The inspiring energy of priests

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited by Cynthia Sanchez to deliver an inspirational talk to seminarians from 12 seminaries hosted by the San Jose Seminary at the Ateneo de Manila University. Cynthia is a charming young woman and you may suspect that she’s a nun – no she’s not – she’s a violinist who plays for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Anytime now, she’s leaving for New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music. Cynthia was charmingly persistent that I go to this affair. Fr. Manoling Francisco reminded her constantly that it was important that she followed-up the invitation.

Yes, I was a seminarian. I spent four years at the Seminario de Jesus Nazareno in Borongan, Eastern Samar. I have fond memories of my seminary days. It was there where I learned to conjugate verbs and define nouns in Latin, way before I constructed laboriously my first Spanish sentence. It was there where I appreciated the importance of time. (The bells would ring at 5 a.m. to wake us up at 5:30 for the morning Mass. Then, we would go to our assigned cleaning areas. I would always pray that I would not be assigned to the bathrooms. It was breakfast at the refectory, classes at 7:30 a.m., then recess, lunch, gardening, recreation, rosary, study time etc.) and the wonderful world of books. It was also in the seminary where I started to converse with God, a conversation that continues long after I have left the seminary.

So that evening, when I went to the San Jose Seminary, I prayed to God for wisdom to say the right words that would make inspiring stories. My name was called after a song and dance number (I was in familiar territory, I thought) and I jumped my way onstage and started to talk. It was a warm and kind audience. I knew I was home. I tried to find the words and I decided to have fun. It was a short talk. And then, I realized that standing in front of future priests, I was the one inspired by their energy, vibrance and youth. And deep, deep inside my heart, I was proud of all of them.

Cynthia, Fr. Manoling, thank you and may there be more priests to serve the spiritual needs of the country (I tremble in fear, just thinking, what if I became a priest!).

Swatch The Club

During the mid-’80s, when the Swatch watch was launched, it was predicted to be a flop. After all, the craze back then was the digital watch and pundits felt that a simple rubber watch couldn’t compete with the high-tech features of the digital watch.

But to everyone’s surprise, a lot of people got caught in the Swatch craze. Anyone who was anyone back then had at least one unit of those light and stylish Swiss watches.

And now, almost 20 years and millions of Swatches sold later, the Swatch watch is still a best-seller among the young and young at heart, and is now part of history of pop culture as one of the most successful watches ever. It has evolved into many colors, designs and looks that there is indeed a Swatch watch for everyone.

Now, Swatch has just launched a club that will surely delight all Swatch fans like me. The purchase of a Swatch watch entitles the buyer to be a member of Swatch The Club. The club is a worldwide organization and allows its members to enjoy all kinds of privileges, including the exclusive Club watch and special offers which are sent to them each year.

Furthermore, Swatch The Club members receive regular copies of the Swatch World Journal and the Newsletter.

To join, simply buy a Swatch watch in authorized dealers and fill up an application form included in the package.

Feng shui book

As the ancient practice of geomancy (feng shui) extends beyond Asian shores, the influence of well-traveled feng shui master Joseph Chau continues to grow. Acknowledged as a primary figure in Chinese geomancy, Joseph has been practicing this ancient practice for 28 years, and has established his own firm, Chau’s Chinese Geomancy.

His popularity has spread across the globe he has clients in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Germany, China, Thailand and the United States.

With his mastery of the ancient Asian tradition, he designed and produced a small English and Chinese version of the Feng Shui I-Ching compass. Complete with an instruction book to teach feng shui enthusiasts basic knowledge about lucky directions, the compass has since been sought by feng shui followers. It is now available all over the world.

And now, Joseph has just released a book with the Mandarin Oriental to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Joseph has been personally involved in Mandarin Oriental Manila’s annual propitious celebrations to welcome the new lunar year, and in the hotel’s festive Autumn Moon Festivals and other feng-shui-related events.

His book, simply titled 2002 Year of the Horse offers a complete guide of feng shui followers to attain good health, wealth and many more.