Filipino, Philippines “Dancing Inmates” from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, were treated to a visit by Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from THIS IS IT. From Michael Jackson from the movie “THIS IS IT” BELIEVE, HAVE FAITH! It’s an ADVENTURE! Take them places that they’ve never been to Show them talent like they’ve never seen before I LOVE YOU ALL, GIVE LOVE BACK INTO THE WORLD! LOVE EACH OTHER! WE ARE ALL ONE! TAKE CARE OF THE PLANET! Even in prison, life does not have to be miserable….It is a matter of attitude and making worth of life whatever you have, wherever you are, whatever situation you are in…. other videos that made them famous! They have many more
Finally Heart2Heart reached Quezon City and was able to visit the newly opened restaurant of our friends, Enzo and Sandie. It was well worth the trip. I did not see Sandie there but was able to meet and talk to Sandie’s partner, Yong Nieva, who showed me around and intrduced me to the restaurant. He said that they wanted to really open a restaurant in a home which is the trend nowadays. It was his wife, Ivy Almario-Nieva who designed the place. Yong told me that they are still on soft opening and have not had their grand opening, yet the place was fully booked at the time I was there and it has been that way since they opened. Congratulations Enzo, Sandie, Yong and Ivy!! More power to you!! We are looking forward to a Makati branch! Since I was not able to meet up with Sandie in the restaurant, I asked her to give me a short background on the restaurant and this is her story…. I put up this resto to honor my lolo as most people have forgotten him Our main dinning had black and white floors. Each room is divided into different stages of his life. the main dinning has the pics of all the Philippine Presidents he served plus other dignitaries he met. The bar area has pics of his war years it has the famous Landing in Leyte Pic. It was Enzo who conceptualized the resto. Ivy looked at old pics of our Forbes house and that is how she came up with the black and white floors. On the wall by the stairs, written by Carlos P. Romulo The Menu is more Filipino Spanish. Some of the dishes we are know for are recipes from our family like the Lola Virginia’s Relleno (which is still made in our house) & Tito Gregs Karekare. Other Favorites are the Bangus Pate, Boneless Crispy Pata Binagoongan and the Flying Tilapia. The private rooms are named after the different houses we had the “Kasiyahan Room” was our residence in Forbes and pics of his UN days there. Kaligayan was our Baguio house where we have photos of the family. The Kapayapaan Room is his UP days. Location:
# 32 sct lazcano cor sct tuason Quezon City, Philippines 
I had asked permission from my friend, Minnie, if I could publish her story at Heart2Heart. Only because Heart2Heart admires Minnie for her strength and courage in facing her situation. Not once did I hear her complain, or be angry, or say negative things…she has never lost faith in God, in fact she is always THANKFUL to Him. Kieron is a miracle and a beautiful and healthy baby boy. Minnie has a wonderful husband, Paul, and many friends and family who support and love her.
Heart2Heart is asking for more prayers for Minnie. And whatever happens, we know that God has His plans for all of us…HIS will, will be done…..
Happy Birthday Minnie!! Hang in there!
This is the second “Mercy”( Itayo Natin and Ating Bandila June 16, 2009 ) personality featured here at Heart2Heart! Both women who inspire! While at my good friend Rina’s place, I saw a magazine on her coffeetable and I thought I saw Audrey Hepburn..but as I read the cover- it said Mercy Tuason. I had met Tita Mercy on a few occassions through Rina. I had the opportunity to join one of her prayer sessions and mass which she hosts in her beautiful home. Rina brought me along with her. All her lady friends come over and pray together and hear mass. She has recently been appointed as envoy to the Vatican. My Grandfather was once the Ambassador to the Vatican as well. Congratulations Tita Mercy!
I love how Lifestyle Asia did the article and photos of Tita Mercy. Try to grab a copy of their July issue to read more
Around the year 2003, Mom was working on building her chapel. She told us she wanted to give back something to the community and so she thought of a chapel where people can pray and worship the Lord. And with the help of many friends and family, Sto. Rosario Chapel came to life in 2006 
Mom had passed away in January 2007 ( My Other Mother January 30, 2007 ) . We were very happy that her wish came true and that she was able to build her chapel 
We were able to celebrate mass on her 40th day with just the immediate family
And though the chapel was built and the structure was there, there were several things that were not yet finished. With the initiative of James and John, last March they had the idea that we should try to finish the chapel by Mom’s birthday which is today.
