By Robbie Pangilinan
Albert Einstein once said, “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”
Year 2017 is the year that God tested my faith so intensely. I could have given up, broken down, or even died, but I chose to live as if everything is a miracle. And it is.
The year started full of anticipation as an idea for a TV show with former junior bantamweight and bantamweight titleholder in boxing, Gerry Peñalosa, floated. Turned out that Gerry was busy so things did not work out.
February was when things started to take off; former clients called, friends turned into potential business partners, and new clients sounded off their interest in doing business with me.
In March, God blessed me through the person of Korean national Ralph Kim, the “Solar Man” himself, who established the Unique Korean Corporation, a company that supplies solar energy to residential, commercial, and industrial clients from the Sky Taeho main factory in Korea. Ralph became my friend and new partner. Together we conceptualized a multimedia plan for his solar business. My daughter Jazzy also turned three this month.
April 18, I was in high spirits for the fundraising movie showing of “Fast and Furious 8” for the benefit of Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa’s numerous projects under the leadership of outgoing President Robert Nazal. Little did I know that the following day, God had a test of faith for me. I was brought to Las Piñas Doctors Hospital on April 19 after I felt numbness in my face. I had a mild stroke. I could have died. But I passed the test and lived on as a miracle. In fact, I even hosted a gathering of friends from Canada in my house on this month.
Another blessing came in May as Dr. Joan Clarence Morallo, head of Clarence Anti-Aging, Slimming and Dermatology Centre, signed a contract with me.
In June, I was hospitalized again, this time due to allergies. Shortly after being discharged, the good mayor of Tacloban City, Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez once again invited me to cover the annual Sangyaw Festival, an honor I look forward to doing every year. A bonus was an invitation by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez to cover the first ever Piña Festival.
July was overwhelming as blessing upon blessing kept on coming. I knew a miracle is happening as my clients and friends continued to trust me despite my stroke. I signed a contract with YSA care of Sheila Nazal, who has always been an inspiration to me. I also secured the PR contract for Tacloban. I helped conceptualize ideas for the website of Yoga teacher Peach Cristine Mascariñas, who is also certified in Relationship Development Intervention ® and is a Consultant-in-Training for families with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. We were also blessed materially as my daughter Elishah got her first car this month.
August is of course, my birthmonth. The week before my birthday, I had second thoughts on whether I will have a four-day celebration like how I used to for the past seven years. My illness in April cost so much medical expenses for my family. A couple of days before my birthday, I almost lost my son due to frat violence. But those negative experiences were like an assurance from God that life goes on – it was my third life and my son’s second – so we have all the reasons to celebrate. All my close friends, Pepe Smith, Kiko Matos, Direk Gorio Vicuna and Mareng Peejay, Peach Mascarinas, Raffy Ramiro, PMC Team, Press Photog of the Philippines team media, Dr. Far Shamsi, were there. Dr. Jean Marquez, Mayor Crsitina Romualdez, Tom Choy, Jeffrey Seitz , Robert and Sheila Nazal , Uncle Val Villar, Uncle MVP sent a birthday gift, too.
I also signed a contract with LifeOil and Jeffrey Seitz of PHIX Genomics. Kiko Matos, my new talent, won his first MMA fight and became a father of his child with long time girlfriend Maria.
God freed me from a big debt I had from the bank in September. I also spent time in Tacloban City, but what I enjoyed most was staying home, watching my two girls Ichika and Jazzy dance. I know someday, there two will be artists. I was invited to the first ever Eddys Awards Night with my mentor Sir Isah Red and my editors. I met the best friends of my editor Tess Lardizabal, and now Hazel and Jessica have also become my close friends.
October was a month of gains and losses. I was in Tacloban for a feeding program, we celebrated the third birthday of Ichika, and Coach Norman Black’s second pba final appearance was a success. I went to Quezon Province together with my team to watch the game. But a sad event also happened as my second mom Priscilla Lopez passed away. I was thankful to have visited her in the hospital a week before she died. I also attended her wake in Tayabas, Quezon.
