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.