MAKE everyday Thanksgiving Day. Never miss saying thank you. No matter how small the act extended to you, say thank you. You owe it to the other party. Say thank you with a smile. Share the good vibes. They, in turn, will share it to another. Imagine what a better place this world will be if everybody is smiling, living in a giant sphere of good vibes. Positivity.
I consider myself lucky, blessed in so many ways. This birthday month was nothing less than extraordinary (so were the other years’) and let me say thank you for making it special: I say Mabuhay to Philippine Airlines and their Premium Economy/Business Class’ superb service from Davao to Bangkok. No other airline can make the connection with ease, comfort and certainty; Movenpick Hotel Bangkok for their Swiss brand of hospitality; W Hotel Bangkok’s Away Spa for a rejuvenating therapy followed by a sumptuous meal at The Kitchen Table; Park Inn Hotel Davao for the hamper that made the cocktail hour fun to match a personal message from the General Manager himself; Waterfront Insular Hotel for the sweet treat, an indulgent addition to the dessert spread; and, friends and family who went the extra mile to make my day memorable.
Love and light
As Christmas Trees were lit, hope glistens. Three of Davao’s big hotels have named their beneficiary for the traditional holiday pay it forward.
Hosts and charity institutions’ representatives gathered around beautifully adorned Christmas Trees during each of the hotel’s lighting ceremony.
Park Inn and Waterfront Insular Hotels have the same beneficiary, the House of Hope, a shelter for children with cancer and Seda chose HERO (Help educate and Rear Orphans), a foundation providing educational assistance to children of Filipino soldiers killed in action.
A feast of celebration followed each ceremony while choirs filled the air with Christmas carols. It’s truly a great kick off to a happy Christmas.
Talent and cause
Five artists collaborated and came up with L'Art de Ohana, a fundraising exhibition recently held at Abreeza Mall. It showcased a fusion of the artists’ individual strengths in flower arranging (Belay Ronquillo and Claudia Garcia), make-up (Carine Bacani) and photography (Dariel and Cathy Quioge).
The chemistry of artistry is translated into large photographic prints and 2016 desk calendars available for sale. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the chosen beneficiary, Art Relief Mobile Kitchen, a feeding program by a volunteer group of artists who travels disaster-hit areas and refugee centers across the country.
To order prints and calendars, send email to carine@carinebacani.com. Beyond beauty and crown.
Tagum found its new Ambassadress of goodwill and advocacy in Jane Irish Mae Duque, the newly crowned Mutya ng Tagum, who is gifted with beauty and intelligence. Work begins for Jane now as she will be the voice of education for the youth and the city’s representative in the many economic functions it will be hosting.
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Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com.