My wish list for 2009

What’s a New Year’s resolution if you don’t have the resolve to fulfill it?

But having one is better than not having one at all. To some it’s simply setting targets. You hit some, you miss others. While my cynical neighbor has stopped making resolutions, because she would say, that they are futile as they remain unfulfilled year after year. She said that the last time she promised to lose weight, at the end of that year, she was bloated like a worn-out banana boat.

Eight years ago, I promised myself to stop smoking and I did. Smoking is painfully addictive. It took one unforgettable incident for me to quit smoking. I was scheduled to speak before an assembly of marketing men and women of a multinational company in Baguio city when I discovered that my gums were swollen and bleeding. The pain was so excruciating that I could barely talk. I prayed so hard and I was so anxious that poor me with the bleeding gums would be brought to the courts of law for breach of contract as the convention delegates had already converged at the Baguio Country Club. It was then when I made a covenant with God. “Lord,” I implored. “If you make me speak tomorrow at 8 a.m., I will never smoke again.”

My speech was well-received and to this day I have not touched a stick of cigarette again.

Here is my 2009 wish list for myself and for others.

I wish to learn how to manage computers. I already started my lessons. My friends Vivian and Jeffrey Ng of Astoria Plaza gifted me with a Macbook. I love it. I tinker with it when I am free, in between my tapings for my shows Boy & Kris and Private Conversations with Boy Abunda. I asked my assistant Eyen to upload songs from my album Love Life. I can now open my e-mails and browse through the Net with much trepidation. When television is not around and I need to listen to the news, I go to my computer and eavesdrop on what CNN, BBC and Fox have to say. I am enjoying my new toy — my Macbook.

During my interview with astrologer Henry Palacios for Private Conversations, Henry read in my astro chart that I will be focusing on my family, that I am building a new home for my nanay. He said that 2009 is a transition year and despite the world economic melt down, 2009 is not going to be as bad as what naysayers have been screaming about.

Barack Obama — That he lives up to his word to bring “change we can, change we need” in his campaign slogan. Although some have started to be critical of him, I have it in my gut that Barack will bring about change peoples around the world have been expecting from Imperial America.

Kris Aquino — That she stays healthy and beautiful inside and out. That my sister continues to generously touch other people’s lives while she lives her dreams.

Queen Elizabeth II — That she continues to be in good health. I have always been fascinated by royalty, especially English royals. In another lifetime, I must have been a devoted chambermaid to one of them.

Mindanao — That Mindanao finds lasting peace. It is terrible for Filipinos to be killing each other in a cruel, bloody war.

Movie industry — That for the movie industry to be revitalized, energized with a genuine, consistent support from government.

Ai-Ai de las Alas — That Ai-Ai continues to reign supreme in the comedy field. I also wish for her a new love, a handsome “papa,” and good health for her and her children.

The children of Africa and the rest of the world — That for the merciful God to take good care of them, and for good and rich people like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey not to stop being generous with their time, love and money so that these children will have food to eat, roofs on their head and be able to go to school.

Judy Ann Santos — That her movie Ploning makes it to the Oscars.

Dawn Zulueta — That her pregnancy be healthy. A baby girl would be nice for Dawn and Anton so that Jacobo will have a baby sister.

Charice — That she may continue to soar in the global music scene. That her first album in the US be a big, big hit.

Ruffa Gutierrez — That she may have abundance of love, happiness and prosperity.

Gretchen Barretto — That God may grant my dearest friend serenity.

Happy New Year to everyone and may all your wishes come true!