Whose mind would you want to get into?

There are personalities we admire, whether for their achievements in life or for their character or physique. Often, we end up realizing that our actions and mannerisms mimic theirs. Whether this act of imitation is performed consciously or not, we cannot deny that we have a desire to know what is running through their minds. Because it’s one thing to see how they act, and quite another to see the world through their perspective.

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Boots Anson Rodrigo, actress 

I am blessed to have touched my husband King Rodrigo’s heart and spirit. But I shy away from reading, much more, probing his mind. In King’s words, he has a simple, logical, straighforward but honest mind. The blind poet John Milton wrote: “The mind is its own place and can make of itself a heaven or hell.” I will let King’s mind be; keep its peace; and relish the heaven it has made of itself.

Rosanna Ocampo Rodriguez, fashion designer

I wouldn’t have to look far. It would be my late grandfather, Senator Lorenzo Tañada. I was only a teenager when he passed but he exhibited a strong sense of nationalism and left behind a lasting legacy: that family is paramount and that faith and love surpass all.

Kenneth Cobonpue, multi-awarded furniture designer

I’ve always been fascinated by people who can combine the right and left sides of the brain very well. Leonardo Da Vinci is a prime example of a Renaissance man. He was a painter, sculptor, humanist, scientist, architect, philosopher, engineer and more. Jose Rizal was no different being a biologist, volcanologist, ophthalmologist, painter, poet, novelist and political scientist. I believe that modern geniuses are still born today, including one hidden inside us.

Jenni Epperson, stylist, curator, fashion editor

I’ve always been fascinated about Leonardo Da Vinci. I would have liked to find out how a genius’ mind works. What his motivations are in thinking out of the box and constantly pushing the envelope? It would be nice to also find the truth behind his “Mona Lisa” painting.

Dominique Roque, actor

If given the chance to get into someone else’s mind, I would choose Leonardo DiCaprio. Not only is he a creative genius for producing and acting in such amazing films and a successful businessman, he’s also been in the industry for years, maintaining his fame and improving his professional skills in every given project. So, I think by going into his mind, I would get a piece of his genius, learn how to stay in the industry with strong support from those who believe in my talent and improve my own skills.

Arnold Vegafria, producer, talent manager

I have always been fascinated by Donald Trump’s no-nonsense philosophy. He may be criticized for being brash, outspoken and controversial but underneath the notoriety lies the wisdom of an honest man who is fearless about speaking his own mind. Ultimately, it is his focused vision, wisdom and sheer guts that are the backbone of his entire persona.

Rep. Sol Aragones, 3rd District of Laguna

What would really be interesting, and educational would be to enter into the mind of children with autism, for me to know how they see the world, so I will know how to interact with them. So we may live a life not just of love and patience, but also of understanding and comprehension.

Former Mayor Mon Ilagan, UNA spokesperson

I had the honor of attending Pope Francis’ youth encounter at my alma mater, UST, last Jan. 18 and I was moved by the speech of our Holy Father. I wish I had the opportunity to deeply understand what was on the Pope’s mind and heart when he said that we should learn to be evangelized by the poor, by those we help, the sick and the orphans, because they have so much to give us.

Angelo Comsti, cookbook author and editor in chief of F&B Report magazine

I would like to know what goes on in the ingenious minds of chefs I admire like Grant Achatz and Chris Cosentino. More than creative chefs though, I would love to get into the minds of people who, unfortunately, have no sense of sight since birth. I often wonder how they perceive things, like the color red or the shape of an apple. It is of great interest and intrigue to me.

Peewee Isidro, editor in chief, Mega magazine

If I could get into a person’s head, I would choose Coco Chanel’s beautiful mind. As a woman designer who liberated women from wearing rigid corset silhouettes and gave them freedom by offering new design options, her valuable contributions in fashion is still relevant up to this day.