No fear this year
“I dwell in possibility.” – Emily Dickinson
With a full palette of blessings and love, I am ready to paint my 2026 paradise, and dance right in it! This is the year I fulfill all my goals without any doubt and fear. Last year had been a series of challenges and court battles that consumed my time and energy, but now I look forward with strength and justice; I am confident that I will be able to face all issues as well as support others who have been victimized, too. I walk without fear and anxiety knowing the law and God are on my side.
Recharged with love and excitement, I start the year with so much support from my family and my partner. Now that my life is settled and focused, I am ready to start my new platform that promotes all possibilities and activities for my age group. Being 60 is still a very exciting age to be in!
On a high note
Celebrating the New Year in Tagaytay Highlands was quite enjoyable because the club prepared a wonderful countdown with bands and fireworks. The weather was so pleasant and the skies were totally clear, so we got to enjoy a vibrant fireworks show with the bright moon glowing above us.
At midnight, I greeted some of my close friends, including my Red Charity Gala (RCG) partner Kaye Tinga; Tatler editor Anton San Diego; and my BFFs Tessa Alindogan and Popsie Gamboa. They are all out of the country celebrating the holidays and enjoying family time.
Apart from being my co-chair of RCG, Kaye is also the chair of Cultural Center of the Philippines. She has been so busy especially with the renovation of the CCP and handling all the resident artists. She is in charge of all the concerts and programs of CCP and other sister companies.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) in its 41st Concert Series with its first concert of 2026, “Preludi.” The Philharmonic Orchestra starts the year on a high note with an evening of evocative musical beginnings featuring Lizst’s “Les Préludes” as well as artist-in-residence Jeffrey Ching’s “Fenghuang Singing” and Filipino soprano Andion Fernandez.
Guest pianist Syzmon Nehring, considered to be among the most gifted and promising pianists of his generation, will perform Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1.” Nehring won first prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv in 2017., and was also a finalist at the Chopin Competition in Warsaw at only 19 years of age.
Led by Maestro Gregorz Nowak, the PPO opens the year in powerful fashion on Jan. 16, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., at the Samsung Performing Arts Theaters. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
Between all the work that Kaye does for CCP, she manages to help with other charitable projects with the help of Red Charity Gala. We are both excited to have the fashion collection of JC Buendia this year, and we are planning to have the gala at a new exciting venue.
The dream lives on
Before the Christmas holiday last year, City of Dreams (COD) hosted a media lunch where I bumped into good friend Pepper Teehankee. We were so happy to win prizes at the lunch.
City of Dreams Manila’s Haliya restaurant burst with excitement at the annual media thanksgiving lunch as raffle prizes galore rained on the ebullient guests—overnight stays in Nuwa, Nobu, and Hyatt Regency hotels, invigorating treatments at Nuwa and Nobu spas, generous meals at its signature and popular restaurants, and a private KTV experience, to name some. As Geoff Andres, property president of the luxury integrated resort thanked guests for their support, he recounted milestones through the resort’s 10 years since opening in 2015 and urged media to continue writing more on the beautiful assets of the country, which he has chosen as his second home.
Over lunch, I told COD PR grand dame Charisse Chuidian that my daughter Athena Valdes is now 20 years old and how time flies. Athena and I were the ones who cut the ribbon of Dreamscape over a decade ago. I am grateful to COD for always supporting RCG with gift certificates and raffle prizes.
Bringing light and beauty
Last year, I missed out on the afternoon soiree of F&C Jewelry where they showcased the brand’s rich legacy of craftsmanship at the unveiling of its Holiday 2025 collection. It presented a dazzling array of contemporary designs that capture the season’s radiance through gold, diamonds, pearls, and colored gemstones.
Held at its special pop-up at SM Makati amid sparkling holiday décor and a warm, sophisticated ambiance, the event brought together Manila’s stylish personalities and loyal patrons for a celebration that encapsulated the spirit of timeless elegance and modern flair.
The Holiday 2025 collection highlights sculptural gold, diamonds, pearls, and colored gemstone creations, from bold link necklaces and polished cuffs to fluid, modern earrings, reflecting the brand’s evolution: contemporary yet classic, refined yet radiant. Each piece was designed to illuminate life’s most cherished moments through valuable keepsakes and timeless designs. These creations are jewelry investments you can wear every day.
The Brilliance & Yuletide Glow celebration is both a launch and a reflection of F&C’s enduring promise: to bring light, beauty, and meaning to every season of life.
F&C Jewelry is located at all SM Stores and its flagship store in Ayala Malls Glorietta. For more information, visit fncjewelry.com, follow @fncjewelry on Instagram for updates on new collections and promotions, or shop for your fine jewelry on Lazada, Shopee, and shop.fncjewelry.com.
No matter how last year unfolded for each of us, it is important to gently let go of it all, and turn over a new leaf with more love and kindness in our hearts. Let us embrace the new year with inner strength and a solid, positive mindset that will allow us to push past challenges and reach all our personal goals.
With the right amount of self-confidence and also divine support from God, nothing is impossible! Happy new year, and may you all receive the blessings you deserve.
