Your mantra for the week: “One loving act can make a difference in the world.”
As promised, here are more ways of developing your lovingness. As we make them a habit, we not only open doors to more harmonious relationships, but, also, the gates of success are left unobstructed.
11) Plant a tree, keep your immediate environment clean, and help improve a debilitating, negative social condition.
12) Remember to send birthday greetings to friends.
13) Keep the bathroom and toilet clean for the next user, whether in private or public places.
14) Watch your tone, you may sound like you are hating rather than loving.
15) The words you choose to use can make or break relationships.
16) Cursing can be likened to planting seeds of disharmony. Imagine how much more popular our president would be if he stopped using expletives.
17) Keep your silence when attack words fill your mind.
18) When angry, try with all your might to speak in the meekest way possible.
19) Politeness can bring you better results than harshness.
20) Kindness is a child of love—it builds bridges and breaks down the walls of indifference.
Just a part of the female body
There are two interesting books in the market. One is called “The Fart of a Fly,” which you will certainly not hear. But this collection of stories of earth from space will surely be heard loud and clear. It is authored by Jay Maclean and Batuto López Garcete.
The other book, titled “Puki Usap,” is by Liv Strömquist, a Swedish comic artist, radio moderator and feminist activist. Her book has been translated into Tagalog by Beverly Siy.
The book summarizes that “Puki, a rather rude word for some, for others, it is mysterious, and for most people, it is just part of the female body. Whether you say this in whispers, the word has such a big pull especially for those who really don’t understand the word.
“It claims to be the history of the word vagina, whether it be an idea or the center of a discussion or controversy, it has interestingly become a cultural foundation.” Puki-basa!
Cheers to ‘The Merry Widow’
After a month of master classes by international ballet star Martin Buczko from Staats Ballet Berlin, its effect was evident in the gala night’s performance of “The Merry Widow” last week at the CCP.
Add to its success, the first public performance of the newly awarded Veronica Atienza, who just won the Jury Award of Encouragement at the 11th USAIBC in Jackson, Mississippi.
Buczko brought the skills of the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) dancers to a new high in expression. The corps de ballet danced with such precision and grace, the audience was visibly moved.
The costumes by Julie Borromeo were not only colorful and lavish, they lent elegance and charm to the production. Kudos to artistic director Ron Janayrio and ballet master Anatoly Panasyukov for a job truly well done!
Acknowledged that evening by PBT president Marilou Magsaysay were the presence of: Ambassador Sung King of the USA, Ambassador Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev of Russia, Ambassador Aruni Ranarajah of Sri Lanka, the newly appointed Ambassador José Néstor Ureta of Argentina with Mme. Adriana Clorinda Tomas, Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi of Morocco with Mme. Monia Zaoui.
They will surely be more than thrilled to share their experience with their respective countries. Even Imelda Marcos looked very pleased with the presentation.
Ambassador Sung Kim was accompanied by his daughter Erica, who is here for vacation. Also present were US deputy chief of mission Michael Klecheski, his pretty wife Eloisa, and their tall and accomplished son Adam; CCP chair Margie Moran Floirendo; CCP president Nick Lizaso with gracious wife Belen; Nenuca Blardony, whose La Nuova Pastelleria is one of my favorites due to its delicious and healthy spinach pizza; Nedy Tantoco; Joy and Joel Rustia.
Jun Magsaysay and PBT chair Patricia Sison were seen welcoming guests and chatting with them.
Truly a merry evening!
Humbling
I remember the recently departed Filipino writer Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, who is widely renowned for her elegant prose.
To have been featured in her newspaper column, My Humble Opinion, was truly humbling: “If Filipinos do not read Mr. George F. Sison (whose friends are not complaining), it will not be for lack of special editions. Filipino signatures have just splurged on a four-color glossy edition of Mr. Sison’s painting-poems, and I must say it is compelling enough. There is no reason, except crabbed, abstruse ones, why Filipinos should continue to be so unappreciative,” from her column titled “My Humble Opinion.”
She was a family friend and often got into philosophical and political discussions with my father. She often complimented my mother, describing her as being similar in facial bone structure to Queen Nefertiti.
Tita Chitang and my mom were born on the same year.
My most vivid memory of her was when we guested with her daughter Gemma and my father in the premier showing of Elvira Manahan’s return to television via “Two for the Road.”
Tita Chitang’s wit was always a standout, not to mention her statuesque, dominating presence which Gemma obviously took after.
She will always be remembered by people who appreciate elegance in the written form. She has now returned to her Birther which has enfolded her in Its loving arms.
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