THE New Year gives us all a fresh start--kick off a healthy habit and kick out the harmful ones, reconnect with past resolutions left unaccomplished or connect with brand new pledges. Whether it’s health or attitude or both, it’s always good to have an intention or two, for these keep us grounded and turn us into a “new and improved” models of our previous selves.
We can always start anytime for we are blessed with chances with each waking morning, but somehow it’s the beginning of a year that is perceived to be a good time to start. Why not?
From across the city, 15 of Davao’s newsmakers from the different sectors—tourism, corporate, education, politics, media, health, hospitality, travel, art, fashion—share what they want to accomplish most this 2015.
Art Boncato, Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary. This year, I will resolve to share more stories about experiences in destinations, sites and attractions; about things, events, festivals, communities and people in the country. I resolve to engage stakeholders to weave a tourism story about our own Mindanao-- the way we learn from it, the way we love it, and the way we live it.
 |
| Art Boncato, Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary |
Stella Estremera, Editor-in-Chief, Sun.Star Davao. This year, I will resolve to be my gorgeous self.
 |
| Stella Estremera, Editor-in-Chief, Sun.Star Davao |
Kublai Millan, Visual artist. This year, I resolve to be more gentle in every way, reflect the kindness in my heart and infect those I love and those around me, see more flowers and sky than my canvas, and steel and concrete.
 |
| Kublai Millan, Visual artist |
Dennis Uy, President and CEO of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines. I will resolve to make 2015 better than the previous years by having more quality time with my family and to work harder to be a blessing to all.
 |
| Dennis Uy, President and CEO of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines. |
Joji Ilagan-Bian, Chair- Joji Ilagan International Schools. I will resolve to spend more leisure time with my family in 2015 as I really had a business filled 2014; prioritize my own spiritual enrichment as well as involve myself in apostolic work; and for the business side, develop creative strategies to strengthen all our schools' position in the education arena.
 |
| Joji Ilagan-Bian, Chair- Joji Ilagan International Schools. |
Olan Embuscado, Travel blogger. This year i will resolve to be more efficient and more responsible in everything that I do, continue my advocacy for social change, and learn and live more the culture of Mindanao and our IP brothers.
 |
| Olan Embuscado, Travel blogger |
Nikki Honasan, Yogini/Co-founder of True Yoga Boracay. This year, I will resolve to nourish myself from the inside out by eating healthier, growing more vegetables in our garden, buying mindfully & recycling when possible; but most of all, to nourish the soul by continuing to do what I love & surround myself with positive, like-hearted people.
 |
| Nikki Honasan, Yogini/Co-founder of True Yoga Boracay |
Niko Villegas, Celebrity Photographer/Fujifilm Brand Ambassador. Eat less, love more and hopefully resolve to finish the 365 photo a day project that would help me be more creative and ignite passion for my craft this year.
 |
| Niko Villegas, Celebrity Photographer/Fujifilm Brand Ambassador |
Chris Pamintuan, President & CEO- Apo View Hotel. This year, I will resolve to continue last year's “Be Kind and Less Angry” mantra. Sounds simple but can always get better at it.
 |
| Chris Pamintuan, President & CEO- Apo View Hotel |
Joanna Lizares-Co, Yoga instructor. This year, I will resolve to be more mindfully present and focused so I can connect better with myself, my husband and children, my teachers and students, and others around me.
 |
| Joanna Lizares-Co, Yoga instructor |
Carlos Isagani Zarate, Lawyer & Bayan MunaPartylist Representative. This year I will resolve to be even more active in my legislative work, both in the committee and plenary levels, as well as in attending to the concerns of the Bayan MunaPartlist constituency, and give more quality time to the 'personal' relationships with love ones & friends, health and wellness.
 |
| Carlos Isagani Zarate, Lawyer & Bayan MunaPartylist Representative |
VinaAraneta-Pilapil, News Reporter- ABS-CBN. This year, I resolve to be on time and write faith-inspiring stories, spend more time learning how to cook and bake, and learn German and Dutch language.
 |
| VinaAraneta-Pilapil, News Reporter- ABS-CBN |
Rudolph Alama, Festival Director- Mindanao Filmfest. This year I will resolve to follow up the growth of the Mindanao filmmaking movement. Last year we made the baby steps to link up with filmmakers from BIMP-EAGA hopefully in 2015, we could see bigger steps towards a vibrant regional cinema.
 |
| Rudolph Alama, Festival Director- Mindanao Filmfest |
Debbie Tan-Hao, Executive Vice-President-R.A. Hao Group. This year, I resolve to not only grow in numbers, but in wisdom & to have a grateful heart for time, journey and sense of purpose.
 |
| Debbie Tan-Hao, Executive Vice-President-R.A. Hao Group |
LitoSy, International award-winning photographer, Master photographer- Wedding & Portrait Photographers International & one of Asia's Top 30 wedding photographers. This year, I resolve to go to the gym more often.
 |
| LitoSy, International award-winning photographer, Master photographer- WPPI & one of Asia's Top 30 wedding photographers |
***
For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/
Published in the SunStar Davao newspaper on January 4, 2015.
P.S. With his busy schedule, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, found time to reply as well. Thank you, sir.
Rodrigo Duterte, City Mayor of Davao. This year, I resolve to work harder to protect the interest of the people.
Rodrigo Duterte, City Mayor of Davao. This year, I resolve to work harder to protect the interest of the people.
 |
| Rodrigo Duterte, City Mayor of Davao |
.jpg)
