“Take responsibility. Don’t rely on others to make your life better.” —Najwa Zebian, “Mind Platter”

We are all a work in progress! There is no need to rush out of life’s struggles, challenges and trials. If something is meant to be, it will happen in the right time, with the right people, and for the best reason.

After cleansing myself of past toxicity and reflecting instead on what is essential, I finally have the strength to move forward with a conscious mind and a renewed soul. By wisely learning from my past shortcomings and living in the present fully aware and grounded, I am more focused on making my future better.

From celebrated Lebanese Canadian poet and speaker Najwa Zebian, the insightful book “Mind Platter” has taught me wonderful and useful advice on choosing your fate by taking responsibility and by taking the lead in your life. We shouldn’t make ourselves part of others’ plans. We should make our own plans and be totally part of it. She shares, “You have a mind to lead you by logic and a heart to lead you by reason.”

We cannot undo what has already happened, but we always have the ability to realign ourselves to what still needs to be done. We are all flawed with human imperfection; we stumble and fall and make mistakes, but we always have the choice to make everything right. Begin with a pure heart and true intention, and positive energy will flow freely from that point.

Tablescapes

After more than a year and a half of hiatus from the charity world, I am back! I am so delighted to be in the organizing team of The Pink Ball, a charity fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, spearheaded by the wonderful Estée Lauder Philippines team. The Pink Ball will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel at the Fort on Oct. 13. With our event plans solidifying and the party date drawing near, I have been going around town to solicit generous friends and sponsors at event after event, in the hopes of truly making an impact through our fundraiser.

One of those outings was a lifestyle event hosted by good friend Pinky Tobiano at Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza. Chemist and tablescaping queen Pinky has collaborated with so many global brands to enhance the dining experience; she loves entertaining friends, so Pinky makes her tablescapes very thematic and memorable. In this event, she worked with our country’s leading luxury retail destination, Rustan’s Department Store, who are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year.

She presented three unique tables. The first is an eco-sustainable “Bahay Kubo” tablescape, featuring recycled materials like the walis tambo, and fabric accessories such as lampshades and birdcages. Pinky emphasized how this table signifies our responsibilities in fighting climate change.

Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, Mayen Carmona, Irene Francisco, Jacques Christophe Branellec, Tina Cuevas, Michelle Tiangco, Jojie Dingcong

Inspired by the popular local folk song, “Bahay Kubo” features renowned Filipino painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho in Bernardaud plates exclusively available at Rustan’s Department Store Home Section. Pinky adorned the table with vegetables like kamatis, sitaw, mani, talong, singkamas and luya.

The second table was a tribute to survivors; Pinky decorated the “Tickle Me Pink” tablescape to honor breast cancer warriors, and pay homage to ICanServe Foundation and Bosom Buddies. It is also a prelude to Pink October.

“My mom and I are both cancer survivors,” Pinky disclosed. “There is a table that is a tribute to all the women fighting breast cancer. I salute the courage and resilience of each woman. May that table inspire all the people undergoing the Big C to continue the fight with love, grace and hope in the Lord.”

The third table, “La Dolce Vita,” signifies Rustan’s fruitful 70th year celebrating life, love, family and excellence. Rustan’s has undoubtedly redefined upscale, luxury retailing through the years, and so the tablescape evokes only the finest and stunning details that capture the eye and ultimately lead to a sweet life. If you want to see more of Pinky’s work, her TV show “Tablelove by Pinky” airs on ETC every Sunday.

Pearl necklace

Present among the VIP guests were the executive vice president of commercial and retail for Shang Properties, Inc. Joy Polloso, Pinky’s hubby Juancho Robles and her daughter Pianne Sinfuego. I was also able to connect with charitable friends Emerson Yao, who donated a beautiful ladies Omega watch to The Pink Ball auction, as well as Rich Teh, who offered us a white Vespa scooter.

With her very altruistic heart, Pinky has pledged to support The Pink Ball, and she will bring former Governor Chavit Singson, who also promises to support us. I am so excited to conduct our live auction with my host partner Tim Yap. We will surely have fun working on getting the highest bids, especially for the Jewelmer pearl necklace that is being so generously donated by the international luxury brand.

Jewelmer recently opened an exciting exhibition at the Mind Museum with curator Maribel Garcia and her team. It features the journey of the South Sea pearl, as well as Jewelmer’s environmental advocacies. An amazing short film on the beauty of the sea and Jewelmer’s efforts to preserve the ocean was showcased that evening.

I can’t wait to visit Jewelmer’s pearl farm again and stay at their sister company resort, The Flower Resort in Palawan.

Sharyn Wong, Ling Ling Yao, May Andrea Yao, Emerson Yao, Sea Princess, Rich Teh

Travel expo

This resort and many more island destinations are part of the 33rd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. Open only until today, PTM is one of the country’s longest-running travel exhibitions; it offers more than 200 exhibitors and promises accommodation, flights and domestic and international travel packages at discounted prices.

“We’ve been waiting for a long time, and now is the perfect time to travel again, support local businesses, and explore the Philippines and beyond,” Philippine Tour Operators Association president Fe Abling-Yu said.

The expo’s layout features different designated zones for various tourism products, such as sun and beach, marine sports, cruises, health and wellness, culinary, cultural, farm tourism, entertainment and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. Also included in this year’s PTM offers are tour packages in Bali, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh, as well as Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.

The world is opening up, and so must our hearts. It is time to wash ourselves clean of the past, to let go of the baggage weighing us down, and to move forward into a better and brighter tomorrow. Surround yourself with love and positivity, realign yourselves to your goals, and let the universe show you just how good things can get.