What legacy do you want to be remembered for? Now that I’m in my mid-50s, leaving a legacy has been a topic of conversation among my friends.

 

I want to be remembered as someone who made a positive contribution to the world. It may not have a monumental impact, but good enough to be appreciated by people whose lives I have touched.

 

For now, my legacy is my family—my priority. I hope that I’m creating a lasting legacy as a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister.

 

As my hubby Dennis and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this year, we continue to build a heritage as a growing family.

 

We are honored that one of our ninong at our wedding was the late, great mall tycoon Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr., who was very close to my mother’s family.

 

And at our 20th wedding anniversary, we were delighted that Tatang’s son, Harley, was one of our ninong.

 

We are looking forward to having Tatang’s daughter, Tessie Sy-Coson, as our ninang for our grand celebration this year.

 

It is a beautiful story, how our families are intertwined. In his early 20s, Henry Sy married Felicidad Tan. My grandfather, Vicente Rufino, was his only ninong at his wedding.

 

My mother, Marixi Prieto, recounted that Lolo Vicente traveled from his vacation in Baguio City to attend Henry’s wedding.

 

Tatang was quite close to my Lolo, visiting him at his office, then located in Avenue Building in Avenida Rizal, Manila.

 

Small shoe store

 

As most people know, Tatang started his business in 1958 with a small shoe store in Quiapo. Lolo Vicente was his first landlord. It was this store which formed the foundation for the holding corporation, SM Prime Holdings.

 

The shoe store struck gold and went on to become ShoeMart Quiapo, one of the largest department stores at that time.

 

From there, the story is well-known, ShoeMart became the SM synonymous with the mall.

 

Tatang always kept in mind what his parents taught him—the value of discipline and hard work. These he has successfully passed on to his six children, who are now leading his various businesses. His business acumen extended to mentoring future tycoons, offering fatherly advice on many occasions.

 

I love that the Sy family has many ways of giving back to society. One is SM Foundation’s college scholarship program, started in 1993 with 100 scholars. To date, it has supported almost 4,000 scholars, covering full tuition and monthly allowances. Scholars can work at SM Stores to earn extra income.

 

Tatang always believed that “education is the great equalizer.” For him, one of the most impactful ways to make a difference is through helping a student earn a college degree. It allows him to support his family, the company he will work for, and society as a whole.

 

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. Since 2004, SM Malls has partnered with international feng shui master Marites Allen for the annual feng shui forecast. Marites presents her extravaganza to SM shoppers in more than 20 locations. She also gives people a chance to ask feng shui-related questions and shares prosperity tips for free.

 

Marites is honored to share her expertise and is delighted that SM stages the event. Check out her Frigga Charmed Life shops in various SM Malls and follow her on Instagram (@maritesallen, www.frigga.com.ph).

 

Second residency

 

Last week, I attended the launch of Arton Capital and EnterPH. They recently formed a new partnership that will allow Filipinos to engage in investment programs for second residency and citizenship-by-investment in North America, the Caribbean and Europe.

 

The partnership was launched in an exclusive, two-part event last week at the Grand Hyatt Manila. A media briefing was held in the afternoon, while potential investors and other stakeholders were invited for dinner.

 

Arton Capital empowers individuals and families to become global citizens by investing in second residency and citizenship in countries including Canada, the US, Antigua and Barbuda, Portugal, Bulgaria and Malta. Soon, the firm will launch operations in Montenegro.

 

In the last five years, the Canadian financial advisory firm’s global operations have attracted more than US$4 billion in foreign direct investment. Arton Capital is a trusted partner to 11 governments around the world.

 

Armand Arton, founder and president of Arton Capital, said that the Philippine launch is a very important leg of their Asian campaign. Other officials from Arton Capital who flew in from Dubai to attend the launch were Philippe May, VP head of Asia Pacific, and Lorenzo Jooris, VP global growth and strategy.

 

In the Philippines, Arton Capital’s newly certified partner is EnterPH, a business consultancy firm cofounded by lawyer Rocky Chan and Rene “RJ” Ledesma Jr., honorary consul of Monaco, who is also EnterPH’s vice president for business development.

 

At the event, local partners expounded on EnterPH’s services that include business registration, product registration, accounting, payroll, staffing, tax consulting and HR consulting.

 

Guests at the launch included Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Consul General of Bulgaria Rene Ledesma, Consul General of Monaco Fortune Ledesma and Consul General of Montenegro Vanessa Pastor Ledesma.

 

For more details on Arton Capital’s second residency and citizenship programs, contact EnterPH through e-mail [email protected] or tel. 09189382602.

 

See more photos on Instagram @seaprincess888.