Here’s to new adventures

“I am in the world to change the world.” – Muriel Rukeyser

The beginning of a brand new year is an ideal excuse for a fresh start, with infinite possibilities and exciting options. 2026 is a blank canvas to fill up with new adventures and meaningful activities.

This January is all about new openings, new chapters, and a new season of love. On Jan. 17, I attended the lively and festive wedding of Alex SyCip and Sofia Palaganas. Their wedding preparations were over two years in the making, as shared by the mother of the bride, Grace Palaganas, who is my regular golf mate in Manila Golf.

Their wedding felt like a full circle moment as the couple were once high school classmates in Brent International School Manila and reconnected years later, said one of the groomsmen, Wes Cabangon.

Couple’s entourage: (Top row from left) Tamika Santos, Andi Fandinio Aw Young, Sam Tangco, Stefi Palaganas, Sachiko Palaganas, Sofia, Alex, Gabriel Esguerra, Lorenzo Orbeta, Baltie Araneta, Junn Yeu Lock; First row from left: Riane Yulo, Vendela Siasat, Monica Lorenzo, Candice dela Cruz, Alex Gotianun, Wes Cabangon, David Cuenca, Gregan Palaganas, and Michael James Lhuillier

Marissa SyCip, Sofia Palaganas SyCip, Alex SyCip, and Alan SyCip

The San Antonio Parish church, adorned with cascading florals, gathered the SyCip and Palaganas families alongside close friends and long-time supporters. The mood was so joyful, heightened as Sofia made her breathtaking entrance in a custom wedding gown by Val Taguba. The bride’s mother Grace looked stunning in gowns by Dubai-based designer Ezra Santos.

In his homily, the officiating priest reminded guests that marriage brings together not only two people, but three: the couple and God. He spoke of Alex and Sofia’s relationship as one shaped by both happenstance and fate. Brief acquaintances in high school, they reconnected years later during the pandemic, when familiarity deepened into an enduring partnership.

The celebration moved to Shangri-La at the Fort, where an Amazon safari-themed reception welcomed around 450 guests as witnesses to their union. The evening was elevated by a live performance from the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, with the program hosted by JC Alelis. I gamely introduced the ninongs and ninangs at the super fun reception. With much delight, the newlyweds themselves performed a special samba dance, drawing loud applause.

Ben Chan, Sea Princess, and Nenita Chan-Lim

Bruce McDonald, Christina Barrera McDonald, Vicky Veloso Barrera, and Roberto Barrera with newlyweds Sofia and Alex SyCip

Bride’s mother Grace and bride’s aunt Caroline Lopez

Throughout the evening, bespoke personal details appeared, including custom-made drink bars by Filheim, one of Alex’s growing businesses alongside SyCip Builders.

As the celebration came to a close, what lingered was a shared sense of gratitude and optimism, as Alex and Sofia stepped into married life supported by family, lifelong friends, and a community ready to celebrate their future together.

Family will always be the center of my life’s purpose. Alex is a nephew of mine on the Roces side of the family. I was delighted to celebrate their union, and I’m looking forward to more golfing days with his new mother-in-law Grace.

Parents of the bride: Manuel and Grace Palaganas

Sofia Coyiuto Tan, Stenie Coyiuto Tay, Ninang Elena Coyiuto, Sam Coyiuto, and Jeline Eduardo

Arsenic and Crispy Laurel and daughter Mia Laurel

Building up hope

This January also marks the opening of three more branches of Wilcon Depot, the country’s top home and building retail shop with over one hundred branches all over the Philippines.

Wilcon Depot officially opened their latest store in Carmona, Cavite. With an ever-growing population of more than 4.7 million, Cavite stands as one of the most dynamic and progressive provinces in the country.

Cavite Cong. Hon. Roy Loyola, Carmona Mayor Hon. Dahlia Loyola, Wilcon family Dr. William Belo, Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, Rose Bosch-Ong, and Sea Princess

Being the ninth branch in Cavite, Wilcon is committed to serve all the building needs of this community by providing quality products and excellent service. I joined the ribbon cutting ceremony with Wilcon founder Dr. William T. Belo and President and CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, and other VIP guests. Wilcon Depot SEVP and COO Rosemarie Bosch-Ong shared her moving opening message right after the ceremony. With their battle cry this year—”TATAG WILCON”—the team promises to bring building dreams to life with beautiful, sturdy, and strong homes that its owners could be proud of.

After chatting with 5th District of Cavite Hon. Congressman Roy Loyola and Carmona Mayor Hon. Dahlia A. Loyola, I discovered their special projects that aid the community and PWD citizens. I shall feature them soon as clear examples of good governance and unity in the public and private sector.

AC81 Section 4 (front from left): Didac Rivera, Jovic Laureta, Judy Dellota, Sea Princess, Kit McDonald, and Tessa Alindogan; (back from left): Lorvi Mapa, Claudette Cordon, Joy Schallenberg, Popsie Gamboa, Ona Chung, and Yvette Manotoc

Starry investment

Apart from being a Wilcon Depot brand ambassador, I am also a Globe lifestyle ambassador. I am happy to share the latest launch of Globe with Starlink. Globe has taken a major step toward redefining how Filipinos stay connected with the launch of Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite technology—an innovation that brings mobile connectivity to places long beyond the reach of traditional networks.

The milestone launch was attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., underscoring the role of technology in advancing the country’s push for connectivity.

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, has long faced challenges in extending mobile coverage to remote, rural, and maritime areas. Starting later this year, Starlink DTC offers a new solution: standard LTE mobile phones can connect directly to satellites without needing additional devices or specialized equipment.

Usec. Marlo Guloy, National Security Council; Usec. Antonio Padre, Officer-in-Charge, Department of Information and Communications Technology; Atty. Usec. Glenda Rumohr, Undersecretary, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development; Jaime Alfonso Antonio Zobel de Ayala, CEO, AC Mobility; Carl R. Cruz, president and CEO, Globe; Sec. Henry Aguda, Department of Information and Communications Technology; H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.; President of the Republic of the Philippines; Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala, chairman, Globe; Hon. Jorge Bocobo, Congressman, 2nd District of Taguig; Damien Innes, senior partnerships manager, Space X; Christopher Feather, commercial officer, US Embassy; Maj. Rajiv Capatoy, Department of National Defense; Atty. Ella Blanca Lopez, Commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission; and AFP Capt. Adonis Matinong, Group Commander

With a clear view of the sky, users can send messages, access essential data, and stay in touch even in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult. Powered by Starlink’s constellation of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, the service functions like a cell tower in space. These satellites communicate with one another through laser links, enabling seamless coverage across vast distances and integrating smoothly with Globe’s existing network.

The result is expanded mobile access for geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities, including those in far-flung barangays and open seas. The initiative aligns with the government’s goal of bringing reliable digital access to all Filipinos, particularly the estimated four percent of the population still living without any terrestrial mobile coverage.

Witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and key government officials, the Globe–Starlink collaboration highlights how innovation and partnership can translate advanced technology into everyday impact.

With all these new connections forming around us, it is a great sign that we must take the leap into promising adventures and go after our dreams. The new year is what you make of it; so make each day special, and take steps toward your goals everyday. Even baby steps, if done constantly over time, can really help you go the distance.