Waves, wisdom, and new beginnings
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – John Kabat-Zinn
A new shift in my energetic field has set my life course in the right direction. Thanks to my three-week vacation in Australia, I have gained so much clarity after being in several years of healing. Somehow, being in the Land Down Under, where I was able to surf, enjoy the beach, and have hours of meditation, has truly awakened my inner peace and joy.
Surfing through life
Surfing has taught me so many life lessons. We don’t have to feel frustrated if we miss those perfect waves. The ocean will deliver and continue to deliver all different kinds of waves. The important thing is not to dwell on what has passed; otherwise, we will miss what’s still to come.
My fave surfer daughter, Jordan Prieto, encouraged me to try surfing in Siargao before, and I was so glad we got to do it together in the Gold Coast, too.
Just like in facing life’s trials, in surfing, we need patience, determination, and resilience. I asked several friends who have been in similar life challenges as me, and they all agree that after enduring much pain, we needed to find and develop our inner strength, so that we could get up and move forward.
For one, fellow fashionista Salome Uy shares that she is done feeling guilty for not being nice to people who don’t deserve her friendship. She is happily living her best life.
And I am grateful to be surrounded by empowered mothers who continue to balance all the roles they play, and still keep self-love as a priority.
Finding hope at The Hope Gala
Since I was away on holiday, I missed so many events in Manila this month. One of those was the latest EPCALM event last May 17. The EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines successfully staged its landmark benefit dinner-concert, “The Hope Gala 2026,” at Solaire Resort North, bringing together top entertainment personalities, philanthropists, and advocates in support of adult leukemia patients.
The sold-out event featured inspiring performances from Martin Nievera, Jessica Sanchez, Pops Fernandez, Vina Morales, and Jed Madela. PR guru Sunny Ku got all these talents to share their time for a super worthy cause.
One of the evening’s most emotional highlights came when leukemia patients serenaded Nievera with his hit song “You Are My Song” as a tribute to his longstanding support for the foundation.
Hosted in part by Boy Abunda, the gala also spotlighted EPCALM’s 21-year mission of providing medical, financial, and emotional support to adult leukemia patients and their families. Proceeds from the event will help fund EPCALM’s patient assistance programs, counseling initiatives, and the EPCALM House facility for transient patients in New Manila.
Founded over two decades ago, EPCALM remains the country’s only nonprofit dedicated specifically to adult leukemia support and care.
A thriving fashion scene: Ferragamo and Maje
Another event I was sad to miss was the launch of Ferragamo’s latest collection. This classic brand is so timeless, and brings its own unique twist to “tradition into modernity.”
No doubt the event was spectacular, as Ferragamo truly has a keen eye for aesthetics. Two years ago, Ferragamo’s Greenbelt 4 boutique reopened with a new 190-sqm space, meticulously crafted to blend excellence and innovation. With a refreshed concept, the interior design incorporates travertine, walnut, boucle fabrics, and bronze accents, creating a modern and sophisticated ambiance. The overall space showcases a range of men’s and women’s categories, including iconic shoes, belts, bags, and small leather accessories.
The recent Ferragamo event was attended by my good friends, Drs. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho. It’s always a fun and laughter-filled time hanging out with them and, of course, shopping together! Belated happy birthday to Hayden, who just celebrated his birthday last Wednesday.
The fashion scene has really been thriving in Manila. Paris sets the scene for Maje’s Spring/Summer 2026 campaign, unfolding against a minimalist, raw backdrop, where real moments take center stage. Drawn from fashion, art, music, and nightlife, this multifaceted community is redefining the archetype of the modern Parisienne and expanding her cultural landscape.
Think cool, confident wardrobe that moves between airy romanticism and nautical inspiration.
In the Philippines, both Ferragamo and Maje are exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., or SSI. Ferragamo is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Rustan’s Makati. Shop Ferragamo online at trunc.ph and rustans.com. Maje is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Greenbelt 5, and Rustan’s Makati. Visit www.ssilife.com.ph for both Ferragamo and Maje brands.
Lessons from the Land Down Under
It’s no news to anyone that I am an avid shopper. While my trip to Australia was filled with shopping galore, it was also a magical time to reset my inner compass and regain my footing. Each day there, I went to mass, walked around the neighborhood, practiced morning meditations, and wrote in my journal.
This conscientious time away from my phone and “doomscrolling” helped me remember how exactly I want to spend my time and this life.
While 21 days won’t magically erase a habit, it’s enough to break the autopilot loop and build something new in its place. But positive change won’t just magically find us one day. We won’t suddenly wake up to a successful business, a dream podcast, or a healthier body. It is up to us to show up every day and do the work, even imperfectly. Or rather, especially imperfectly.
The goal is consistency, not perfection. Even taking baby steps forward is better than stagnation. And the real shift happens when we have a clear vision of the life we want to lead, and do something each day that will get us there. This is what it means to be the best version of ourselves.
Learning to surf taught me all this. Anyone who has tried to balance on a moving board can tell you that it’s really tough. You fall a lot. But constantly trying again and again will get you closer to being better than just sitting on the beach wishing you were good. So we must keep trying!
With my new chapter so clear, I am in my calm, stable life era. I am finally in control and happy to see this better shift in all aspects of my life. And all I needed to do was catch some waves!
