In the swing of things
“Peace begins with a smile.” —Mother Teresa
We all just want peace and happiness! Life is made up of so many fleeting moments with wonderful memories, significant events, and valuable experiences. A deep life requires curiosity, trust and honesty, and a constant willingness to learn about ourselves by questioning our beliefs, actions, and purpose.
Setting aside my current challenges, my peace and happiness are in the golf course. Thanks to my TropAfrica buddy Malu Gamboa, I joined the Manila Golf Ladies Team and played competitively at the WGAP. I also played for my AC HS 81 team at the Assumption Alumnae Association annual Golf Tournament in Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club.
The afternoon program, hosted by Ana de Villa Singson and Pudgy Carcereny Garcia, head of the golf committee, sparkled with joyful exchanges and lively energy, setting the stage for awards, raffle draws, and heartfelt moments. Adding a touch of flair, I not only claimed the Most Fashionable – Female award but also helped present prizes for the Fun Holes, proving that golf can be as glamorous as it is competitive.
A special highlight was seeing High School Batch 1981 standing proudly before Hole Number 1, basking in the sunny weather with beaming smiles and infectious laughter. While I played, I was joined by my classmates Maripi Jalandoni and Yvette de Leon Manotoc, making it a joyful reunion both on and off the course.
A standout in this year’s roster was Carol Mesina Halili of High School Class 1984, Class C Champion, who has been joining the tournament faithfully every year since its post-pandemic return—her steady presence a testament to the lasting appeal of the event.
It was also a family affair, with some participants proudly playing on the same flights as parents, siblings, and even children, turning the tournament into a multi-generational celebration both on and off the greens.
In her stirring invocation, Sister Ana Melocoton, RA, reminded everyone that the tournament’s impact extends far beyond the fairways. With only three paying Assumption schools in the Philippines—San Lorenzo, Antipolo, and Iloilo—the event helps sustain eight mission schools across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as well as new mission schools in Vietnam and Thailand. Quoting St. Marie Eugénie’s belief that “educate a woman, and you educate a family; educate a family, and you build society,” she called the players and supporters true partners in the transformation of lives through education.
Special awards, including Early Bird and Most Fashionable, added color to the celebration, while exciting raffle prizes—from golf gear and lifestyle treats to big-ticket items like a Samsung 50” Crystal UHD TV, a Dell Latitude laptop, and Carrier air conditioners—kept the crowd buzzing until the very end.
The tournament was made possible through the steadfast support of the AAA’s major sponsors and raffle donors, whose contributions power not only this beloved tradition but also the mission it serves. For the AAA, every drive, chip, and putt is more than a game—it’s a step toward shaping futures, one swing at a time.
Supporting this year’s Red Charity Gala is DMark Beauty, the Philippines’ leading provider of dermatological and aesthetic skincare solutions, which is ushering in a new era of skin health. DMark CEO Nikki Tang has been so supportive of RCG for many years and also provides giveaways for our Assumption events.
I currently attended the media forum for a panel discussion on pigmentation disorders. As concerns over skin discoloration—whether caused by environmental stressors or genetic factors—continue to rise, DMark Beauty in collaboration with Isispharma Dermatologie, a renowned French dermocosmetic brand, offers science-backed, clinically tested skincare innovations that effectively address major concerns such as melasma, vitiligo, and photoaging.
At the core of this partnership are Isispharma’s key product lines, each developed with scientific expertise and dermatological excellence to address common skin concerns. The range includes Vitiskin for conditions such as vitiligo; Neotone to correct dark spots; Geneskin to prevent premature aging; and Uveblock for sun protection.
“These products aren’t just about beauty. They are about confidence, innovation, and empowering professionals and patients with solutions that truly work,” said Nikki Tang, chief executive officer of DMark Beauty. She emphasized the company’s commitment to bridging global breakthroughs with local expertise. “We’re shining a light on the science behind a healthy skin barrier and how Isispharma’s innovations are improving lives.”
Meanwhile, Isispharma’s international director, Florian Crest, reaffirmed the brand’s global mission. “Our purpose is rooted in science and accessibility. We’re here to deliver effective dermatological care that empowers skin brilliance for all.” He was also joined by key Isispharma representatives, including May Chow, head of asia, and Lilian Vennin, Asia business coordinator.
For the auction for RCG, we will be including a masterpiece of brilliant visual artist Reynold Dela Cruz. His show “Another Dish on the Table” is currently exhibiting at Art Cube Philippines. His work is an explosive blend of high art, cultural nostalgia, whimsical graffiti, and twisted Renaissance imagery. The main opus for this exhibition is a colossal 8 x 25 feet modern rendition of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” In this painting, Dela Cruz creates a sprawling tableau of images that operate on the aesthetics of excess, a method that simply mimics the deliberate act of cultural layering we Filipinos get the imagery of, especially feasting on a lechon.
There will be several auction items for bidding at the RCG so we are quite excited for the Gala this year!
