How do you spend your quiet moments?

With our busy lifestyles, with so many things that occupy our minds, we sometimes forget to give ourselves the quiet time to relax, read a book, reflect or just to keep still so we can listen what’s in our hearts. Quiet moments are important for one to survive in this noisy world. It’s one moment we can claim our own and no one else’s.

Rafe Totengco, designer

I spend my quiet moments either swimming or sketching. Both activities are completely therapeutic for me. When I’m swimming it’s just me, the water and my breathing that I have to worry about, nothing else and this exercise really clears my brain. Sketching has a different effect on me but I find it invigorating and I always end up with something that makes it into the collection.

Alex Escat, international model

I love creating a peaceful ambience with candles, views of the far horizon, a soothing breeze, a comfy couch and some meditative music (with some culture hits: like Dead Can Dance, Nirvana Lounge or Japanese Zen compilation). I meditate and listen to my prahna (breath). We need to reorganize our thoughts in our mind and reenergize the blood in our body. Silencing ourselves is key.

Len Guiao, fashion designer

I like spending my quiet moments in the tiny balcony at home. At night I just sit there in silence, drinking coffee and staring at the sky and stars, thinking about how many others are staring at the same stars. At times I just sit and listen to Charlotte Church sing The Lord’s Prayer, or Andrea Bocelli’s version of the same song. After which, I feel recharged and ready to face the world and Facebook again.

Rhea Santos, TV host

I reflect on life and set short- and long-term goals over a good cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Rhett Eala, designer

I usually spend my quiet times at home in my room, watching the Monocle podcast or watching Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

Tony Velasquez, news anchor

I like to spend quiet moments just reading magazines on my iPad, or sending/answering tweets.

Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian

Every day I entertain hundreds of people who come to City Hall for anything under the sun. My policy every since I got elected is to talk to everyone who comes to my office and try to deal with their issues no matter how trivial. It is very time-consuming and tiring. From the moment I enter my office in the morning, my mouth will never shut. I listen to everything, I internalize it and then I comment. That’s how public service works and that’s what I chose to be in. So to answer your question, I simply go home and stay alone in silence. Sometimes being alone is the best remedy for a stressful day. I may read alone, watch TV alone or even eat alone. This is actually the moment where I can keep my mouth shut and relax!

Louie Ysmael, restaurateur/bar owner

I really value my quiet moments as they come few and far between. I love to listen to soothing music of all genres to relax. I indulge in a massage whenever I can, I take leisurely walks with my dog, I spend time on the computer, or I settle down with a good book.

Paco Magsaysay, businessman

Taking long walks is one way I spend quiet moments. It gives me the time to think things out clearly especially when I have to make important decisions. It is also a time for me to pause and assess where I am at this point in my life and reaffirm my goals.

Cathy S. Ileto, managing director, Bang PR Phils.

I lead a very busy and hectic workweek. I meet with a lot of people during weekdays. A typical day would normally include power lunches or cocktail events in the evenings, that’s why I look forward to really spending quiet time away from the usual crowd on weekends. Quiet time for me is normally spent at our apartment listening to classical music, while reading two or three books. Catching up with my toddler is another important element of my quiet time, as well as watching a great art film with my husband James.

Beatriz Jacinto Tuason, executive vice president, Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc.

My quiet moments are spent writing, reflecting, reading, and looking at family pictures of my favorite memories. I like to think of ways I can improve myself, of how blessed I am. I also like to take long baths and pampering myself at the spa or at home. I love to watch a sunset on the beach while digging my toes in the sand and hearing the waves. It is the beach, the sand, and the ocean where I like to spend my quiet moments the most and enjoy the wonders of nature.