Miracles come in unexpected things. This month, I found it in Enagic Kangen water. I was not paid by the company to advertise or sell or network, my whole family loves the water. Even my dogs have become stronger because of it.
I planned a trip to Canada through the invitation of my business partner in Vancouver, Tom Choy. I also thank Mommy Sarah, Mae Mae Fernando and PATAFA’s Sir Popoy Juico for his generous support for my Canada trip. I was there November 2 to 18.
November 19 I flew to the US and met big people who kept my belief in miracles alive. I interviewed future PBA import Kris Timmons, my best friend Anjanette Abayari, and good friend Marvin Somodio. I met Coach Freddie Roach and Miguel Cotto at the Wildcard Gym when I interviewed Marvin. I enjoyed bonding with my cousin Raymund Pangilinan and his wife Princess. I stayed in their house in Las Vegas. I spent Thanksgiving with AJ, Mae, Tita Roxy, Val Pangilinan Villar, Bobby, Kris, Bon, Tita Naty and his son Irvin, and Mommy Sarah.
Pinoy rock icon Pepe Smith suffered another stroke and his concert in amoranto was cancelled. I will double check if his 2018 tour will push through. I pray for a miracle for him, too.
I went back to Canada for Arnel Pineda’s concert. I also did interview with Councilman Hector Bremner, Philippine Consulate Anthony Mandap, Tatay Tom Avendano, Tattoo artist Mayo Landicho, Zumba Princess Abi Salas, Stylist Photographer William Orusa, and Realtor Tom Choy. We opened our digital online media outfit business in Vancouver. My family was blessed with my sister’s fourth child (now she has twin boys and two girls). I met a Pangilinan family in Vancouver, Twin sisters Irene and Christine and his brother Radie Pangilinan – Masangkay.
What was sad in my trip was the death of basketball teen star Raphael Alcoreza in Surrey, Vancouver after doctors decided to pull the plug a week after he fell into a coma. The 17-year-old 6’1” guard of the Panorama Ridge Thunder squad is supposed to come home next year to play with the Letran Knights.
I came back home to Manila on December 11 and took things slowly as the Christmas rush came. I had time to reflect on my coming projects – perhaps a revisioning of what I want to do and how I will help more people. Some projects already lined up for 2018 include a coffee table book for professional photographer William, a magazine collection of multi-awarded tattoo artist Mayo, the multimedia component of ETONLINE Manila, a new business of my cousin’s wife Princess in Vegas, indie movie , concert and a TV show for AJ Abayari.
Miracles came in 2017 – I had struggles and successes, smiles and sorrows – but God’s face shone through and kept me in His path. I was supposed to undergo angioplasty in July but I tried organic medicine and food and I am okay. My trip to North America was a miracle. I have ministered to different people about their plans, relationships, family and legacy.
I thank my good friends Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, Atty. Alex Avisado, Sheila and Robert Nazal, Paulo Legaspi, Ralph and Lauren Kim, Jeffrey and Mary Seitz, Andy Lugtu, Ariel Nepomuceno, Dr. Far and Shideh Nikbin. Persian friends Sam and Dr. Sina, and Motorcross King Jay Lacnit. My editors, Sir Isah Red, Tito Ricky Lo, Boss Dante Klink Ang, Mareng Gie Trilliana, Che Francisco, Bff Tess Lardizabal, Dinah Ventura, my buddy Jimbo Gulle, my cousin and idol Riera Mallari, My sister in Christ Pia Macan, my kumare Deni rose Afinidad Bernardo and my twin bday brother Michael Murillo, My team Aldrin, Patrick, Gazz Francisco, Louis and Maverick.
Of course, my family who keeps me going. And to God, who has sent miracles my way this year, thank You, for seeing me through. I live to tell the tale, and I will continue to live as if everything is a miracle. Every year. Every day.
