There are some women I know who never say die! A defeated boxer throws in the white towel as a sign of defeat but not these courageous women. I am so happy to have met them for they are my source of inspiration during low times, when I feel defeated in my endeavors. Then I think of them and how they continually evolve from one phase of their lives to the next, whether in victory or defeat, and I get enlightened and inspired to follow their example. These women are constantly reinventing themselves and going after their passion of the moment.
It is never too late to follow your passion. In the new season of Dancing with the Stars, 82-year-old former movie star Cloris Leachman is one of the contenders. She did not allow age to hinder her passion for dance. She knows she will not make it, but the journey is more important to her than the destination. She is enjoying her journey — all those dance practices are making her feel young and healthy.
Pinky Puno is one woman who does not allow anything to hinder her passion. During her youth, ballet was a consuming passion so she studied it to the point of perfection and became good enough to teach the art.
Marriage and motherhood did not stop her from dancing and teaching ballet. When the family moved to the US, she continued to teach and choreograph dance at her children’s school. The school heads never saw such a packed auditorium until Pinky started to choreograph for them. She stopped her involvement with the school programs when her children finished high school.
In 2000, Pinky discovered a new passion — ballroom dancing! “I was watching it on TV and was totally fascinated by the women swirling and twirling in their gorgeous gowns and in such sync with the movement of the gentlemen. Two people moving as one! I was hooked!”
She decided to take it up with fervor and found the perfect partner in Slava Sergiev. Together, they joined Pro-Am (Professional/Amateur, where your teacher is your partner) dance competitions all over the US. Losing some of the competitions did not discourage her. It made her strive harder to master her craft. Two knee surgeries and a torn shoulder rotator cuff merely put her dance ambitions on hold. When she got well, she came back with a vengeance. She joined nine dance competitions that year and she cherishes each one of them, even those where she lost. “ I was back on track and doing something that makes me totally happy!”
Pinky wanted to share her passion for dance with the first Philippine StarBall International Competition held last Feb. 16, which she helped organize. She brought internationally known dance competitors to Manila. The dancers of different nationalities — Filipinos, Russians, Italians, Americans, French, etc. — showed their mastery of 10 international dances. The Latin-American dances are cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive. Standard/Modern dances are slow waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, and quickstep.
The 2nd Philippine StarBall International Competition is slated for Feb. 15, 2009, at the ballroom of Makati Shangri-La in cooperation with the DOT and the First Gentleman’s Foundation. Proceeds will go to Kythe Foundation, which helps children with cancer.
For tickets, call Marirose Manese at 812-8464.
Ever since I have known Antonietta Chan, I have always admired her for her determination to succeed in all her endeavors. Being born privileged did not stop her from being a successful realtor in New York City, where she resides. In between her job as a realtor, she took up winter skiing and excelled in it.
“It was a lot of hard work. After a lot of bad falls and visits to my chiropractor, I finally succeeded in learning the sport. Skiing is my passion, so I persevered.” Her skiing companions say that they could hardly keep up with her on the slopes.
Antoinette’s passion for the sport is only equaled by her passion for classical music. She has always loved playing the piano, and going to the concerts of the best pianists in the world is her favorite pastime in New York.
She decided to bring to Manila (with the help of San Miguel Corporation, Banco de Oro, Tanduay Distillery, and SM Prime Holdings) Valida Rassoulova, a distinguished, award-winning artist from the Republic of Azerbaijan. Rassoulova has performed extensively as a solo pianist and chamber musician in venues all over the world. She will be performing in Manila on Jan. 10, 2009, at the Philamlife Auditorium, UN Ave., Ermita, Manila. For tickets (P1,000, P500 and P200), call Glenda at 893-4725. Proceeds of the concert will benefit the children of the San Antonio Foundation Enhancement Center (SAFEC).
Jean Margaret Goulbourn needs no introduction to the fashion world. In the Eighties, women of all ages patronized her boutique in Shoemart. Then she opened Silk Cocoon at the Renaissance Hotel, designing haute-couture gowns and barongs using only natural pineapple fiber that was woven in her own factory. She is still involved in fashion, but she has delegated most of it to sister Frances Lim and daughter Katrina Feist, because she has found a new passion.
Two years ago, Goulbourn was hospitalized for three weeks. After she was discharged, she still did not feel up to par, so she decided to do some research on her own. She discovered Dr. Cristine Flores, a wellness doctor who put her on a holistic detoxification program for nine days. Dr. Flores cleansed her liver, kidneys, and gall bladder of toxins that had accumulated in her system all these years. Feeling revitalized and rejuvenated after her detox program convinced her to go the natural path.
Today, Jeannie is very passionate about her wellness program, where people check in for a certain number of days to flush out impurities from the liver and stones from the gallbladder. She has a team of doctors and nutritionists. She will conduct the first two detox weekends for 2009 on Jan. 10 and 11 at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center.
For inquiries, call Joyce at 816-1360 or 0917-823-6738.