How grateful I am
“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.” – Tony Robbins
I end the year in a state of gratitude, for a life full of abundance and blessings. Back in January, I planted seeds of firm resolutions that I wanted to make, and then I spent the rest of the year trying my best to practice these soulful changes. Through these mindful habits, I was able to nurture a truly purpose-driven life with my close-knit family.
When we keep a blissful atmosphere, we recognize goodness in our lives, and also acknowledge how this goodness came to us. While fostering a sense of thankfulness, we start to see the importance of staying positive and content with certain issues in life. Even if we are challenged with unfavorable circumstances, we know we are capable of overcoming anything with divine grace.
My daughter Jordan shared with me an artist journal that has helped me tap into my creative side to add a more artistic style of healing. Keeping a daily journal is a good first step toward establishing gratitude. It will help identify and reflect on people, things, or events we are thankful for.
Ready, set, share
During the Christmas season, there should always be a larger space for gratitude and kindness. Apart from supporting the Red Charity Gala every October, our Assumption HS 81 Foundation does charity work with different programs. This year, we added a feeding session in the Malate, Manila area.
Right after I attended my fifth Simbang Gabi, I hurried to the Rajah Sulayman Park across Malate Church. My Section 4 classmates from Assumption High School 1981—Claudette Cordon, Joy Schallenberg, Popsie Gamboa, Tessa Alindogan. and Lorvi Mapa—were ready and waiting for our Christmas celebration with the homeless of Manila. After a quick prayer stop to Our Lady of Remedies, we were ready to feed the swelling crowd that was eagerly waiting for the celebration.
For days before, we prepared loot bags with treats, slippers, and shirts as gifts. We were able to collect donations from our batchmates who live overseas and some other sponsors of Red Charity Gala. Together with Brother Armin Demetillo of Arise4Dignity, we served a hot breakfast to over 400 homeless people and shared gifts with them. Arise4Dignity regularly feeds the homeless’ souls and tummies every Saturday morning as they dish out prayers, inspirational music, a short uplifting talk, and a bowl of hot rice and stew.
With more kids’ loot bags and stuffed toys, we moved on to Bahay Aruga, just off UN Avenue to share gifts with 40 pediatric cancer patients currently seeking treatment at PGH. Seeing them hugging their new stuffed toys brought us to tears, and we pray with fervent hope that they all overcome their illnesses. In all, it was a most fulfilling morning for us, knowing that the friendships made long ago in high school brought us together in a meaningful way as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Next year, we prepare for our 45th homecoming Velada in Assumption College. We are all excited to rehearse our number and get our dancing shoes ready. We are already scouting around for a different kind of choreographer so that we will stand out from other Veladas.
More gifts galore
For any others we missed on our Christmas list, there is always Rustan’s Department Store to check off remaining guests on the list. The magic of Christmas can really be felt inside Rustan’s!
At the heart of this year’s celebration is the Rustan’s Christmas Windows, a beloved tradition reimagined through the theme of a grand holiday carnival. Each window features enchanting scenes filled with playful motion, festive red and gold accents, and charming characters such as toy soldiers, ballerinas, and magical creatures. Oversized ornaments, twinkling marquees, and delicate metallic details evoke the splendor of a vintage fairground.
The grand launch at Rustan’s Makati was an afternoon brimming with wonder and spectacle. Guests were welcomed by breathtaking décor in hues of red, silver, and gold, with festive details adorning the grand staircase and entryway.
This holiday season, let Rustan’s transform every visit into a story worth remembering. Experience timeless traditions, meaningful gifts, and magical moments that come together under the brilliance of #AChristmasofWonders.
Sophisticated spirits
The merriest season is more delightful with a little alcohol. I just discovered Macallan, renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single malt Scotch whiskies. The Macallan has reimagined its Double Cask, Sherry Oak, and Colour Collection with a striking new visual identity, created by acclaimed designer David Carson.
Delicately blending the rich heritage and artistry of The Macallan with a forward-thinking outlook, the new designs offer a refreshed, modern perspective and vision for the future that celebrates the brand’s peerless craftsmanship and creative mastery.
A frequent creative collaborator with The Macallan, Carson first provided the visual direction for the Colour Collection in 2023, ultimately paving the way for the current redesign–inspired by his idiosyncratic design philosophy–across the wider Timeless Collections.
“Like whisky, design is all about balance–with The Macallan, I wanted to create a visual identity that respects its rich history and encapsulates its forward-thinking spirit. Each detail, from the label designs to the bottle’s form, is a tribute to the mastery behind every dram,” says Carson.
Jaume Ferras, creative director at The Macallan, says: “The Macallan has never stood still and never will. This distinctive new identity offers a multitude of visual cues to tell our story, from the sherry seasoning to the American and European oak casks which contribute to the complex taste and flavor profiles in every bottle of The Macallan.”
I will be drinking Macallan with my older children and eating ice cream with my grandkids. With my kids all home for the holidays, I am so grateful that I am able to continue being a single mom and provide them all the love and support they need. This is what truly makes me happy and content. Happy New Year!
