By Robbie Pangilinan
New friends are compared to silver in the famous quote that goes, “Make new friends, and keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold.” This year, I saw a silver lining (a now famous catch phrase, thanks to our Miss Universe Catriona Gray) in the persons of new people who God sent to me.
I can say 2018 was a year of old and new friendships. Twelve months of smiles and struggles. Four quarters of sickness and success. Two semesters of faith and failures. A year of blessings and bonds.
2018 started with only Tacloban City (through the good Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez) as my client in January. Mayor Cristina has trusted me for 9 years, from promoting her business ventures, until she became the first lady of Tacloban, then Councilor, and Mayor.
When February came, I met Ricky Sta. Ana, the president of Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild (PhilTAG) and I got invited to the Vancouver Tattoo Convention happening in April. We started working on the PhilTAG website in March.
Come April, I decided to stay in the Philippines by faith. Little did I know that I would face a big financial mountain the following month. But God has prepared me for it, as He has always done in my life. In May, amidst my housing/property loan problem, prayer warriors called and supported me. It was also in May when I met the Fuentebella clan who I will soon start a partnership with. Before the month ended, I was back in the hospital, Las Pinas Doctors Hospital, which has become like a second home with the friendly and efficient doctors and staff.
In June, I started a partnership with the Fuentebella clan’s perfume business. Councilor Hero Bautista was a big blessings to me this month. My son celebrated his birthday and got his first tattoo by none other than Ricky Sta. Ana. It was the first time that I did not handle the PR of Tacloban City’s Sangyaw Festival, but I went as Mayor Cristina’s guest.
This year, my eldest son John Mavy graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Perpetual Help College of Rizal.
A family reunion happened in July when Mommy Sarah and Mae went to visit.
August, was a roller coaster month. Fashion Smile Dental Spa, through Doctors Far and Shideh, renewed our partnership after an eight-month rest. Mayor Cristina hosted dinner for my birthday in her house which is such a great honor! I also had dinner with Cong. Gwen Garcia, Atty. Alex Avisado, and his associates. A very special dinner was shared with my family on my exact birthday, August 17, where DARE’s Dr. Jean sent a special gift – a lechon! Dr. Far hosted another dinner the following night, this time with the celebrities. While a blessing arrived when Airspeed signed with me for six months, I was sent back to the hospital due to allergies.
The “ber” months came swiftly and in September, I conceptualized a TV show with Aby Sebastian helping me with the details.
In October, I once again felt God’s love through Mayor Cristina, who has always been a big blessing to me and my family. She has been a very generous and good boss. As if a prelude to Christmas, Brazilian actress, model, and TV host Daiana Menezes signed with me as her exclusive PR. I covered One Championship this month, too.
Founding editor of Ms. magazine and author of ten books Letty Cottin Pogrebin once said, “We need old friends to help us grow old and new friends to help us stay young.” I proved this true this year. In this same month of November, I found new friends in the persons of Atty. Lorna Kapunan and Atty. Romy Macalintal who is running for senator.
Christmas month started by attending the charity events of Daiana as well as a much-awaited reunion with my long lost fraternity brothers. My daughter’s friend gifted us with two dogs. I hosted a family reunion in Laguna on December 23.
I found myself staying home a lot this year. I did not have any international trips and I focused on taking care of Ichika and Jazzy, who are growing up fast and are very smart for their age. It was the first time I stayed home for four straight days, when I had to work from home to avoid the stress in Manila’s traffic, as I was hospitalized three times this year due to allergies and high blood pressure.
As always, my heart is filled with gratitude for many people who were instrumental in making 2018 a great year: Of course, my family – my wife, my daughter Clarence and son Louis who have been taking care of me; my daughter Eli for being very understanding and generous.
Consul General Neil Ferrer for his help in extending my passport to travel anytime to the United States for my very ill mother-in-law. My wife went to the States this year for a mission together with my son. Thank you, Cathy Lopez, for helping my cousin Mariquita Pangilinan for her Japan Visa.
Prayer warriors Tita Angeli Valenciano, Alabang New Life Pastor Joey and Sister Rosemarie Rafael, and Sis Leila Ravelo for her daily prayers for my health, projects and loan and for being a great testimony to my life.
The strong women who are God-sent to me: Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez, The Skin Specialist (now DARE) owner Jean Marquez, Doctors Far and Shideh of Fashion Smile, Daiana Menezes, Sis Rosemarie Rafael, and Kate Coseteng who I had the chance to have dinner with together with Maria Ozawa.
My good friends Atty. Alex and wife Christy with their family and team, Councilor Julian Coseteng, Direk Gorio and Peejay Vicuna, Hero Bautista, Atty. Rudy Britanico, Mozzaico’s Samman, PNB Consultant Vic Calma, Sir Dante Klink Ang, MB Editor Art Samaniego, Editor Nikki Wang, Sir Isah Red, Riera Mallari, Philstar’s Ricky Lo, Gie Trilliana, Tess Lardizabal, Dinah Ventura, Pia Macan, Mae Balbuena, Nympha Ang, Che Francisco, Beth Repizo, Enjel Manato, Ed Andaya, Alex Vidal, Jimmy Cantor, Perry Mallari, Giana Maniego and mother Isabel De Leon, Noli Cruz and sports icon Eddie Alinea.
I would like to acknowledge the people who have been a big help to me in my career: My family, Marissa, Mavy, Elishah, Clarence and Louis, my website team – Giovani Juntereal, Mic Rivarez, Aldrin Capinan, Patrick Aninang, Tom Choy, Michael Romero, Tol Jay Jalbuna and the rest of the Sportsmanila team.
As the year ends, I see the silver lining – in my family, friends, colleagues, and all the experiences that 2018 brought. Looking forward to 2019 with gratitude and hope in my heart. #YEARENDER2018
