SILENT ANGELS IN MY LIFE

There are people who make a difference in our lives and leave a permanent mark in our hearts.

They are those who go out of their way to please others without even realizing that they have made an impact on someone else's life. And what makes it truly amazing is that they don't even have to try hard enough. All they have to do is be themselves, after all being good is second nature to them. And for someone like me who values even the most simple act of kindness accorded to me, I am truly grateful to these people.

When I think of these kind hearted souls, the first person who comes to mind is my best friend, fashion designer Oskar Peralta, who always finds time for me in his busy schedule. He takes my calls even if he is in the middle of a meeting or attending to a client. I am reminded of something that I read which goes, "Respect the people who find time for you in their busy schedule, but love the people who never look at their schedule when you need them" That indeed is Oskar personified.

Another person whom I have the highest regard for is Dulce, the singer, who happens to be a casual friend. I have admired her for the longest time for having such a forceful voice and for belting out songs in a manner that only she can. But now I admire her even more not only for her voice, but more so because of her character.

And because she happens to be a Facebook friend as well, there never was a time when she did not reply to my messages, and in the shortest time possible for that matter. She always gives me a feeling of importance.

About a week ago, she posted a request for prayers on FB for Tony Espejo (a relative of  mine ) who happens to be the founder and artistic director of Gantimpala Theater Foundation, the theater group of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Tony had a heart attack and was in critical condition at the ICU of Manila Doctors' Hospital and needed to undergo a triple bypass operation.

A couple of days after however, she again posted that Tony passed on. I sent her a private message to ask where the wake is being held. She replied, "found out just now that the wake is at Don Bosco, Makati". So I thanked her for being her usual ever accomodating and unassuming self. I never had the slightest idea that she is in Japan at the moment. No wonder her reply was, "found out just now.........". I suppose she took the time to ask her theater/artist friends here where the wake is being held so she could provide me with details.

I find it so gracious of her to do that. She could just as easily tell me that she was out of the country and to just request the Gantimpala artists for the information I needed. But no, she had to find out for herself so she could provide me with the facts. And to think that my relationship with her is not the same as the one I have with Oskar who is very close to me. If it was Oskar who did that I wouldn't be surprised because it really is his nature, but I find it truly impressive of Dulce who is just an acquaintance to go through all the trouble for me. She truly is of a rare breed and had earned another star in my heart.

They are among the silent angels in my life who do acts of kindness without even being aware of it. It is something habitual in them.

There are a lot out there, and who knows, maybe you and I could be silent angels ourselves.

After all, an act may seem so insignificant for us, but could mean the world to someone.

A TEST OF FAITH

A lot of people, myself included, were disappointed at the outcome of the Pacquiao-Bradley bout. I can say that the decision was indeed unfair. That however is coming from someone who does not claim to be an expert in boxing. Maybe the judges saw it from another point of view, and we have no reason to dispute that.

Almost everyone has already said his/her piece so let's not dwell too much on that anymore.

I would like to explore it though, from a different perspective.

Earlier while I was taking lunch and waiting for the bout to begin, I don't know why all of a sudden, the following thought crossed my mind. We all know that Manny Pacquiao has been a reformed Christian for sometime now. He has openly professed his faith in God and has in fact been preaching his new found faith to others. But what if God decides to put him to a test and not grant him a victory over his opponent? Will his faith remain steadfast and will he still love God?

It is easy to love God when you are given so many blessings in life, but the real test is when setbacks happen. Would you blame HIM, ask why and turn your back on HIM?

When the decision was announced I was stunned, not only because I can't believe the result, but because it was exactly what I was pondering about earlier. Maybe God did put Manny to a test after all. Or could it be that God was probably sending a message that it is time to give way to others, or that Manny is needed more to spread HIS word than in the ring.

We have no way of knowing what goes on in Manny's mind, but if I were to base my opinion on his anwers to interviews, I surmise that he seems to have passed the test. 

If there was something positive that came out of this bout, it was that Manny came out of it unscathed, as opposed to Tim Bradley who had to be taken to the press conference on a wheel chair, and to the hospital soon after.

Manny gained the respect of a lot of people by accepting the judges' decision with grace and humility, exemplified by saying, " Let's give the credit to Bradley ". It also proved to the world that Filipinos know how to accept defeat.

I am sure Manny will be vindicated in their rematch. After all, resilience is one of his traits and like a phoenix, he will soon soar again, and much higher this time.