Art's pathways - From The Stands

After writing 7,000 columns in a period of 20 years, Philippine STAR columnist Art A. Borjal finally plucked out 42 columns that he thought "represented the best of (his) writings." As you know, Art, like most of the male columnists at the STAR, has been writing long political columns, but it turns out that his representative essays had been plucked out of political columns, and the result is short and poignant, personal observations. Art writes in the foreword that many of these essays had been written "with one underlying intention: to persuade, prod and inspire others to do what should be done for our fellowmen and for a better world."

As in most retrospective works, Art's book, Walking Through the Pathways of Life, gives us a glimpse into the political and social developments during the period the essays were written. There are pieces on former President Diosdado Macapagal (whom Art describes as the last of the gentlemen-presidents, does Art mean that the succeeding presidents are not gentlemen-presidents?); on the assassination of Ninoy, on the heady days prior to the election of Cory Aquino, on the Marcos regime gasping its last breath; on then Manila Mayor Fred Lim and actress Gretchen Baretto's denunciation of the Manila Film Festival deception by Ruffa Gutierrez; on Leyte or "Imelda Country" (where "poverty and stagnation are evident everywhere"); on Speaker Ramon V. Mitra's presiding over the last and final session of the First Congress under the 1987 Constitution; on Doy Laurel's painful parting with President Aquino.

The essays are pained commentaries on the vulgarities of the times. There are lots of pieces on people being killed without compunction. There's so much dishonesty in people. But, as expected, there are numerous pieces on people afflicted with congenital and acquired ailments who are in need of financial assistance. Always, the victims and their families are poor. And it has been through Art's column that doctors responded, philanthropists poured money, money for plane fares came, that children with no lower jaw, only half of both hands and a right leg, that hopelessly sick young men and women were given new organs and faces. Wheelchairs were given through Art's column.

Art's own story is a triumph over adversity. He contracted polio at the age of three, forcing him to use a pair of crutches and a wheelchair. But this disability did not hinder him from reaching for the stars. In the book's foreword, Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J., recounts his prodding Art to attend the first meeting of the Ateneo Debating Society. He found Art at the foot of the stairwell, on the ground floor, on his crutches, looking at the stairs. The society was to meet in the auditorium which was on the third floor. Art said the stairs were too tough for him. But the good father convinced him to go up the two flights of stairs. Art did, slowly, but surely -- to the meeting where he would be elected president, and become one of Ateneo's finest debaters.

Art finished his bachelor of arts in humanities and bachelor of laws degrees from the Ateneo where he was editor of the school paper and president of the student council. He became a presidential speech writer and an official of both the executive and legislative branches of government. He served as president of the City College of Manila, and capped his government career of 20 years as a sectoral congressman in the House of Representatives.

He has been writing a daily column since 1979, hosted television talk shows, and anchored several radio programs. For his achievements, he was named Newspaperman of the Year by the Rotary Club of Manila, and the Best Opinion Columnist by the Catholic Mass Media Awards. He holds the distinction of being president of the National Press Club and the Manila Overseas Press Club at the same time for two consecutive years.

Art's book is indeed, a walk "through the pathways of life."

ON ANOTHER FRONT: Not too long ago, a group of young men were having soup in a street café in New York. Soup had been their favorite "drink" when they were students and then working young men in the Big Apple. "And that was and is the trend in New York," says Benjo Mendoza. "Instead of having a full meal or coffee, people would take soup, carrying a cup of it to book stores, to the parks, and then going back to the office." When Benjo and good friend Butch Peña returned to Manila, they found no soup store. It was a matter of time before the two rounded up friends to put up the first soup outlet in the country. Butch kept saying. "Soup is healthy, it warms the heart and fills the soul."

Their first venture, named The Soup Brewery, at the food courts of the Festival Supermall in Alabang, was a success. Patterned after the soup and café carts in the corner of Broadway and 57th street in Manhattan and soup bistros of Quebec, The Soup Brewery served Fisherman's choice, Morocco Corn Chowder, Shrimp & Crab Bisque, Spring Chicken Asparagus, Seafood Pasta Mix, Double Mushroom Supreme, Macau Savory Pork, and Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup in 12-oz. paper cups, with bread or crackers at a classy stall with a wide display of chrome soup pots. Their second outlet is at the food court of SM Megamall, their customers coming from the executive offices.

"Our clientele is the weight watchers, the diet conscious and the busy executives on the go," says Benjo, who is in charge of marketing and promotions, as well as owner of Powernet Cabling, Inc. Butch, who owns United Blue Jeans NY Co. takes care of operations Albert Pelea of Esperanza's Farm Dining, is in production. The other stockholders are yuppies and entrepreneurs too -- Rowin Guiao, Paulo Aguilar, Joel Ferrer, Esq., Cielo Vilches and Marichu dela Fuente. Next time you go shopping, look for The Soup Brewery.