Regrets I have a few

Each one of us at one point in our lives has had regrets over things we wished we had done and things we wished we did not do. Regret is not a good thing but for as long as we gave and did our best, then we shouldn’t really feel bad.

So we asked our respondents: What is the one thing that you wish you did but never did, and what is the one thing that you regret doing?

Maan Hontiveros, media personality: Getting to know my mother much better, spending more quality time with her, and listening to her life‘s stories before she died. (Why was I always in such a rush in those days?!)

What I regret doing? Nothing much...it’s the sins of omission that I regret. What I have done, I can pretty much stand up for.

Tessa Valdes, interior designer: Regret...going to a friend’s wedding in a designer gown with full bouquet and all. I think I totally made the bride insecure.

Regret not doing ...learning a second language. Playing the piano or any instrument. Not taking my ballet lessons seriously, not taking growth pills.

Chito Vijandre, interior designer and owner, Firma and Fidel Bistro Lounge: Regrets? Become a nun! Seriously, I wanted to become a painter because when I was in La Salle grade school I was in the art club. In fact, I was sent to Mexico in 1968 to represent our country in the children’s painting exhibit. So that’s probably my greatest regret – not pursuing my inclination. Instead I went into designing clothes because at that time I felt it was commercially the right thing to do.

Regret doing? Come to think of it, nothing. Because I’m a very calculating person. In other words, a segurista.

Senator Juan M. Flavier: I wish I made my children go into music. They didn’t like music then, so I didn’t force them. Now, they are complaining why I didn’t force them. They say that I should have spanked them when they refused.

Regrets: Running for the Senate because I preferred staying in the Department of Health. I’m basically an action person and all the debates in the Senate are somewhat boring me. But now that I’m a senator, I have committed to become a useful one by doing my work diligently and attending the sessions and committee hearings. This is my way of saying that the people did not make a mistake when they voted me to this office.

Malu Maglutac Chiongbian, homemaker: First of all, I don’t believe in regrets. In everything I did there was a lesson learned for me that made me move on.

But if there was any, maybe it’s that I didn’t pursue my TV career which I left when I was 31. Maybe if I continued my TV career back then I would have made it. But I don’t really feel bad about it. I chose to be a housewife. I chose family over career. I have no regrets. I’m very happy and content with my life now. All I ever wanted was to have a family and a daughter which I have now.

I don’t look back. I made a lot of mistakes in relationships but these mistakes are what strengthened me. I’m happy that I don’t have to work, though I miss being on TV. I’m blessed that I have my five-and-a-half-year-old daughter Anara who‘s the one biggest, utmost, awesome thing that ever happened to me.

Leah Puyat, writer and entrepreneur: The one and only regret in my life was lying to my family about a relationship. It’s a terrible feeling to hurt your family and I would rather be an old maid than be with an unsuitable man.

What I regret not doing is taking my French seriously. I love French magazines, movies and books and wish I could read French fluently rather than just figure out the gist.

Gary Valenciano, singer: What is something I regret I ever did? It still happens every once in a while. It’s when I say things that I know hurt the people I love the most.

Something I regret I never did? Pursue my desire to be a good all-around athlete.