Unforgettable memories spanning Lucena, Tondo, Singapore, Canada & the US
MANILA, Philippines - You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. —Douglas MacArthur
Vintage wine is more delicious and valuable, men and women grow more beautiful as years are added as long as people never lose their dreams, their faith, their zest for life. Thanks for all the “Memorable Events” letters from Mariles Miranda, Geraldine Ledesma, Nancy Tirona, etc. Not all can be published and apologies also for condensing letters due to space constraints.
This is the last in this special series. As we have seen, a sharp mind is essential to make more unforgettable memories. Let us maintain a sharp mind with proper nutrition by drinking Enervon Prime — an adult nutritional milk for active adults seeking a healthy lifestyle.
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Hi, Wilson. My most memorable event was December 2007 in the Southeast Asian Games in Ratchasima, Thailand. The Philippine national basketball team that I built won the SEAG gold medal after four years of FIBA suspension. It was likewise the first major SEAG gold medal for the new basketball national sports association, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas. The experience I had was so indescribably fulfilling.
Dr. Michael “Mikee” L. Romero
CEO, Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc.
Thanks, Mikee, for generous private sector visionaries like you supporting sports, which is vital not only to promote good heath, but also for sharp minds.
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Having been chosen as one of the 2006 Metrobank Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines is the greatest memorable event of my 43-year career as a teacher — the first from Quezon Province and Lucena City. Now that I’m 63 (but still teaching) I’ve learned that hard work and perseverance are often more important than talent and intelligence. I’ve learned that focus is more important than just having hard work, perseverance, talent and intelligence. I’ve learned, too, that there is such a thing as God’s perfect time. It happens when God believes it is the perfect time to make something happen.
Ofelia Lavares Loñoza
Lucena North I Elementary School, Lucena City
Dear Ma’am Ofelia, thanks for sharing precious nuggets of wisdom from an inspiring career in the noblest of all professions. It’s impressive that you’re still active at 63, with your sharp mind creating more memories and helping guide the youth. Best wishes!
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Dear Wilson, My most memorable events are: 1) being invited by former US President Bill Clinton to moderate an emerging markets panel discussion in New York; 2) Interviewing NBA greats Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill and David Robinson; 3) Being invited by Clinton for the inaugural Clinton Global Initiative Asia in Hong Kong; 4) Receiving the La Sallian Achievement Award for Global Broadcasting; 5) Receiving the Presidential Award for Outstanding Overseas Filipinos and delivering a speech on behalf of all awardees; 6) Receiving the Outstanding Young Men for Broadcast Journalism (TOYM) Award in 2006; 7) Interviewing global leaders including Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir, President Clinton, billionaires like Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Sir Richard Branson, etc.; 8) Meeting and marrying my lovely, caring, loving and supportive wife Melannie Syquia-Hizon, and the birth of our son Jose Miguelin Federico “Migo” Benedicto Syquia-Hizon.
Rico M. Hizon
BBC World News, Singapore
Hi, Rico! Congrats for being a world-class broadcaster with a sharp mind. Continue to inspire people to excel. We are proud of your manifold achievements!
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Dear Wilson, I am always amused every time I read your column to get your insights on Philippine politics, economy and also common happenings in life pertinent to my Chinese background. My unforgettable memories: passing the Canadian and American board exams plus other international recognitions; various awards like “People of the Year 2004” form People Asia magazine; “Tanyag na Ulirang Ama 1997”; memories of high school singing groups, choirs and musical instruments like Peng Kong Symphonic Band; learning Wu Shu at the Heng Han Athletic Institute; memories of migrating to Canada; doing charity work, helping those who are hard of hearing; memories of sadness, because life is never a perfectly scripted movie drama; and artful memories of my four years undertaking my photography hobby.
Dr. Eduardo Dy Go
Hi, Doc Eduardo, you nailed it. Indeed, a sharp mind coupled with love of life and service to others makes for more memories and a fulfilled and well-lived life.
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Hi, Wilson. My most memorable recent event is selling my old house and moving into my new house all in a span of one month. It was memorable for me since I wasn’t even sure of getting the house I wanted to buy, but things finally fell right into place and we finally moved into my new home after all the troubles we went through.
Paolo Bernabe
Bacolod Chk n BBQ House
& Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
Congrats, Paolo, on your new home! I can empathize with your anxieties and troubles in moving, since I just recently moved to a bigger office for my realty business. Wish you more success and keep a sharp mind for more businesses and more memories!
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Hi, Wilson, I’m a living witness that life is full of challenges and uncertainties but faith and determination can bring us a future of hope and destiny. I was born in Isabela province, the eldest of four. Life was very hard; my parents were both teachers and our mother got sick and died, leaving us, her young kids, behind. I went to study nursing in Manila where I lived with a rich relative who treated us differently. I endured prejudices because of poverty. During those trying times God was the only I could turn to, and He never left me. I graduated nursing, went to the US and worked hard to send all my siblings through school. Nothing is impossible, with determination and the strong will to succeed, and above all, with trust in God who performs daily miracles for everybody. I just finished my master’s degree in nursing, majoring in administration and management in one of the private catholic colleges in Los Angeles County, Mount Saint Mary’s College. I encourage everyone to be strong and to believe in the power of God.
Pinky Jane Bartolome-Biag, Los Angeles
Thanks, Pinky, for sharing your inspiring story of guts, grit and faith.
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Dear Wilson, in one’s life, we learn words of wisdom, teachings from Buddha, Gandhi, from our teachers, from experiences and by reading columns such as those by Wilson Lee Flores. Typhoon Ondoy taught me that God may take away everything but He did not take away one thing: your future and your tomorrow. Expect the unexpected. What you should do today, do not leave for tomorrow. Bad times are not about God abandoning you, they are about feeling the full extent of how much love there is available to sustain you. Bad times are opportunities for you to do God’s work on earth and to understand, on a much deeper level, how much love is available to you in any situation. Ondoy taught us to pray more and worry less.
Vishnu Hathiramani
Dear Vishnu, thanks for sharing your wise reflections on the recent unforgettable crisis.
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Dear Wilson, I’m sipping Nescafe Classic coffee while reading your column “Unforgettable Memories” dated Sept. 20, 2009 at 8 a.m. under the gloomy sky. I’m 55, father of two college graduates with stable jobs and a boy in fifth grade at a government school. Thanks to my wife, I got the chance to read your article. My unforgettable event happened when I was a working student at Urios College (now Urios University) in Butuan City. As a Commerce Department student representative in my fourth year, I spearheaded the impeachment of our unpopular and abusive college prime minister, who was just like the present leaders occupying Malacañang. I feel proud about the success of my humble effort. Thank you, Wilson, for helping us remember our proud moments.
Diosdado E. Mar, Jr.
Vitas, Tondo, Manila
Dear Diosdado, your eloquence and vivid memories show that in your 50s you’re still in your prime with a sharp mind. I admire your guts and your sense of idealism for good governance by honest and service-oriented leaders (which we sorely need in Philippine society today!).
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Comments welcome at willsoonflourish@gmail.com or at my Facebook account.
