Life often presents us with both big and small surprises and because of this, we can make it more exciting if we have something to look forward to and goals to pursue.
The past year smiled at certain individuals whose stories lit up our morning papers and made us continue to believe in faith, hope, success, goodness and love.
Gwendolyn Ruais bagged runner-up honors at the Miss World beauty pageant. Architect Shamcey Supsup landed in the top five of the Miss Universe tilt. These victories reminded the world that the beauty of the Filipina is still shining through.
The past year also saw two young brilliant minds who were able to convince international pop sensation Lady Gaga to wear their creations: Leroy New and Kermit Tesoro. Big doors are opening for them after this amazing stint.
Charice Pempengco continues to shine in the international music arena, and she looks forward to finally be recognized with a Grammy someday. Filipinos Arthur Acuña, Ikey Canoy, Thou Reyes, Christian Bautista and Karylle Tatlonghari got plum roles in the big Asian TV hit show The Kitchen Musical.
Loy Arcenas and Marlon Rivera directed their first full feature films and passed with flying colors. Cannes winner Brillante Mendoza received news that his film Captive (formerly titled Prey) has been officially selected for the main competition section of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival this February, the first local film after 29 years to make the cut again.
Interestingly, Mendoza and his team—including production head Larry Castillo and the film’s main actors Isabelle Huppert, Sid Lucero, Ronnie Lazaro and Angel Aquino—are starting to prepare to take the Berlinale by storm with this landmark movie.
Actor-politician-turned-producer ER Ejercito’s comeback movie Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story was declared best film at the ongoing annual year-end all-Filipino film festival, and he vows to make his 2012 movie, El Presidente, a much better and bigger one, hopefully with less controversy.
Boy Abunda’s Bottomline was accorded the Best Talk Show plum at the 2011 Asian TV Awards, proof that there is quality and world-class sensibilities in local talk shows.
Faith, hope and love
WE continue to have faith in the Filipino talent. For the new year, the possibilities are endless. Sam Milby is aiming for a shot at Hollywood and we send him our best wishes. Jericho Rosales hopes to produce and star in his first indie film and we pray that he chooses the most suitable material and the right people to work with.
Cinemalaya has announced the recipients of its grant for the year and we are hoping to catch some world-class movies by July. We continue to cheer for supermodel Danica Flores-Magpantay as she conquers the world’s top runways.
We look forward to watching Mig Ayesa for his Philippine theater debut by way of the musical Rock of Ages. We await Lea Salonga’s return via God of Carnage. We hope Bobby Garcia of Atlantis Productions continue to open doors for amazing Filipino talents.
We are most certain that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago will show the world the kind of stuff that she is made of, making our country proud when she assumes her post as the newest elected member of the International Criminal Court.
Let there be peace
WE join those who pray for peace. We hope that the Aquino administration will not shape up to be a vindictive one as it now appears, and that his family members will remember to heed the example of their late matriarch in terms of simplicity and humility.
We hope that the executive and judiciary branches will learn to work together for the betterment of this poor country. We hope that the Senate and Congress will provide more results that will benefit the majority of the people, rather than constantly forming fact-finding commissions and interrogating the poor suspects on national television.
We pray that those who sow animosity in the entertainment and fashion industries be reminded that respect begets respect. We are tired of seeing and hearing about those with very strong and combative personalities who constantly involve themselves in unnecessary catfights and controversies. They should be reminded that being feisty, aggressive and attention-seeking is so OUT.
We welcome new heroes who do not use their God-given gifts for self-enrichment, political ambitions, personal glorification, and multimillion endorsements deals, and instead inspire their countrymen to strive harder to become their own heroes.
We wish our readers wellness, wisdom and wealth for 2012. Let’s all have a beautiful beginning for a great year ahead.
