Can you imagine how much more interesting it would be if you could dine with a famous celebrity of your choice? Read on and find out who the people I asked would love to share a meal with.
Joey Concepcion, businessman: God, Jesus Christ. I would ask Him what we Filipinos have done wrong to deserve the misery we are suffering.
Mercy Tuason, civic-minded lady: Father Pio. He’s really something. You don’t have to say what’s in your heart because he can see it and even before you can say anything he knows what you want to say. In fact, when we were driving around Europe with my children and my in-laws in 1965 I wanted to meet him but he was staying in a place that was hours away from Rome. Two years later he died. I had a chance to meet him but I lost it. One lesson I learned was that if ever you want to do something and you have the chance to, just do it.
Cito Beltran, TV host, Straight Talk and Isyu: Princess Diana. I always believed that I would have an opportunity to see her in person even from afar. I’ve never seen a real princess. I was in London when she died. Her funeral passed right in front of me. So I actually didn’t see her in person when she was alive but I saw her when she was dead.
Pinky Webb, newscaster: I’d have dinner with Osama bin Laden, tip off the American authorities, collect the reward money and live a worry-free life, at least financially.
Raul Manzano, businessman: Maurice Arcache. He never seems to run out of interesting and juicy stories to tell. He is a great raconteur.
Kathy De Guzman: Pamela Harriman because she was the life of the party.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan: Nelson Mandela. After 28 years of imprisonment for his political beliefs, he served as president of South Africa. I cannot imagine how one is able to go through so much suffering after being imprisoned for 20 years because of his beliefs and yet persevere and become so great. I have nothing but admiration for his strength of character. He was at one point both an advocate and an elected leader – a rarity. I would place him in the same league as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. His life story should serve to inspire the rest of humanity.
Dr. Randy Francisco: I would choose Jose Rizal. A person who has so much passion and is very principled is a hard find nowadays. The man lived his life with a dream. It would have been stimulating, if not inspiring, to talk and get to know the man.