So we visited the chapel with the help of Mom Menchu and Edgar…
After assessing the situation, just a few finishing touches on the facade and some needed materials inside the church were needed. Thanks to Edgar for designing and mobilizing to meet the deadline
We dedicate this chapel to Mom and we remember her today on her birthday. We miss her! But we know that she is happily with the Lord in Heaven! Pray for us always Mom. We love you!
Thank you to the friends of James and John who helped finish the last few phases of the chapel:
Cirtek Land Corporation, Injap Sia, Kenneth Shaw, Jerome Castillo, Lindy Theodoropoulous, Mart Tan, Carlo Antonio, Jose and Tin Moreno, Raj and Kai Moreno, Raffy and Carmina del Rosario, Yugi and Timmy Antonio, Danny Maramba and Jay Ong
Previous Entry: My Other Mother January 30, 2007
How one man can affect the lives and touch the hearts of people all over the world! Despite the fame, Michael Jackson is only human just like all of us. We all have our weaknesses.
He will live in us FOREVER! WE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU FOR YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS!
Watch this beautiful video till the end…Listen to his words and the angel’s action…I thought it was very appropriate for Heart2Heart’s tribute!
In our darkest hour………In my deepest despair
Will you still care? Will you be there?
In my trials……..And my tribulations
Through our doubts……….And frustrations
In my violence………..In my turbulence
Through my fear……….And my confessions
In my anguish and my pain
Through my joy and my sorrow
In the promise of another tomorrow
I’ll never let you part
For you’re always in my heart.
I was happy to see all my other friends in facebook and multiply sympathizing with me that day…
I looooove Michael Jackson and despite whatever wrong decisions he made in his life, he was overall a really good person who touched so many lives all over the world and opened up barriers between races.Just like his song “Man in the Mirror”, we should really look at ourselves first before judging him or any other human being if we want a positive change.Michael Jackson was a great humanitarian and his music was a constant light, a sign of unity for the world.. For that and the many happy memories he brought into my life with my friends and family throughout the years and still today, I will always be thankful for his existence and contribution to humanity.
We were so happy to see Mayette during our visit to Sydney. Maybe some of you know Mayette as she used to be the Store Manager at Rustan’s Supermarket Makati. She is very popular among the regular clients though she left 13 years ago to migrate to Australia where her husband, Francis, was working already for 3 years. She decided to follow. Mayette is very funny, very entertaining, very sweet and very kind.
Her office was right behind our hotel, Sheraton on the Park. She now works with David Jones department store in the Customer Service department.
I am not surprised why she got that job because she fits it perfectly as she is very good with handling customers. She told us some stories about her job and how she was interviewed when she applied in David Jones. She told them that she used to work for the best store in the Philippines, Rustan’s, and took care of the President of the Philippines, Mrs. Amelita Ramos. She even had a photo with her which she showed to the one interviewing her. The interviewer then asked if she knew the more popular First Lady, Imelda Marcos…. sure enough Mayette had a photo with her too. Hence, she got the job! :-) While working and answering the phone from customers, she told us that there was even a gentleman customer who asked her out for tea…and Mayette told him…”But Sir, my voice may sound young and beautiful but I am really old and ugly!!” :-) SHE IS HILARIOUS!! I can sit all day and just listen to her. We all love her! and will miss her again until we see her…
I have been hearing about this woman from my sister Krie and from Dad and Mom…and I had the chance to finally meet her. Her name is Mercy Corrales.
Heart2Heart is very proud to feature her as I am sure she will be an idol to many women and Filipinos out there - just like how she has made me proud.
Mercy started off in Human Resources for Levis ( LSPI ) in the Philippines and even knew my grandmother working with her in Rustan’s. She later on became CEO of Levis in Brazil and then in Japan. She was with Levis for thirty years. Afterwhich, she became the CEO of Starbucks in Japan which has almost a thousand stores and sales of around a billion US dollars.
Imagine a woman being the CEO in a male dominated society like Japan?
She is the only woman who was awarded by the Harvard Business School in Japan as Business Statewoman of 2008.
And recently she was asked to be the President of Starbucks Asia Pacific which includes the Philippines.
