewise present were Johnny Litton and Joanne Rae Ramirez, Nedy Tantoco and Patrick Jacinto, Randy Ortiz, who designed Joy’s and Gilly’s gowns, and another popular designer, Ito Curata, who came with partner Bob Miller.
There were show biz personalities like Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Rayver Cruz, John Estrada and wife Priscilla Meirelles.
Among the younger set were my niece Wendy Yuchengco with her boyfriend Santi Ramnani. Rupert and Tina Jacinto failed to recognize Wendy, because suddenly, without their noticing, she was grown up.
Later that evening, I asked Wendy to give impressions on her first attendance of a long gown formal affair. She said, as she joined Gilly’s friends: “Extravagant and luxurious come to my mind. Gilly’s 18th birthday surpassed my expectations, as it was the first-ever debut I’ve attended. It was a stupendous experience. From the smallest details to the largest features, everything was perfectly synched.
“The program was stylish, the crowd was warm and welcoming, and, most of all, the debutante looked very happy. My boyfriend and I never had a dull moment.
“The lights and music were on point, the food excellent, and the order of events very entertaining. However, one particular aspect struck me the most: a 360-degree camera. At first I was hesitant as Santi and I had to stand on top of a mini table and next thing we knew, a camera spun around us in a circle.
“We were free to act out anything in front of the camera, and afterwards we were given a copy of the video. It was fascinating, and I was deeply intrigued by the ‘extras’ that the debutante offered to her guests…”
Clearly, the younger set had a blast, but the young once like us had a smashing time empathizing with the energy-filled evening with one dance number after another. But the most heartwarming was Gilly’s dancing with her father and Joel’s own show biz number.
A scene instead of a sin
In the meantime, the talk of the town is the septuagenarian gentleman who wants to marry because he does not want to be living in sin. This is something out of the ’50s. The millennials will probably say, “That man just wants to make a scene.”
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