What is your Christmas wish?
As we mark the beginning of this yuletide season and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, we may have wishes that have come true in 2012 and wishes that have yet to be granted. Being able to make wishes is good because it signals that we have hope and faith in better things to come.
My personal wish is for my three children to get only the best of what life has to offer and that they be spared from emotional pain forever. The year 2012 has been so good to us, as my children — Simon, Cheskie and Cara — and I held tight to each other as we sailed and survived the rough patch in our life with flying colors. I am proud to be their mom and grateful that I have them in my life.
Bernadette Sembrano, TV and radio host
I wish for good health for our parents, which would allow us to have more time to spend with each other. My wish is that our pamangkins grow up not taking things for granted, and may they never outgrow the child in them. For my asawa, I can’t wish for anything more. May we continue to live in gratitude to God for all his blessings. Sana ganito palagi. I wish for strength for the sick and their families. And to generous individuals who selflessly help, I wish that they be blessed even more.
Architect Miguel Pastor
That the Philippines maintains its resiliency as the country continues to boast of a steadier pace of expansion. We are all poised to earn an investment-credit rating come 2013. Hope the momentum continues as heavy foreign buying of shares in our stocks has been consistent together with steady flow of overseas remittances. Go, Philippines!
Jackie Cohen Antonio, homemaker
As always, my personal wish is for optimum health and continued happiness for my loved ones. My greater wish, for the best interests of this lovely country, is for its legislators to pass the much- needed RH bill. It’s a critical first step in solving some of the nation’s basic challenges and would propel the Philippines to harness its long overdue potential. I wish I can achieve a forgiveness that isn’t colored with expectations –– that the other person apologize or change. I should not worry whether or not they finally understand me. Because I should know life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time. Sincere self-forgiveness. So I guess my wish is entirely up to me, again. Have a love-filled Christmas, everyone!
Lulu Tan Gan, fashion designer
I never thought of a Christmas wish till you asked. Something personal at the moment is that I hope the water leak in my home gets done, fixed, as in today. Grrrr! But major wish for the world: balanced wealth and world peace. If you can’t stop violence, at least make it happen to bad people. Merry Christmas, world!
Charie Villa, head of news for ABS-CBN Regional Network Group and head of www.ChoosePhils.com
I normally do not wish for anything because I believe that whatever I desire in life, I should work for. But now that I have grown up, I know there are certain things that are beyond my control. So my fervent wish this Christmas, before I turn 50 next year is forgiveness. But again, forgiveness that only I can achieve. We are often told that we should forgive others. But the kindest and most compassionate thing I can do for myself and others is to forgive myself. I must let go of a part of me, the part that wants to keep me trapped inside a circle of blame, shame, guilt and fear. Essentially, my ego.
Joyce Oreña, jewelry designer of her brand, JÔ
My wish is for universal peace and love. If someone thinks that peace and love are just a cliché that must have been left behind in the ‘60s, that’s a problem. Peace and love are eternal. John Lennon, in his song Imagine, said, “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one...”
Ambassador Vic Lecaros
Without hesitation, is to be of continued, or even greater, use to my country so as to make a positive difference in the lives of our people.
Ana Rocha of Rocha Design Group
After losing my dad to cancer this year, and knowing that he is in a better place rejoicing with Jesus this Christmas, I somehow wish that he could still be part of my Christmas.
Toting Bunyi, former press secretary
That people learn to look beyond the trappings and frivolity that mark the modern Yultide season. We should never forget the real reason why we celebrate Christmas: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Mandy dela Rama Santos, owner, Tarte Tatin
My most fervent Christmas wish is that all my daughters’ dreams come true!
