10 life masterpieces to inspire yours

MANILA, Philippines - Life masterpiece is the phrase Marianne Mencias (photo) uses for a purpose — one’s reason for being and getting up for work.

Mencias, writer and facilitator in life skills training seminars, has presented steps into a life of success and significance in her book, What’s Your Life Masterpiece?

Mencias gathered the success nuggets by interviewing 10 world-class Filipinos who have created their life masterpiece by pursuing their passion and purpose.

The 10 are Marvin Agustin, actor and restaurateur who owns more than 40 restaurants; Josette Biyo, Intel Excellence awardee and the first Asian with a planet named after her by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Michael Carandang, Emmy awardee and former producer of America’s Next Top Model; Jose Mari Chan, multi-awarded singer and songwriter; Francis Flores, VP and business head for International Mainstream Markets, Jollibee Foods Corp.; Francis Libiran, fashion designer to A-list celebrities; Jason Magbanua, most sought-after and multi-awarded wedding videographer; Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga; Mark Ruiz, founder of Hapinoy Social Enterprise; and Bo Sanchez, all-time bestselling author and international speaker.

Not a few articles have already been written about these achievers, but Mencias chose to write about them to zero in on their “reason for being here” which drove them to extraordinary achievements.

Mencias inserts — in boxes shaded in blue for emphasis — valuable lessons to be learned from each example.

At best, the book inspires one to really look into one’s purpose — the key to taking that big leap to make one’s dreams come true, or simply, as Mencias puts it, even just to have that “can’t-wait-for-work-tomorrow” mindset.

What’s Your Life Masterpiece? is published by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc.