It was a sad, sad day. While attending the Women’s Business Council Philippines Inc.’s Climate Change Committee Meeting, I received a call from my daughter Cara Lim that my friend Margarita “Gaita” Forés had died. She learned this from her friend, Gaita’s son. Margarita Araneta Forés was a celebrated Filipino chef and restaurateur. In 2016, ...

“I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36) Last May 21, my best friend Kata Bellosillo invited me to join her at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong. Every year, Kata celebrates her birthday by ...

Last Tuesday’s IBPAP C-Suite Forum, titled “Drivers of Holistic Health: Extending Value-Based Care to the Organization and Clients,” and hosted by Carelon Global Solutions was refreshingly unique and content-rich. First, the forum kicked off with a live study led by Carelon Global Solution Philippines’ VP and Chief Country Executive Nicki Agcaoili. The audience was asked ...

Over the years, I’ve developed many close friendships with Indian nationalities, including classmates from the Asian Institute of Management and colleagues from the publishing, tourism, and IT-BPM industries, who have regaled me with stories of home. Both my daughters have visited India separately, Cara with her best friend Amanda to attend the Holi Festival, and ...

Last May, I was invited by BAYO to join a photoshoot for their upcoming campaign. Little did I know that I was in for such a lovely time and that I would meet some truly amazing and inspirational people too, starting with my fellow models’ architect Rebecca Plaza-Ti and NGO founder Kara Rosas.    Rica, short ...

(June 20, 2023) Last Saturday, I was invited as a guest in Inay Ko Po! This is a program of One PH, a 24-hour Filipino-language news channel in the Philippines that provides news, information, and public affairs programs. Part of Cignal TV, a direct-to-home satellite television service provider with 3.6 million subscribers, One PH features ...

(CLARK, Pampanga, 10 June 2023). Sometimes, things are just meant to be. Thursday two weeks ago, I received a call from my friend Arjun Shroff asking if we could ride together to Clark on Saturday. Arjun is the visionary founder of 33-year old Shroff Travel, a leading Destination Management Company (DMC) in the Philippines. Puzzled, ...

What an exciting day! Last April 19, I was invited as one of two speakers at Globe’s event entitled EmpowHER: Celebrating Women of Greatness at the Shangri-La EDSA Garden Ballroom. Gathering accomplished and empowered women leaders from the Top 150 enterprises in the Philippines, the exclusive post-Women’s Month and early Mothers’ Day event not only ...

On the 15th of April, I attended the 75th anniversary of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) at Shangri-La the Fort with my best friend Kathryn de Jesus-Bellosillo, CEO of Kyani Philippines. We were greeted warmly by PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang. It was a well-organized formal event to show appreciation to PRC’s donors, staff, ...

As the culminating event for Women’s Month, the Women’s Business Council Philippines, Inc. (WomenBizPH) together with the Laguna Tourism Council Philippines organized “Women Supporting Women,” a one-day event of conversations, trade fair, and business networking. Held at Eldar’s Theater, Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the event gathered 140 women business leaders, government officials, and ...