LIVING ALIVE By Dero PederoThe Philippine STAR 04/24/2005
We all have our own little dreams – those treasured goals we wish to achieve and turn into reality, those cherished fantasies lodged in our hearts and lofty imaginations that we see in our mind’s eye which, when realized, would make our lives more alive, meaningful, and magical. Here is an exceptional list of outstanding individuals currently soaring on wings of their dreams, enviable people who dared to dream and unleash the power needed to accomplish them. May their victorious stories serve as sterling inspiration for those of us still dreaming our lives away.
Prolific And Unstoppable Without doubt, Reynaldo "Ronnie" Alejandro is one of the most prolific foreign-based Filipino writers of this generation. A cook, caterer, dancer, choreographer, author, and an indefatigable mover and shaker, Alejandro is a leading exponent of Philippine dance, cooking, and culture in America. As if his life’s mission were to awaken national pride in the Filipino and to secure a respected pedestal for Philippine culture in the global cultural map, he has written a startling number of 30 books, including Philippine Cookbook, Flavor of Asia, Restaurant Design, Sayaw Philippine Dances, Philippine Dance: Mainstream and Crosscurrents, Philippine Hospitality, Class Menu Design, Pinoy Guide to the Big Apple, La Mesa: the Filipino Table, and Pasig: River of Life. Alejandro, who resides in New York, has been the recipient of several awards including the Creative Artists Public Service Program Award in Choreography, and Outstanding Filipino Award. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Cuisine, Food and Wine, Pacific, Mabuhay, Dance, Lifestyle Asia, International Encyclopedia of Dance, and Taipan, among others. Alejandro’s latest book, co-authored with cooking buddy Nancy Lumen, is a gastronomic inquest and adventure into the preparation and serving of one of the Philippines’ best loved culinary specialties, adobo. A coffee-table book cum practical kitchen manual, its pages brim with traditional, experimental, and fusion variations of the adobo. The Adobo Book, published by Anvil Publishing Inc. is available at National Book Store and major bookshops.
Against All OddsLenore RS Lim is a renowned Fil-Canadian artist who specializes in the delicate and demanding art of printmaking. Based in New York where she is a tenured teacher at the United Nations International School, she was the recipient of the highly prestigious Jackson Pollock/Lee Krasner Foundation grant. Other awards conferred on Lim include the 1998 Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s 12 Outstanding Filipino Artists Overseas, the Ma-Yi Theater Company’s Outstanding Art Award, and very recently, the greatly coveted Pamana ng Pilipino Award for outstanding Filipinos overseas presented in Malacañang. Lim has extensively exhibited in Canada, the US, Paris, Rome, Venice, Amman, Baghdad, and Vienna. Ironically, Lim’s life decision to further her art came after she became ill with a life-threatening disease. At that epiphany, she resolved that her art is the legacy she wanted to leave behind. The miraculous thing was that she not only recovered from her illness but started to gain accolades as well. Profound Afterglow: The Prints of Lenore RS Lim is a well-produced book designed by Nik Ricio that traces the course of the artist’s life and work. It features a foreword by Agnes Gund, chairman and president emeritus of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and an introduction by Paul Sharpe, director of the Paul Sharpe Contemporary Art Gallery in New York, which represents Lim. The book is available at the Heritage Library of the Ayala Museum.
A Triumph Of ThoughtsIn a collection of writings that varies much in style as it does in its impact and influence on readers, Soly Paraiso touches on everything from love to the state of affairs in her native country, the Philippines. Random Thoughts: The Power of Thoughts offers inspiring tales that enchant, prompt introspection, and conjure joy. Paraiso writes for The Filipino Press, a newspaper published in San Diego, California. In her book, she shares personal experiences about love, the holidays, positive thoughts, and life revelations. She also relates fascinating trips to her homeland, as well as cities on the East Coast. Several letters are included, such as an open letter to Dick Gordon, the former Tourism Secretary, in which she offers heartfelt advice on how to boost the country’s tourism. A memorable and captivating journey through the musings of one woman, Random Thoughts encourages readers to think positively, be thankful for the joys in life, and never stop exploring. Now a naturalized American citizen, Paraiso spends her time writing freelance, traveling, cooking, and gardening in Chula Vista, California. Random Thoughts is available through AuthorHouse, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders.
Passion With A VisionWriting has always been Rene Nieva’s first love, from his school days at the Ateneo where he started winning literary contests and wrote a column as sports editor of the school paper. He realized early on the beauty and potency of words, and how they could be used for the betterment of society. As president of Perceptions Inc., a public relations company, and using the power of words, Nieva was able to get across positive and inspirational messages that promote worthwhile causes, like environmental conservation, healthcare improvement, reading, and recently, the "WOW Philippines Biyahe Tayo!" domestic travel advocacy campaign for Pfizer’s Bonamine. Nieva wrote the engaging lyrics, which were set to music by two fine musicians, Rico Blanco of Rivermaya and Mike Villegas of Rizal Underground. The MTV, directed by Nieva’s son Noel, features well-known Filipino singers and musicians who were more than glad to offer their talent for free as a patriotic gesture. Encouraging fellow Filipinos to travel in their own country in the MTV are Sharon Cuneta, Lea Salonga, Freddie Aguilar, Rey Valera, Joey Ayala, the Apo Hiking Society, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Francis Magalona, Jolina Magdangal, April Boy Regino, Jessa Zaragosa, Paolo Santos, Nina, Rico Blanco, Jong Cuenco, John Lesaca, and Mike Villegas. The project elicited an enthusiastic response from both the government and the public, and has since won the Grand Anvil Award in the category of Government Relations – Private Business, and the Anvil Award of Excellence for PR Tools in the category of electronic media.
The Genius Of YouthHere’s a news story guaranteed to make you proud: Ten-year-old mathematical wizard Ralph Jordan, a pupil at Bishop’s Stortford College Junior School, won gold in the National Primary Mathematics Challenge, proving himself one of the top 50 mathematicians in the entire United Kingdom. Ralph is the eldest son of Ann Songco of Guagua, Pampanga, a 1986 BS Math graduate of the Ateneo, and Anthony Jordan of New Zealand, a chief actuary, who is a math whiz, too. Ralph entered the competition in November last year along with more than 110,000 pupils aged up to 11 from 3,100 schools. The National Challenge, organized by the Mathematical Association, is aimed at the top 60 per cent of pupils in Year 7 and 8 from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The initial 110,000 pupils were consequently trimmed down to 588 for the finals. Ralph scored 29 out of 30, and became the only one of 42 entrants to receive a gold medal. When asked to comment on the final round, Ralph said, "It was awesome. I didn’t expect to do so well." Well, here’s what we have to say, Ralph: Your winning was like finding a needle in the haystack – and a gold one, at that! Congratulations, the whole of Guagua and the Philippines salute you!
