Big deal at big show

“What is essential is invisible to the eye” — The Little Prince

By force of habit or simply because we do not will it in our consciousness, many of us fail to see or tend to ignore the finer details in life, details that when recognized creates even greater opportunities, hence the lesson from the little Prince.

Last Thursday, I was invited to co-host the annual trade show of Foton Motors Philippines representing the largest and most popular truck and heavy equipment manufacturers in China. As tradition would have it, Foton Motors showcased their latest models, particularly their newest family/commercial van as well as the “Dancing Pay Loader” that could do “wheelies,” twists and spins much better than any low-rider or drift car in any car show. While all that was certainly attractive, what really caught my attention aside from my lovely co-host Nicole Asensio (from the Heneral Luna rock band fame), was how the Commercial Attaché’ of China Councilor Wu Zheng Ping conducted himself.

Given how Hong Kong officials and residents have expressed their understandable resentment towards anything Filipino or Philippines after the Luneta massacre, I found the reassuring and encouraging speech given by Councilor Wu the kind of communications that help build bridges and not just businesses. Wu confessed that he has moved heaven and earth to stay as long as possible in the Philippines, which he has come to like very much. In fact Wu’s talk and support for the Foton Big Show was a perfect example of how business relations might be able to open doors and mend wounds with Hong Kong.

Rather than shut the door to reconciliation, isn’t it about time P-Noy quietly formed a team to speak directly with the victims, studied the legal and financial considerations of the matter under a cover of non-disclosure clause with the ultimate goal of sincerely helping the victims and their families? Official or backdoor, the fact is there are victims who need help and who need closure. So far everything has been the opinion of politicians and lawyers and nothing has been achieved except making the whole thing open to the predatory political grandstanding of people on both sides. We need healers and peacemakers. We need diplomats, not legalists and propagandists.

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If you happen to be one of those patriotic citizens who went out to vote last Monday, were you also one of those who was once again confronted by the reality that your eyesight is no longer as good as they were? Did you find yourself adjusting to the distance between the list of candidates while writing them down on your ballot?

Not all of us were born with 20/20 vision while others experience degeneration relative to health issues or with age. What strikes me is how many people actually put off their visit to the optometrist much longer than necessary. Often it is because poor vision does not manifest pain. Then there is the “four eyes” stigma where Pinoys associate wearing eyeglasses as being old, clumsy, or outright ugly.

The truth of the matter is there is pain, but we think it comes from elsewhere. Most people call it a “headache.” Some people think it’s their blood pressure or migraine. But there is a good chance that your head splitter is being caused by poor vision. Aside from physical pain, most people don’t think in terms of reduced productivity whether in school or at work. There have been so many cases of kids thought to be slow readers or learners who turned out to be suffering from poor vision. Once they were tested and fitted, their performance at school greatly improved.

I for one have always been a slow reader, getting tired from reading a short chapter or two. I also found myself having regular headaches after driving a few hours in full sunlight or hazy days. No longer able to deny that my eyesight was going bad, I visited Viñas Optical at the Shangri-La Mall where brothers Doc. Joey and Macoy went all out to educate me about eyesight and eyewear. In the course of the growing relationship I also became good friends with Dr. Emily Roleda who represents Essilor in the Philippines and all three of them showed me that wearing eyeglasses can be just as fashionable as they are healthy.

Like most people, I immediately focused on which frames suited me. I was attracted to “brand names” and what looked “hip”. Unfortunately, the most important thing is to properly have your eyes checked or graded. What I liked about my friends at Viñas Optical is that they always have the latest equipment, which has given me confidence about having the right prescriptions. From there, Doc Emily constantly reminds me that I should focus on the lens before the frames because that is what impacts my quality of life and performance in the long run.

In the last 15 years, I have certainly learned a lot about eyewear. I started out with bi-focals on steel frames. Then I migrated to bi-focals on flexi frames, then I discovered Essilor’s progressive lenses where you don’t have to have 2 separate grades for distance and for reading but a smooth clear lens that allows you to see at a distance or read close up. Then I discovered the Essilor lenses that are progressive, and also gradually adjusts to the degree of sunlight and “tints” automatically.

After that I discovered their special eyewear dedicated for “computer use”. Yes, there is a serious need for such eyewear and people, especially children who now do most of their schoolwork in front of the computer should be tested and equipped with such a pair. I recently lost my pair and I am now desperate to have new ones made because they make a big difference. I don’t tire out as much when using them in front of the monitor.

As far as fashion accessories go, eyewear has gone a long way. I remember back when my lenses were made of “polished glass”. I constantly scratched them, drop them crack them and it would take forever to get them replaced. Now with the new technology Essilor lenses I have what amounts to “bullet proof” lenses that I also use while working with grinders and around welding machines. Under my normal wear they manage to stay scratch free and they don’t break easily which makes them worth every penny. But more than the technology, the looks and the costs, what I’ve learned to appreciate is that our eyesight, more than any of our other senses, is what lets us see the world, learn life and helps us get by. A good pair of quality eyewear is more important than a watch, a phone, or any other accessory. Invest on your eyesight.

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