I used to think that the world was just America, Europe, and the Philippines. I was greatly fascinated by everything from the USA (the movies, publications, New York, Hollywood, American music, and the fast, cutting-edge life!), grand European art and architecture (old European masters, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Tintoretto, El Greco, Raphael, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Klimt, even John Singer Sargent who was an American who established his art in Europe!) and spellbinding, culture-rich Western cities (exquisite Paris, eternal Rome, dazzling London, enchanting Venice, heavenly Capri, regal Salzburg, and captivating Barcelona!). Blame that old mindset of mine on colonial mentality and American imperialist propaganda.
All that started to change when I discovered Tokyo in the early ’70s (I had my “I love Japan” period from 1974 when I joined the Tokyo World Popular Song Festival and that lasted until 1980, followed by my “Saranghamnida Korea (and kimchi!)” phase when I joined the Seoul Song Festival in 1980, lasting till around 1986). I soon found out that I didn’t have to go far from Philippine shores to discover interesting, intriguing, and totally absorbing cultures. These included those of exotic Thailand, enthralling Malaysia, and dynamic Singapore.
2006 started a new, exciting phase in my life. For the past three years, I have been learning more and more about surprising China, thanks to the annual invitation from the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant organizers. I have been lucky to see, observe, and get to know more about mainland China, its mesmerizing culture and wonderful people. MTQI, attracting over 100 beauties from around the world, is an impressive, ambitious beauty pageant/tourism-oriented co-production of Exclusive Resources Marketing Singapore’s Alex Liu, Dynasty Brand’s Kevin Zhang, and the Chinese government.
Happy Eyes
Getting immersed in Chinese culture, tourist destinations, and way of life has made me observe things that we all can learn from. Our health, mental state, and general wellbeing depend on our environment, and how we live and think. I have noticed something that is not usually in most of peopleís faces around the world where there are widespread problems and poverty. There is a gentle kind of happiness to be seen in the common people in China — a sort of naive but genuine look of happiness sparkling in their eyes. The Chinese are easy to smile; they are generally friendly although at times a bit shy (maybe partly due to the language and communication problem) and are quick to help a stranger in case he needs assistance. Here are remarkable things that we should integrate into our lives — some wonderful lessons I have learned from China!
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