20 things to do in 2019

First, let me share with you 20 pieces of advice (reminders) to guide you in the next 365 days and even through the rest of your days. The list was forwarded to Funfare by my friend and loyal reader Joseph Chua who said that he didn’t know (do you?) who the author was but decided anyway to pass it to me so that my readers can learn from them.

1. Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead; if you lose, you can guide.

2. People are not what they say but what they do; so judge them not from their words but from their actions.

3. When someone hurts you, don’t feel bad because it’s a law of nature that the tree that bears the sweetest fruits gets maximum number of stones.

4. Take whatever you can from your life because when life starts taking from you, it takes even your last breath.

5. In this world, people will always throw stones on the path of your success. It depends on what you make from them — a wall or a bridge.

6. Challenges make life interesting; overcoming them makes life meaningful.

7. There is no joy in victory without running the risk of defeat.

8. A path without obstacles leads nowhere.

9. Past is a nice place to visit but certainly not a good place to stay.

10. You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.

11. If what you did yesterday still looks big to you, then you haven’t done much today.

12. If you don’t build your dreams, someone else will hire you to build theirs.

13. If you don’t climb the mountain; you can’t view the plain.

14. Don’t leave it idle — use your brain.

15. You are not paid for having a brain; you are only rewarded for using it intelligently.

16. It is not what you don’t have that limits you; it is what you have but don’t know how to use.

17. What you fail to learn might teach you a lesson.

18. The difference between a corrupt person and an honest person is: The corrupt person has a price while the honest person has a value.

19. If you succeed in cheating someone, don’t think that the person is a fool. Realize that the person trusted you much more than you deserved.

20. Honesty is an expensive gift; don’t expect it from cheap people.

And here are 20 things you might want to do in the next 365 days (the list has been drastically reduced from an initial 100 to 50 and down to 20 due to the... inflation? Hehehe!!!):

1. Forgive the “crime” a friend has committed against you but don’t forget it lest he/she might do it again. It can be more hurting the second (or third) time around, ouch!!!

2. Bear in mind the late Inday Badiday’s mantra: Mag-ingat sa mga taong hindi mo kilala at mas lalong mag-ingat sa mga taong kilalang-kilala mo na.

3. Follow Hollywood actor Liam Neeson’s example of starting his day by saying The Lord’s Prayer.

4. Pay the Lifetime Extension Center a visit (at #127 Malakas St., Central Diliman, Quezon City; landlines 911-1314 and 225-7907 or mobile 0917-5777675) and say goodbye to that frozen shoulder and other nagging aches and pains.

5. Don’t try to beat the traffic light. The life you save may be your own. Also, when confronted by a “road rage-crazed” person, keep your cool and flash a “peace sign” (it might help for all you know).

6. In need of a new pair of eyeglasses? Consult Dr. Vivian Sarabia at her shops in some malls. Vivian is the Eyewear Stylist of the Stars, or didn’t you know?

7. Subscribe to Netflix and enjoy any kind of film or show that you can ever imagine. Worth your time and your money... take it from this Netflix buff.

8. A fire gutted Wilson Lee Flores’ iconic Kamuning Bakery, all right, but you can still avail of his legendary pan de suelo, pan de regla and egg pie (Susan Roces’ favorite) at his small branch on Scout de Guia, Quezon City, near Annabel’s restaurant.

9. Heavily laden with problems? Spend quiet moments with the pink sisters at the St. Joseph’s Convent of Perpetual Adoration (Dona M. Hemady corner 11th Street, Quezon City) or at the Adoration Chapel of the Saint Paul The Apostle Parish (Timog Avenue corner Mother Ignacia, Quezon City).

10. Craving for a bowl of your good old favorite mami and siopao? You have two choices: The years-old Ling Nam (on #616 T. Alonzo St., Sta. Cruz, Manila) and Ma Mon Luk (on Quezon Boulevard, Quezon City or Quiapo, Manila).

11. Read a book. Like what book? Check out any branch of National Bookstore.

12. Social media can be toxic; “cyber-criminals” can drive vulnerable people to depression or, worse (knock on wood), self-destruction.

13. When strolling or simply window-shopping at the mall, avoid strangers pretending to be “friendly” or “helpful.” He could be a member of the dreaded dugo-dugo gang.

14. Need to lift that face or revitalize that skin or an over-all “renewal”? The Belo Medical Clinic or Cris Roque’s Kamiseta Skin is the place to go.

15. Valentine’s is just around the corner. If you don’t have one, find a lover... quick or you might miss the “last trip.”

16. Avoid using your celfone (texting, calling or answering calls) while driving or just walking. I know somebody who broke her leg because she slipped as she got into her car while busy on her celfone.

17. Can’t sleep a wink and counting sheep while the whole world is in sweet slumber? Try ZZZZquil (liquid or tablet form). It’s effective, zzzzz!!!

18. Follow the Golden Rule: Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.

19. Try to catch some Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) films on extended run. They may be showing at theaters near you.

20. Continue to read The Philippine STAR, “from cover to cover,” still the (No. 1) broadsheet to beat.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)