What I might have been (in another life)

No matter how many blessings I’ve received, I sometimes find myself wondering what would’ve happened if I hadn’t taken certain paths. Actually, I’ve never met anybody who hasn’t questioned what they would’ve become had they chosen differently, whether it be a different course in college, a trip they didn’t take or, most commonly, what job they chose. Funnily enough, it’s often the people who are doing well who ask themselves that question. Perhaps it’s in our nature to ask. It may also be the reason why God allows us to continue our passage through this life.     

ATTY. ROMULO B. MACALINTAL, election lawyer: At 18 years old, immediately after graduating from high school, I started working as a messenger-utility man in an insurance company with their office at the third floor of a building in Escolta, Manila.  Every morning, while cleaning the windows of the office, I would see below young executives wearing coats and ties, having coffee and reading newspapers inside a coffee shop in the area.

I took up commerce majoring in advertising before taking up law.  I am sure that I would have become an account executive of an advertising agency. I can picture myself, in coat and tie, meeting clients from various companies, making storyboards for their television advertisements or writing copies for their commercials or voicing for their radio or TV ads.  It is an action-packed, challenging life. But God led me to where and what I am today. I have no regrets, as I always thank Him for such guidance and for all the blessings.  After all, I can still wear my coat and tie, drink coffee and read newspapers in a coffee shop — as an election lawyer.

ANTON SAN DIEGO, editor in chief, Philippine Tatler: Off the bat, probably a rock star! But I also believe in a person’s endless possibilities so I can add architect, hotelier, retailer, director, to name a few, and also I hope to be in the cast of Dirty, Sexy Money.

JANINA DIZON HOSCHKA, jewelry designer: I would most probably be working in fashion. I am a frustrated fashion designer but a professional shopper!

Marikina Mayor MARIDES FERNANDO: I would have been a businesswoman, or a teacher trying to educate more people on business leadership, and the need to educate all women on life skills.

MIKE ENRIQUEZ, TV personality: I would have been a Franciscan priest.  I grew up in Sta. Ana, Manila, where my role model was an old Italian Franciscan, Fr. Musconi.  I got to know the Franciscan way of life up close and personal. I used to serve at Fr. Musconi’s 5:30 a.m. Mass, rain or shine. I had long talks with him during summer vacations. We hung out together in the church yard for long hours. I sang in the choir. I joined fights between us, the simbahan boys, and the plaza boys.  I came to know the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, especially his ministry and devotion to the poor.  And I told myself, “I want to be like him.”  Alas, many are called but few are chosen. The Lord had other plans.  Let His will be done.

JEANNIE  M. GOULBOURN, fashion designer: I would probably be a lifestyle magazine publisher, an owner of a unique school where arts and commerce are taught in a most unconventional manner. Students from different parts of the world would share their different cultures through the cuisine they cook and run a village-style community attuned to all things natural and healthy. What a great inspiration for the mind to be totally creative! There would be a regimen of yoga and healthy rituals to start the day; the buildings would be powered by solar energy; lessons would sometimes be conducted outdoors; and tradition will be fused with the modern world.

SONJA OCAMPO, owner, Cupcakes by Sonja: I’d be an underwater photographer. I love to capture images of the very diverse marine life. And as a diver, underwater photography will improve my buoyancy control and instinctively make me more aware of marine animal behavior and species interaction.

JUAN SARTE III, makeup artist: As a child, I used to say I wanted to become a lawyer like my dad.  My two older brothers went to law school and when my turn came, I figured law wasn’t really my interest so I took up communication arts instead. This led me to advertising and after working in an agency for two years I decided to become a makeup artist. I probably would have ended up as a lawyer, too. And maybe I would be bored with law by now, thinking of doing makeup instead. Lawyer-slash-makeup artist, how would that sound?

LOUIE YSMAEL, businessman: I never thought about what I would have been because God made His plan and guided me to where I am today, alive and well. I’ve always wanted to be a famous international racecar driver but circumstances beyond my control didn’t allow me to pursue it.  Then again, maybe I would have become famous and dead, so I never dwell on what I would or could have been.  Be happy and thank the man upstairs for his blessings.

PAULINE SAN JUAN, editor in chief, Preview magazine:  If I hadn’t moved to fashion and the world of magazines, I probably would still be in broadcasting. I was  a producer  at Probe Productions before joining Preview.

JUN DE LEON, photographer: I would probably be a rich banker in an Armani suit, collecting photographs and maybe end up marrying a beautiful photographer.

VICTORIA MARIN, jewelry designer: I would probably be an archaeologist/explorer in the middle of a dig looking for hidden treasure. Preferably nice jewelry!