The main business

I was watching an old video of Maricel Laxa and her husband Anthony Pangilinan, and loved the transparency of their relationship. In other videos, I have seen how their children have grown and have made their own paths…which I think is encouraged by their parents as well.  But very apparent is the relationship the Pangilinans have with each other. That in spite of their being mostly public figures they have maintained their tie as a family.

Everyday we go on our own different businesses, how many of us carry with us the thought of home? In the same manner, how many of us bring work when we are home? How many of us talk with our spouses and our children when we get home instead of being glued to the phone?

It is ironic that a communication tool like a cellphone deprives us of real communication.  What we do instead is have “reel communication” where we post our thought and our aspirations on the net, displaying our emotions and spilling our ideas to a public who may or may not even listen. We paste ourselves, or a projection of ourselves in whatever platform for what? To be noticed? By whom? To get sponsors and be paid? For what?

I am choosy about the vlogs, blogs and podcasts that I watch, but I am very Filipino in my choices. I always look for the heart in the content. Encouragement, relation-building, creativity and soul. And I have noted how consistency also hauls-in the anchor.

So looooong ago, Anthony came to Cebu to host our Mandaue Business Month event.  He tagged along one of his children. Well, at least I saw one when we had dinner, and I cannot even recognize who among the brood now, he brought along. But it must be one of his elder daughters as they are now so grown up. Anthony was a father consistently. Even when he was at work. There was no deviation.

Sometime last year I chanced upon Kryz Uy and Slater Young with their children while in a restaurant, North of Cebu. I was wondering why they looked familiar. They were a nice and very sweet couple. But they were great parents too. Consistent.

Before then I was not into their podcasts, now I take time to watch them in some of my “me times”. Their podcast sometimes keeps me company when I am on the road.

What is my point? Home is the breeding ground of character. Of human relationships. Of building a significant individual. It should be the best place to start a conversation. It should also be the place where we gain the best conversation and where we find our value even if we do not have to be among the popular.

I chose these public personalities to exemplify my point. I am sure they are busy being young and having their own businesses and professional pursuits to care let alone public sorties they have to attend. Still they take time to be with family. To listen. To converse. To BE PRESENT and be part of their children’s lives.

It is a choice not to be distracted. A discipline to focus. Mind you, this is hard to do; but subordinating your family to your other occupations, will find you alone and cold. Possibly with your phone.

Connect with warmth. This is the main business.