What's your most treasured possession?

When we talk about our most treasured possessions we describe things that have a sentimental value in our lives, people who mean so much to us, and memories that no one can take away from us. It’s human to want to own things but if we really think about it, even if we hold them close to our hearts, we can only wish that they would be with us forever. This is why I have learned to enjoy my most treasured possessions and know when to hold on to them really tight, when it’s time to loosen my grip, and be grateful to the Lord for giving them to me.

GIGI OROSA VILLAREAL, homemaker: My family is and will always be my most treasured possession. Early this year I lost my father. He was, after my husband, my go-to person for anything under the sun, especially when I need an objective point of view. In tragedy, my family, including my siblings and in-laws, came together to comfort and encourage one another. If I could only put my family, husband, kids, siblings nephews, nieces and in-laws in my purse and, as the saying goes, “don’t leave home without it.”

GP REYES, creative director, GPR Advertising/co-owner, Members Only/Tides Boracay: I would have to say that creativity is my most treasured possession, and I believe it does fall into such a category because it is something that on some days you can have so much of and on other days you can simply just lose. It is the fuel that keeps me going, energizing and powering me through one project to the next. Whether developing a campaign for Century Properties or Grey Goose Vodka, or doing an event at Embassy or Members Only, or conceptualizing the next photo shoot at the Tides, it is my capacity to create and be creative that allows me to remain relevant in this industry.

CARA DE OCAMPO, housewife: Three things come to mind: my engagement and wedding ring, which reminds me of how lucky I am to have a wonderful husband; my photos, which let me enjoy looking back at the good memories I’ve had with family and friends; and a cross necklace with my grandfather’s ashes in it, which lets me remember him and keep him close to me always.

HAPPY ONGPAUCO, chef/restaurateur: My most treasured possession would be an award that I received for being The Most Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year.  The food business is my passion. To be recognized in my field of work and to own such an award makes every sweat, hard work and sleepless night worthwhile.

ILLAC DIAZ, social entrepreneur: One of the most treasured possessions I have is my Volkswagen. I have a 1953 Beetle, which was the first one that I put together with a mechanic. I was a very young man then and with little pieces that I scrounged around for, I built it from end to end and overhauled it. That made me really appreciate building things from scratch; that was my first project. The second is the reliability of basics. I accidentally took out three of the spark plugs but even with just one chamber the Volkswagen brought me home — and I even drove it through a flood once.

ALETH OCAMPO MAPA, chef/painter: My most treasured possessions are happy memories with family and friends.  These past few years my family and I have been blessed to go on trips that also serve as bonding time and making us closer as a family. I feel very fortunate that we were given these opportunities to spend more time with my 84-year-old father and my children have also become very close not only to their cousins but also to my brother, sister and brother-in-law. Material possessions can either get lost or stolen but these wonderful memories will be there forever. So, we also make sure to take tons of photos that are fun to look at from time to time.

MARIKO JACINTO, artist: My most treasured possessions are myself and my family. I am the universe and so are you! We are the physical manifestations of the invisible workings of our own minds. The “self “ is the only thing we bring to the next life, throughout eternity and not the worldly possessions, stature, titles, brands and names that we associate ourselves with in order to feel high.

CARISSA VILLACORTA, author: My most treasured possessions can neither be stolen nor misplaced but should still be kept well: family, friendships, health, peace and faith. I honestly don’t have any object as a prized possession because I easily lose things, from cell phones to all kinds of jewelry and watches. I have detached my mind from sentimental value and high-priced possessions because I’m prone to losing them.

FARAH LOCSIN, entrepreneur: My family — my mom, Manong Boj, JR, Bea, and the memory of Pop. Through them, I never lose sight of hope and love.

NORMAN CRISOLOGO, collector: On the presumption that the question is about material things and not of the beauty-pageant variety, my favorite possession as of this moment is a record-size excavated megalodon fossilized tooth. Just can’t seem to stop touching it and staring at it. Weird, but I’m still wondering if I should actually carry it out first should a fire occur. I’m sure tomorrow will bring another object to obsess about, but what I would truly carry out first would be our pre-digital-age family albums.