Reading responses to my column has inspired me even more to give my best. To all who have written to me, a very warm thank you. Please keep on letting me know your thoughts. They mean a lot to me.
This is from Andrei:
Dear Jac,
I am so happy reading your article of two weeks ago. I’m Andrei, an Indonesian, staying in St. Domingo Convent, Q.C. I’m a third year Philosophy student. I’ve been staying in this formation for three years. Thanks for your article. It’s really inspired me.
Last Sunday I found an astonishing article. Jacquilou Blanco in her column has shared her touching moment with Cherry, who lost her vision but not her love of life. She wasn’t born blind, lost her eyesight a couple of years ago. Yet she’s moving on. She has her business. She uses her computer and has many dreams for her future.
Through this article, I recalled the same experience that I had. I have a friend named, Linda. Like Cherry, Linda is also blind and yet has not lost her spirit of life. She studied hard for her future. She still survived even if her family was away from her. Her spirit encouraged her to reach an amazing hope. Now, she is a lawyer.
Through her, I have learned to have new hopes in hard situations.
A person of hope would give new meaning to our lives.
A story of hope would give new spirit to our future. Many times we find new meaning in our lives through a word filled with hope, a friendly story, even a warm smile.
Today, when I think of these experiences, I feel a deep gratitude that they have shared these wonderful experiences with me.
Thanks Cherry for sharing your inspiring story, Jacquilou for your embracing stories, and Linda for your spirit.
The reign of God is like a buried treasure.
This treasure of sharing continues to bear fruit.
–Andrei
To you Andrei, thank you. I am happy that you, too, have someone like Linda who has brought more meaning to your life. What Linda has brought to you, Cherry has done the same to me. It’s so nice to know we both have met people who have touched our lives in a special way.
To our Linda and my Cherry, let us continue to celebrate their spirit, a spirit that has made them soar. A spirit that has made them fly and create their own colors to their own rainbows.
This next one is from Bing Manalo:
Dear Ms. Jacquilou,
I’ve been reading your column in Philippine STAR every week since day one and I would like to thank you for doing that for it serves as a breather, why? Because you tackle words which are very easy to understand. Yesterday your topic about "Healing" was terrific. I learned a lot from it. I can use it in many situations. You see, I’m not so much into reading books, that’s why I appreciate so much finding self-help topics whenever I read the newspaper. Keep it up!
I hope you could come up with more self-help topics in your column. Thank you very much for this opportunity. God bless you and your entire family and more power!
Bing ends by giving wonderful quotes I’d like to share with all of you:
"Ability will get you to the top but only character will keep you there."
"I’d rather be disliked for who I am, than be liked for who I’m not."
To you Bing, thank you, I am happy that I was able to help you through my column about healing. I promise to look for more self-help topics. Thank you for your beautiful quotes.
Here is one from Robert Gonzales. He was inspired by my article about Louie Angsico.
Hi Jackilou,
First of all, let me say I don’t miss reading your articles every Sunday in STAR because you have been my inspiration when it comes to physical fitness due to your dedication to it.
When I read about Louie Angsico in your article, I realized he’s the kind of personal trainer whom I need to get the discipline of making my body fit and achieve the kind of body I want. Would you be able to tell him how I can get in touch with him? Phone or e-mail?
Thank you very much and more power!
–Robert
Dear Robert,
First of all, thank you for your not having missed reading my articles. I’m glad I was able to inspire you as far as physical fitness, but I am happier that my article on Louie Angsico has inspired you.
I got in touch with him and told him about your inquiry. You may also call PSI Asia at tel. nos. 8131188 or 8131189.
I hope you two get the chance to meet. You will be in able hands. He is a wonderful personal trainer and fitness instructor.
Lastly, an e-mail from Ed Banaga.
Hi there!
I read your column regularly and noticed that oftentimes you discussed about life’s concerns. I recently attended the first batch Landmark Forum last May and I wish to invite you for the next forum this September.
I love attending motivational courses. But this one is different. It blew my mind. It was something I always wanted, to find answers to life’s most basic questions. I found who I am and who I’m not.
The Landmark Forum is about creating "breakthroughs" in life where we are stopped or limited by our "past." Have you not observed that our present and future is determined by our past experiences? If this is so, there are many things we cannot do in life because of our hang-ups, fears and other baggage accumulated through the years.
Every Tuesday, from 7 to 9 p.m., we meet together with some Assumption sisters at Assumption for sharing and introduction to people interested to attend the next forum in September.
You have inspired and touched many lives in your column and therefore I know this forum will be of interest to you.
Let me hear of your interest.
Sincerely,
Ed Banaga
Dear Ed,
Thank you for your e-mail. Thank you for telling me about this forum. I want my readers to know more about this, that’s why I am sharing your e-mail with them.
To those who are interested to join this forum, you may e-mail Ed at ed.banaga@Goodrich.com.ph. Thank you Ed. Hope to hear from you again.
These are just some of the e-mails I have received. Some wrote to me regarding Cherry, the blind lady I interviewed. To all of you who have e-mailed through me, I have already forwarded your addresses to Cherry. Just wait for her responses to you.
I would like to thank my other readers who have e-mailed me. I will answer your e-mails within the week. Thank you to Josephine Banaag; Tiffany; Tess; Florence Rigonan; Arlene; Elizabeth; Dr. Henry Lim Yu; Aze Ramos; Fred Virocel; dfcabilla; Mayen Quiambao; Erwin Mercado; Cesar Ramirez; Lisa Cuevas; Jet Locsin; Betty Calamayan; Andrew Corro; Tina; Natie Avila; Janice Trovela; Angie Rabara; Blesilda Corre; and Leo.
To all of you, thank you so much. You have all inspired me. I wish to hear from you again. A million thanks to you!