Four women spend time continuing a legacy

MANILA, Philippines - The year 2015 is almost over. We’re once again in the season when most people reflect on what they’ve accomplished so far and come up with resolutions for the future. If you’re still pondering what more you would like to achieve for yourself or the people you care for, be inspired by these four unique women who are doing what most can only dream about.

Philip Stein’s Women of Legacy share their favorite mantras as they continue to prove that with small but sure steps, big dreams can be achieved.

Alexandra M. Eduque: “Be the change you want to see in this world”

Coming from a family where giving is like second nature, Alex Eduque inherited her philosophy of “charity that enables capability” from her grandmother, Doña Chito Madrigal Collantes. She founded the Habitat Youth Council before she turned 20, and successfully raised millions for Habitat for Humanity, garnering her numerous awards both in the Philippines and abroad.

Today she heads her own foundation, Molding Optimism and Values through Education or MovEd. They provide early childhood education to kids in some of the poorest communities in the country. She believes that through educating the child as early as possible, we can all “fight poverty, one family at a time.”Alex is also a graphic designer, and her latest collection, Chic Metropole, is available at paperie.printsonalities.com. Part of the proceeds from sales will go to educating the kids of MovEd. “I wanted to show people that it doesn’t take much to help others,” shares Alex. “It’s actually the small things that make a big difference in the end.”

Candice Dizon: “Time well-spent is time with people you love”

A third-generation jeweler, Candy’s treasures go beyond the jewelry she creates. Influenced by her mother’s love for wellness and nature, Candy also supports sustainable designs, and environment-preserving projects like tree-planting and green couture. Continuing a tradition of excellence, Candy was trained in the jewelry business since she was 10 years old, by observing how her mother worked. Now, she is following in her mother’s footsteps.

Her latest collaboration is with Lucy Torres-Gomez, creating beautiful shell cameos and turquoise jewelry, to be unveiled in December. “I took after my mom’s design aesthetics. She loved to use leaves, flowers, insects on her designs and I plan to continue her line so that her presence will always remain in the business,” says Candy. In addition to the precious jewelry, Candy considers her mom Jul B. Dizon’s conservative but caring and nurturing motherhood style, as a legacy that she will also pass on to her two daughters. “Hopefully, I will be able to influence my two daughters to not only continue the business, but to take it globally,” says Candy. “My goal is to take Jul B. Dizon to New York and Paris, one step at a time.”

Amanda Fernandez: “You can only keep what you can defend”

A commercial model and host on Solar Sports, Amanda has been passionate about football since she was a child. Amanda also inherited good finance and business sense, but it was the legacy of integrity and service to the Filipino people from her grandfather, former BSP Governor Jose B. Fernandez, that inspired her to defend and fight for her dreams.

This year, her childhood dream of owning a soccer field finally came true when she opened SPARTA (Sports Recreation and Training Arena), a state-of-the-art indoor soccer field, one of only two available in Metro Manila. SPARTA also helps her to achieve her other dream: to promote football across the country, and teach children and youth how to have healthy and active lifestyles through sports. “I want to show Filipinos that football isn’t only for the rich, it is for everybody. In fact, some of the best football players in the world came from poor communities, and sports was their ticket out of poverty,” declares Amanda. “Sports can really change their lives, and help them overcome barriers to become better people.”

Happy Ongpauco-Tiu: Put God first and success will follow

Faith and hard work are key ingredients to genuine happiness, something that Happy Ongpauco-Tiu learned from her parents Rod and Liberty Ongpauco, who originated the now famous crispy pata, and established Barrio Fiesta, Singing Cooks and Waiters Atbp., and more. “I grew up playing in these restaurants, and they eventually became my workplace,” says Happy. But more than these businesses, Happy reveals that the core values of honesty, kindness, and making others happy through good food, is what she cherishes most from her parents’ legacy. So with her parents’ blessing, Happy took a leap of faith and started her own business, the Happy Concept Group — which gave birth to World Topps, Bento Box and Pamana restaurants, among many others. “More than the physical things, I want to be able to share my parents’ legacy of good values to my children,” shares Happy. “So that no matter what field they choose when they grow older, they will succeed.”

Alex, Candy, Amanda and Happy — these four women are wearing the Legacy Petite, the newest addition to Philip Stein’s Legacy Collection watches, which were co-designed by Lea Salonga and launched last July 2015.

The Legacy Petite comes in two brilliant styles: the stainless steel petite oval case, and a rose gold-plated version. Each timepiece swanks Philip Stein’s Signature dual time zone dial in white mother-of-pearl, fitted with mineral crystal, and comes in interchangeable silk calf straps available in black, white, pink, and light blue. An upgrade to a stainless steel or rose gold- plated bracelet is also available. The beauty of the interchangeable strap system is that it gives the wearer the luxury of versatility, to keep up with the current fashion trends.

More than just for luxury, a Philip Stein watch is also a wellness accessory. Dubbed as the “feel good watch” by Oprah, each Legacy and Legacy Petite is equipped with Philip Stein’s unique Natural Frequency Technology, a chip that acts like an antenna to help the wearer tune in to the earth’s positive alpha waves, thus becoming more energized, focused, and resilient against stress. Devoted customers who have felt positive effects from Natural Frequency Technology for years, attest to the clinical study results that show Philip Stein wearers experience improved sleep, and reduced stress with continued use.

Each of these Women of Legacy wears her petite timepiece as a reminder that achieving her big goals in life is always possible — one small step at a time.

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Legacy Petite is available in all Philip Stein stores nationwide.

For information, visit www.facebook.com/philipstein.ph.