Helen Keller once said, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
My good friend Christine Bersola-Babao might have been away from the cameras these days but she welcomes new opportunities that come her way.
So what’s keeping her busy nowadays? Tintin finds personal fulfillment by spending quality time with her family. She enjoys baking with husband Julius and daughter Anya. “We bake our own pizza at home. I also bake peanut butter and oatmeal choco chips cookies. I am trying to learn more new recipes each day,” she says. Tintin also looks forward to have another baby soon.
Tintin now ardently pursues her various interests. Aside from hosting corporate events, she is also an active spokesperson for several products and advocacies.
People Asia magazine selected Tintin as one of this year’s Women of Style and Substance. The awarding ceremony was held last Sept. 6 at the Hotel InterContinental in Makati City. The award was given to most admired women who stand out in their respective fields. Also included in the list are Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, singer Sitti, beautiful human beings Lizzie Zobel and Margarita Delgado, and news personalities Korina Sanchez and Vicky Morales.
Tintin was also recently honored as a crusader of consumers’ rights by Qualibet Testing Services Corp. “It is such an honor to be doing something as timely and meaningful as this. I believe it is every consumer’s right to know true nutrition facts with proper food labels especially if the food contains transfats,” says Tintin.
Tintin is also a Philippine National Red Cross volunteer. “Julius and I pledged to donate blood every three months. My next schedule will be this month. This is my way of giving back and sharing life,” she says.
Tintin is also busy promoting her best-selling children’s books. Her first two books are Bryan Learns His Lesson which she wrote when she was pregnant and Basura Monster that she dedicates to her daughter Anya. Basura Monster is endorsed by DENR and DECS. I remember Tintin wrote me a short note on the inside pages of Basura Monster about her dream to become a prolific children’s book writer. This is the legacy that she wants to leave behind for future generations. She will launch her third children’s book, The Story of Christine, on Oct. 20, 4 p.m. at Bridges Bookstore in Glorietta 3. (For details, call Katha Publishing at 413-9787.)
In line with her environmental advocacies, Tintin launched her own reusable durable bag with the slogan Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. “It is not made of the usual canvas material. This one is made of polycanvas. I am now working on designs that use thick cloth canvas and it will come out soon,” Tintin says. Each bag costs P120 and the proceeds will go to several charities Tintin has been helping all these years. “So each time you buy the bag, you do three things. You save Mother Earth by avoiding the use of disposable plastic bags. Second, you remind people each time they see the slogan RRR to start doing the right thing. Third, you help the sick children with their medical needs when you purchase this bag,” Tintin explains. (For orders, log on to tintinandjuliusbabao.com)
Christine is co-managed by Backroom, Inc.
Bayani’s album
Bayani Agbayani has released his brand new album titled Mr. B under Alpha Music Corp. Mr. B is Bayani’s third album after the successful release of Ito Ang Gusto Ko and Pasko Na. The new album is a collection of novelty tracks with its carrier single Tararadyin Potpot which enjoys heavy airplay from top FM stations. Tararadyin Potpot was conceived after Alpha Music president Buddy de Vera commissioned composer Boy Christopher to submit a composition for Bayani.
Other songs in the album are Tiyayabum, Ipukpok Mo, Igiling-Giling, Ikembot-Kembot, Iba Na Ang Pogi, Minadyik Mo Ang Puso Ko, and three revivals like Kahulugan Ng Nunal originally sung by the Big 3 Sullivans, Mag-Exercise Tayo and Philippine Geography which were popularized by Novelty King Yoyoy Villame whom Bayani admired for his songwriting genius.
Mr. B is now available in CD format at all Alpha outlets nationwide.