I heard Mercy telling my Dad about her conversation with Howard Schultz over the phone when Howard called her about the new job offer.. Mercy told Howard… “I am going to SHAKE THINGS UP and I am going to disagree with you sometimes!” Howard was very happy to hear that and agreed that that was what he wanted. I also heard that she even dictated her terms as to what countries she could cover and how often she could come back to the Philippines…..that’s how good she is!
Mercy has given talks in Japan to many people from all over the world… many of them are amazed and asking her how she did it and how she made it to where she is now.
She told us over dinner that one of the reasons she wants to retire already is because she wants to be able to do something for the country…. she said that most of her career she has been helping overseas countries and companies. Hmmm…. the fact that she represents our country and makes us proud to be Filipinos…is already great service to our country!
“Itayo natin ang ating bandila,” she says!
Last year, I stumbled into my friend, Rica’s multiply site and I saw this beautiful tribute she had made for her Mom. Rica and I seem to have so many things in common- same name, same Mom’s name, we both love hearts and it seems we both share a lot in common when it comes to family and life…and of course the same admiration towards our Mom. So, I asked her if I can share her beautiful tribute to her Mom at Heart2Heart
by RICA CONCEPCION ARANETA April 1, 2008
When friends tell me that I live a charmed life, I cannot help but agree for I am blessed with a mother who loves and cares for me like no other.
Being raised by mother along with 4 brothers brought a great deal of happiness and contentment in my life even at a young age while teaching me timeless values worth sharing to many generations.
My mother taught me the value of FAMILY FIRST. She was a devoted wife and a dedicated mother to her 5 children. She was happiest when she sees all of us happy even if it meant making sacrifices on her part. She made sure that she managed her time well and her family was always her priority.
I have never appreciated my mom so much more now that I have my own family.
She has cared for me and my brothers well. And she extends the same kind of motherly affection to her son and daughters in law as well 16 grandchildren.
I likened her to a star which you don’t always see but you know she is always going to be there. And not a single day passes that I am thankful for that.
My mother taught me the value of SIMPLICITY AND SINCERITY. Despite her social status, she has remained grounded and simple in her ways. She is quick to remind me that what lies in the heart of the person is far more precious than any wealth in this world.
My mother taught me the value of TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILY BUSINESS—a passion she held with the same esteem as taking care of her family. She is organized, focused with her goals and was good at motivating people and managing resources. She was instrumental to the growth of some of our family businesses but chose to remain in the background rather than basked in the limelight.
My mother taught me STRENGTH OF CHARACTER during difficult times. She remains placid even under extreme pressure. Its hard to see through her during trying moments for she does not complain and is always ready to flash a genuine smile. My mother is beautiful inside and out.
Its true what a poem says about mothers… “They are Angels God put on earth to take care and guide us. Am Blessed to have her as my both my angel and my earthly Mother”
This was what Rica’s Mom wrote about her Mom, Also a beautiful tribute
VALUES I LEARNED FROM MY MOTHER
(NATIVIDAD LONTOC DE LAS ALAS) April 2008
I am the youngest of twelve siblings. My mother gave birth to me when she was already forty-four years old. I was very close to my mother, I being the baby of a big family.
From my mother, I learned a lot of old time values. My father was a firm believer that a woman’s place is the home. That is why for my mother, the family, above all, came first. As a wife, her priority was my father.
As a mother, her greatest concern was her children. My mother brought me up in a happy and peaceful home. She made sure we were all in good health. My mother taught me the importance of a family praying together. There was nothing more meaningful to her than she was surrounded by my father and all her children in praying the Angelus at 6’clock in the afternoon when the church bells rung.
She showed me by example how to love and serve the poor and the less privilege. Every month she would go to GOTA de Leche and help the nuns attend to the abandoned and sick babies. She also supported a lot of young boys who dreamt to become priests.
She was humble at all times.Now that I myself am a mother and a grandmother, it gives me joy and satisfaction that the old values and old traditions taught to me by my mother have been passed on to the children and grandchildren. Today even with the modern times and modern ways, the values have already been instilled in the family and nothing can ever change this or take it away from the family.
I have 5 children, namely, Raul Stephen, Raul Joseph, Raul Patrick, Rica, and Raul Anthony.
I have 15 grandchildren, soon going to 16.
