Who’s the most interesting person you have met?

Every day we have that chance to meet and be with people. There are some that leave an impact on our hearts. It may be the way they carry themselves, the way they talk, their smile, the stories they share, how we see them with others or the kindness they have shown us that make them stay in our minds and hearts even long after we’ve seen them.

Personally, I have learned that each person has a story to share, stories I can learn from and stories that have inspired me to become a better person, to count my blessings and just to remind me to be grateful for my life. Read on as friends share with us the most interesting people they have met aside from their loved ones.

Isabela 1st District Rep Rodolfo Albano 111

Manong Rudy Fariñas. He continues to educate me every day. We are on the same wavelength and continue to appreciate each other’s thoughts.

Former Energy Secretary Vince Perez

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In a private meeting with former President Arroyo in 2001 where I was also present, she commented how female leaders often are under estimated.

Dianne dela Fuente Tiongson, VP of Cabalen

Elvira Go of Columbian Corp. is the most interesting person I’ve met (I admire) her love for and dedication to her faith and religion. She is a devout Catholic. Her words of wisdom and encouragement for us to believe in Jesus Christ and to surrender ourselves to Him. And through the Holy Spirit, which guides and leads us in all our undertakings. Her generosity and kindness is an inspiration of how we as Catholics should be to others.

Tina Dolina, banker

One of the most interesting persons I have ever met is businesswoman Alice Eduardo. She is a natural entrepreneur who possesses what Joe Robinson says are the seven traits of successful entrepreneurs: tenacity, passion, tolerance of ambiguity, vision, self-belief, flexibility and defying conventional wisdom. Interestingly, Alice has all these and more. She was a successful rice miller and garments manufacturer and now has defied the odds and gone into the male-dominated construction business. And like in her previous endeavors, she has been and continues to be successful in this field. Truly, enterprise is in her DNA.

Rhoda Campos Aldanese, owner, Villa Del Conte Chocolates

Dr. Vicki Belo. Her  resilience. Despite all, she remains strong. Despite her success, she remains humble and always seeking to strengthen her faith. She has several projects helping those in need and most of it is done quietly. She exercises her soul that way. She will do someone or a group a good turn and not wish to be found out. If you really know her well you know she is a truly good person. On the business side...I remember when she developed Flawless, I thought to myself that was really noble of her to bring beauty to a wider audience. And this is exhilarating for many whose lives change because the gift of beauty is made affordable to them. Truly empowering.

Anne Gonzalez, entrepreneur

Fr. Catalino Arevalo, Society of Jesus, is not only interesting but inspiring. He has been a part of my dad’s life since Dad was a teenager. He officiated my parents’ wedding and has been present in other family milestones. He is a gentle priest and respected theologian. At 90 years old, he has an abundance of wisdom to share. Fr. Arevalo reminds me that genuine goodness exists.

Kim de Guzman-Lim, owner, www.cocorose.ph

His Holiness 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. I was fortunate to have been able to spend time with the Karmapa on a few occasions when he was visiting here in the Philippines. Although he was only 29 years old back then, he displayed wisdom well beyond his years without losing his youthful demeanor. What is interesting about him is that he is a man of few words but his actions and faith speak volumes. He is a mix between Eastern Buddhist philosophies and practice and Western philosophy. He travels the globe as a world Buddhist leader yet remains humble. Even after enduring challenges such as being persecuted from his homeland, he espouses positivity to yourself and those around you by reflecting on compassion.  In his words: “We are all connected in many, many ways. We each have seeds of peace within us, and together we can cultivate loving kindness.”

Amanda Fernandez, owner/manager Sikat FC, model, Gameplan host

The most interesting person I’ve met thus far is my yaya Fe. This is because she always manages to put a smile on my face, whether she means to or not. Most of the time, she fails to realize how funny she is when she gives me advice based on what she learned as a kid, or based on sheer superstition! Nonetheless, I still love her for all that she’s done for me. I believe that without Fe, I wouldn’t have grown up to be as strong-willed as I am today. Her passion and love for my family and me are something I will always treasure.

Trisha Panlilio, owner, Nawwty’s Kitchen

In one of my recent travels I came across an amazing seafood restaurant in Rome and had an engaging chat with its owner who has been running it for decades. A charming old man who spoke about life and food so passionately,  and the history and story of all things related to this restaurant he considers home. It was interesting because it was so spontaneous and real, both poignant, funny and with so many lessons I picked up in that one enchanting evening. A man with whom I shared similar love for our sons, food and laughter, and life as we know it. Sometimes random conversations with new people are the best — refreshing, to say the least.

Paula Locsin-Bondoc, executive director of CSFI and owner of Yumi & Munchtown Restaurants

Fr. Adolfo “Dacs” Dacanay is the most interesting person I’ve ever met. I was a student at Ateneo and he was a priest and professor there when I met him. I found him so interesting because it was the first and only time I had met a priest who acted like a real person instead of preaching to me from the pulpit or talking down to me from an ivory tower. He was a flesh-and-blood person, intelligent and engaging. His stories and kwentos to us, his students and friends, were so everyday and natural yet taught so many lessons about life. I met him two decades ago but up to now, I fondly remember my good friend and mentor, Fr. Dacs.