Tricia Chiongbian-Concepcion: More than substantial

MANILA, Philippines - For me, no woman can be more alluring than Tricia Chiongbian-Concepcion. When I was asked to write this a few weeks ago, I said it would be easy, except I’m limited to a few words. To describe Tricia, you need the space to be able to say she is very, very, very, very, very, very beautiful. That ain’t enough very’s, trust me. More than her smile, and her devastating eyes, her heart glows with the real beauty — a heart that can keep her going through an Ironman triathlon, and a heart that can melt mine. She only sees the best in people, and through her example, brings out the best in all of us blessed to know her. It’s easy to see why she has so many good friends, and it’s obvious for any man to want to have his hand to be the one she wants to hold.

Tricia was the first Filipino to ever win a medal in an internationally-sanctioned Ironman triathlon (swimming, 3.9 km; biking, 180 km; running, 42.2 km). She did this in Langkawi, Malaysia on Feb. 24, 2007, placing third in her age group. Her athleticism can amaze even elite athletes for she can compete with badminton crazies, tennis nuts and golf heads any time, any day. Even more, her American piano teacher Mr. Wilcox found Tricia’s talent and soulful ivory-striking to be so worthy, he asked her to debut his composition in public. Those who were present to hear her play that day said Tricia brought everyone to tears.

We work harder because of her. We pray to God and have more faith, and we believe our dreams will come true because of her. She has lived in the United States and was educated there, graduating from Marymount University (Virginia) with a degree in Communications. Her adventurous ways were somehow seen by the public when she was a co-host of Gameplan years ago. She travels everywhere and anywhere on her 10-speed bike, most recently last November in Thailand, biking over 500 km to raise awareness for cervical cancer. Tricia is grounded, humble, happily friendly, extremely helpful, so warm and kindhearted. 

All of us have a past that is our foundation, and a future where we anchor our ambitions, but Tricia is great with being in and breathing in the present. It’s not surprising she does the news as a nightly broadcaster on Studio 23’s Newscentral. Either in front of the camera reporting the day’s events or behind it writing what needs to be said, Tricia provides relevance. 

And as I write this, I feel like I’m the most relevant man in the world — one who can move mountains because the world’s most alluring woman has become my true love and my wonderful wife.