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Thursday, May 18, 2006
Magsaysay: Mr. Wonderful touches my soul
By Jo Magsaysay
Whatever
He touched me: warm and soft, his hand clasped mine. He was singing, his voice sweet and mellow, he touched my heart. He looked at me and smiled, his eyes loving, his smile tender. He touched my soul. Gary V. did. I will never be the same again.
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Mr. Wonderful himself, Gary Valenciano sang songs carefully chosen, his spiel heartily spontaneous touching on a theme of love, family, coming home and memories resonating a chord, the very core of existence of Kishanta reaching out to every Cebuano, near, far and wide. Pa-uli na sa Kishanta.
Babalik sa Kishanta, Come home to the serenity and beauty, to the love, peace and joy of Kishanta. Come home to Kishanta.
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The songs were selected by Aboitizland, admitted Chona Yu Tiu but Gary, well, he said it all. Her shy little-girl smile belies the astute mind of this young VP for Finance of Aboitizland who is the only other person not an Aboitiz in the upper echelons of the company. Chona would never have told me, even if I asked about Gary’s talent fees; but it is a small matter, really, considering both Aboitizland and Mr. Valenciano donate a huge percentage of their earnings to various charities, Gary’s favorite being the Unicef. A mountain of sushi, barbeque, pancit to feed the multitude of realtors, brokers and agents that turned out at the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Plaza Hotel for the formal launching of Kishanta.
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The piping little voices of the Mandaue City School for the Arts Children’s Choir sang the Philippine National Anthem and the young champion, Grant Dosdos, raised his voice to sing the award-winning Uli Na. Then Talisay City Councilor Allan Bucao struck a large kettle drum with a strong beat to signal the formal opening of the Kishanta Launch. In single file, the patrician Aboitiz scions led by Bobby, CEO of Aboitizland and Aboitiz Co., followed by Andoni, president of ABoitizland, Jon – chief executive officer of Aboitiz & Co., Mikel, Senior VP of Aboitiz & Co., and Antonio Moraza, president of Pilmico – the Aboitiz flour company – walked up the center aisle and unveiled the miniature model of Kishanta on the table, drawing all the realtors to identify the projected clubhouse with its party hall, view deck, venue for Tai-Chi classes, convenience store, spa, eternity pool, play court, picnic area and herbal garden. Down to the Fitness Trail for the jogging path with exercise stations, gazebo, and footpath of volcanic rocks. The Zen Park with its zen garden and meditation area with aromatic trees. And of course, the available lots to build your dream house to come home to. Pa-uli na ta sa Kishanta.
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This touched me, too, and moved me. This Mother’s Day message that should be read not just on special days but to read every day to know that Somebody up there is watching you – that Somebody who is watching you loves you…
When you thought i wasn't looking
(Written by a former child)
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A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
"When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 18, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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