If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as mentor?

A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.           — Unknown 

We all look up at someone whom we want to be someday. We try to learn and read more about the lives and style of people we admire hoping to be like them in the future. Read on as some famous personalities share with us who they look up to.

Grace Lee, TV host

I consider my mom Soon il Lee Song as my mentor. She is a strong woman whose faith guides her through life. Everything I am as a woman is a reflection of her sacrifice and love.

Liz Uy, celebrity stylist

Vince Uy — I grew up beside him. He instilled all his brain juice into me. Still far from him. He is still the one and only.

Fiona Lucas Araneta, entrepreneur, shoe designer

If I could choose someone to be my mentor, I would pick Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-a-Porter.  I used to walk past their offices (dreaming I would run into her), and I still keep clippings of her old interviews tacked on my inspiration board. What started out with a small team (and a pregnant Ms. Massenet) in a Chelsea flat, changed the world of fashion, retail, and cyberspace with its brilliant mix of media and e-commerce.

Lynda Jumilla, senior correspondent ABS CBN News,/news anchor, Studio 23

My siblings and I grew up seeing my mother Lilia — together with my father Romeo — do their best despite financial difficulties and other challenges to raise well-educated, compassionate and productive children. To this day, I look up to my mother as mentor, model and guide on how to be a good mother to my own children, and wife to my husband — my biggest goal and top priority in life.

Jojie Lloren, fashion designer

I would definitely choose Cristobal Balenciaga because of his spare, sculptural haute couture creations.  He was a genius, a true master.

Alex Araneta, CEO, Inspire Leadership Consultancy

I’d like to have a mentor for each area of my life — for business it would be Steve Jobs (when he was alive, of course), for spiritual health it would have to be my Pastor PeterTanchi and for living a legacy of a life well-lived it would be Mother Teresa.

Jon Santos, comedian

My mentors in life are my parents. As for my work, technique, style and work ethic, it’s Tessie Tomas and Willie Nepomuceno. In love, it’s my partner West Stewart.

Batangas Vice Governor Marc Leviste

My father, former DTI BOI Gov. Conrad Leviste, and my idol, Batangueño Senator Ralph Recto. Ever since I was a young boy, I have always looked up to my dad — as a realtor, technocrat and gentleman. We all consider him our   “boss.” On the other hand, I owe part of my success in governance and politics to Sen. Recto. From the beginning (as provincial board member), I have emulated his style and innovations. Both my father and Sen. Ralph are dynamic, inspirational and hardworking. They have played a big role in my life; making me the person that I am right now and helping me achieve numerous success at a young age.

Diether Ocampo, actor

I would like to be mentored by men who posses the artistic workmanship of Johnny Manahan, the omni-competence of  pader Cito Beltran and the wisdom of Danding Cojuangco.