What is the difference between being 'number one' and being 'the one'?
People have a way of ranking their relationships, whether personal or business. Being number one is a great thing, but when somebody tells you “you are the one,” it seems that the position is on a much higher level. Or is it? We asked personalities what they think the difference is between the two and what it means to them.
ADEL TAMANO, lawyer: Being number one implies plurality; it’s one among many in a collective. Being the one is reserved for a singular entity only, and represents the highest ideal. Colloquially, kapag number one, pwedeng may number two, pero kapag the one, siguradong wala nang the two.
WENCY CORNEJO, award-winning composer and musician: Metaphorically speaking, by being number one you are a star, and there is a big possibility of falling from the heights. But by being the one, you are the sun, which burns luminous and eternal. Everyone knows of falling stars, but have you ever heard of a falling sun?
CARSTEN STORMER, Asian News correspondent: People search for the one: the one truth, the one love, the one face in a crowd that lights up from within — that’s the closest we get to perfection. There are many number ones in the world — but a single “one” for each of us.
GAIL GARCIA, professional model: The best way I can articulate that would be through a hierarchy or process. Becoming number one is necessary before you can be the one, but not all number ones attain this status. Nasa ibang level na siya.
EDU MANZANO, TV host/OMB chairman: Although both terms imply preeminence and ascendancy, being “the one” is more significant than being “number one” for me. When you say that someone or something is the one, it involves constancy — knowing deep down that the position is unchallenged, and will always remain that way.
MARCO LOBREGAT, international sales manager: Ang dating ng number one, pang-Pinoy box-office ka lang. When you say the one, para kang si Jet Li or si Neo in The Matrix! Siyempre I would rather be Jet Li or Neo!
NATALA RAMSAY, new media strategist: Obviously, the one has more meaning. Number one only lasts as long as the good times do. Rain or shine, the one always remains irreplaceable.
TRICIA ANTON, mother: When I think of the one, my daughter Tasha immediately comes to mind. As much as possible, her dad and I strive to give her the number one in everything — put her in the No. 1 school, surround her with No. 1 materials and activities, and give her the No. 1 pedia-recommended nutritional supplements. We try our very best precisely because Tasha is the one for us.
ALBERT MARTINEZ, actor: To put it briefly, number one is a rank, but being the one is a legacy. Many can say that they were once number one, but only a select few can truly claim to be the one.
