Which month of the year do you least anticipate?

Like all creatures on earth, man is guided by routine. Each day may bring different surprises, but whether we like it or not, our lives are set by the seasons, and schedules and customs that have been observed since the beginning of time. Certain months bring the rains to some parts of the world, while they bring snow to others; some months mark the beginning of a new school year while it means the start of another glorious summer for others. We all have our favorite time of the year, but to make it more interesting, we decided to ask our respondents to give their least favorite month instead.

Senator KIKO PANGILINAN: June, when it’s school time again, and Sharon and I have to compete with our children’s school for quality time with them.

STRIKE REVILLA, director, PCSO: May is the month I least anticipate every year. Though May is one of the festivity months in Bacoor, Cavite, it was the month when I lost the most important woman in my life, my mom Azucena Mortel Revilla. She died after suffering from a stroke. It was the birthday of my youngest sister Diana. She was the epitome of strength and an ideal mother and wife. My mom was always the pillar of strength in our family. This is the reason why I have a very compassionate heart toward all people. She was my and our family’s inspiration. My mother guided me and is still constantly guiding me to give me wisdom and discernment.

MINA T.GABOR, PhD, president, Philippine Small and Medium Business Development Foundation, Inc., and trade/tourism consultant: July, because nothing special is happening. Even when I was secretary of tourism, we had to create activities so people would visit us during this month.

PINKY TOBIANO, entrepreneur/cancer advocate: After my battle with cancer for the past three years, there is no month of the year that I do not look forward to. Every single day counts and matters. Every morning when I wake up, I am very grateful to the Lord and thank Him for giving me a second chance to live and make a difference in the lives of the people around me. I constantly draw my strength from my two beautiful daughters, my family, and my mommy Gina de Venecia, and of course, God Almighty. I am starting now my advocacy for a better and safer Philippines through safe water. Safe water is not a privilege of the rich, but the right of every Filipino.

CARLA SIBAL, editor, Mega magazine: I love cloudless blue skies and sunny days, so the month I like the least is June, which brings in the monsoon season — not just endless rains but back-to-school traffic, too. Thank goodness there’s always the option to travel to other places where it’s still summer.

LUZANNE MANLAPIT, Cartier brand manager: No month in parti-cular because each month always has different surprises.

FELIX B. BARRIENTOS, director, LGT Bankin Liechtenstein (Singapore) Ltd.: May, when the rainy season begins. I have two young and very active boys and if they can’t play outdoors, they’ll end up jumping on our beds, chairs, and sofas instead. It’s still debatable whom they take after in that respect!

JUANA MANAHAN, assistant editor, Lifestyle Asia: March, when the heat starts creeping in and dampens the cool breezes. It’s also the end of the celebration season: The whole of December is Christmas; January is for friends who live abroad and are here; February has three special dates — my dad’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, and Chinese New Year. March is the end of all that!