What event affected you most in 2003?
December 21, 2003 | 12:00am
I thought that there would be no other event which could beat EDSA 2. After all, it led to the ouster of then President Joseph Estrada. The other earth-shaking event was the September 11 tragedy which struck in 2001.
But it seems every year has its own events. This year had its own share of the good and the bad. There was the dreaded SARS virus which made us feel helpless not knowing when and where it might strike us. Then came the decision of US President George Bush to attack Iraq which made us fear what could happen next. But at the end of the day we were able to survive all the tragedies that beset us this year. And 2003 seems to be ending on a good note with the capture of Saddam.
I know that being able to start preparations for Christmas and the New Year with my loved ones is something that I am happy about. This year has held a lot of surprises for me. But, next year I hope that in spite of the elections, it will be much better not only for our country but for everyone around the world, too.
TESSIE TOMAS, TV host: With regard to my career it is going back to my daily show in ABS-CBN. It turned my life around because my schedule is so hectic now.
I was crying for days when America attacked Iraq. I didn’t agree with it. It has cost so many lives. Iraq should run its own affairs no matter how evil Saddam is.
LEN NEPOMUCENO GUIAO, fashion designer: For one, in spite of the SARS epidemic we (Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines), went to Shanghai, China to do a fashion show in March. While we were there, we got the news that we would be quarantined when we got back to Manila. So when we got home, I submitted myself to a home-quarantine for seven days for the sake of my children. That really affected me since I couldn’t even hug my husband and kids.
The second event was my doing an interpretation of a Terno for a show at the Metropolitan Museum late last month. That event greatly touched me because I was handpicked by a great designer, Joe Salazar, and was supported by another great person – Ben Chan.
MARIANO GARCHITORENA, public relations, The Peninsula Manila: One of the best things that could have happened to me was when the Peninsula Manila was ranked 9th for "Best Hotel in Asia" (the only hotel in the Philippines to have been named so) and 64th for the "Best Hotel in the World" in the top American travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler’s 16th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards in their November 2003 issue.
We were delighted with the ranking given to us by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, as this is a valuable recognition of our efforts to provide the best hotel experience possible for our guests. Also, in the face of the SARS scare and lackluster image that our country has been plagued with, this proved to be an added plus not just for us but for the entire Philippine tourism industry as well.
GINA DE VENECIA, president, Congressional Spouses Foundation: The most meaningful event was the inauguration of The Haven for Children last February 15. It was my birthday and on that day one of my fondest dreams had become a reality.
Ten little homeless boys, representing the future residents of The Haven for Children, released balloons in front of the eight buildings that have become the homes of children like themselves, who live on the streets of Metro Manila. It was an unforgettable day!
CHERI MERCADO, TV host/newscaster: Moving houses. Leaving my singlehood nest and finding a place to share with the only person I want to be with for the rest of my life!
JOYCE OREñA, model-turned entrepreneur: The day America played God. It’s scary to think how one country can have so much power as to control other nations for their own selfish intentions.
MONIQUE VILLONCO, full time mother of two adults and one teenager: Last September, I enrolled in a creative potential workshop in Rockport, Maine, which somehow lead to a rock-climbing expedition up a real cliff, not one of those mall things with the built-in edges one can hang on to. I was teary-eyed with fear as I got into the straps, checked the cables, knots, clamps and clips, and proceeded to double-check my partners’ gear and riggings. All these swept by me, my mind was foggy, I was shaking and couldn’t think straight. About 20 feet up I got stuck. I didn’t have my glasses on and had to rely on my hands to find the next jagged edge. My feet kept losing their grip, and the unbearable smell of the safety helmet was making me dizzy. I could hear voices beneath me shouting all the same time: "Six inches to the left, and two inches above your knee!" "Go girl you can do it!" – all trying to help me, but confusing me even more, even annoying me. After a while I heard only a faint murmuring. I began to feel sorry for myself. My team had given up on me, I thought.
Why did I ever sign up for this workshop? I’ll be 50 in a few months, what in the world was I doing here? I looked up at the sky and suddenly realized I had everything needed to reach my goal – equipment, a support team, and a healthy body. All I had to do was believe I could get all the elements working. By then, I was aware that if I stayed in that spot a minute longer I would give up. I was tired and my fingers were hurting from the burden of my own weight. I had to make a decision, fast. Up or down? This much I knew: Going down was going to take as much effort as going up. So I chose up, to see for myself what all this was for. At that moment my foot found a slot, then another, and another – within minutes I reached the top. I heard cheering friends reminding me to turn around and enjoy what lay before me. As my foot touched the solid ground, I turned to kiss the beautiful mountain. God is good, man is kind!
CITO BELTRAN, TV host/news anchor, The Insider: I can’t even remember an event that took place this year, which I can judge significant enough to have changed my life.
I was thinking of joining foundations or charitable organizations. So I prayed over it and the message I got from the Lord was "just minister to your people individually so you can change your family, change your community and change your nation. The same way that your pastor ministers to you, minister to others so that you can change others."
