“Two words that will ensure a blameless and untroubled life: persist and resist.” —Epictetus
Consistency and self-control are the super power tools for building a new life chapter. Trust the process and keep pressing forward! Believing in divine intervention and alignment of energies, elements have unfolded in perfect timing to guide me to the path of enlightenment and peace.
Aware of my tendency to procrastinate, I try to work on important matters ahead of the small items. Unfortunately, I lack self-discipline and focus so I end up rushing to meet deadlines. Thank goodness for family and friends who love and support my journey and continually back me up. One of these longtime friends is my Assumption HS ’81 classmate and BFF Jojo Ongsiako.
Being my closest friend for more than four decades, Jojo has been with me through all my past relationships and has truly been my emotional sounding board these recent months. I was delighted to attend her daughter’s wedding a few months ago. Ina Ongsiako and Pelos Remollo wed last Feb. 24 in beautiful Dumaguete City, a place deeply cherished by the newlyweds.
As ninang in both Ina’s baptism and wedding, I made sure to be present at her destination celebration and attend every single affair. Held at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, the ceremony was the culmination of a weekend filled with festivities that welcomed family and friends from all over the country and the world.
Warm embrace
Under the meticulous coordination of Agnes Tuale from W.E.D. Dumaguete, the couple’s vision of a Filipino fiesta with a modern disco twist came to life. From the colorful mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses to the call for guests to wear bold, festive colors, every detail reflected their joyous spirit and unique style.
Local talent shone brightly, with Edrico Palencia ensuring the bride and entourage radiated beauty with hair and makeup that perfectly complemented the occasion. The VIP tablescape, curated by Dana Remollo-Villegas of The Plate Mafia, added an extra touch of elegance, while Sem Badon, Chic Impressions and The Purple Parasol worked their magic with local flowers and decor, beautifully showcasing Dumaguete’s charm.
Indeed, every element of the celebration echoed their commitment to showcasing Dumaguete’s beauty and talent. From the delicious cuisine catered by Tiny Chef Catering to the artisanal welcome baskets by Subida filled with local delicacies and treats, guests were immersed in the rich culture and hospitality of the city.
The warm embrace of Dumaguete’s community enveloped everyone throughout the weekend, fostering an atmosphere of joy and togetherness.
From the lively welcome fiesta at Pelos’ family home hosted by his father, Mayor Ipe Remollo, and mother, lawyer Tintin Remollo, to the heartfelt moments exchanged during the ceremony and reception at The Barn at Mango Ranch, the love shared between Pelos, Ina and their guests was palpable. Their wedding wasn’t just a union of two souls; it was a testament to the power of love to unite people from different backgrounds in celebration and camaraderie.
Vibrant province
To discover the wonders of this vibrant province, travel friend Joby Belmonte organized a day tour that included a boat ride to nearby Apo Island. I highly recommend this island tour, especially for kids who love turtles. There is a turtle sanctuary for visitors to swim next to these delightful sea creatures, and because it is shallow, snorkeling is the best way to view them.
On our last day, we ventured to the spectacular Sulfur Smokey Mountain, where white smoke is emitted from red stones from the side of the mountain. From there, we headed to Pulang Bato Falls, where we plunged into the cold waters. And finally, we enjoyed a calming dip into the warm waters of the Red Rock Hot Spring.
Recharged with love and positive energy, I feel so blessed to enjoy all these travel adventures. I am excited again to attend social affairs like the recent Rustan’s “Summer State of Mind” to welcome the season with lush greenery, vibrant blooms and inspiring displays.
The getaway began with a peek into Rustan’s’ iconic window displays, each exuding luxury and style. Showcasing a diverse range of summer must-haves—including resort wear, menswear, children’s wear, home items and beauty essentials—these captivating displays elevated the shopping experience.
Dream getaway
Spanning the entire store, the multi-floor event invited guests to wander through a world of possibilities in search of their dream getaway. With raffle prizes and exclusive deals that awaited, it was the perfect opportunity to plan the ultimate summer escape.
Until today only, Frequent Shoppers Program (FSP) members can enjoy triple FSP points for every minimum purchase of P5,000 (visit rstns.shop/Summer2024PromosActivities).
For your next trip, check out Rustan’s Summer Travel Fair at Rustan’s Makati until today and then at Rustan’s Shangri-La April 27 to April 28. Explore exclusive deals and exciting offers from top travel agencies, hotels, resorts and airlines.
Travel really helps remove stress from persistent negative emotions and thoughts, such as fear and worry. These harmful energies can accumulate over time and create imprints within the space and other personal belongings in your home or office. This lingering energy may lead to subconscious discomfort and bring about negative vibes. Similar to sensing the energy surrounding a person, you may instinctively avoid someone emitting heavy or low vibrations.
One effective method to dispel this denseness of negative energy from your living or working space is through the practice of space clearing. If you want to clear your space of negative vibes, contact gong master Rosan Cruz at tel. 0918-8889198. Rosan specializes in using the powerful vibrations of the gong for space clearing to release stagnant energies which can have a transformative impact, fostering positivity, charisma and renewed energy, thereby creating space for positive influences to enter your life.
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