to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy… and to laugh along the way
If I close my eyes, I can still hear the echo of those days – the creak of the tartanilya’s wheels, my mother’s whispered prayers tucked into the din of the church bells, even the frenzied sounds of children playing during recess. Those early memories provide moments of innocent laughter that fill my corner of the world with so much life. These moments of loving and learning settled deep into my young child’s heart.
I open my life book with a vow, not a vow of perfection, but of presence: to show up honestly, to listen deeply, to act with small kindnesses that hopefully will ripple outward, and to leave behind a trace of light for those who follow. If my life were a compass, may its needle remain steady in the winds of change, guiding future hands toward a brighter, more compassionate path.
I was a young Army captain then, newly married, and newly assigned to Manila – at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo, to be exact – after 7 years of risky field service in the hinterland areas mainly in war-torn Mindanao. Those 4 days of February would become heady days for me, my family, my relatives and friends, as we all gathered at EDSA – the epicenter of it all – in that busy portion of the highway between Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo.
As we welcome the new year, I pray that we learn to bring love into each other’s hearts. Let us practice empathy before judgment; let us be present rather than perfect; let us extend grace in moments of frustration; let us express gratitude for everyday acts of goodness; and uplift others with encouragement and genuine praise. Let us learn to listen more than we debate, let us strive to learn more than we assume, and let us endeavor to love more than we fear.
As we move into 2026, my resolve is to steward these blessings with gratitude, to continue nurturing the growth of the companies I have been entrusted with with integrity; and to honor the trust of those who have joined us on this journey. May we all be mindful of the gifts around us, extend generosity to others, and carry forward a spirit of hope and resilience in the year ahead.
The Filipinas stood tall under the most intense spotlight, converting their penalties and denying Vietnam’s final attempt. Olivia’s heroic block sealed a historic, emotional accomplishment. The Philippines is now the SEA Games women’s football champions for the first time. Among the Philippines worthy gold medals, this was the one to savor most, ever so sweetly.
Color My World 