When we got the Catholic Mass Media award, it was a confirmation for me that what we are doing is according to His will. That made an impact in my life!
But it seems every year has its own events. This year had its own share of the good and the bad. There was the dreaded SARS virus which made us feel helpless not knowing when and where it might strike us. Then came the decision of US President George Bush to attack Iraq which made us fear what could happen next. But at the end of the day we were able to survive all the tragedies that beset us this year. And 2003 seems to be ending on a good note with the capture of Saddam.
I know that being able to start preparations for Christmas and the New Year with my loved ones is something that I am happy about. This year has held a lot of surprises for me. But, next year I hope that in spite of the elections, it will be much better not only for our country but for everyone around the world, too.
TESSIE TOMAS, TV host: With regard to my career it is going back to my daily show in ABS-CBN. It turned my life around because my schedule is so hectic now.
I was crying for days when America attacked Iraq. I didn’t agree with it. It has cost so many lives. Iraq should run its own affairs no matter how evil Saddam is.
LEN NEPOMUCENO GUIAO, fashion designer: For one, in spite of the SARS epidemic we (Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines), went to Shanghai, China to do a fashion show in March. While we were there, we got the news that we would be quarantined when we got back to Manila. So when we got home, I submitted myself to a home-quarantine for seven days for the sake of my children. That really affected me since I couldn’t even hug my husband and kids.
The second event was my doing an interpretation of a Terno for a show at the Metropolitan Museum late last month. That event greatly touched me because I was handpicked by a great designer, Joe Salazar, and was supported by another great person – Ben Chan.
MARIANO GARCHITORENA, public relations, The Peninsula Manila: One of the best things that could have happened to me was when the Peninsula Manila was ranked 9th for "Best Hotel in Asia" (the only hotel in the Philippines to have been named so) and 64th for the "Best Hotel in the World" in the top American travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler’s 16th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards in their November 2003 issue.
We were delighted with the ranking given to us by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, as this is a valuable recognition of our efforts to provide the best hotel experience possible for our guests. Also, in the face of the SARS scare and lackluster image that our country has been plagued with, this proved to be an added plus not just for us but for the entire Philippine tourism industry as well.
GINA DE VENECIA, president, Congressional Spouses Foundation: The most meaningful event was the inauguration of The Haven for Children last February 15. It was my birthday and on that day one of my fondest dreams had become a reality.
Ten little homeless boys, representing the future residents of The Haven for Children, released balloons in front of the eight buildings that have become the homes of children like themselves, who live on the streets of Metro Manila. It was an unforgettable day!
CHERI MERCADO, TV host/newscaster: Moving houses. Leaving my singlehood nest and finding a place to share with the only person I want to be with for the rest of my life!
JOYCE OREñA, model-turned entrepreneur: The day America played God. It’s scary to think how one country can have so much power as to control other nations for their own selfish intentions.
MONIQUE VILLONCO, full time mother of two adults and one teenager: Last September, I enrolled in a creative potential workshop in Rockport, Maine, which somehow lead to a rock-climbing expedition up a real cliff, not one of those mall things with the built-in edges one can hang on to. I was teary-eyed with fear as I got into the straps, checked the cables, knots, clamps and clips, and proceeded to double-check my partners’ gear and riggings. All these swept by me, my mind was foggy, I was shaking and couldn’t think straight. About 20 feet up I got stuck. I didn’t have my glasses on and had to rely on my hands to find the next jagged edge. My feet kept losing their grip, and the unbearable smell of the safety helmet was making me dizzy. I could hear voices beneath me shouting all the same time: "Six inches to the left, and two inches above your knee!" "Go girl you can do it!" – all trying to help me, but confusing me even more, even annoying me. After a while I heard only a faint murmuring. I began to feel sorry for myself. My team had given up on me, I thought.
Why did I ever sign up for this workshop? I’ll be 50 in a few months, what in the world was I doing here? I looked up at the sky and suddenly realized I had everything needed to reach my goal – equipment, a support team, and a healthy body. All I had to do was believe I could get all the elements working. By then, I was aware that if I stayed in that spot a minute longer I would give up. I was tired and my fingers were hurting from the burden of my own weight. I had to make a decision, fast. Up or down? This much I knew: Going down was going to take as much effort as going up. So I chose up, to see for myself what all this was for. At that moment my foot found a slot, then another, and another – within minutes I reached the top. I heard cheering friends reminding me to turn around and enjoy what lay before me. As my foot touched the solid ground, I turned to kiss the beautiful mountain. God is good, man is kind!
CITO BELTRAN, TV host/news anchor, The Insider: I can’t even remember an event that took place this year, which I can judge significant enough to have changed my life.
I was thinking of joining foundations or charitable organizations. So I prayed over it and the message I got from the Lord was "just minister to your people individually so you can change your family, change your community and change your nation. The same way that your pastor ministers to you, minister to others so that you can change others."
When we got the Catholic Mass Media award, it was a confirmation for me that what we are doing is according to His will. That made an impact in my life!
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